Our little field trip is lacking any teachers which is somewhat alarming- perhaps they are using us as bait to start a war. Our deaths would be enough to cause havoc politically, but in terms of militarily we are worthless.
"As you all likely know, the Biffle Base is used as a medium, it allows for a common landmarks between us strain and the humans. Here we are able to converse and communicate without the fear of conflict."
I havent been lined up like this since I was a kid.
"one at a time, there's no need to rush."
The two Strain sherpa us through the unknown maze of the space station; its called a station, but its the size of a small planet.
"I still don't really get how this place exists..." Toko questions.
"It apparently was the first attempt at using the Build-a-planet. Using a magnetic core, when activated it can pull any space debris towards it. Once enough passing astroids had convinced, they were able to increase the pressure and pack it all together."
"Eh... they literally built a planet?"
"That was only the first model, since then they have commercialized it. Now you can buy them customized, aquatic, rocky, lush, any kind of planet."
"Wha- I want to buy a planet! Coco, buy us a planet!"
"Yea- no- those are reserved for people who are stupid rich. What would you even use an entire planet for?"
"I wouldnt use it for anything, but you would have endless space to make shrines for me."
Giving her a dead pan stare I nod. "I'll get saving."
Walking past the nursery there is a large room filled with eggs and cool lighting.
"As you know, you humans are a little weird, giving live birth, but us strains are able to create our offspring through eggs."
"Ew-" Ekstacy states sticking his tongue out.
It is strange to think about, difficult to comprehend another intelligent species not being mammals.
In the next room is a bunch of small strain. Unlike the colossal strain that walk besides us, these are short, like children; which would explain why it looks like a daycare.
Like a bunch of little Chuckys the children strain stab and slice one another with their weaponized hands.
"While it may seem violent this is how we Strain develop, similar to how the cubs of your planet roughhouse and bite everything to strengthen their claws and fangs."
The cuts and gashes inflicted on one another instantly heal as they giggle and run around.
"well- whose hungry!" The tour guide finally questions.
Most of my classmates perk up as their eyes widen.
Yet when we arrive to the cafeteria...
"Belgh- taste like metal."
My other classmate is spazing out as the living food electrocutes him.
"Oh- I'm so sorry! I forgot how weak you humans are! In order to maintain our existence, us Strain must eat ionized nourishment. I will go see if the chef will be able to make some of your gooey human food!" With that, the Strain dashes towards the kitchen.
Its not like some cheesy robot cliche where they drink gasoline, their food must be organic yet contain enough electricity to power their hearts.
"You know, you always complain about your element, but you to count your blessings, at least you didn't get an electric core, your life really would have been over."
"I suppose you're right, if my attacks only strengthened the enemy it would be a little demotivating."
"It wouldnt have been all doom and gloom though, there was that one pioneer who had an electric core, he did pretty well."
"Ophorus? He was a one in a million, I'm not special like that."
"Dont be so nihilistic, you would make a great main character; and I would be the funny fan favorite side character! "
"Suicidal and weak... yea, my life's movie would be a tragedy of misfortune. No one would want to watch that."
"Stop." She commands; her voice far more stern.
"Sorry."
While the purpose of this space station is to bring us together, there are inevitably differnces that cant be ignored.
Walking past a false eco dome, countless houses line the bustling streets. Right besides the dome is another, this one is dismally dark. Like the bottom of the ocean, the light is cast by the neon signs that shower the area.
Even so, the areas are interspersed with both humans and Strain sharing friendly conversations.
It was interesting at first, but the longer this tour goes on for, the more I feel like im being treated like a kid. As though this little show is supposed to distract us from the previous massacre.
Of our initial group of 40 people, there are only twenty left, likely due to the complexity of the halls. My glance looks down a dark hallway to my righ-
There's someone down there?
Temporarily separating from the group I walk towards the figure.
As I walk towards it I begin to understand how people die in horror movies, curiosity really is powerful force.
When I make it down the hall, theres no one.
Odd, guess I'm imagining things, I knew I was scaring myself over nothing.
Yet, down on the ground there is a stain?
It looks fresh-
What... is that?
An organ?
As though talking directly in my mind a voice mumbles behind me.
"So- ph- iiiiaaa."
Slowly turning im met with a pair of pure white eyes. Its a human, yet its walks only on its hands. It has nub-like legs. Its lower torso arches up like a scorpion as a string of flesh attached to the eyelid holds the torso up.
Slowly backing away, the human like creature hisses.
"THE FUCK?!"
Pulling out my gun I aim it at the creature.
Do I kill it?
What the hell is it?
In my moment of hesitation the creature rapidly waddles down another dark coridor in retreat.
Was that one of the Pandoras, Echo was talking about?
Why is it here?
I don't dare venture deeper down these halls.
At least it wasnt hostile like the other one.
Still refusing to holster my weapon I can at least exhale the fear out of my lungs.
Like a loose rope suddenly being yanked, my breath tightens; and, there's suddenly that undescribably feeling of being watched.
I look down the hall to my left, ther- there is- now hundreds of eyes and morphed figures staring at me.
They are not all human, some resemble the Strain with their glowing armored plates.
Taking a deep breath... I fucking bolt out back towards the group!
Despite my fears, I'm not followed.
Making it back towards the group I dont know who or what I should tell.
Deciding to tell the only person I really know, I grab Toko's arm.
"Coco, you good? Your sweatin, are you THAT excited? Finneee we can try and find a bathro-"
"Toko, there was- creatures down that hall, they looked... so human."
"Eh? What are you on? To think Mr.anti drugs would take some without me."
"Im being serious, they- it looked like- I cant describe them!"
A strain walks over to us as we lag behind the group.
"Is everything alright, I would be happy to take you to the peepee room-" Their eyes widen with a gasp as they see my panic. "ARE YOU ALRIGHT!? Why do you look so scared?! Am I scaring you?! Oh no, I'm sorry!?"
Still gasping for air I point down the hall with wide eyes. "There was something down there, like- it- some creature."
The strain pauses. "Creature? Um... I think the earth zoo is on the 74th floor, I'm sure we can fit it in at the end of the tour."
My voice becomes a little more irritated. "I'm saying, there's some foreign creature down there!"
The strains eyes narrow. "Why are you getting so mad? Are you looking for a fight?"
It really is like a tight rope with these people.
"No, I'm sorry, I just- I think there's something dangerous down those halls and I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"Oh. Why didn't you just say so?" Turning around the strain holds out its hands. With a grotesque metallic ripping sound, its fists morphs into chainsaw like weapons as it spins. "Leave it to me!"
Leaning down, the green strain stances into a sprinters pose, before bolting down the dark hall, his glowing innards shine leaving an after image.
Moments later he bolts back; the wind created by his speed slams against us.
"Well I didn't see anything. Are you sure you are mentally alright? Despite being a old brute, our doctor onboard is very careful. If you would like to have your brain checked shes the best of the best, She has given me a lobotomy more times than I can count."
There was nothing there?
Am I going crazy?
Maybe it was one of those illusion ones?
But, that still means there's one here.
"Cmon Coco, if your going to go crazy, lets do it together in a locked room."
Hesitating, I realize there's nothing I can do.
The Green Strain shepards us back to the main group as I cant get that image out of my head.
It was like a wild human, yet its existence looked so painful, and what did it mean by Sophia?
I would have accused the Strain, but their own kind was there too.
Who do I tell?