Arrival
"Holy space balls." Kokichi spoke up. "That's a big ship."
"Anyone else find it funny how it actually looks like a mushroom?" Rantaro offered. Kaito assumed that he was trying to lighten the mood. Mushroom or not though, the sight of the alien ship was terrifying.
It was ten times, maybe even twelve times of the ship they were in now. It's thick, stalk like bottom was as thick as four sky scrapers. The dome above it spread out immensely, covering everything around it in a massive radius. The entire ship was aglow with blinking lights and the dome itself rotated slowly.
The crew had arrived just a few minutes ago, all sixteen of them gathered in the cockpit, eyeing the Imperial ship.
"This is it." Kiibo said. "I can feel the frequencies coming off it. They're a lot stronger than anything Earth has ever developed."
"Frequencies?" Kaito asked.
"Yes, communication frequencies. I can't see what they're saying, but I can determine when they're sent and the general direction they're being sent to." Kiibo said. "There's a lot of chatter. This is a massive operation center."
"Where are they going?" Kaede asked.
Kiibo shook his head. "All I can tell is that they're going to deep space. Farther away than any Earth mission has ever been sent."
"Oh fantastic." Kokichi said, kicking his feet up on the dashboard. "So, not to be a downer or anything, but how do we even get onto the big scary space mushroom?"
"We wait for orders." Kaito said.
"Because that's worked out so well so far."
"Do you have any better ideas?" Kaito snapped. "All you've done since you've gotten here is bitch and moan. So you'd better start pulling your fucking weight or I'll launch you into space by yourself. Without a suit!"
To Kaito's surprise, Kokichi grinned. "Attaboy Luminary of the whatevers. Showing some spine at last."
Kaito was debating punching him for real this time, when a crackle of static filtered from the PA.
"Please confirm your status." The woman's cold voice said. "Our scanners indicate that you have reached the Imperial ship."
"We're all good here." Kaito responded. "And yeah, we're right in front of it."
"Excellent." The woman said. "You will now prepare to board the ship. Each of you has been categorized into a specific role."
"Watch mine be boring." Kokichi grumbled.
"Mr. Oma, you will remain on board with the robotic operative to decode any incoming or exporting chatter."
"See? Dammit, come on robotic operative. We're sitting out for this one. Someone gimme a laptop or something." Kokichi rose from his seat and slunk out the door, down towards his room.
"Please don't call me that. I would prefer if you used my name. I don't call you "short and generally annoying operative" do I?" Kiibo said, trailing after him.
"Can't believe the gremlin's actually being trusted with something." Miu sighed.
"Mr. Oma has proved to be an accomplished hacker, well renown for his actions on the deep web." the woman responded. Miu jumped, clearly not expecting to be heard. "Rest assure that everything has been thought of. There is no need for animosity amongst yourselves."
No need to think basically. Kaito met Shuichi's eyes.
"Mr. Shinguji and Ms. Yonaga will remain onboard as HQ support. Ms. Yonaga has been studying the floor plans of the ship for quite some time. She will act as your guide over comms. Mr. Shinguji will begin to decode any and all information sent back."
"Ooh! Atua thinks that this is the perfect job for us!" Angie cheered. She grabbed Korekiyo by the arm and cheerfully dragged him back towards the lounge. Korekiyo seemed more panicked by the physical contact than his assignment.
"The rest of you will be divided into two teams. One team will board and explore the west half of the ship, the other will explore the east. Please decide who will lead each team."
"Ok." Kaito said slowly. "If it's ok with you all, I'll take one." Everyone nodded, and Kaito continued. "Rantaro, can you take the other? You're the one with the most experience, and I trust you."
Rantaro seemed surprised, but he nodded. "Sure thing."
"Excellent." The woman's voice cut back in, making everyone jump. We will proceed to divide the teams accordingly. One moment please."
"W-wait. Why am I going?" Himiko said in a small voice. "I d-don't want to..."
Kaito had to agree. The poor girl was shaking. She was tiny with no combat experience. Ryoma could clearly handle himself, but Himiko?
"Don't worry Himiko! I'll protect you." Tenko said. Himiko seemed to brighten slightly.
"Thank you for waiting." The woman's voice returned. "Please divide Ms. Chabashira and Ms. Harukawa amongst yourselves as combat specialists."
Kaito looked at Maki, surprised. She looked away quickly. "I'll take Maki." he spoke up.
"Alright, Tenko and Himiko are with me." Rantaro said, offering the redhead a smile. She nodded.
"Mr. Amami, you are not authorized to form your own team." The woman said. She sounded slightly irritated. "Nevertheless, you may have Ms. Yumeno as a spare. Ms. Akamatsu, you will join Mr. Momota."
"Spare?" Kaede whispered. "What does that mean?" Kaito shrugged. Ryoma's face darkened suddenly.
"Please divide Mr. Gokuara and Mr. Hoshi among yourselves as secondary combat."
"Could Gonta please go with Himiko? Gentlemen help protect those in need." Gonta said.
"Yeah! Himiko protection squad!" Tenko cheered. "I guess you degenerate males are good for something."
"Go for it." Kaito said. "Ryoma, you're with me." Ryoma only nodded in response. He still looked scary.
"Please divide Ms. Iruma and Mr. Saihara amongst yourselves for intel gathering."
"Intel gathering? Me?" Shuichi asked nervously.
"You're a detective. You're gonna do great." Kaede said.
"WE WANT MIU!" Tenko shrieked. "Sorry, but I can't take any more degenerate males on this team."
"That's cool with me. You're with us, sidekick." Kaito said, clapping Shuichi on the shoulder.
"Finally, please divide Ms. Tojo and Ms. Shirogane amongst yourselves for infiltration."
"Infiltration!" Tsmugi yelled. "I already told you! Cosplay is not a disguise-"
"Failure to comply will result in the termination of your loved ones."
The threat was developed coldly. It was stated as a fact. Kaito felt like he'd been dunked in a bucket of ice water. Had Kokichi been right?
"Apologies." The woman said. She sounded tired. "We cannot afford hesitation."
Kaito relaxed slightly. She was stressed, that was all...right? The rest of the group looked equally nervous and unsure.
"Tsmugi, you're with me. Kirumi, you good with Rantaro?" Kaito said, trying to ignore the shake in his voice.
"I will follow your orders as requested." Kirumi said.
"Awesome. So that's me, Maki, Kaede, Ryoma, Shuichi and Tsmugi." Kaito said. "And Rantaro's with Tenko, Himiko, Gonta, Miu and Kirumi."
"Excellent. Please make your way to the transport deck and prepare to board. Await orders." the PA clicked off.
"Not to sound like Kokichi but...they didn't tell us anything else." Tsmugi said softly.
"They're taking it one step at a time." Kaito said, trying his best to sound reassuring. "Making sure there's no room for error."
"Or no room for us to think for ourselves." Ryoma said darkly.
"Awww look at this cozy little get together!" Kokichi said, eyeing the twelve crew members standing in the launch bay. Having adorned tight fitting space suits, they resembled a crew of various shaped marshmallows.
"We all know you're jealous you're not coming Kokichi." Kaede sighed.
"Am I though? I realized that I'm waaaay less likely to die up here than down there." he snickered, seeing Himiko pale. "Hey, don't worry! I'm still looking out for you!"
"What can you possibly do?" Kaito asked.
"I brought you a little present." Kokichi said. "Don't worry, it won't explode or anything."
"Doubt it." Kaito grumbled.
"Here you go!" Kokichi shoved a roll of paper towels into Kaito's hands. "To help you clean up whoever's guts get all over everything. Ten bucks says it's gonna be Himiko!" with that, the self proclaimed supreme leader turned on his heel and walked off of the launch deck.
Kaito was ready to chuck the paper towels back at Kokichi's head, when Shuichi grabbed his arm.
"Wait, we could use them."
"What?? That's bullshi..." Kaito trailed off as Shuichi gave him a meaningful look. "You're right. Let's get them in a secure pack."
Once safely away from the rest of the group, down a thin hallway, Kaito turned back to Shuichi. "Ok what's-"
"I just think that we shouldn't judge people by their first impression." Shuichi cut him off. That made Kaito freeze. Shuichi wasn't ballsy enough to cut in like that normally. A quick glance around the hall revealed several cameras. Damn, those things were everywhere.
"Yeah? Why's that?" Kaito asked.
"It's what's on the inside that matters." as Shuichi sealed the paper towels in the pack, Kaito caught a glimpse of something small and silvery.
"What is your status?" the female's cold voice had returned. Kaito jogged back to the launch bay.
"We're all set. Just packing a few last minute things."
"Excellent. Please make your way to shuttles A and B."
Kaito grabbed Rantaro's shoulder as he passed. "Good luck. Keep em safe for me."
"You too." Rantaro said. "I promise everyone's coming back in one piece."
Kaito nodded before falling in line to enter the shuttle. It was a small plane-like contraption with a row of seats behind a tiny cockpit. "Guessing I'm flying this thing."
The woman's voice echoed from a set of speakers in the cockpit. "Very well. Once you have confirmed pilots, please be seated for launch."
"What's up fuckwads? Shuttle B checking in. This is the gorgeous girl genius slash pilot" Miu's voice crackled from the same speaker system.
"Hey Miu, Shuttle A's all set. How you guys feeling?"
"My back's killing me. Hey Tsmugi, think you could give me a little more support up front-"
"Please do not use the radio channels for idle chit chat." the woman cut back in.
"Idle? I'm guessing you don't have these facilities, do you sweetie-"
"Strike one Ms. Iruma." the woman's voice was cold enough to frost over the shuttles.
"S-sorry..."
"Coordinates have been sent to you as of now." The woman continued. "You will pilot to your designated destinations and away orders from your HQ. We will not speak again until you return to the ship. Good luck." the woman's voice clicked off.
"Um, not to sound like Kokichi again, but what the hell!" Tsmugi spluttered. "We're being handed over to other people who have no idea what's going on!"
"Have a little more faith!" Angie's voice played through the shuttle. "Atua has given me the information needed!"
"Command gave us all of the details." Korekiyo's quiet voice was barely heard.
"Because Atua made it so!"
"Great." Kaito said. "I don't care how we got it, we have it. That's what matters. Ok. Now or never team. We all ready? Shuttle B?"
"Yeah, guess so." Miu still sounded nervous. "Ready when you are."
"Alright. Here goes." Kaito said, warming the engine.
"By Atua's will, I will open the bay doors." Angie said. As soon as she finished speaking, the back wall lowered away from the rest of the room, revealing both a ramp and the wide expanse of space. "Contact will be re-established once you've docked safely."
"Good luck." Korekiyo said calmly, before the comms cut out.
"You heard em Shuttle B." Kaito said. "We're on our own until we land. You got the coordinates?"
"Yeah." Miu said. "Now shut your mouth and let's do this shit already."
Kaito grinned. "You heard the lady, here we go. Good luck guys, Shuttle A out." he turned off the comms system. "Buckle up guys. Launching in three...two...one!"
Kaito carefully guided the ship down the ramp and into the starry beyond.
"It's so smooth. The ride I mean." Tsmugi was the first to speak up after five minutes of silence
"Yeah, these babies are tougher than they look. We can't go long distances with them, but they're perfect for scouting crews checking out other planets or moons..."
"Or enemy ships." Shuichi said softly. The Imperial ship was looming before them.
"Ok, there's a docking bay to our right." Kaito could see shuttle B peeling off to head for their own bay. "We're heading there."
"Won't they see us?" Kaede asked.
"No." Shuichi spoke up. "They don't use video footage."
"Why not?" Tsmugi asked. "How do you know?"
Instead of Shuichi's voice, Kaito heard Maki's instead. "If they had video footage we would have been told about it. I don't think they have eyes that work like ours. Video is useless to them."
"Well, makes it easier for us." Ryoma said. "As easy as infiltrating an alien ship can be."
"We're here." Kaito said. "Brace for landing." He said it as a warning, despite the relatively smooth landing.
"Yay! Connection re-established! You did it! Praise be to Atua!" Angie cheered.
"Hey Angie. Yeah, we've landed. Where's shuttle B?"
"We're here." Rantaro's smooth voice joined Angie's over the comms. "We had some trouble getting in. Miu hit the side of the bay-"
"I've never fucking flown one of these before!" Miu cut in.
"One of our thrusters is a little sparky." Rantaro continued. "But I think we'll be ok."
"Leave the shuttles in the bay." Angie ordered.
"Wait, how will we talk if we leave them-" Kaito didn't get a chance to finish his question.
"Leave that to me spaceboy!" Kokichi said cheerfully. "Don't say anything, turn off the ship comms. Tell me when they're off."
"They are now." Kaito said, after switching them off.
"Awesome." Kokichi said. "There's a mini comm system in your helmets. I tapped into it. It's fully private. The only ones who can hear us is us."
"Why would we need a private line?" Kaede asked.
"Oh my sweet, naive Kaede." Kokichi sighed. "Do you really think we can trust our dear friends back at the TCCSE? Didn't think so. Everyone gimme a count off."
"One?" Kaito offered.
"Aww he can count!" Kokichi said. "Just say your names or whatevs."
Everyone sounded off, including Angie and Korekiyo. "Kokichi." Shuichi said. "Can I ask what it is you gave us?"
"Duh! Paper towels!" Kokichi said cheerfully. "Ok, yeah, just kidding. There's a flashdrive. I want you to find some kind of outlet to jam it in. It'll get me into their system."
"To do what?" Himiko asked.
"Yank their info! I'm making your job easier." Kokichi said, sounding as if it was obvious. "Which one of you idiots has it?"
"I do." Kaito said.
"Ok, you guys find me my outlet. The rest of you, do me a solid and turn on your body cams. I wanna live this from here."
"Yes, Atua says we need them on." Angie said. "Are we all ready to proceed?"
"Yup." Rantaro said. "We'll always be able to talk to each other yeah?"
"Yup. I'm just that talented." Kokichi said.
"Atua says you should shut up Kokichi." Angie said, still in her cheerful tone. "We don't have long, so let us begin!"
The ship was far creepier than Kaito thought it would be. It was quiet. They had yet to come across any other signs of life.
"Angie, you sure we're heading to their comms room?" Kaito asked quietly, despite the lack of anything else to hear them.
"Of course! You go to comms, they go to weaponry. It's very simple."
"Easy for you to say. You're not here." Maki said.
"Yes, it is a bit strange that I am here. I know the ship better than-turn left here! Than anyone else."
"Sure it does. You're too valuable." Ryoma said. "Even if we die, future teams still have you to guide them."
"Atua always has a plan." Angie said calmly. "Now you will see an overhead hatch. climb up it to the second level."
"What's up there?"
"Hold please! Team two seems to have run into something!"
"Angie what? Wait!" Kaito yelled.
"Go up the hatch." Angie's voice had been replaced by Korekiyo's calm one. "It leads to a certain storage area. It is unlikely you will run into trouble."
"What's happening?" Kaede asked. "Are the others ok?"
"Focus on getting up." Korekiyo's voice didn't betray any worry.
"Kiyo come on! Are they even alive?!" Kaito demanded.
"...What did you just call me?"
"Your name's fucking long! Kiyo, Korekiyo, doesn't matter. Are they ok!"
"I see. You may call me Kiyo." There was a short pause. "Yes. They are ok. For now."
"What do you mean?! You're even worse than the ground control!"
"Would you rather I worry you about something you cannot control? Or would you rather do what you can do to help? It is your choice."
Kaito gritted his teeth and began to climb up the hatch. "Is this because I tried to hit you?"
"No. I only worry about your state of mind."
Kaito had asked more questions without response, so all he had left to do was to climb. The hatch was large with the rungs far apart. By the time he'd made it to the top, his arms were aching and he was soaked with sweat.
"Ok, we're up."
"Go to your right!" Angie was back. "It leads right into the chamber."
"IS TEAM TWO OK!?" Kaito yelled.
"Yes. They ran into some kind of security drone." Angie said. "Gonta smashed it with his bare hands!"
"Woah! I wasn't watching! I missed that? Dammit!" Kokichi exclaimed. "Sorry, there's a lot of radio shit going on. Not fully sure what's going on here."
"Kaito!" Kaede called. "Look at this."
He joined her at what appeared to be the mouth of the chamber. A large, round circular room lay before them. It was a luminescent green with slick steel walls. The walls were lined with amber pods.
"What exactly do they store in here?" Shuichi asked slowly.
Angie was quiet for a minute before answering. "Samples."
"Samples of what?!" Kaito yelled. He got a scream in response. Tsmugi was jerking back from one of the pods.
"Oh god! Oh my god!" She stumbled back, toppling over onto the steel floor.
"What's wrong? Are you ok!" Kaede yelled.
"E-eyes, th-there are eyes..." Tsmugi stuttered.
Kaito made his way over to the pod and blanched. It was crammed full of human eyes. "What the actual fuck!"
"Ugh, ew, of course this is when I pay attention." Kokichi said. "That's sick."
"Um, can someone tell me why the hell there's a bunch of eyes?" Ryoma said, voice shaky.
"I believe this is some kind of laboratory." Kiyo said. "It's almost like they're curious children. I believe this confirms our theory about the differences between their eyes. They're fascinated by them it seems. They take them and collect them. I wonder if it's like pinning a butterfly to a board for them."
"So they do this...because they want to?" Kaede said weakly.
"Yes and no. I theorize that they dissect humans for science, but that does not mean they do not enjoy it. It's like looking for seashells. You keep pretty specimens that you like."
"That's so sick." Kaede said.
"To us maybe, not them. Do not hold these beings to human standards. That is my job. They are scientists, we are their lab work. Try not to be disturbed by this."
"How can you not be disturbed!" Kaede cried. "These are people!"
"Do you cry when you step on a worm? No. This is not murder, it's science."
"Stop it!" Kaede screamed. "You sound like one of them!"
Kiyo didn't respond for a moment. "That is how you see me? How curious..."
"Angie, where do we go from here?" Kaito asked.
"Well first I need images of the cells. Go walk around them so I can get video."
"I'll do it." Ryoma spoke up. "You guys stay here."
Ryoma carefully walked the circumference of the room, pausing in front of each pod. When he returned to the group, he looked sick. "Ok, that good?"
"Yes, thank you!" Angie said. "Proceed to the door on the right and head down the hallway. Stop when I say so!"
Kaito made his way to Ryoma. "What was in the other pods?"
Ryoma shook his head. "Nothing good. Ears, hands, other parts. I don't wanna talk about it."
Kaito nodded and the group moved forward in silence.
"Stop here!" Angie's voice finally cut into the silence. "You will enter another lab room."
"Perhaps they should not." Kiyo said delicately. "I am unsure they can handle it-"
"Like hell we can't." Ryoma said. "We're going."
Kaito heard Kiyo sigh heavily. "Very well. Do not complain about the monstrosity of the actions then."
"Are you serious?!" Kaede asked. "These are-"
"They were people. Now they are dead. We cannot bring them back. If you want to honor them when you return I am happy to walk you through various honoring ceremonies. But for now all we can do is keep going." Kaito thought he was trying to make his voice sound more gentle.
"Fine. But I'm not going to forget about this." Kaede said.
"I did not ask you to."
"Let's keep going." Kaito said. "Ready team?"
"I believe full cadavers will be in this one." Kiyo said.
"Fantastic." Ryoma said. "Do we have to linger in there or no?"
"Same as before. Get me a room scan pretty please!" Angie chirped.
"You haven't happened to see any outlets have you?" Kokichi chimed in.
"No, not yet." Kaito said. "Ok, let's do it team. How's team two?"
"They're not responding." Kiyo said calmly.
"WHAT?!"
"They are not respondi-"
"I heard you the first time! Why not! Did they say anything?!" Kaito demanded.
"No."
Kaito swore under his breath. This was messier than he thought it would be.
"Keep going." Angie chided. "I'm sure Atua will deem it necessary to restore contact soon."
"I'm on it." Kokichi spoke up. "If I can't find em, no one can. Then again I can't find them so...Hey you know what would help! If you plugged the drive in."
"I'm working on it!" Kaito snapped.
"Everyone calm down." Maki said sharply. "It's clear that we're really not equipped to be handling this. Fighting will only make it worse. Angie, I'm going into the next lab. Anyone who wants to stay behind is welcome to."
Kaito exchanged looks with the rest of his crew before hurrying after Maki's long determined strides.
The second lab was a replica of the first. Thankfully the pods were empty in this one, with no cadavers to be seen.
"They cleaned it out recently." Angie said. "How interesting!"
"Is it a good interesting or a bad interesting?" Tsmugi asked.
"I'm not sure! How exciting!"
"You guys need anything else in here?" Shuichi asked.
"Yes. Please get me a closer look at some of the labels." Korekiyo said. He hadn't spoken much since the hallway.
"Why? What are you going to do with it? Read it?"
"I will need to teach myself their language first, but ideally yes. I need samples of their written language though."
"You can do that?" Kaede asked.
"Of course. From the limited samples I have seen so far, I have determined that their language is similar to hieroglyphics. Pictures for words."
"Ok, I'll get the writing." Kaito said, stepping around the room. "That good enough?"
"Closer. Try standing over that label."
"I got em!" Kokichi's voice made Kaito jump. "They're ok, for now. They're hiding, waiting it out."
"Hiding from what?" Ryoma asked.
"Uh, good question. No idea what that thing is." Kokichi said. "It's pretty nasty looking though."
"Do not worry for them. I am sure Atua will protect them." Angie said. "Keep going! You will enter the main lab next. This is an important area."
"Should we go to the others?" Shuichi asked. "Maybe we can help."
"No, wouldn't recommend." Kokichi said. "We're running out of time. You guys should thank your lucky stars that you got the quiet side. Now be good little soldiers and finish up before that quiet's gone."
The lab was massive. It was three times the size of the two storerooms the team had previously entered. It was well lit and looked like something you might find on Earth, despite having more advanced technology.
"Bingo!" Kokichi cheered. "Plug it in to that console."
Kaito obliged, carefully scanning the lab. It was also completely clean, with no sign of recent use.
"Hey, I found something." Maki said softly. She had tapped on a panel, causing a drawer to slide open. "I think it's blood."
The liquid in the vials that lined the drawers gave off the same fluorescent green glow as the room.
"That's disgusting." Kokichi said.
"What do we do?" Maki asked. "I could try to bring it back with us."
"It might be dangerous." Ryoma said.
"Bring it back." Korekiyo said. "My experience in forensic anthropology is limited, but I believe I can gain some knowledge for it."
"Can someone please explain what the heck anthropology even is!" Kokichi whined. There was a beep in the background. "Oh sweet, I'm in. Let's see what we got...boop!"
A screen in the lab lit up with a chart, written in the same swirly language the team had seen throughout the ship.
"That was you, right?" Tsmugi said nervously.
"Yeah, just me. Want me to play a cute cat video or something? I saw an adorable one the other day-"
"Guys." Kaito said. "Am I crazy or does the label on this point here match the one by the eyes."
"No. It is a match." Kiyo confirmed. "It may be a bit early to make a guess, but I believe we are looking at capture rates for abductions."