Anomaly Contained
9:08 PM.
Fern Mask: Help needed!
Stella Lumaris: What is going on?
Fern Mask: We are being attacked by humanoid creatures.
9:12 PM.
Stella Lumaris: Help sent. Bring back a sample.
10:06 PM.
The entire city had grown quiet. All staff members had left for their homes or retreated to their quarters.
"Ms. Stella, we are bringing in the anomaly."
Barnaby's static voice over the coms said.
"Alright."
10:16 PM.
I moved through the quiet, dark second floor housing the staff quarters, laboratory, and engineering bay.
My steps stopped outside my designated laboratory. I raised my hand and pressed my palm against the panel. The door slid open.
As I entered, the unknown species was strapped down, lying flat on the hovering platform.
The Earth Protection members had already delivered the creature and clocked out. White Watch survived. Even with my interference in this mission, she came out unscathed. Damn it.
It was like some unseen force was protecting her. I'd have to try harder.
The creature was tall and humanoid, with long fingers tipped by sharp nails. The crystal-like growth on its left arm was the most intriguing feature.
A faint blue shimmer caught in my eyes.
I moved toward the strapped-down creature, pulling up the hologram to analyze it.
The display glitched for a moment.
What was going on with the arena's technology?
The temperature around the creature was normal. No skeletal structure was visible.
How should I classify this species? Which category would it fit into?
There were records of Buubu, Iteri, and other known creatures.
But nothing matched this one. Nothing looked exactly li
ke it.
Perhaps the GOU official logs will have more diverse archives.
Ones I will have to take a closer look at.
10:45 PM.
The door behind me slid open. I turned to look back at who entered.
Hornet Mask.
I cleared my throat.
"Mrs. Hornet."
"Ms. Stella."
"What brings you here?"
"It is late and you have an anomaly with you. It is dangerous."
I smiled.
"Thank you. But I am safe. Roonie has been testing a special defense mechanism."
"One he had not shown the council. It is not safe until all four of us approve."
"Of course. He is thinking of presenting the system in a few months."
"And I will wait. Until then, have one member of GOU by your side."
"Of course, Mr. Mask."
I focussed my attention back on the subject at hand all while Hornet watched behind me.
"Stella, are you hiding something?"
My hands came to a halt. What was he directing towards?
"No, Mr. Hornet," I said flatly, keeping my expression unreadable.
"You have yet to answer me why you choose to vote in favor of Ms. White Watch joining the arena?"
My jaw tightened. I drew a slow breath, letting my muscles relax. He didn't need to know right now.
"Like I said, I will reveal the reason when the time is right."
I felt his eyes watching my every move. My bodily reaction—I refuse to show any.
He was good at reading people.
Not today, Mr. Hornet.
11:47 PM.
"It is late, Mr. Hornet. You should head back to your quarters."
"I am alright."
He said, leaning against the backrest of the chair.
"You need rest."
"And so do you."
"I am fine. I took a coffee shot just now."
"You should only take it when extremely necessary."
I nodded.
He stood up and walked over to the coffee machine in the corner of the room. I stood there, watching him as he poured himself coffee as well.
He turned to face his back towards me, a hand in his gray trouser's pocket as he sipped on the brewed coffee shot.
I stood there, stunned before turning my attention back to the creature.
I accessed Sanguine's records. Countless creatures resembled the specimen in my lab—but none were even close.
Even the GOU didn't have information about this.
"Mr. Hornet, I will need the key to all the archives under GOU."
He turned around, putting down the paper cup on top of the coffee machine.
"You couldn't find any information in the visible database?"
"No, Sir. There is nothing about them in the visible archives. I will need access to the GOU key to speed up the process."
"Alright. I will try to get you access."
"Thank you."
"Until then, go rest. We will meet in the morning."
"But I can't leave this here."
I said, pointing to the creature strapped.
"I am here. I will look after it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Go, rest."
I nodded, obeying his order and made my way out of the laboratory.
Whoosh.
The laboratory door slid shut behind me. I stood in the dark hallway, the flickering overhead lights casting long shadows.
My hands curled.
My plan failed.
White Watch survived.
⋆⋆⋆
Notes
Sanguine: The Sanguine are a group of travelers who work for the Guardians of the Unirex, tasked with collecting and organizing information about the observable universe.