Chapter 20
With Tabun treated, the three of them attempt to exit the simulation, but encounter a threat unlike any other they've seen before. +
Previously: The humans are forced to face off against another alien as they seek to treat Tabun’s wound. While elsewhere, Qax and Hradringer investigate what happened to their other team members. What they find is far beyond their means to control.
The three of them left medical behind them and set forth on finding a way to escape the simulated environment they were trapped in. Despite memorising much of the facility, it still proved to be a maze. The two other humans with her trusted her to lead them to safety, but she couldn’t help but dwell on some of what they had told her. I had been uploaded to the Neural Preservation Network used by the Zetans, but neither of them had any memory of it. Instead, they had already been thrown into a series of tests, while this was her first real challenge.
“If the real thing is anything like this, we should try to link up once we’re on the world,” she said, breaking the long silence that had followed since dealing with the alien.
“Easier said than done, Denny.”
“I know, but there’s no telling what lies in wait for us when we’re down there. It’ll be every man for himself”
“Let’s just focus on leaving here first. Then we can worry about what else they have in store for us,” said Tabun.
After some trial and error, they eventually came across an elevator that would take them to ground level. The inside was cylindrical, small and cramped, and the journey felt like it took forever. Soon enough, the door opened, and they spilt out into a wider corridor. Denny noted a sign on the wall nearby. Despite being in an alien language, she understood that it would take them to the exit. A few minutes later, they were in an open lobby. To their left was a cubicle that looked like it was supposed to be staffed, but no one was present. The windows that allowed the daylight to stretch across the room had all been cracked or completely shattered.
“It looks like it’s just us…” said Wise, moving fast to the exit.
Denny saw it first, a blur and ripple in the air. Before she could speak, it connected with Wise and sent him flying. The air rippled as the camouflage disengaged, revealing something unlike anyone they had faced before. They wore an all black mask with round eye holes. The mask had a breathing apparatus that linked to tanks on its back. It cocked its head at them and said something in whatever language it spoke.
“Denny, run! Get out of here,” shouted Tabun as he rushed to meet the assailant.
In the span of seconds, it drew a slick, black blade and moved faster than either of them could perceive. Tabun soon had cuts on his shoulder and arms as he could not possibly keep up with the attacker’s speed.
Is this it… are we dead?
No, she shook her head. We need to take it on together, because doing this one at a time is just going to get us all killed. I couldn’t hope to outrun that thing! Whatever it is. The Zetans must have faced it and won. And saw it fit to be used as a test for their subjects. She rushed the black clad alien and attempted to leap onto its back, but it saw her coming and phased back, causing her to stagger forward. This at least gave Tabun some reprieve for the time being.
“I told you to run.”
“Where would I go? The only way we’re getting out of here is by beating this thing. Something the Zetans must have done. Everything here is from their Neural Preservation Network. I’m sure of it.”
“It’s too fast, though. We can barely keep up with it as it is.”
“Then we just need to push it into making a mistake,” said Denny, looking to where Wise lay. He looked conscious but dazed. After a minute, he noticed her staring and nodded. Let’s hope we have a similar plan. “Tabun, there’s no way it can dodge both of us, right?”
“Only one way to find out,” he grumbled back at her and raised his fists into a block.
Their strategy appeared to work as the alien darted backwards at first and to the side. Every time it moved to strike, one of them managed to punch its head. It stumbled backwards, and even if it had no visible face. It looked less like they were hurting it and more like just making it more upset. Little did it know, they had it right where they wanted it to be.
Wise leapt into action and reached for the tubing coming out of the nose part of the mask. At the same time, Denny kicked out, and the alien had to move back to avoid her, but that was enough for Wise to pull the tubing loose. I just have to hope it needs that thing to breathe.
The alien looked at each of them and proceeded to make jerking and clawing motions at the circular opening in its mask. It dropped to its knees soon enough and finally fell to the floor. It writhed a little before becoming motionless.
“Interesting that we can breathe, but it needed assistance,” said Wise. “I thought we were finished.”
Tabun looked at the cuts on his arm and even felt one on his cheek. “We would have been, thanks, Denny. I couldn’t have beaten it alone.”
“We’re a team, aren’t we? Come on, the exit is right ahead.”
Not wanting to waste any more time, or wait for others to show up, they ran for the exit, and as they left the facility behind them they were greeted by a blanket of white light that blinded them. We won? I guess. I just have to hope we don’t face anyone like that when it comes to the real thing. We probably won’t be as lucky.