Mimicry

Chapter 11 - Barathrum

Making their way slowly past their sleeping quarters, they moved as one towards the medical lab. The sterile corridors that were once a familiar comfort now loomed ominously around them, echoing their tension back at them in stark silence.

Pushing open the lab door, they stepped into the room. The white light inside seemed to swallow them whole, creating a harsh contrast to the growing darkness outside. Despite the inherent sterility of the room, an undercurrent of danger lingered, making the hair on their arms stand on end.

Ceriann led them to a secured fridge, taking a deep breath before opening the door. There, nestled among the myriad of samples, was the vial of Faith's blood. Ceriann reached for it slowly, almost reverently. Holding it up to the light, she could see the crimson fluid inside, seemingly innocuous yet potentially holding the key to their survival.

"Well, we've got it." she announced, her voice somewhat steadier than before. She turned to the others, gripping the vial tightly. "Should we run some tests while we're here?" She was gripped by the fear of stepping back out into the base, feeling the need to delay, at least for the moment.

Nods of agreement answered her question. Despite their fear and uncertainty, the scientists in them couldn't resist the lure of knowledge. If there was a chance that they could learn something about this alien entity, they had to take it.

Over the next 30 minutes, they dove into their work, the clinical routine of testing and analysis providing a strange sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. With every test they conducted, every bit of data they collected, they felt a glimmer of hope growing within them.

They watched in awe as the blood cells under the microscope exhibited properties they'd never seen before. The cells seemed to possess an uncanny adaptability, changing shape and size with a fluidity that defied all known biological laws. They were witnessing the alien life form at a cellular level, a sight that was both fascinating and terrifying. It was a conspicuous change from Ceriann's first diagnosis.

Time seemed to lose its meaning as they worked, their focus solely on the task at hand. They noted down observations, cross-referenced them with the notes Ceriann had made earlier, and discussed potential hypotheses. The lab echoed with their hushed voices, the steady hum of equipment, and the occasional clatter of tools.

Finally, they stepped back from their workstations, weary but satisfied. They had collected a wealth of information, but whether it was enough to help them survive remained to be seen. For now, they had a clearer picture of the enemy they were facing.

Ceriann cleared her throat, her eyes scanning the pages of notes in front of her. She held the gaze of each crew member, ensuring she had their undivided attention before she began to speak.

"What we've found is both fascinating and terrifying," she started, her voice steady. "These cells are adaptable, capable of morphing into different forms. That's likely how Faith was able to transform so drastically. This adaptability also gives them the potential to rapidly heal and regenerate. That means any physical damage we inflict might not have lasting effects."

A murmur of concern spread through the group, but Ceriann raised her hand, urging them to let her continue.

"However, there may be a way to counteract this," she said. "We've noticed that the cells react negatively to certain extreme conditions. High heat, for instance, seems to disrupt their structure, likely causing them a considerable amount of stress or harm. That's probably why the fire we used earlier had such a dramatic effect."

Her eyes flicked to Jake briefly before continuing, "Extreme cold may have a similar effect, effectively 'freezing' the cells and preventing them from changing form. If we can find a way to exploit these weaknesses, we may be able to defend ourselves."

The room fell into a tense silence as they digested this information. The alien was formidable, but it wasn't invincible. They had a fighting chance, and in the face of such terror, that was more than they could have hoped for.

"I think I prefer the fire approach," Essie stated.

Kate nodded. "I agree. Considering the damn thing managed to stay dormant for, like, a million years."

"Alright guys. Let's not waste anymore time. Time to face our fears." John said. A wave of eyes, filled with apprehension, met his own. Each crew member knew what had to be done. With John leading, they ventured out of the lab, their makeshift weapons clutched tightly in their hands.

The base seemed eerily quiet, almost desolate. Their footsteps echoed off the steel walls as they walked, creating a chilling rhythm that seemed to accentuate their fears. But there was a determination etched into their faces. They were fighting for their survival, and they would not go down without a fight.

-

Reaching the entrance of the microbiology lab, John pushed the thick metal door separating them from the room that caused them so much fear only an hour ago. The sight that greeted them caused a collective gasp. The lab was in ruins, remnants of their earlier altercation with the Faith-alien still evident. But, despite all of that fear, the almost Eldritch horror that faced them, nothing compared to the emotions that paralysed the crew in the next moments when Essie asked one question.

"Where's Josh?" Essie's voice was barely more than a whisper, her eyes wide with fear and shock. They all turned their gaze to the spot where Josh's body had lain, now ominously empty. The blood had dried into a dark, almost black stain on the floor, the only indication of the horrific event that had transpired. Their eyes were drawn to an odd smear of blood that trailed away from Josh's original resting spot. The dark trail led them to a shattered window, a jagged hole exposing the base's exterior and the bleak, cold void beyond.

Ice shards and snow had blown in, littering the floor around the broken window. Scratches and dents marked the metal wall beneath the shattered glass, telling a chilling tale of a brutal and hasty escape. It appeared that whatever remained of Josh hadn't simply walked away - it had clawed its way out, scrambling into the frigid desolation surrounding the base. The implication made them shiver in unison - the Josh-alien was no longer confined to the base, but now lurked somewhere in the icy expanse outside.

"No... no, this can't be," Kate stammered, stepping further into the room. Her eyes scanned the area, but there was no sign of Josh. "He's..."

"Josh is gone," Jake said, his voice trembling. His gaze met John's, a mix of fear and determination in his eyes. "We are not alone anymore."