Mimicry

Chapter 15 - Vagant

"What now?" Essie mumbled, perching with a light thud on the metallic side bench. "What's left of Josh is still probably out there somewhere..."

"I think... I think we've waited long enough to radio the Institute. I don't know how long it will take for them to fly over, but..." Kate's voice trailed off, her gaze wandering over the charred remains of John's body, lost in thought.

"Are we even sure that's a good idea?" Ceriann's tone was sceptical, her brow creasing as she considered the proposition. "We have no clue if this... thing can be controlled or exterminated properly. Do we really want to risk exposing more people?"

Essie looked between the two, weighing their words. She rubbed her temples, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions and plans. "We... we can't just stay here, not doing anything. We need help. We need to let the Institute know what's happened here. At the very least, maybe they have some resources, some expertise, something that can help us."

Kate nodded slowly, acknowledging the point. "We have to do something. We can't just wait here for the Josh-alien to decide to pop in for a visit."

Ceriann sighed, finally relenting. "Alright. I'm not convinced it's the best course of action, but... but it's action. And right now, doing something, anything, feels better than waiting for our turn to... you know."

Essie nodded, grateful for their decision. "I'll do it. I'll radio the Institute." She rose from the bench, looking determined despite the exhaustion in her eyes. "Let's just hope they can provide the help we need."

Despite the stinging chill of grief and exhaustion, the women forced themselves to gather in the control room. Surrounded by walls of dials, screens, and wires, they prepared to confront their final barrier to safety - reaching out to the world beyond their isolated station.

Each one of them felt the gravity of what had just transpired, the implications of their experience. They knew they must find the strength to continue, for themselves and the memory of their fallen comrades. It was time to contact the outside world, to relay the terrifying events that had unfolded, and hopefully find answers.

Essie's hands were firm on the radio controls, her fingers moving deftly over the buttons and switches. Her background in communications had never seemed more crucial than now, her expertise literally the lifeline between them and the rest of the world.

"Are we sure about this?" Ceriann asked, her eyes reflecting the conflict in her mind. "What if... What if they don't believe us? Or worse, what if they send more people here, straight into this nightmare?"

Kate, who had been silent, looked at Ceriann and then at Essie. "We can't risk this happening again to anyone else. They need to know. And if they don't believe us, we'll make them."

Her words hung in the air, filling the room with a shared sense of resolution. Their harrowing experience had hardened them, moulding their resolve into something unbreakable.

With a deep breath, Essie clicked on the transmitter, her heart pounding. "This is Bouvet Research Station Endring calling the Wellman Institute. Please respond, over," she said, her voice firm and steady. "We have an urgent situation. I repeat, this is Endring. We need immediate assistance. Over."

As the radio crackled and hissed, waiting for a response, the three women held their breath. The fate of their station, their lives, and possibly many others hung in the balance. Only the remnants of Josh, the final antagonist, stood between them and the hope of rescue. But they were ready. They had come too far, endured too much, to give up now.

Essie moved to the communication panel in their common room, her fingers trembling slightly as she attempted to increase the radio frequency distance to get to the Wellman Institute. Louder static filled the room. Finally, a voice came through, clear and reassuring.