Alien - Pandemonium

Chapter Eight

Captain Henry and the others found refuge in the cafeteria, a place seemingly untouched by the chaos that engulfed the rest of the station. As they entered, the flickering fluorescent lights above illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows across the tables and chairs. The air was stale, tinged with a faint odour of decay.

Despite the abandoned appearance of the cafeteria, they couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every creak and groan of the station sent shivers down their spines, and they remained on edge, ready to react at a moment's notice. They took stock of their surroundings while searching for the cafeteria, noting the scattered debris and overturned chairs. Barricades had been hastily erected behind certain doors, evidence of the station's desperate struggle for survival. Damaged panels lined the walls, wires exposed and sparking intermittently, a testament to the chaos that had ensued.

As they ventured further into the cafeteria, the stench of rotten food grew stronger with each step. It hung thick in the air, assaulting their senses with its putrid odour. The source of the smell became apparent as they approached the kitchen area.

Upon entering the kitchen, they were met with a scene of disarray. Piles of unwashed dishes sat in the sink, coated in layers of grime and mould. Food remnants littered the countertops, long since spoiled and decomposed. The once pristine stainless steel appliances now bore the marks of neglect, rust creeping along their edges.

The smell was overpowering, causing them to gag and cover their noses. Captain Henry grimaced as he surveyed the scene, his stomach turning at the sight and smell of the decaying food. "Looks like this place hasn't been cleaned in ages," he remarked, his voice muffled by his hand. The others nodded in silent agreement, their expressions mirroring his disgust. Despite the urge to flee from the nauseating smell, they pressed on, determined to find any supplies or information that could aid their survival on this deserted station.

Judy's hand shot up to cover her mouth as an involuntary gag reflex surged through her. The pungent stench of decay assaulted her nostrils, threatening to overwhelm her senses. She fought to keep the bile at bay, pressing her lips tightly together in a desperate attempt to contain the rising nausea. Her stomach churned violently, a wave of revulsion washing over her as she struggled to suppress the urge to retch. The sight and smell of the rotting food in the kitchen twisted her insides, threatening to unleash a torrent of vomit. With trembling hands, Judy took a deep, steadying breath, trying to quell the rising tide of sickness. She forced herself to focus, steeling her resolve to push through the discomfort and continue their search for any signs of life or assistance on the abandoned station.

"Alright, Daniels," Captain Henry called out, catching the attention of another crew member who had been engrossed in inspecting a nearby console.

Daniels turned to face the Captain, his expression attentive. "Yes, sir?"

"Join forces with Lacy," Captain Henry instructed, gesturing towards another member of the crew who stood nearby. "Head down the south corridor. See if you can establish a connection with the administration department and gather any information you can about the situation."

Daniels nodded crisply, acknowledging the orders. "Understood, Captain. We'll get right on it."

Lacy, a skilled engineer, was primarily stationed in the engine bay of the Grafton. Alongside her technical expertise, she was also trained as a weapons advisor, capable of handling any armaments on board. Similarly, Daniels shared a classification with Lacy, trained in both weaponry and engine maintenance, making him a versatile asset to the crew's technical operations.

After Lacy and Daniels left the cafeteria to explore, Judy approached Captain Henry, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "What's the plan, Captain?"