The Shrooms

Good & Bad of Curiosity

(Woman) She follows the man into a vehicle that looks like one of those photoshop future cars she saw online. They stop and exit in front of a building standing skyscraper height built-in some lustrous material with connected curved arches stacked in a pyramid shape. The sun, that appears to be closer, shines its golden rays from behind like the heavens acknowledge the rightful power is here. The front stairs are elusive to her, not seeing the incline but know they are moving upwards to the opening. The man halts to strap a bracelet on her allowing access to the building.

They head inside along with hundreds of other life forms around them. More humanoids though most are clearly aliens similar to comic books, movies, and games. Almost exact. All sights are on her that causes her skin to tighten then perspirate. Next, they step into a narrow hall baring no windows and deficit in the light department. Scaley walls she could tell hasn't been cleaned in years. The stench of dirtiness lingers in here. She turns around to the mass watching her travel deeper in.

"What is going on?" The woman asks timidly. Fear builds with every step.

"I'm putting you with the rest of your kind." The man answers without turning to look at her. His voice echoed in a reassuring tone but nothing good can come from the words that flew out his mouth.

Entering another room she's led into, cages are enclosed with electric currents surrounding them. Many different looking species in there. She sees some laying on the ground wallowing in pain, pleading for mercy. She can't understand the language but words aren't the only messenger of feelings. She attempts to escape what she knows to be her imprisonment running back to the doors only to bash her head.

"You can't escape." The man says before engulfing her body with his arms. Holding her by her torso, as she kicks and squirms, lifting and throwing her through a cage door with other humans.

She gets up from the floor, balance a little off from the hard thumps on the head. Looking at the others in imprisoned she doesn't say a word just stares at them hoping they speak first. One man tells her he is human-like her from earth. The rest say the same.

"You look familiar." She tells the man who first spoke. He didn't look a day older than 40 and had the physique of even younger age.

"Neil Armstrong is my name." The prisoner answers. She remembers reading about Neil. How he was born in 1930, earned his student pilot license at 16, and most famously went to the moon. She also remembers him returning to earth to speak on his travels and share the video. So how was he here?

(Prince)The prince and Quake, beyond his will, follows the mysterious object onto a planet. The ship lands on a shorefront with nothing in sight for some distance. Looking down, Quake notices footprints by multiple people. He tells the prince who excites up by the thought of meeting new beings in the universe. He imagines making a lasting impression, becoming friendly with the locals, maybe even having a house here and visiting often. The things he can learn and teach, the stories he will hear, the food he will eat, the women he can wed.

"Be on alert." Quake tells the prince knowing he ultimately has to ensure not just his own safety but of the princes as well. He unsheaths a rifle and a life force scanner. He can't see any signs on the device for any major existence nearby.

The prince starts walking in a random direction being guided only by curiosity. He doesn't comprehend how much of a killer that is. Quake follows cautiously behind. They reach a road with no vehicles in either direction and no signs with information about nearby cities. The prince chooses to take a left in hopes of hitting a place populated with the locals of the land. Quake doesn't oppose because the tracks on the ground he sees heads right. He would prefer to avoid conflict with the natives of this planet.

After some time walking the sun has gone under, a moon rose. The road has yet to lead to somewhere to get a meal or rest for a day. Not that Quake needs it, he's a soldier trained to be alert and prepared at all times, he doesn't need rest. The prince, on the other hand, grows restless with aching feet that throb now with each step. Unable to bear the pain he sits on the side of the road.

"We need shelter for the night." The prince grumbles.

Luck for the unlikely duo this direction of the road led to a densely wooded area on the opposite side. Another point for the prince. "Follow me." Quake commands and the prince does. The land may be new and strange to him but hopefully, his training still applies to the terrain. They find a tree with a huge trunk, wide branches, and leaves massive enough to provide shade and possible cover. Quake makes the prince a makeshift area to sleep for the night while he sits along the tree, rifle, and scanner in hand at his side ready.