Darkness and Claws by David Collins

Author:David Collins [Collins, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-19T04:00:00+00:00

Down

A circular area on the floor shifted, and then it started to open up. One of the Marines was standing on it, and he jumped off it. We saw a deep, circular tunnel with solid-looking rails when it was fully open. It lit up, but I didn't see the bottom of the tunnel from where I was.

Jefferson said, “Bottom looks to be six or seven meters down. It’s a murder hole if they have weapons pointed at us; I guess it’s time to see who’s at the bottom of this rabbit hole.”

We all went down in single file while still wearing hard suits and with helmets on. At some point, someone had the clever idea to put traction pads on the gloves and feet, as getting down an access ladder wearing a hard suit without them would have been almost impossible.

At the bottom, it opened to a large room where the six of us fit easily. I hit the door button, and it opened to show a busy hallway. Dozens of beings were rapidly walking around. Some I recognized, Felinog, Mauron, Projen, others I had only seen pictures of, and several I didn't recognize at all from the catalog of the races of the Zodiac. A slightly chubby female came running up to us. She was of the Zodiac race, the Pullet. “You are expected, down this hallway, straight through the intersection, look for door 505,” and then she ran off.

Jefferson said, “Well, I was certainly not expecting this or the bunny girl. Those ears were at least 30 centimeters long (1 foot), maybe 35 centimeters.”

The six of us, heavily armed, in full hard suits, walked through what looked like the foot traffic you would expect in a shopping mall, no guns, no armor, wait, that one was wearing a bubble-type helmet over their head, and they had a backpack that seemed to be a rebreather of some type.

It noticed that I was staring at it, and it walked over and said, “Glibit fro tut mekul pa?” a speaker on its shoulder said, “Hello, may I help you?”

“I am sorry to stare; I did not recognize your race.”

It took a few seconds; obviously, something was translating and repeating everything in its ear.

“Predo Amy flar gibitiz longo pinaga ta, choto fo trilopo.” the speaker on its shoulder said, “I am Predo Amy, a pinaga, pleased to meet you, but I have to rush.” Then it took off down the hallway at a run.

“Everyone seems to be busy, let's find room 505, and maybe we will get some answers.”

The room was where the female Pullet said it would be. “We are expected, so let's go in.”

We opened the door and saw a Mauron female sitting behind a desk.

“Hello, Captain Jason Scala; welcome to the Darkness.”

“Hello, miss… “

“Oh, that is right; I didn't say my name the last time we talked, which was back when your ship first found you.”

It dawned on me, the first female Mauron I spoke to. “Oh, I remember, but a lot has happened since then.

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