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They watch along with the others as Red floats through space before their body deforms hideously, disgustingly, with appendages that shouldn't be there, tentacles protruding from their backpack, and their body swelling before finally ending up exploding. Staining the ship's viewing window with a repulsive pinkish liquid.
No one said anything about it for a few minutes; there were only faint breaths that were soon drowned out by a frightened voice.
—I still can't believe the captain was actually... —Green didn't finish speaking, pressing their lips together while curling into a ball against themselves, nervously fidgeting with the drawstrings of their hoodie, hiding behind it.
Perhaps realizing in that moment the danger they had been following all along without knowing, all because of a blind admiration that at any moment could have ended them. Green really didn't want to think about that possibility.
—No one knew or suspected it —Blue frowned briefly, but soon regained their composure, giving a few soft pats on the back of the intern— Thank goodness you managed to warn us in time —the doctor claimed, causing the young intern to look away in embarrassment, their face flushing red.
They almost bit their tongue at the scene, unable to help but remember the moment Green arrived agitated to find them, completely consumed by desperation, shouting to the four winds that Black had tried to hurt them when passing through the storage room, warning that the killer of Cyan and Yellow had finally come out of their cave to go after more victims...
Being the perfect choice, the poor and innocent overworked unpaid intern, who only miraculously managed to flee before receiving the slightest bit of damage.
Obviously, everyone mobilized, following Green until, after seconds that felt like eternity, they reached the storage room, where Black could be seen from afar—not alone, but alongside the captain of the ship, Red. They seemed to be arguing heatedly; the shouting came mostly from Black, who, while talking to Red, showed them remnants of the broken Ore+ material in one of their hands, keeping the other hidden (Hiding a weapon? It had to be a weapon). Alarmed, they pointed out the material MIRA asked them to transport, seeming terrified (A strange reaction coming from someone who ended two crewmates in cold blood). However, no one could intervene by the time the doors closed, separating them from the captain and the killer.
Leaving Red defenseless, at the mercy of a crewmate crazier than Lime.
Red wouldn't be able to defend themselves.
They wouldn't be able to.
They couldn't.
They needed help.
They needed their help.
They tried to scream, to warn of the danger, especially them; they really needed Red to get away from Black.
They needed Redsy alive.
Their screams were not heard, no one's were. But on the contrary, they all heard and saw Black clearly by the time the captain's body began to contort at impossible angles, their back seeming to break... No, they are sure it broke to make room for a mouth that emerged from their stomach; out of nowhere, their body and clothes melted against their fur, their muscle mass growing and looming over that killer—... No, over a Black terrified by the sudden transformation, even dropping the material to take a few nervous steps backward, a futile attempt to flee by the time they ended up impaled through the visor by what looked like a tongue as sharp as a dagger coming out of that monstrous mouth, leaving the poor, innocent crewmate fighting to live while being lifted from the floor by their wound, as tentacles approached their limbs and gripped tightly, yanking.
A killer alien and their victim.
Who would have thought?
They gasped loudly as soon as the doors opened; Black's body fell heavily to the floor with a dull thud, motionless—or well, what was left of that crewmate, now torn to pieces, practically unrecognizable if it weren't for the fact that they recognized their characteristic necklace and makeup among the remains.
It’s incredible how, to have to prove their innocence, they had to die in front of God and everyone.
"—Hey! I didn't see you there" —That stupid voice brought them back to reality, looking in horror at the blood-stained captain who out of nowhere (actually, it could have been while they were overthinking) had returned to normal, acting as if nothing happened, as if they hadn't seen anything—You're not going to believe me... But it seems Black met a fatal fate after a terrible workplace accident!—They carelessly wiped the blood staining their visor, approaching them with slow steps— At least now we won't have to worry about any more deaths... —they spoke sweetly with a hint of pity, glancing at the covered bodies of Yellow and Cyan in a corner. Too empathetic, very fake.
The captain tilted their head in confusion toward their terrified crew, narrowing their visor.
The only one who took a step forward was Brown, visibly upset.
—Red, you...!
—We're glad you're okay, Captain! —Orange interrupted cheerfully, stepping ahead of the crewmate to approach the impostor—We were so worried you'd get hurt... Thank goodness there's no longer such a threat! —affirmed the one from HR, smiling nervously at their companions, receiving a brief nod from the intern and the contest winner, the latter hiding behind the farmer.
—Oh... What can I say? My duty is to ensure the well-being of all of you —they replied, flattered, raising their arms animatedly toward their crew— Oh, and the Ore+, of course; it would be a problem if something happened to it, right? —They looked at Orange seeking approval, quickly receiving an animated nod from the human resources representative.
—We should celebrate this! Finally we'll be safe and sound... Those of us who are left —Orange argued with a grimace, turning to the others— Brown, you could make a pizza, right? —they questioned.
—What? I... —They fell silent for a moment when they received an elbow, thus looking at the doctor who was tightly gripping the ship's engineer, who gave them a warning look.
Of course... in the end, THAT had killed their best friend and 2 other crewmates; what would it mean to kill them at that very instant? —Oh, sure, how about... a pizza? —they suggested, forcing themselves to feign calmness, all just to avoid lashing out at the captain, or whatever they were pretending to be.
—Fantastic! But without salt, without sauce, and unbaked —Red listed, smiling warmly.
—...Just raw dough? —the cook doubted, raising an eyebrow.
—Exactly! —they clapped cheerfully, their body being enveloped by another's arm, which caught their attention, looking smilingly at Orange.
—Perfect! Then everyone to the cafeteria —Orange ordered, walking alongside the captain as if it were nothing, chatting euphorically as if they hadn't just seen them brutally kill a crewmate a moment ago.
Leaving their remains behind, ignoring it.
For a moment they thought they were crazy, at least until they started saying they needed help cleaning the garbage chute and that they specifically wanted Red to volunteer.
—But... Green just cleaned it a moment ago —they murmured, unsure, causing everyone to shush them, however, it also caught Red's attention, who approached both the security guard and the mentioned intern.
—Thanks for telling me, Purps! And Green... keep up the excellent work! That will definitely help on your resume, exactly what's needed for a future captain —The captain wrapped their arms affectionately around both members, pulling them into a tight hug.
Green had to cover their lips to muffle a gag upon seeing a piece of Black on Red's hat, fighting with all their might not to vomit right then and there. Purple tried to ignore the strong smell of rust.
—Yeah... Fantastic, Purple —Brown muttered, looking at them with suspicion.
A sob interrupted the group, looking at the contest winner, who was now crying dramatically, clinging to the ship's doctor and engineer.
—Black is dead... —they gasped—Cyan and Yellow... —They pressed their lips together, letting themselves fall against the shoulder of a disgusted Lime— I wish there was something that would allow us all to unite...
The doctor opened their visor wide, nodding their head up and down eagerly.
—Exactly! Like a trust ball —Blue directed their gaze at Orange, who quickly nodded.
—Oh... Captain, I think I saw one of my balls in the trash chute! —Orange claimed in an apologetic tone, opening the chute to peer in, pretending to search only to look at them with disappointment— I'm trying to reach it but I can't unless I do something super dangerous and against MIRA regulations...
Red seemed to react to that, brushing Purple and Green aside instantly, heading toward the chute.
Purple really wanted to scream at them at that moment.
—Don't worry! I'm the captain... I'll bring back that super important human resources tool as long as peace prevails —they claimed, putting half of their body into the chute, searching for a ball that everyone knew they were never going to get.
—But all the balls... —they tried to speak, only to be grabbed tightly by the shoulder by Brown, who shushed them, forcing them to keep quiet, to just resign themselves to watching how they killed the ship's captain.
Red vanished from sight, ignoring the fact that they were doomed, completely absorbed in that stupid task. They confirmed it as soon as a furious Lime ran toward them, pushing them inside the chute, a moment Orange seized to lock them in.
There were screams, finally letting panic show after what felt like hours; Green seemed on the verge of a panic attack, White was gagging in disgust, Brown was breathing heavily, Orange let out a scream while Lime cursed the killer alien in every possible language. The calmest ones were definitely Blue and Purple; Blue was talking to themselves in whispers, Purple just stayed silent.
"Uh, crew?"
The silence returned; Orange nervously opened the hatch, peering in alongside Lime.
—Oh, it seems that by accident Lime pushed me with the full force of their body, it would be very nice if you helped me out! —the alien murmured sweetly.
—That was on purpose, Satan's scum! —Lime spat, instantly wiping the joy from the captain's face, who sighed with disappointment.
—Right... Uh, what do we do? —Orange questioned, receiving bewildered looks.
—What do we do? Eject them into space, that's what! Do you want more to keep dying because of this inefficient and dirty leader?! —the engineer exclaimed, ignoring a complaint that came from deep within the chute—We need to finish them before they finish all of us!
—I wouldn't normally back Lime, but we all saw what they did —Brown took a breath, ignoring the stinging in their visor—What they did to our crewmates, they have to go —they supported.
—Is what I hear a vote?! It better be! MIRA regulations say I cannot accept my ejection from the ship until I hear one, or else I'll have every right to defend myself —Red commented from the trash chute, regaining their cheerful tone, and from what Orange could see upon peering in, they had the MIRA regulations manual in their hands.
—Since when—?
—Don't forget it, Orange! I don't want to have to hurt you to ensure my survival —they interrupted, cheerfully showing the rule.
Orange didn't want to think too much about what felt like a threat as they approached the emergency button.
—Wait, are you really going to listen to them? —Lime questioned.
—It's the rul—
—Shut up already! —they yelled into the chute, being pulled away seconds later by Blue.
—Don't fall for their provocation —the doctor warned, turning their attention back to Orange—Proceed, please.
Orange nodded, hitting the button, causing an alarm to sound that would normally draw any missing people to the meeting. Unfortunately, the dead don't rise.
—Whoever is in favor of voting out the captain, say aye! —they exclaimed, raising their arm.
—Aye —they vociferated in unison, likewise raising their hands.
—I'm glad to hear you reached an agreement, but I think it's necessary to mention that due to my ejection you will be left... Whoah, ah! —The abyss opened beneath their feet, ejecting them fully into space without another chance.
Sealing their fate.
Without allowing them a few final words, without letting them finish them. It was disappointing.
They would like to say that now they watched them drift away, slowly freezing in infinite space. Unfortunately, that would be blatant lying; the closest thing to that view was their remains stuck to the window (if the last of them could even be considered as such).
"—Purple?" —A soft, all too gentle voice sought their attention, finding Blue holding their hand as they snapped back to reality from what they were sure had been quite a while— Are you okay?—They seemed worried, genuine worry, an expression so full of compassion that it made them want to vomit—or was it cry? They still didn't understand that strange and disgusting tightness in their chest, they still didn't want to accept what had just happened.
They inhaled and exhaled sharply, shaking their head softly, pulling their hand away from the doctor. At another time, surely that contact would have felt like ending up in heaven; however, now was not the time, not when 2 more had died, even if one of them happened to be the culprit.
—I need some time alone —they argued, letting go of Blue's soft hand, regretting it for an instant, just a few seconds. Pulling away immediately after, internally thanking the doctor for not persisting.
Though of course, with the exit so close, someone else had to bother them.
—Uh... Purple? —Green approached cautiously, keeping at least a prudent distance, their smartest move.
They stood still, not bothering to look at them— I want some time alone —they informed, hoping that would be enough.
Believing that was very naive.
Green seemed to hesitate, looking at the group of the remaining survivors: White hiding their face behind their hands, Orange by their side comforting them (and perhaps trying to convince them not to say anything about this upon arriving at MIRA HQ), Blue alongside Lime arguing, and Brown at the furthest table, watching.
It was terrible how they had ended up, and they still remembered how excited they were when the trip began.
Green turned their gaze back to Purple, determined.
—Don't do anything foolish, I'm sure that after we... got rid of the impostor —they paused— We will all be fine —they affirmed, smiling sweetly, naively.
Purple didn't reply immediately, just observed them, their determination, how sure they looked.
They let out a sigh.
—Maybe, if only I had done my job better... —they murmured, loud enough for Green to hear.
—You did the best you could, don't blame yourself, Purple! —the intern guaranteed, focusing completely on the other crewmate— No one knew this was going to happen, we all thought they were an ordinary killer... which obviously doesn't make it better —They bit their lip, not understanding where they were going with this— What I mean is... maybe you couldn't save 3 lives, but look at me! I spent my time with the captain without knowing, they could have killed me at any moment if you had never watched over us the way you did —they emphasized, fidgeting with their fingers.
—That doesn't make it better —
—Sorry... —A grimace showed on the intern's face, embarrassed.
Purple looked at them for a few seconds, watching how the kid seemed to want to disappear.
...
They were terrible at comforting.
The corners of their lips rose slightly, nodding.
—Anyway, I suppose I should thank you; if it weren't for you, surely we would never have been able to find out —They brought their hand toward the intern's fur, stroking affectionately—You are amazing, Green. If whatever was pretending to be Red is right about anything, it's that you have potential to be captain.
That achieved an unexpected effect; they could see how their visor showed a flash of brightness (was that the word?) and a silly smile appeared on their lips.
The little farmer really needed to focus on their validation issues. They were certain that if Red hadn't been the killer, they would be exactly the same way right now with them.
Slowly they stopped, breaking the contact.
—Go back to the others, I still want time for myself —they spoke, diverting their gaze toward the hallway, hearing behind them how Green accepted it in a low voice, followed by footsteps walking away.
They entered O2 humming into the air, walking toward the tank where their sweet Heracles lived, watching the algae intently until the fish peeked out, letting themselves be seen to finally get as close as possible to Purps.
—I'm back, Baby... Sorry I haven't come to visit you, you won't believe what happened. It was a whole drama —they whispered to the animal, pressing their cheek to the glass— Redsy was the impostor, they killed Black in front of God and everyone! —they exclaimed; as expected, Heracles didn't respond.
Purps couldn't help but laugh, from a low chuckle to a loud laugh, gripping their stomach tightly.
—They killed in front of everyone! That idiot... God, barely competent to be captain and worse at being a killer, they didn't even argue or try anything against those idiots... It would have been so easy! —They yanked at their fur, feeling their host's skin stretching, threatening to bleed— We could have stopped pretending, both of us could have won... But no, that corporate bootlicker just accepted it! —They dropped their forehead against the glass again, panting.
Redsy was dead.
Their Redsy.
Not Red, Red had been dead for a long time; they never knew Red at any point. Redsy admitted it, they ended their life the moment they became captain.
MIRA rules to be captain, apparently: literally die.
Their host, the real Purple, was absolutely right to hate MIRA. They almost feel pity for having ended their life as well the moment they discovered that truth; Purple lost their best friend the moment Red signed that confidentiality agreement, metaphorically and literally. They almost feel pity for their fates.
Almost.
—I wanted to finish them, Heracles —They swallowed hard, pressing their fingers against the glass—If I killed them —They remembered the spilled blood, the rust, the addictive smell— They always came back, every time —they licked their lips. It didn't matter if they stabbed them, squeezed them, choked them. It's not like it was normal; Redsy wasn't the real Red, they weren't like Cyan who died the moment they revealed their nature and panicked...
If only they hadn't panicked, if only Yellow hadn't seen.
If only all these feelings weren't so confusing, maybe they could have let them continue their trip normally.
...
Who were they kidding? They weren't human, they didn't enjoy things like humans, they had no humanity. They only stole it, faked it, and will keep faking it.
They will keep faking it because that is their purpose, because they love experiencing every new death, every new emotion it provoked.
Like now, that pain in the chest they wouldn't know how to describe and the itch that threatened to release water from their visor.
They would love to know if it was because of their memories with Redsy, or if they came from their host's memories with Red.
It could be one or it could be both.
—Oh, Heracles... Don't take it personally —They felt the wires beneath their tentacles, cutting carefully, delicately ruining what allowed everyone to keep breathing.
—I love you so, so much, as much as Purple could have loved you, I am forced to —They ignored the sensation of electricity running through their body with the poorly made cuts; it didn't matter, soon it wouldn't.
Their smile faded as the minutes passed, ensuring they had cut the supply as well as the alarm.
They allowed themselves to admire Heracles for a few more minutes, how they swam carelessly, their scales so bright.
They wondered if they could keep their little body afterward.
"Rest, I have things to do" —They gave a kiss to the glass, pulling away while the fish hid again.
They heard noises coming from the cafeteria; they sounded very joyful.
It seemed they had a party to join.