Austin craned his head, with five rooms there could be more specimens. He went to the next room. “I got something in here too,” Austin said. It was another creature of the same species, but this one was smaller and not as fresh looking. Tired, sinewy muscles lined its body, which was crimson red instead of green like the first one. Austin checked the final room, hoping to find nothing new, so that they could focus on the parasite and get the hell out of here. The door was sealed shut, and he noticed a hum of energy coming from it. Through the window they saw another one of the creatures, except this one was large, very large.
“Guys,” Austin said. Dublin and Dmitry came over.
“Why does it look alive?” Dmitry asked.
“Aye, it isn’t decomposed at all. Maybe that’s what they studied here, cell aging and such,” Dublin said. Dmitry nodded.
Austin took a long look and felt his breath tighten. The creature’s chest was moving slowly, rhythmically. He didn’t believe it at first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. But the more carefully he watched, the more he was certain. “It’s breathing,” Austin said, swallowing hard.
Dmitry moved as close as he could without going inside, and smiled. His fortune had changed for the good, finally. Paphos had given him the greatest day in the history of exploration; intelligent alien life forms, and not just one. He would be rich, richer than his wildest dreams. But only if they played it right, only if they concealed it from the company until coming home. If the company were to learn of this, they would have the glory here, and he would have nothing. Sure, he’d have an award, a bonus, but that would be it. Not enough, not enough for a man like Dmitry. “You’re right, it is alive,” he said suddenly whispering. “This is better than the parasite. We need to get a live sample of this,” Dmitry said. Austin wanted to tell him how stupid that was, but Dublin was already getting the door open. He grabbed the control knob and pulled, slowly turning it until he felt the locks falling into place. With a thud it fully clicked home and the hum of energy stopped. The door whined and opened, all three of them stood frozen in the doorway.
“Let’s make sure it isn’t about to wake up,” Austin said, whispering.
“If this thing could wake up, it would have by now, don’t you think?” Dmitry replied.
Austin hoped he was right. As he stood there, wondering, he thought he heard something. Just as he started to turn a hissing screech spun him around. A sticky substance shot Austin in the face, blinding him. Austin recoiled, covering his eyes. Dmitry was hit too.
“My eyes!” Dmitry yelled.
“Shut the door!” Austin cried, fumbling for the control handle. His eyes burned, he could barely see his hand. Before he could get the door closed he felt the parasite slip inside.
“It waited for us to open the door!!” Dmitry shouted.
“Aye!” Dublin said. “An’ I’ll catch it, hand me the sack!” Dmitry blindly threw the durasack at Dublin who snatched it out of the air. Dublin spun on the parasite as it ducked into a corner. He readied the durasack, holding it open in either hand. Dublin squared off, unsure of how to move closer, taking small steps towards the corner of the room. It kept distance from him, hiding behind a chair, giving Dublin time to find the right grip with the durasack. He had one shot, and when it came, he had to be ready. The parasite darted, knocking a glass beaker down and shattering it. Dublin lunged, and just as he did the parasite came at him. Dublin swung with the durasack in an attempt to catch it, not even coming close. The parasite’s spidery legs landed on his back, and Dublin spun. Before he had a second more to react, the parasite dove from Dublin and landed on the huge specimen that was bound to the table. Dublin froze, unsure of following, not wanting to disturb the creature that appeared to be sleeping, and unaware of what came next. The parasite faced off against Dublin for only a moment before burrowing itself inside huge creature’s mouth. Dmitry, Austin, and Dublin stared in horror as the parasite disappeared inside the specimen. Austin and Dmitry had finally cleared their vision, still standing in the hallway outside the room, and the three of them gaped at what had just happened. The creature, still bound to the table, jolted, and then slowly began to flex each of its six arms. Dublin’s face went white.
“Dublin!” Austin yelled, “Get out of there!”
“There’s no time,” Dmitry ordered. He wrapped his hands around the door lever. Dmitry turned the lever and the security door slammed shut, trapping Dublin inside.
Alone.

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