HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 6 (4/?) (Patreon)

Emmett swipes away the message to reveal a desktop with folders and applications scattered about.

You tell Emmett to try 'daily logs' at the top-left corner. A node graph appears and each log showcases a number and date. He taps one at random and a burly wolf projects from the table like the fox before.

"Specimen 1BC8, Entry 04. Stardate: 1142.55, navigation time 13:34. The glob reacts to living components and so my team and I have tested numerous materials and observed its effects closely. We recorded complete cellular deconstruction of matter before trait mimicry. The velant leaf was digested before characteristic traits appeared along the glob, most notably the vibrant yellow and red pattern. After the glob had doubled in size, it split from itself but instead of a replica, the new separation exhibited more characteristics of material offered. It's... fascinating. We will attempt a living subject to see how the glob reacts. End of entry."

The wolf freezes in place and Emmett taps the next entry.

"Specimen 1BC8, Entry 05. Stardate 1142.55, navigation time 20:01. The mouse test subject exposed to the glob was enveloped and transformed. The foliage fed to the glob seems to have an effect on the resulting transfiguration. Test subject retains motor functions but now sports similar patterns to those of a velant leaf. Subject's exterior fur was also transformed into something similar to the glob. The subject will be kept under close monitoring for abnormal behavior. End of entry."

Emmett swipes to the last entry. The wolf that appears seems disheveled and panic-stricken, his glasses lopsided as he whispers while looking over his shoulder.

"1BC8, 1142.57. The glob has multiplied into many variations. It has continuously split and now absorbs living matter, transforming it on contact. They- they have a mind of their own, S-Sera... Personnel exposed to the glob transform into semi-mindless creatures, its DNA mixing with all of the living matter tested with it. They have achieved a level of intelligence similar to that of higher mammals... D-Don't- Do not let the glob touch you; it will consume your body slowly and transform you into a... a. We have sent a distress signal, I'm headed for the escape pod, it's the only—"

The recording ends and Emmett stares blankly at the screen before looking at you. You're in space; the only hope of going anywhere would be either starting up the ship and crashing into a planet or perhaps the escape pod is your exit out of here. You verbalize your thoughts and Emmett agrees.

Emmett navigates around the screen for anything else of interest and opens a diagram of the ship. You locate the greenhouse on the third floor and look through the numerous pathways and rooms this spaceship has: command room, main deck, engine room, navigation systems, crew quarters, observation deck. On the opposite side of the ship, you see 'escape pods.' Looks like your task will be to make it to the escape pod without meeting your end.

You look down the length of the table and see some plants on a dimly lit counter alongside some capsule containers. Your curiosity grows and you have Emmett walk you over where you see that one of the containers consists of some jelly-like substance. It isn't moving and you realize you're looking at one of the globs the wolf was talking about. It looks suspiciously similar to the plant next to it and you assume it was fed some of its organic matter. Emmett picks up the capsule and both of you look at it. Thinking along the lines of what the hologram said, you wonder what would happen if you were to offer bits of your stuffing or fabric for it to absorb. Then a thought crosses your mind...

> Hold onto the capsule.> Feed it some stuffing.> Eat the glob.

READ THROUGH THE WHOLE COLLECTIONSTART READING FROM PAGE 1 DONATE TOWARDS OUR GOAL (Read here for what goals give!)

THERE IS NO MORE STORY; UNDER IS THE POLL. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOTING ON THE STORY, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE PATREON FOR JUST $2!