Solar Segmentum, Andrews System, the bridge of the Keth.
Captain Brian's entire body was covered in spore-like organisms. A chunk was missing from his neck, flesh gnawed away into a deep, bloody hole, with the bone inside faintly visible beneath a mass of spores.
No one on the bridge found the sight strange. They were covered in spores too.
So was the entire ship.
The Ark-Haris had parasitized them, granting them an entirely new life.
Driven by the parasites, Brian's throat trembled—not through the movement of bone, but through the quivering of countless spores.
"Starport, the Keth's voyage is proceeding smoothly. Requesting permission to dock." His voice came out light and airy, tugged loose by the downy fibers gathered from countless spores.
"Brian, you bastard, what were you up to last night?"
Amid the teasing voice, Brian's body gave a twitch. His boneless frame slammed onto the control console, writhing like a large fish.
The bang of impact carried through the Sonic Array channel.
"Brian, what the hell are you doing? Wake up..." The starport navigator's voice was edged with irritation.
Several more seconds passed before Brian's throat trembled again.
"Cough, cough... I've caught a cold..."
His chest slipped out from his writhing body. Inside the split-open cavity, dense spores filled the sternum and ribs.
"Fine, I've arranged it for you." The starport navigator asked no more questions and cut the communication.
Four hours later, guide lights lit up in the docking area of the starport on Andrews Prime.
The Keth descended slowly. The moment the landing ramp lowered, cold mist spread, and one unsteady figure after another walked down the ramp.
They swayed over to the port workers on duty, opened their arms, and hugged them.
The port workers shoved them away impatiently, cursing loudly.
"Damn it, I'm not