On the video monitor's screen.
A white dot suddenly lit up. Then it turned into static that filled the entire screen before flickering slightly and resolving into an image.
A space agency general in his forties appeared on-screen, dressed in uniform and wearing a military cap.
He was overjoyed.
"Astronaut Krikalev!"
"I finally—"
But the general's smile suddenly froze. His expression changed drastically, his skin instantly paling as an indescribable terror slowly appeared on his face.
Several researchers stood behind the general. The instant they saw the surveillance footage, their expressions froze as well!
"This..."
"What is that thing?!"
Cries of alarm rang out!
Inside the spacecraft shown on the monitor.
Astronaut Krikalev lay on the floor.
He was still wearing his white spacesuit, with his name embroidered over his chest.
But flowing out from the sleeves and trouser legs was not a human body, but a gray, mud-like substance spreading across the surrounding floor.
His "right hand" pointed toward the control panel. His arm had stretched and twisted out for a full 1.5 meters, its tip barely recognizable as a finger pressing the video communicator's switch.
And his head.
It was like the head of a melted wax figure, spread all over the floor, with his mouth, eyes, and eyebrows all "soaked" within it.
At that moment.
An eyelid on one crooked eyeball twitched, then slowly opened.
Beneath that eyelid were still astronaut Krikalev's beautiful ice-blue pupils.
His mouth twisted slightly, splitting into a smiling curve. "Hello. You... finally came."
On-screen.
The space agency general on Earth and the three researchers were completely frozen.
Their eyes were wide, their lips trembling violently.
This... was not a human.
What... exactly was this thing?!
Click!
Overcome by fear and terror, General Scott Dobbin immediately shut off the video feed!
The cramped