Proxima b.
Time flew by.
Half a year had passed since their last trip out to buy supplies.
Number 12 Marus waited anxiously beside his bunk.
A gloomy atmosphere hung over the communal dormitory.
"No. 12, are you sure those two Proxima Centauri people can really be trusted?" Marus No. 2's voice broke the silence in the dormitory.
This was the 873rd time Marus No. 2 had asked that question.
Number 12 Marus opened his breathing aperture and let out a deep, stale breath.
"I think we should be able to trust them."
This was also the 873rd time Number 12 Marus had answered that question.
As his words faded, the communal dormitory fell silent once more.
Time ticked by, second after second. Just as Number 12 Marus's eyelids were growing heavy, a piercing alarm sounded.
At the same time, countless white lights signaling danger lit up!
Number 12 Marus opened his eyes in terror and jumped down from his bunk.
Fine bumps instantly rose across the smooth skin atop his thinking organ!
Like him, the other Marus immediately jumped down from their bunks.
"What's going on?!" Marus No. 7 stared fearfully at the flashing white lights before him and shouted, "What happened?!"
Marus No. 2 silenced No. 7's loud questions with a look. Then he quickly walked to the door, opened it a crack with his forelimb, and peered outside.
Blinding white light.
And violent explosions.
Bang!
He slammed the door shut and stared at his companions in terror.
"S-something terrible has happened!"
Late at night.
Outside the Hatching Center.
Strong, sturdy Proxima Centauri people gathered one after another.
As time slowly passed, more and more Proxima Centauri people assembled outside the Hatching Center.
With help from several Proxima Centauri people who worked in information services, the surveillance