Next up, I find Rocky's bed. Standing next to it, I pick up the pamhlet lying on the bed.

...

Wow. Just wow. This is so incredible.

He has that charm so it fits. Even space buddy here sounds impressed.

Yeah. I couldn't agree more.

He is an actual coordinator. His job is to observe and guide the labourers. Wonderful! Effective use of that charisma I'd say.

Moving on- wait a minute.

Is that my bed?!

I read the name plate. It's just opposite to Rocky's!

This is awesome.

_______________

"That's surprisingly disappointing," I remark, standing dejected before a bed that's like any other. They had no special plans for me after all. Did they never intend to keep me here after they found out about my hand or what?

Looking around there's nothing of any particular note. In fact, there's nothing at all aside from my name plate over the bed. As per common sense, it's the only bed without pamphlets...maybe there's the one that belonged to Chap as well, but I'd like to think there're not too many exceptions such as us.

I sigh and take a seat. Clasping my hands I ponder on what my next move should be. Or... if I should just stay put for a change.

It must feel so alone on an alien planet when everyone you know is in space.

Yeah it does. You don't have to rub it in y'know?

I hear him hum for a moment. Which is odd. He is usually quiet when he's not talking to me. I don't think he goes deep in thought, ever. I don't think he does, because he speaks to me through thoughts...?

Hmm...Let me tell you something.

Oh? He figured something out. Without even consciously thinking about it. How cool is that.

I think I have figured something out. Yes.

Oh really? Called it. I grin.

Yeah. You should have too though. But you haven't. Because you are too dumb to keep up.

There you go roasting me again. I'm not listening if you keep that up.

I think that there are more labs. He drops that bombshell on me like it's just another fact.

I try to process the meaning of it. Wait, so we know of two already.

Yeah and there's reason to believe that there are more.

...

I think I know what you're getting at, and why.

Mm. Smart. Good for you then.

Sure. Feels like the job I have taken up on here is that of a detective.

Ain't too bad, is it?

Oh, it's pretty messed up.

To that he chuckles nervously. My experience speaks for it.

______________

"What if we get lost?" I can't help but say that out loud.

I don't have an answer for that.

Well, can't you do something other than signalling?

I did! I have more brains than you do!

But you don't have a brain. You are using mine!

...

Yeah, that's better. Keep shut when you can't do anything. Using my body like this, you are only dragging me down.

I have kept the implant from messing with your nervous system, haven't I?

Yeah. Thanks. It's the least you could do for hijacking my body.

But you consented! Your resolve called me back!

I stop. Then take a step back. What do you mean? What are you talking about? My resolve?

Yeah. The black mist that's been inside you this whole time. It's like a part of my soul. Something given to me.

What? Wait. I don't understand. I thought it was your soul. The entirety of it.

He sighs. If it was the entirety of my soul, then what good would it have been if my body got rid of you, yet my soul remained here, stuck in your head? I wanted to get rid of you, not my body.

My eyes open wide. That's true!

Why then didn't you leave with that as well? I am baffled.

I feel him grow composed. This bond we have, was not foreseen. It was unwarranted for. It makes little sense why it should happen at all. But it did. And because it did, I am in no position to revert it. Moreover, since the soul marriage happens only once per vessel, in all my lifetime, all I get, is a single chance at bonding. And a bond so rare as this. It felt wrong to let go. However stupid my partner might have been.

Well, this marriage and me being your partner and your brother at the same time is weird so I'll skip over that. So, the real thing is, you don't know why you bonded with me? How do you do that? How is this an unconscious move. Something so crucial to your existence such as this? (Asking the real questions here. Wink.)

As I've said before. In the cloth form, I was dormant-

Oh. So me wrapping you around my palm was enough stimulus to jerk you awake from your sleep. Sweet pineapples, if you had my mother for yours you wouldn't be alive right now.

He laughs. It's the first time I've heard him laugh. Jokes aside. It's not me who initiates the bond. It happens automatically.

Huh? Automatically? Like how you can't tell each cell in your body to do their respective jobs, and they just do their job?

Yeah. 'Naturally'- is the word then. Sorry, my bad.

Hmm. I see.

That's how it is.

An awkward moment of silence ensues inside my head. Which is weird to think about.

Well, space buddy?

Go on.

Do you have a name? That's given to you by your parents or your creator? I don't even know what you guys are, where you come from and what else to make of you. All I know is you're just a race of symbiotes, that can communicate with their host. ... Is that enough reason to survive for a symbiote? I ask him, genuinely curious.

Survival of the fittest?

My stomach twists hearing that. So he heard it back then. I try not to think about it too much.

...yeah. Not many people will appreciate having an annoying oddity yapping in their heads from time to time y'know?

Ah, so you're a righteous person, I presume.

I smile in pride. You can absolutely say that!

He grows composed again. No, he says. A certain emotional tremor in his voice makes me feel...something. We survive just fine. Our use is... more. It's beyond the worldly requirements. It's beyond what you need for survival. I think you can see that. He pauses for a moment.

I try to process it in my mind. All that he's said, all that I've experienced with him. And the more I ponder, the more it blows my mind. What I've actually been through, is something so exotic, no form of media can supplement for that experience. I can gurantee that a hundred percent.

And on that note, surviving in and itself, doesn't equate to living. Does it?

I'm spellbound.

Wow. That's actually deep.

And these demonic insect aliens have come to understand that. They have reached out...to Purpose. They seek connection, with the Holy Trinity. Below the everwatching spiral Eye of Eternity.

I frown at that. But then, only a moment later, my face is washed in horror. Why, of course.

A scene flashes before my eyes. I remember seeing all the different aliens on the street, the one that guided me, the ones who served us food, the ones that treated me in the lab...

"Then the black armour they wear-"

Yes. It's us.

____________

I sit on my bed for a long time, stare at the now familiar large holes that line the walls even here, inside the human hive like other places I've visited. I bring my gaze lower. Had it been back on earth, the sun would have set a long time ago, and it would have been night by now. But this is not Earth.

"This whole ordeal is so crazy." I run my fingers through my hair and clasp them tight. I clench my teeth, twist my face until I feel tears come rise in the corner of my eyes. This whole thing is a mess. What is happening!

Come on. Make the most out of this situation. You can do it, brother.

I press my face into my arms. I draw a few laboured breaths, then rub my eyes. You're right. I have to make the most out of this situation. And I have to be strong. I am a supervillain after all! I'm the Lost Eternal!

He chortles. That you are.

I try and smile. But something crosses my mind. I never thought it over and now... hmm..

But, why the Lost Eternal? It's cool and all, but...

He doesn't answer.

Space buddy?

You asked for my name earlier, didn't you.

I don't reply.

It's Ki'nashyth.

...

I'm sorry, but WHAT?!

He groans irritably. I don't know why I bothered. Just start walking.

Whatever. I get up. Sorry if I hurt your feelings.

Just shut up. And never bring it up again.

Oh please, come on. I said I'm sorry.

I pass quite a few beds when it occurs to me I haven't looked for Diana's or Fiona's beds. I know what Fiona does so...

I back track to my bed but don't find any of their name plates.

With a click of my tongue I return faster and keep on looking. Within a few seconds I arrive at Diana's bed. Her pamphlet is stuck under her pillow. All of them have drawers so why do they have the pamphlets lying around like this? There's not too much written on them that they need to read it day in, day out. These are not books.

I pick out hers when a sudden thought causes me to lose focus and I drop down on her bed.

I remember myself touching it and being aware of it for the first time. How terrified I was and what answer I had received in return for what it actually was. A sly truth that kept me in the dark from what it actually did to me.

I replay what that alien said to me in my mind.

"It is merely a translating device. It reads your mindwaves and sends it to the listener. It goes all the way to your vertebral column and even inside it."

No way. Are they controlling their minds even? To make them like their work? Love their work? Make them obsessed enough to read the pamphlets over and over even if it's been like three weeks or so since we all got here, even though we got our jobs assigned to us right after the first day or so?

I pant. Heave. Hoarse breaths escape my chest, and I clasp my robe tightly.

But whatever Fiona said...about my rights and all, how I was wronged...

"Oh sweet baby Jesus." I cover my mouth. They want us to feel like that!  Feel like we have will! Like we are all normal. Yet when it comes to the jobs, they take control over their minds for maximum efficiency!

"This is so messed up. Is this really how it is?"

There's no one who could answer me.

"Guess I'll find out soon enough."

Space buddy chimes in, Is that the next mission then?

I grow resolute. That IS the next mission. I must figure this all out.

_____________

Going over her pamphlet, I find out that Diana works as a kind of assemblywoman as well. But what's different about her is that she does a bit of heavy lifting. If I'd had to guess, Kevin and the other younger children do the assembly of small parts which don't require too much higher knowledge nor that much strength. These components are then fit into machines which are in turn moved by people like Diana. It seems she also has to deal with electricity (these aliens have their own form of unique circuitry), as well as other fields of physics, which is at a level to which we are taught in school. Also, her field seems to require a bit of command, which she has got, so I think they evaluated her well enough. I don't know how her academics were or how proficient she's in studies but I think she's been doing a good job so far. The job suits her is why.

I get up from her bed and move on, without spending another moment in awe. I have a mission. I need answers to questions.

That's the spirit! He cheers in the voice of a cheerleader. This guy.

Now since I'm officially done with finding out who is in which field, it's easier on me to focus on my current task.

You've already explored the arclength from the lab to the hive. I think it's time you go beyond that. There should be something other than the human hive in the centre. Like a central area, around which these passageways are constructed. Corridors, if you would want to put them that way.

Ah. You're right. That never occured to me.

The building is cylindrical, with only the hoses spiralling around them and connecting at various points, as a substitute for a lift or stairs. Don't know how the others make a trip up. How I did it is definitely not standard routine.

But that means-

"Whoa!" I yell. That's it!

"There are hidden floors," I proclaim that, scarcely believing what's coming out of my own mouth. I'm half in shock.

The places the hose spirals over. Those are the parts we have no access to!

Okay then. Objective one of current mission: Gain access to these hidden floors and investigate if they have labs inside them.

I bring two fingers to my ear. Lost Eternal here. Roger that, space buddy. I'll be contacting you when I'm close to finding some kind of entrance. Over and out.

Pulling my arm down, I bolt outside. Like a streak of lightning, I run along the length of the human hive and exit it. I don't know when they will be back, so I need to get this done as soon as possible.

Stopping at the entrance doorway, I look in both directions, left and right. Then I smirk.

"It's time to enter the next level. So, shall we?"