①
On her way to work, the Girl picked up some energy beverages for her work colleagues, each one specifically catered to their individual preferences and tastes.
“Here. I got plenty for everyone. You like this kind, don’t you? This one’s low on spices - I know you’ve been trying to cut back. They had a special today.” Since she’d been reduced to food delivery and not much else, she passed away the time memorizing the orders she’d been absently asked to get as a gofer. It was the surest way of getting her co-worker’s appreciation, even if they hardly paid attention to her.
“I would’ve gotten the extra portions, but my partner sadly wasn’t around to pick up the slack.”
At that moment, her partner who’d been delayed due to some mysterious detour signs barricaded towards her way to the Building walked in overloaded with energy beverages of her own, only to see the workplace already buzzing with sugary drinks.
“Oh, what a shame, you’re just too late,” the Girl announced with unrestrained smarm.
②
Ever since she started her job, the Girl had taken a great dislike to her partner who she unflatteringly called her Rival.
Even though she was almost the same age, the Girl couldn’t help but feel animosity towards her.
Maybe it was because her Rival was more accomplished in her field.
Maybe it was because her Rival had better connection with her co-workers.
Maybe it was because her Rival snubbed her that one time.
Whatever it was, their personalities just seemed to clash.
So whenever she had the chance, she would go out of her way to make her Rival look bad.
③
“Don’t feel too bad. We can still use them later,” one of the co-workers said.
“Oh, I don’t mind,” the Rival said with an icy tone in her voice. She was already plotting out her revenge.
This senseless rivalry inevitably led to a series of continuous ever-escalating paybacks between the two of them with no end in sight. Sooner or later, the consequences would become too high to ever come back from, and from the looks of things, that would likely take place on the very next page.
①
The Superior Mother held the request form between her fingertips, almost afraid that it might infect her if she used too much skin contact. She forced herself to grip it normally in the presence of the Girl while giving her sales pitch.
“There’s an all-expenses paid research meeting that requires the presence of one of our workers. Most of us are busy at the moment, and we were wondering if you’re - ”
“I’LL TAKE IT.” she said, not bothering to read the small print. Anything to get out of having to attend this accursed Building with its boring routine and even more boring jobs.
The Girl was looking forward to the meeting outside the Building. If she’d been aware of the conversation that took place earlier, she would’ve had a different idea.
②
“We’ve gotten a request for another assistant for undergoing field research.”
“I could use the break.”
“There’s a catch - You-Know-Who’s gonna be there.”
“Oh no, not me! I was sick for weeks afterwards.”
“You’re lucky. It’s been three years, and I’m not even close to recovering!”
“I’m in sudden need of sick days.”
“I just remembered I have some vacation time.”
“I can’t afford to lose more time!”
“I can’t even stand being anywhere close!”
“We can’t all refuse!”
“You think I don’t want to go?”
“Somebody’s gotta go in our place!”
“Who’re they asking for?”
“That’s strange. They didn’t specify.”
“Really? They’re usually more precise.”
“Meaning that any one of us could attend?”
“Not it!”
“Don’t be so selfish to exclude yourself before I do!”
“We’ve still got to send somebody!”
“But who?”
“May I suggest the newest arrival?”, the Rival piped up.
“Her?”
“The troublemaker?”
“Would she really be up to the task?”
“If you keep the details sparse, she will.”
③
“And, you say it’s a resort vacation, all expenses paid?”
“Absolutely!”
“It’s a first-time offer only given to the newest members!”
“All you have to do is give your expertise.”
“And, there’ll be plenty of other people there?”
“Naturally!”
“You may even meet somebody interesting there!”
“Oh, she definitely will...”
“Hush, you.”
This was a pretty sweet offer. From the looks of things, it sounded like a group project. The Girl figured she could skim this easily. Just pass her job on to somebody else there who’d be more experienced. With luck, her lack of contribution would go by unnoticed.
“When do I leave?”
①
The Girl observed the group of people present. There were far fewer professionals than she expected. This would make her deference to others tricky. Across the room, she saw a welcome face among all these strangers. A remarkably handsome man with faded green eyes and Silver-hair stretching down beyond his shoulders down to his butt.
Despite portraying an air of dominance, his body language suggested he’d seen things beyond the scope of humanity and had grown numb from the experience.
Next to him was someone who looked to be his Assistant. Compared to the Silver-Haired Reporter, he was an eager young boy with a slick cowlick tuft that made him look androgynous in nature. And in contrast to his boss, looked extremely excited to be here.
“You’re looking forward to this?”
“Naturally! The chance to get up close to unexplained phenomenon never before witnessed? That’s worth taking a risk! I have all kinds of theories for what their abilities could be:
• Physics to see if they’re One Second out of Sync.
• Body Language to see if we’re giving off any hidden signals that we’re not aware of.
• Something about their unique diet.
• Being fed information from an alternate source.”
②
The journey there had taken less time than anticipated, and she looked forward to seeing the group of experts she’d be leeching off of. An Administrator had welcomed her upon arrival.
“Oh good. You’re the last one to arrive.”
“Made it in time then. What’s required of me?”
“You haven’t been filled in?”
“I left in a hurry.”
The Administrator started with a brief tour, showing her the interior chamber where she’d be doing her research. The construct they were expected to conduct their research had an unusual design. Instead of straight hallways, there were only curved corners. Numerous rooms filled with the barest minimum of tables and chairs only had the barest designs of 2 to 3 walls. The interior was more spacious than expected given the cramped quarters, but she figured she could sleep in the corner given the chance.
“These are your living thirds.”
“You mean my living quarters?”
“They’re called thirds. Your objective is to figure out how this Alien race is able to comprehend events ahead of time. Half the time they seem able to divert themselves from disasters, while the other half, they seem just as surprised as everybody else. They’ve requested a team of specialists in various fields to determine if we can’t help narrow down their talents.”
As if on cue, a figure came wafting around one of the disjointed corners of the interior, making their presence known. Even covered, it gave off a translucent glowing effect that made peering at it uncomfortable. When it spoke, the words that came were likewise in an ethereal tone she’d never heard before.
{Welcome}
It reverberated like an echo chamber where every word resonated and overlayed upon itself. It was very disconcerting.
“We’re fortunate that they can understand our language. It’s their thought process we’re having trouble comprehending. The exact method of how they make their discoveries still hasn’t been figured out yet. You have all been specifically chosen to assist in the process of helping decipher the communication requirements of the SeerSighters who...”
③
The Girl blanked out listening at this point. This getaway was just a reason to goof off.
“What other visitors are we expecting?”
“There’s the media over there, who’ll be documenting coverage, a mathematician and the foremost expert in understanding Alien minds. If SHE has trouble, then we’re in trouble. She needs all the help she can get.”
The Girl waited expectedly in anticipation for more professionals that were coming. There weren’t any. “Is that all??”
“They’re keeping things pretty low-key. Don’t want to cause too many casualties this time around.”
Of course. She should’ve suspected. Why else would they be so eager to pressure this so-called vacation on her? upon further inspection, this wasn’t a cruise, but a densely decorated chamber with interlocking rooms, one for each of them, not counting the entrance, which the Administrator was casually walking towards.
“You’re not sticking around?”
“I’m as curious as anyone, but I’m not willing to give up my life for that. I’ve been told by the SeerSighters that the investigation will only end in three days when there’s a dead body in the room.”
“Wait, what was that again...” her voice trailed off as the door closed and automatically locked behind him. She really should’ve paid more attention to the mission statement. All she could do was investigate these complete strangers and decide who to foist off of.
The Journalist with the Cowlick Tuft expressed enthusiasm to his indifferent superordinate:
“We’re also graced with the presence of a well-reputed reclusive advisor!”
The Silver-Haired Reporter wore an uncaring expression of tedium and cast dead eyes on the nearest SeerSighter.
“I don’t want any more nasty surprises. Are there any other upcoming crises we should be aware of?”
{At the end of this, you’ll be expected to fill out an evaluation...}
The Girl heard none of this. All her focus was focused on one individual in the room that immediately grabbed her undivided attention.
“YOU!!!”
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