"This atmosphere has low oxygen, that I am assuming is not fit for your survival" Commander Nexer spoke.
"Yes, 2 percent oxygen is not going to cut it. But soon enough we'll run out of oxygen in the ship as well, as the ship is almost exhausted of its fuel." The ship pilot spoke.
"Hold on, we might be able to arrange something" Commander Nexer. "Meanwhile we can figure out the fuel required to power your ship"
"Thank you very much"
"Do you really trust him?" after the communication was cut off by her, the co-pilot aka the curious guy who is still worried about becoming lunch meat asked.
"I dunno. I am out of options" She replied flatly.
"But how can we stay here? This is not our home" Another girl on their trip asked.
"Even earth isn't our home anymore. The sooner we move on the better"
"I have left my entire family behind, how could I"?The other lady asked.
"Do you really believe your family is alive''? The co-pilot scoffed. "I know you miss earth, but the earth we left behind is not the one you miss. It was about time the humans went extinct. We might be the last of us left."
"It can't be" The other woman whispered in distraught.
After around half day they received another communication. We have arranged a room with concentrated oxygen. You might be able to stay there" Commander Nexer alerted them. "However, that's only one room we could manage, so, you might have to share that same room"
"Well, if anything IAEA taught us, it's how to share our personal spaces" Their leader sighed. "Let's go" She declared
They were provided with a tiny mask, connected to a small cylinder that would provide them with enough oxygen for their transit to their assigned room. In the transit, no one spoke anything as they had their mouths covered. Upon reaching there, they were locked in the chamber, to contain oxygen. "Thanks for letting us stay here," Their leader announced.
"With pleasure." Commander spoke. "Let me introduce myself properly, I am Commander Nexer, I am an original Stahlis, originating from the planet Stahldom".
"This is not your planet"? The reluctant woman from earlier asked.
"No" The commander shook his head. "This planet is a home to refugees. To the ones who lost their planet. It doesn't have any of its own species" He declared.
"It's better that way, that way it won't be invaded" A guy accompanying them scoffed.
"Anyways, I am their team leader. My name is Violette Kane," She declared. "We were training under the space programme, which is how we managed to escape." She declared.
"Tell me more," Commander Nexer urged. "In specific to this invasion".
"They are shape-shifters. I do not know their species, neither do they, but apparently they have been living amongst us for a very very long time. Despite them being shapeshifters, they cannot mimic anyone's memories, so they have targeted specific individuals and observed them for a month before they took over them. They didn't have to pretend for long, because soon the people they were surrounded with, their loved ones, would be replaced by the shapeshifters too." Violette declared.
"I know who they are." Whispered Commander Nexer. " They wiped out our planet like that as well. They came as our friendly visitor and before we knew everyone was them. As soon as their population hit a spike, they transformed into their original form"
"Who are they"? Violette asked.
"No one knows. No one has been able to pinpoint their origin, not yet. But they are well known for their rendezvous throughout the galaxy, taking over the planets one by one. On my planet we call them Smerana. It's Stahlis language, it means invader" Commander Nexer declared. "Many refugees here lost their homes because of them." The commander scoffed. "It's funny, that we realise what's going on, only when it's too late. I never thought earth would be attacked. It has one of the most secured elites"
"Yeah well, they are idiots," Violette rolled her eyes. "We trusted this species, Lyserrion, they are human-like, only much much smarter. They are the real culprit. Using these… Smeranas, they just took over our world, cause their planet was dying"
"I don't understand" The commander tilted his head.
"It's a long story, something that even we are not completely sure of yet, but all I know is that these so-called Smeranas were brought to earth by the Lysserions. When most of the population was taken by them, the Lysserions followed, using a lot of our tech they transformed into humans. It wasn't that hard given how they appeared very similar to us." She sighed.
"I see" Commander Nexer. "I am really sorry to hear that"
"Thanks for letting us stay here. It means a lot," She negotiated.
"Well, there is a refill point at the corner to fill these cans. You can fill them with the has and for almost 3 hours you can come out of this room. But, you must wear this mask while you're out. I am not sure if anything else would be harmful to your skin, but these will allow you to breathe out here"
"I see"
"Also, your room is connected to a vacuum chamber, which will allow you to pass through without causing a leak. If you need anything, there is a buzzer, my assistant, Vinah, will help you in case you need anything". Commander Nexer gave them a subtle nod, " Very well then, I shall take my leave"
"He is… way too friendly" One of the guys commented.
"Not every alien is a monster, Wayne." The other girl on the team commented.
"I know. I just can't help but be skeptical. After all that happened…" Wayne sighed. "This all started after 'Kaze' escaped from our planet"! He spat.
"It's not like it was his fault, his escape just exposed whatever was happening in our planet for the last decade" Violette snapped.
"Yeah, and if it weren't for him, we might as well be replaced too" Xander commented. They all went silent as the events of the past month flashed right in front of their eyes. Things so traumatising that it always will be fresh in their memories.