The Outsider's Trial

The office was cold, its sharp metallic walls gleaming under the artificial light. Two guards stood outside the door, their hands resting on assault rifles unlike anything Kai had ever seen. Inside, Kai sat stiffly on a small, rigid chair, his eyes darting around the room before settling on the man across from him—the same man from the hologram. Seated in a large, imposing chair, the man's piercing gaze remained fixed on Kai, unyielding and scrutinizing. The silence stretched between them like a taut wire. A full minute had passed, yet neither had spoken. Kai's palms were clammy, his fingers gripping the edge of his seat as his mind raced for something—anything—to say. But the man gave nothing away, his expression a mask of calm authority as though waiting to see how long Kai would last under the weight of his stare.

 Outside, the Odyssey was undergoing a thorough inspection, every corner of the ship being scrutinized. Kai knew it was only a matter of time before they found the bodies of his crewmates—and then the questions would turn darker. Murder. The thought chilled him to his core. He hadn't killed them, but without proof, how could he convince anyone otherwise? Sweat beaded on his forehead, streaming down in relentless waves. He wiped at it with a tissue, but it did little to help. The tension in the room thickened until the man finally broke the silence. "This identity card," he said, holding it up, "is obsolete. It doesn't exist in our systems anymore, and your personal information isn't on any record. Who are you, young man? Did you erase your data before running away?" His voice was sharp, accusatory.

 Kai's stomach churned as he stared at the identity card in the man's hand—the same one he'd handed over moments ago. He lowered his gaze, unsure how to respond. Should he lie? Should he fabricate some story to protect himself? No. That wasn't who he was. Back on Earth, people had always known him for his integrity, and he wasn't about to abandon that now. Taking a deep breath, Kai made his decision. He looked up, meeting the man's stern eyes, and began to tell his story—the truth of everything that had happened to him, from the moment he stepped aboard the Odyssey for the mission to the events that led him here, in this unfamiliar world.

 The room fell into silence once more. The man didn't speak immediately after hearing Kai's story. Instead, he rose from his chair with measured deliberation and took a slow walk toward the large window overlooking the sprawling horizon. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed out at the scenery, his posture commanding yet contemplative. "I believe you," he said finally. Kai blinked in disbelief. He did? "Yes," the man continued, his tone firm yet thoughtful. "You are telling the truth. As absurd as it sounds, it is the truth. You're likely wondering, 'Why does he believe me?' But space exploration is no foreign concept to us. We've done it—many times. However, we stopped long ago to focus on our planet instead."

 The man's voice was steady as he explained further. According to him, their world had conducted over 20 space exploration missions in the past two decades, venturing within their solar system and even beyond, into other galaxies. On the surface, it sounded impressive. But each mission beyond their solar system had ended in tragedy. The ships either failed to break through or, if they did, they suffered catastrophic malfunctions, killing everyone aboard. Billions were poured into these ventures, only for them to end in failure and loss. Eventually, the government abandoned the program, declaring it a waste of resources and lives, and redirected their efforts toward advancing their planet instead.

 A soft chime echoed through the room, breaking the silence. It sounded like some kind of notification. The man turned away from the window, walked back to the table, and pressed his hand against the surface. A voice emerged, speaking in a language Kai couldn't understand. The words sounded like gibberish to him, but the man simply nodded as if the message was routine. After lifting his hand, the man shifted his gaze back to Kai. "I've received a report regarding your spaceship, Odyssey," he said.

 Kai's body tensed at the mention of his ship, his heartbeat quickening. The man noticed instantly. "Calm yourself, young man," he said, his tone steady yet oddly reassuring. "We found no illegal items aboard the Odyssey, except..." He paused briefly, as if choosing his words carefully. "...for the 19 bodies of your crewmates, as I assumed." Kai could only nod, his throat tight. "You will not be arrested," the man continued. "Our scans of the bodies reveal no signs of foul play. There are no indications of murder or violence. It's a tragic mystery, but you have my condolences."

 For a moment, the tension in the room seemed to lift. The man's voice had softened, and though his demeanor remained authoritative, there was an undercurrent of humanity in his words. Perhaps he wasn't as heartless as Kai had feared.

 "However," the man's voice sharpened, regaining its commanding tone. "More experts will be inspecting your spaceship. The Odyssey is unlike anything we've encountered before—a ship capable of breaking through the barriers of the solar system while ours could not. It will be studied, taken apart, analyzed, and subjected to extensive inspection to uncover its secrets." He placed Kai's identity card back on the table, sliding it toward him. "You are free to go," he added, pausing briefly, "but first, you are required to head to the lab for a body inspection. The doctors there will explain everything."

 Kai rose from the chair, his legs stiff from tension, and made his way toward the door. He had barely taken two steps when the man's voice cut through the room again. "I am General Hackett Riverside," he said firmly. "Remember that."

 Kai turned slightly and nodded, a small wave of relief washing over him. As the door slid shut behind him with a faint hiss, he found himself face-to-face with the two guards stationed outside. Both stood rigidly on either side of the corridor, their expressions blank. One of them broke the silence. "Follow me, outsider. The lab is this way." Without waiting for a response, the guard turned and began walking briskly down the corridor. Kai hesitated for only a moment before falling in step, unsure of what awaited him next.

 As they walked through the facility, Kai passed by a series of rooms that left him in awe. There was a meeting room bustling with activity, a war room with holographic projections of planets and troop movements, a training area where soldiers sparred in what looked like advanced exoskeletons, and even a massive aquarium teeming with sea creatures he'd never seen before—some with bioluminescent patterns that glowed faintly in the dim water. Each room hinted at the sheer scale and sophistication of this place. Finally, they arrived at their destination: the lab. The guard halted in front of the door and stood to the side, silently gesturing for Kai to enter.

 With his heart pounding, Kai stepped forward. The door slid open automatically with a faint hiss, startling him slightly. As he walked inside, the door closed behind him, sealing him in. The lab, though familiar in its basic layout, had an air of alien sophistication. A wide, long table dominated the center of the room, cluttered with strange devices and tools he couldn't identify. Machines with glowing interfaces lined the corners, while cabinet-like structures covered half the walls, their surfaces smooth and seamless. Yet, despite the advanced environment, only one person occupied the room.

 She stood at the central table, her back turned to him, engrossed in her work. Her lab coat, immaculate and tailored, fell just past her knees, flaring slightly as she moved. Beneath it, she wore a sleek pencil skirt that hugged her figure, paired with sheer black stockings and sharp, glossy heels that clicked faintly against the polished floor. Her long, dark-red hair was tied into a ponytail, the loose ends swaying gently with her movements. The faint scent of something floral hung in the air, adding an almost surreal contrast to the sterile lab.

 Kai froze for a moment, unsure of what to make of the scene. Everything about her—the elegance of her appearance, the calm focus with which she worked—seemed out of place in this high-tech environment. Who was she? Why was she the only one here? For now, he decided to wait, unsure if he should announce himself or let her speak first.

 The woman turned around, her movements graceful and deliberate. Though her expression remained composed, there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes as they landed on Kai. "Ah, the outsider," she said, her voice smooth and tinged with amusement. "You must be the young man General Hackett mentioned. I have to say..." She paused, her lips curving into a playful smile. "You're quite handsome." A soft chuckle escaped her, lighthearted but teasing.

 Kai stiffened slightly at her words, caught off guard. She wasn't as tall as him, with Kai's height being around 183 centimeters, she was taller than most women he had met—or perhaps her high heels added to the illusion. As she approached, her steps confident and measured, she exuded an undeniable charm. Her smile held a magnetic quality, and her presence carried an alluring aura that could easily disarm anyone with a faint heart.

 Stopping just a step away from him, she tilted her head slightly and extended a hand. "Natasha Volkova," she introduced herself, her accent faint but adding a distinct elegance to her words. "Your doctor." Her smile widened just a little, her tone playful yet professional. "Nice to meet you... handsome."