The captain and the consular stood outside the orange-hued barrier of the holding cell, grimly observing the creature inside. The seven-foot-tall monstrosity was bipedal and very solidly built. It closely resembled its human progenitors, except for its massive bulk and a large cavity centered in the torso from which a head would periodically emerge to spit large quantities of a sickly green goo. As the two officers watched, it did just this, and continued banging angrily against the walls of the cell, snarling with rage.
"This one is colloquially called 'a spitter' by the men on the ground," explained the consular in a sophisticated tone. He was dressed in an elegant kind of ceremonial armor consisting of synthetic, interlocking blue and purple ribs, and his features were drawn and decidedly sylvan, despite his basically human ancestry. "The mucus it produces is, of course, highly toxic, capable of eating through most organic matter and even some artificial compounds." Captain Jack nodded and the two sauntered down to the next holding cell.
"And this one," continued the consular as he leaned in towards the barrier, "despite its appearance, is but a shadow of its former, human self." Inside, a slightly less burly but more intelligent-looking creature stood, eyeing the pair. It had vestiges of the ribbed, ceremonial armor clinging to its mutated flesh, and the captain found it particularly odd that the ribs had flexed and stretched, unbroken, along the monster's enormous back and up to its face, continuing to provide it protection. The mutant leaned back and let out a loud yell of frustration before slamming itself against a wall.
"The only element remaining in the minds of these mutants is a singular rage, manifest in their mindless aggression," the consular said.
As the consular and Captain Jack watched, the monster leaned back and instead of roaring again, he knelt and calmly closed its eyes. Holographic images appeared and radiated outwards and upwards from his chest, indicating an outgoing transmission. Rather than stop the transmission, the captain let it go out; it was time this whole mess came to its inevitable head.
After a few moments, a loud and repeated beeping signaled an incoming call. Captain Jack walked around the corner, where a medium-sized screen swiveled around to greet him. The screen was mounted on a flat surface that formed a sort of table in front of a large viewport. In addition to the screen, several controls and a small dispenser chamber were recessed into the cheap plastic.
"Hello? Hello?" said Jack, trying to answer the call. He had done this before, but it appeared there was some lag this time. "Hello?"
A small, toy-like robot appeared on the screen and said, "Greetings, captain. Please wait while signal link is being achieved." A loading screen came up, to which Jack indicated that he would like a drink while waiting.
"Signal link achieved," said the robot.
"Yes, hello," answered Jack.
"Here is another drink for you, captain," said the robot. At this, a small, translucent plastic sample cup popped out of the dispenser chamber and was filled with a tiny amount of an equally clear liquid. Jack grabbed the cup and downed the liquor, which he determined was vodka.
"Greetings, captain," began the robot. As it spoke, Jack wondered when next it would offer another drink. Goodness knew he could use one. Though, he wouldn't drink too much; the men on the planet would soon be facing some fairly horrifying things.
