How This Came Together
In Investigation, Tarian presses the settlement’s scientists for answers as unease consumes the colony. Within the makeshift lab, the shapeshifter’s corpse offers more questions than solutions. When the scientist’s whispers of a potential solution raises the fragile line between trust and survival grows thinner.
This chapter deepens the tension at the heart of the colony. Tarian and Keldon clash over strategy while Francis and his team reveal discoveries laced with as much danger as promise. The uncertainty of allies and the looming threat of doppelgängers sets the stage for choices that could doom or save the settlement.
Music Pairing
I chose Eerie Stroll because its haunting tones echo the creeping dread within this scene. The careful pacing mirrors Tarian’s escalating frustration and the scientists’ hesitation, while the underlying unease in the melody enhances the suspicion that shapeshifters may already walk among them.
Behind the Scenes
Despite having a decent memory of these stories, some of the minutiae have been lost to time. However, I knew I wanted to showcase the spark of ingenuity of the colonists. Enter this entry in Colonization, where Tarian was presented with the opportunity to push back against the world’s aggression. While the scientists uncovered fragments of information about the shapeshifters, their investigation only raised more questions. And that’s a common thread for everyone. May you all enjoy this polished version of the tale.
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Investigation
Tarian threw the doors open and marched into the makeshift lab. The cracked table bore the white-fleshed creature. He pointed at the milky corpse as he pulled the scientist closer. “What can you tell me about this thing on your slab?”
Francis stepped away from his work and glanced around the room at his colleagues. When he saw everyone else glance elsewhere, he cleared his throat. “We’ve found nothing definitive.”
Tarian’s fist clenched as he looked at each of the scientists. When his gaze fell back on Francis, he licked his lips. “You’ve had this body for a week. Keldon told you I needed answers.”
“He did,” Francis said.
“Then why have you been dragging your heels?” Tarian asked as he took a step towards Francis. While Tarian loomed over the scientist, he prodded the corpse’s abdomen and his finger slid into the creature. With a shudder, he pulled it out. “Rotting or not, I need answers.”
“If our most sensitive equipment still worked, we’d have given you the intelligence already.” Francis wrung his hands, avoiding Tarian’s glare.
Tarian wiped the frustration off his face as he backed up, licking his lips. “We don’t have that luxury.”
Francis’s gaze drifted toward Tarian, the corner of his eye twitching as he tugged his collar. “Well, we triggered its flesh into changing.”
“How?”
“What we might’ve seen could’ve been nothing but a twitch.”
“One, two, three…” Tarian said as he clenched a fist. “That’s not helpful since I already knew the thing could alter its form.”
“Ease up,” Keldon said as he walked into the hall. “They’re doing everything they can with what’s left.”
Tarian gripped his hair, grumbling, “Right now, a shapeshifter could stroll into our settlement and either kill us all while we sleep or cripple our critical defenses.”
Keldon sauntered over and rested his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Considering their handicaps, they are doing well.”
Tarian spun around and poked Francis’s chest. “Tell me you’ve figured out how to beat their shape-shifting.”
Francis looked at one of his colleagues and sighed. When none of his associates volunteered any information, he cleared his throat. “We may have found a way to force them back into their true form.”
Tarian’s lips curled into an unfamiliar smile. “Excellent—“
“But we can’t guarantee it works.” Francis said, dousing Tarian’s momentary hope.
Keldon stepped forward, gripping his friend’s shoulder. “What are the odds it won’t affect them?”
“If you consider our sample was dead, we’re not sure.” Francis’s gaze dropped from Tarian’s scrutiny.
Keldon released Tarian and grabbed the scientist’s shoulders. “Do you need a living one?”
“That might help us discover their secrets,” the scientist said, “considering the state of our equipment.”
With a huff, Tarian began pacing around the room. While he walked, he lifted a preserved bit of the creature’s skin. Placing the sample back, he turned his gaze to Francis. “You keep hedging your words. Have you discovered something that might neutralize these creatures?”
“To an extent,” Francis said, his shoulders slumping.
Tarian clapped his hands and loosed a grin. “I need every advantage you can provide.”
Keldon gripped Tarian’s arm and tugged it. “What are you thinking?”
“They require a living subject to refine this.” Tarian knocked Keldon’s hand off him. “Which means we risk the terrain to capture one. However, that’ll be difficult considering the overwhelming fear these shapeshifters spark.”
“That’s a justifiable concern,” Keldon replied.
“True, but this constant dread is only preparing us for our eventual defeat. No, we need to wrest control of the situation.” Tarian marched over to Francis and grabbed the scientist’s shoulders. “You’ve done well making this discovery, but how much of the material did you synthesize?”
The scientist shrank into himself like a turtle retreating into its shell. His gaze darted around the room. “We’ve manufactured a healthy supply, but we’re unsure about the dose required to affect these creatures, let alone if it works.”
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