3016

As a result of the confidentiality of files, it is required that agent names are not revealed. Agents’ official numbers have been placed in replacement.

Guajaras

21^st January 3016; 2354 hours

The videocom crackled.

“I think we got it, sir,” whispered 104956.

“Where on Earth are you?” hissed 748659.

“Sir – we’re not on Earth.”

“I know that. But why haven’t you updated me in the last four hours?”

“I’m sorry sir, but we were in different sides of the planet, sir. There was a huge communication gap, sir,” replied 104956.

“So where in Guajaras are you?” said 748659, the fury rising in his voice.

“I’m in Kolkodi, sir.”

“But why the hell are you there? You’re meant to be investigating the Juliasriy Mountains!”

“Hang on sir, I think I got something!” said 104956.

“What-what? Where?”

But 104956 had already cut the talk.

748659 trudged through the mist, barely able to see past a couple of metres. The fog danced around his waist, and it would soon rise higher.

He cursed under his breath as he trekked along, although no one could hear him. He didn’t know why he was here today. Guajaras was a very bland planet, just a sphere of whiteness. It was discovered around 70 years ago – before 748659 was born. About 40 years ago, scientists realised that this planet was perfect for human settlement. So people – only the rich ones, of course – began to look at the planet, wondering if it was right for them. Then one lady, a frail lady in her fifties, claimed she saw something. A blue creature, with red eyes. It was all over the papers. When asked how big she thought this creature was, she said she couldn’t remember. 748659 chuckled to himself. She remembered what colours the eyes were, but not the size of the whole thing. 748659 was not the first person who realised, though. When questioned about this…ironical situation, she said: “It just glanced at me, for a second. It all happened so fast. But those eyes, they were so red. They were a blood red. A rich red.”

748659, of course, thought this was a whole load of gobschnocker. When he told 104956 this, he’d expected the other agent to agree. But 104956 only shrugged. “I think it’s real exciting.”

So of course a whole team was sent to investigate. Every bloody inch of the bloody planet.

It’s all make believe – why investigate? thought 748659. Ah, well. He just wanted to prove them wrong and get home to a warm cup of coffee.

Guajaras

22^nd January 3016; 0126 hours

“SIR! SIR! SIR! SIR!”

“What?”

“Sir – I got it, sir.”

“YOU GOT WHAT?”

“I got that thing sir – that alien,” said 104956. 748659 could see the sweat beads on his forehead.

“The alien?!”

“Sir, I shot it with a ­­­tranquilizer!”

“What? What does it look like? Move the videocom to it. I wanna see it.”

“I got it sir, I got it! It’s blue, and – she’s right! She’s right, sir! It’s got red eyes!”

“Move the videocom to it! Right now, I say!”

“Of course, sir. Right awa-”

There was a silence.
“104956? Hello?”

748659 could hear the thud of the videocom onto the icy ground. For a moment, 748659 could see the dark black sky through the videocom, and then something leaned over the webcam. Suddenly 748659 was staring into a blood red eye.