After the fog gradually faded away, an astronomical skyscraper appeared in front of their eyes. Millions of ultra telescopic glass windows coruscated gleaming, fulgent light through. The lights contrasted with the navy skyscraper made it even more ferocious. As they walked closer and closer, more monumental-sized buildings and space objects emerged in the distant landscape.

‘Is this where you live?’ Milo asked Yoki.

‘Well this is not my exact home, but it’s a city where everyone’s from.’ Yoki replied.

‘What do you mean by where everyone’s from?’ Milo asked.

‘Everyone from this planet is separated into three different groups. We have the aliens, the automatons, and the cyborgs.’ Yoki replied.

‘I presume you’re from the cyborgs group. Are you?’ Harry questioned.

‘Yes. You are correct.’ Yoki replied.

They were just about to enter the world of a space city until Milo spotted something that made him hesitant to enter.

‘Why is there a transparent layer?’ Milo asked whilst pointing his finger at it.

‘This is a protective layer. Also it contains a combination of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases for humans to survive.’ Yoki replied.

‘How do you know that we are humans?’ Milo asked.

‘I have an electronic detector which identifies what species you are. Also we knew one day humans would arrive on our planet. Therefore, we pumped the entire city with air similar to the one you have on Earth.’ Yoki replied.

‘Will we be able to leave after entering this city?’ Milo asked.

‘It depends if you are good people or not. You may also need to pass some tests after you enter our city.’ Yoki replied.

‘Do you mind if I discuss with Harry for a moment?’ Milo asked.

‘Not at all, go ahead.’ Yoki replied.

‘Do you have any opinions? We don’t even know if we can make it out once we enter.’ Milo asked.

‘Hmm...this is a tough decision to make. However if we choose to not enter, we could be stranded here endlessly. My opinion would be to take the risk. We are likely to have a better chance there than we have right here.’ Harry suggested.

‘Alright, I suppose it’s our only chance.’ Milo replied.

‘Yoki, we have decided to enter your city.’ Milo stated, turning his speaker mode on.

‘Welcome to Botilanic City! You can take off your space helmets once you have entered.’ Yoki stated.

‘Can we keep it on?’ Milo asked.

‘Yes, you can if you wish, although it may get quite hot.’ Yoki replied.

The entrance through the translucent door immediately vanished after they entered. Milo took his space helmet off. His expression seemed amazed as well as astonished by the view. A long steel path separated into three smaller paths which differentiated into the three groups living in this city. Even if this is only one city, it seemed as if there were three completely disparate worlds. The right branch is the alien group. Its buildings were mostly shaped as curved arches with luminous neon blue and violet illumination that emerged from every glass panel. Many flying gadget machines surrounded the atmosphere as if they were security guards protecting their property. On the left branch is the automaton group. This place has buildings higher than the majority of skyscrapers on Earth. Substantially made from aluminium steel, whilst the textural complexity stood out the most. The most significant component is the extremely long rail for new high-tech trains which is covered around the skyscrapers in loops. In between the two groups, located in the far middle, there is a branch for the cyborgs group. Inherently, this place resembled a mixture of the alien and the automaton group. Harry’s eyes glanced away towards Yoki.

‘Yoki...Yoki,’ Harry called.

‘Where’s Yoki?’ Milo asked.

A few seconds later, Harry heard a voice. ‘I’m here!’ as Yoki’s electronic screen replied.

‘Wait a minute...how can we be able to hear you?’ Milo questioned.

‘Since you have entered our city, there are air molecules that sound can travel through which allows you to hear.’ Yoki replied.

‘Wow! I never thought we would be able to hear sounds in space.’ Milo stated.

‘This is miraculous! It will make our mission much easier being able to hear compared to having to read word by word.’ Harry exclaimed.

‘You’re fortunate at the moment. However, keep in mind not everyone here can provide English for you.’ Yoki replied.

‘So can the three groups cross with each other or meet together?’ Harry asked.

‘Usually they are prohibited to meet with other groups. In fact, they are rivals.’ Yoki replied.

‘Is there any way we can get back to Earth, since our space shuttle is already damaged?’ Milo asked.

‘Unfortunately, I cannot help you with your request. Remember I informed you that there are some tests you must pass in order to stay in our city.’ Yoki replied.

‘What tests?’ Milo asked.

‘When any stranger comes into our city, we have a series of tests and regulations you must follow. If you have made a decision to continue remaining longer, I can lead you to our department where you will undertake these.’ Yoki responded.

‘Do you think we should take these tests?’ Milo whispered to Harry.

‘It’s our only option.’ Harry replied.

‘Alright, take us to the test department.’ Milo commanded.

‘Sure, follow me.’ Yoki replied.

As they followed Yoki along the long steel path, they heard incomprehensible voices while they got closer to a sharp, colossal skyscraper. Milo felt a dark, ghastly shadow following behind him. Even though it was the shadow of the skyscraper, he felt something unpleasant was going to come. The automatic gate opened. They entered an invisible portal into the interior of the skyscraper. Yoki spoke to the electronic screen appearing in front of an elevator. In a fraction of a second, the elevator opened. They entered.

The interior was entirely covered in aluminium steel. There was nothing, not even numbers to press or a screen to show what level they’re on. As if they have entered an unsurpassed elevator that they have never been in before. Immediately, there was an announcement in Yoki’s language which Yoki informed that they have reached level 181, also known as the level of tests. They exited the elevator, although it seemed like a force had pushed them out.

‘This is the place where you will take your tests. I’ll speak to the manager and make an arrangement.’ Yoki stated.

‘Thanks, we will wait in the waiting room.’ Milo replied.

They sat down on those round circular chairs shaped like a ball with a massive hollow hole inside. The floor glistened as clear as glass. The lights were so advanced that there were needless light bulbs. Even storage tanks for drinking water were voice activated. Everything just seems to be on a whole new level here compared to Earth. Harry and Milo could hear Yoki chatting to the manager in a completely incomprehensive language.

‘So what do you think they’re talking about?’ Milo questioned.

‘No idea, we’ll just need to wait and see.’ Harry replied.

‘Well, I just hope whatever tests we need to pass are not too difficult and that we can return back to our mission to the moon as soon as possible.’ Milo continued in an anxious manner.

‘Don’t think too much Milo, I always remember this quote: hope for the best but also prepare for the worst. We can get through anything together.’ Harry reassured Milo.

Meanwhile Yoki slowly approached Harry and Milo carrying a transparent piece of paper with lines of black inked text.

‘Alrighty, after discussing with my manager, Harry and Milo, here are the mandatory tests both of you must pass in order to stay on our planet.’ Yoki stated.

As Yoki handed Harry the piece of paper, he was shocked at the list of tasks that needed to be completed. The list reads as follows:

Dear Foreigners of our planet,

At Botilanic City, all foreign visitors must pass the series of tests in order to become an eligible resident on our planet. If you cannot pass all tests you must be evacuated immediately from Botilanic City without any equipment to return to your origin planet. Please read through each task thoroughly and understand the rules and regulations in order to ensure the tasks are completed fairly. The tests are as follows:

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

* Pass the security test of any physical weapons.

* Pass the basic Botilish language exam in order to communicate with other individuals (can only be completed in a period of fourteen days).

* Acquire a job to make a living during the duration of the stay.

* Learn to drive a space drone in order to travel efficiently on the planet.

* Buy OR rent a residential area within thirty days after arrival.

Please sign this agreement below only if you agree to accept these terms to the tests.

Signature one:

Signature two:

Sincerely,

Botilanic Administration Team

After reading through the agreement in which Harry thought was outrageous, however he knew that a decision must be made soon.

‘Can we please have a moment to discuss privately before making our final decision?’ Harry asked Yoki in a polite manner.

‘Sure take your time, let me know if you have any further questions.’ Yoki replied.

‘So Milo, what are your thoughts on this agreement? Should we agree to it or not? Harry asked.

‘I’m not sure, it sounds too sketchy to me. Like how do they expect us to complete all these requirements within a span of thirty days? We just landed here by accident and none of these were planned.’ Milo exclaimed in fear.

‘We don’t have much of a choice. I mean if we leave, we’ll need to figure out some other way to get our spaceship working again which I highly doubt will happen. There’s also nothing in space where we can utilise to help.’ Harry explained.

‘But there’s no guarantee we can get our spaceship fixed even if we complete all those required tests in time right?’ Milo questioned back.

‘That's true, but we have a higher chance since there are much more tools on this planet than anywhere else. We could potentially use them to fix and repair the damages on our spaceship. I’d say let's give it a shot.’ Harry suggested.

‘Well, I’m still sitting on the fence but you’re my big bro. If you say so, I’m down as well.’ Milo replied hesitantly.

‘Alright, I think we have made our decision. Let’s sign our signatures on the agreement.’ Harry replied back.

Harry signed within a few seconds before passing the agreement to Milo where he had a final read through before signing.

‘Let’s just hope we made the right decision. I’ll hand the agreement back to Yoki and we will begin from there.’ Milo replied.

‘Great, I see you both have agreed to the paperwork. Which test would you like to start with?’ Yoki questioned.

‘We don’t really mind. Let’s complete the tasks in sequential order.’ Harry replied.

‘Sounds good, please follow me to the security department.’ Yoki asserted.

‘Sure, thank you.’ Harry responded.

Yoki led Harry and Milo towards the lift. Milo felt the silence creeping in as he followed Yoki to the lift. As the doors automatically open through voice recognition, it felt like the high tech world.

‘Please take us to level 101.’ Yoki commanded.

The lift felt a little better than the first experience for Milo. Within a blink of an eye, level 101 has arrived. The entrance is flooded with security cameras, left to right, up and down. Milo felt as if he was a criminal. As they walk further ahead, a massive machine appears ahead of them. A white cylindrical metal like machine seemed like a ginormous threat to humans.

‘Please stand very still on the red circle one at a time and wait for two minutes.’ Yoki commanded.

‘Sure, I’ll be happy to go first.’ Harry replied.

As Harry walked to the red circle, the machine began spinning at a rapid pace around his body producing a buzzing sound at the same time. After a minute it stated ‘PASS’ in bright green letters on the centre of the screen. Next, it was Milo’s turn. As he stood still on the red circle, he could feel flashes of hot air as the machine spun. Finally, the machine beeped and the pass sign was declared.

‘Well done to both of you for passing your first test!’ Yoki exclaimed.

‘Great, so which test do we need to complete next?’ Harry asked.

‘The language exam, however you both may have a fourteen day learning timeframe to thoroughly learn the basics to our language before sitting the exam.’ Yoki replied in an authoritative manner.

‘Alright, sounds a little tight to learn a new language that we’ve never heard before, but we’re always up to more challenges! Milo, are you ready?’ Harry replied.

‘Uhh, I’m a little hungry, is it possible to eat something before heading to the next test?’ Milo questioned.

‘Sure, that’s perfectly fine. I can talk you guys to the cafeteria department first, however keep in mind we can only offer you free food for seven days only. After that it’s up to you to purchase food and other necessities. Bear in mind, the food may appear different to ones you consume back on your planet.’ Yoki informed both Milo and Harry.

‘Awesome, thanks for letting us know. Please take us to your cafeteria!’ Milo requested in excitement.

‘Sure, please follow me.’ Yoki replied.

As Milo and Harry followed Yoki back to the elevator, a burst of misty blue air emerged from each side of the hallway. Both Harry and Milo still couldn’t believe the level of automation in this building. It felt like there’s no need to use touch to conduct most requests so far. The doors on the lift slid open just by talking to it.

‘Please take us to the cafeteria department, level 202.’ Yoki requested.

‘Wow, isn’t this just amazing Milo! We never had experienced lifts back on Earth where it's activated solely by voice and with the speed of lightning.’ Harry gasped with excitement.

‘Me neither, I hope there’s more new things we can discover during our time here.’ Milo shared.

‘The cafeteria department has arrived, please enjoy your experience.’ The lift auto commanded.

As Milo, Harry, and Yoki stepped outside the lift, hundreds of cyborgs were sitting enjoying their meals. The whole atmosphere appears completely divergent to cafeterias back on Earth. The vast use of technology has been used throughout the room, floating food, flying gadgets, invisible buttons, robotic cleaners, and much more advanced tech are displayed throughout the level. This has been possibly one of the greatest, highly advanced spaces both Harry and Milo had ever seen in their lives.

‘Woahhhh, this is insane! So where should we start?’ Milo asked as he rapidly looked around the room.

‘Well, you both can have a look at the cafeteria for the variety of foods we have or order directly from the menu.’ Yoki replied.

‘That sounds good, we’ll take a better look. By the way, are you sure all the foods are human edible?’ Milo questioned.

‘I’m pretty sure, but just let me double check with the cafeteria manager.’ Yoki replied.

‘Sure, thanks.’ Milo commented.

As Harry and Milo both approached the cafeteria where all the foods were displayed inside, the options looked out-of-the-world like. Nothing appears to look familiar to what so-called normal food appeared to be back on Earth. Most of these foods have a translucent appearance similar to jellyfish however are mostly geometrical. There seems to be a limited variety of colour where the majority appears to be either translucent white, green, or neon blue. Both Harry and Milo looked utterly surprised and astonished at the same time. Meanwhile the rest of the cyborgs appeared to be staring at Harry and Milo as they have never seen a human in their lives before. While they both are still observing the food options, Yoki has returned back to them.

‘So after checking with my manager, we have confirmed that all the food options are safe to consume for humans, however just bear in mind that it may taste different to the kind of food you have back on planet Earth.’ Yoki stated.

‘Okay great! Do you know if these foods are categorised in any way like fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, grains, etcetera? Sorry if you have not heard of these before.’ Harry questioned.

‘Ahh yes, I have heard of those categories before as that’s what humans consume on Earth. We don’t categorise our food, instead all our food contains other sources of protein, fibre, and vitamins that are mainly combined together from the farming sources on our planet.’ Yoki explained.

‘Wow that’s cool to hear, so when can we make our orders?’ Harry asked.

‘When you guys are ready, feel free to place your order anytime.’ Yoki replied.

‘Cool, can I please have the Joki loomba?’ Harry requested, looking at the translucent emerald blob that's shaped as a star.

‘Noted, anything else?’ Mrs. K, the cafeteria waitress replied.

‘Yes, can I please get the Ommpli qopli? Milo requested whilst looking at a translucent blue jellyfish like appearance.

‘Sure, I will be back with your orders in a few minutes.’ Mrs. K replied.

‘Thank you!’ Harry commented.

‘Thanks!’ Milo followed.

Whilst both Yoki and Mrs. K left, Milo and Harry had some private space to express their thoughts.

‘So what do you think about this place?’ Milo asked.

‘Well I think it's definitely a new experience, never thought we would ever land on a completely unknown planet and there’s actual life here. Still processing my thoughts, what about you?’ Harry questioned back.

‘A little overwhelmed to be honest. Everything is just so different to the life we had back on Earth and it has wholly turned our lives into the opposite direction. I hope we can still accomplish our mission though.’ Milo replied.

‘I hope so too, but first we will need to look ahead and pass all tests in order to help us fix our spacecraft.’ Harry said in a hopeful manner.

‘Here you go gentlemen, your orders have arrived. The Joki loomba for you and the Ommpli qopli for you.’ Mrs. K commented.

‘Thanks again.’ Harry replied.

‘Let’s dig in.’ Milo commanded.

As Milo took his first bite, the taste was a little strange but also refreshing. It had a sweet and tangy flavour which reminded him of sweet and sour dishes back when he was on Earth. Harry, on the other hand, had a significantly different flavour profile with his order. The emerald shaped star had a mild flavour of seafood similar to oysters. Both dishes tasted like jelly however in different ways.

‘How’s your meal?’ Milo asked.

‘Good, I kind of like the flavour, although it's a little soft texture wise. How about you’ Harry replied.

‘Mine reminds me of sweet and sour chicken, but indeed a very strange texture as you mentioned.’ Milo added.

‘So what do you think we should do after this meal?’ Milo questioned.

‘We better be off to our next test, remember? The language exam.’ Harry responded.

‘Oh yeah, I totally forgot. Do you reckon we can learn Botilish in just fourteen days? Honestly, I mean it seems nearly impossible to me.’ Milo replied with doubt.

‘Same, I know. But with dedicated effort I think we can pull it off and it's our only chance if we want to get back to our mission.’ Harry stated.

‘I suppose so. Well we better get going after this meal.’ Milo suggested.

‘Well I’m finished, let’s find Yoki shall we?’ Harry replied.

‘Sure, I’m done as well.’ Milo responded.

While the two brothers made their way towards Yoki, Yoki also approached them.

‘How was the food?’ Yoki asked.

‘Great! It’s very different from our food but we always love to try new things, the flavour is great by the way.’ Harry replied.

‘So where should we be headed next?’ Milo questioned Yoki.

‘Ah let me check… I will take you both to our languages department on level 201 for you both to study and learn Botilish.’ Yoki replied.

‘Sounds good to me, let’s get going then!’ Milo exclaimed in excitement.

As both Milo and Harry waved goodbye to all the cyborgs who were having lunch, Yoki led them back to the lifts.