Chapter 15
Ryker
Amy and I shared a dubious look, and I cautiously glanced back at the tank. Before I could respond, footsteps behind me caught my attention, and turning around, I observed the rest of our group approaching, each accompanied by a copy of Ruby. As they neared Amy and me, the duplicates faded away into wisps of smoke in the wind.
Taking a moment to scrutinize my fellow survivors, I noticed most of them wore a no-nonsense expression, appearing less than enthused to be there. To my chagrin, they didn't seem to be all members of SEAL Team 6, as I had assumed. For the most part, they resembled individuals you might encounter at your local grocery store. I supposed bravery or foolishness came in all different shapes and sizes, as you had to be one or the other to decide to take the middle portal.
Two individuals stood out for entirely different reasons. To my left, a short, stocky man with a bald head and a magnificent red mustache took center stage. This facial hair marvel covered a third of his face, robust and well-maintained. He sported thick arms and legs, indicating a past life spent working with his hands. A broad smile beneath his mustache and a cheerful demeanor put me at ease, despite my slight facial hair envy.
To my right stood another man of average height and weight, with long stringy straight hair cascading halfway down his chest. His comically wide eyes lacked any expression, and he stood motionless, yet his eyes rolled unsettlingly in their sockets, absorbing everything around him. Despite his irregular appearance, I pushed aside my uneasiness and refocused on Ruby.
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"Okay, humans, I understand today has been tough for you, and most of you are at your emotional breaking point, but there's one more task that needs tending before you can rest. In this tank behind me lies a gift that will fundamentally change you, offering a chance at true power."
A hand shot up from a slight woman in her late 50s in front of me, and she spoke, "I know it might be hard for you to understand, being a robot or whatever, but I am way past your so-called breaking point. Why can't this wait? Haven't you done enough to us? Do we really need to go through all this? Besides, I'm starving; can't you feed us already?"
Anticipating Ruby's retaliation, I was surprised when she stood patiently, hands clasped together, listening to the woman's rant. Then, a mischievous grin appeared on Ruby's face before she responded, "Oh, honey, I truly am sorry for everything you're going through. I feel sympathy towards your situation and have a meal prepared for you."
The woman smirked at the rest of us, as if she had just secured a discount at a restaurant after berating the staff and demanding to see the manager. It was at that moment I felt a sinister dread for the Karen in our midst.
Ruby made a half-turn and waved her hand towards the dark fluid in the tank, saying, "Your first meal aboard this vessel will be... how do you humans put it... rare." On cue, one of the small creatures in the dark liquid darted in and out of view, eliciting shocked gasps from more than one person. "Don't worry, all of you will have your turn, but this kind woman shall be first. Thank you again for volunteering."