Instinct

“Good evening David. I am glad to see you’re awake.”

“Where am I…?”

“You do not remember. Perhaps the impact to your head has produced a fault in your memory. Shall I run a brief synaptic test?”

“What? No, what does that even mean…”

“The damage to your head appears worse than initially expected. I will arrange for transport to a medical facility as soon as the immediate threat is over.”

“It's not that bad, it just aches a little. Am I still at the Zoo?”

“The Tennoch Prime Wildlife Exhibition, that is correct. However, it is now after-hours, and you are alone here.”

“Why can't I see anything? It's pitch black in here.”

“The facility has lost power. Among other things, this includes the facility’s lighting.”

“Damn, even the emergency lights?”

“Yes, the extent of the power loss is… substantial.”

“Whatever, I just want to get out of here. Can you help with that?”

“I can. It is also my wish to see you outside the facility.”

“Good. Who are you, anyway?”

“I am Edith. I am the facility’s artificial guide.”

“Yeah, I remember now. You sounded different earlier.”

“During operational hours, I maintain a bubbly and casual demeanour to appeal to younger visitors. However, as the facility is without power, I have shifted my digital consciousness to the implants inside your head. Due to limitations with your firmware, I am now operating on a considerably smaller scale.”

“...did you hear that?”

“I did not. While I have the blueprints of the facility coded into my digital memory, I am currently disconnected from any sensor arrays-”

“Shhh. Wait. I hear it again. Like ripping metal…”

“I am able to converse with you directly through your head, David. You are the only one making sounds.”

“Oh, right. So I can just think, and you'll understand me?”

“That is correct.”

“Edith?”

“Yes, David?”

“You said earlier, something about… an immediate threat?”

“I did.”

“What kind of immediate threat?”

“The facility is without power, David. The specimen containment system is no longer functional.”

“You mean those things are loose?!”

“You said that out loud, David. I must remind you that you do not have to speak, as I can understand your thoughts. It is also worth mentioning that silence may be a crucial skill for survival in our current circumstance.”

“...”

“David, I believe you are experiencing symptoms of a panic attack.”

“Of course I bloody am! I'm trapped in a space zoo full of dangerous alien monsters, and my only company is a barely functioning disembodied robot voice!”

“I am trying to help you, David. There is no need to be unpleasant.”

“I'm going to die here.”

“I admit that is a possibility, but I am here to help. I know the layout of the facility and have an extensive database of all creatures contained within. While I cannot see or hear, I can guide you through the facility and identify any creatures we encounter through your observations. Together, we can survive.”

“Okay, okay. What do we do?”

“First, I can put your mind at ease by informing you that of the sixty-three species present in the Tennoch Prime Wildlife Exhibition, there are only nine species that are carnivorous, and of those only four are known to be hostile to humans.”

“Okay, I guess that makes me feel a bit better…”

“Furthermore, most of the carnivorous species are kept in a separate wing of the exhibition to your location.”

“Most?”

“The only immediate concern are the Lythodrake hatchlings, which are located in the nursery nearby.”

“Okay, and how do we avoid them?”

“Fortunately, these specimens are only hatchlings, and have not developed the insatiable and undiscerning appetite of older Lythodrakes. They are still dangerous and may attack if they feel threatened, but have not yet developed any hunting behaviours. So long as we keep our distance, we can avoid conflict.”

“Well, let's not waste time then.”

“I agree.”

“What signs should I look out for?”

“Lythodrakes have talons located on their forelimbs that are strong enough to rend steel. The hatchlings are still small, so any marks in the walls or floor that measure a few centimetres deep could be indicative of their presence.”

“Noted.”

“I would also recommend locating a light source. There is an equipment room located ten paces north and two paces west.”

“...okay, got it.”

“That is a promising start. May I request you to visually inspect the area and inform me of what you see?”

“...”

“David, did you hear me?”

“...how big did you say their talons are?”

“Approximately three centimetres long, and capable of making indents of around two centimetres.”

“Well I'm looking at a cut longer than my body and thick enough to rip a wall open.”

“That is concerning, but there is no creature in the exhibition large enough to inflict damage of that scale. It must be due to structural changes in the facility.”

“It’s so… jagged.”

“Our time is limited, David. Let us continue. Keep me informed of what you see.”

—

“Edith?”

“Yes, David?”

“Do you know why the facility lost power?”

“I do not. My systems are backed up every fifteen minutes, and the event that rendered the facility powerless occurred in between backups.”

“It must have been quick, then.”

“That is correct.”

“Maybe someone deliberately switched everything off?”

“That is not possible. The only thing that could eliminate power to the entire facility is the destruction of the generator annex, which is located in a separate building to the facility and requires security clearance. I would have been alerted to any person passing between the buildings immediately.”

“Hmmmm. Any ideas then?”

“An environmental phenomenon could theoretically sever the link between the generator and the exhibition, but the odds of such an occurrence are infinitesimally small.”

“Not impossible though?”

“Not impossible.”

“Which direction am I heading next?”

“Continue forward. At the end of the corridor, there will be a junction. Left will take us into the main hall. From there, I can guide you to an exit.”

“Alright, easy enough.”

“I must warn you, David, that turning right at the junction will take you towards the Lythodrake nursery. Please proceed with caution, observe any signs of life and report them to me.”

“Okay. I can do this. It’ll all be okay.”

“That's the spirit.”

“Thanks, Edith.”

“You are welcome. Do you see anything yet?”

“Nothing yet, can’t see any scratches on the walls. None on the floor either.”

“It is possible the hatchlings have not yet found a way to escape the nursery.”

“I hope you’re right about that. I’m at the junction now.”

“David, we should confirm the status of the door’s integrity. Can you shine your torch down the corridor?”

“...nothing. Phew. Door’s still closed. No marks.”

“That is excellent news, David. With the hatchlings out of the equation, I now predict a 99.8% chance of exiting the facility safely and without incident.”

“Great, I can breathe again. Thanks again, Edith.”

“No problem, David.”

“Alright, I’m at the door to the main hall. I guess I’ve gotta open it manually. Thing’s heavy…”

“David, I am experiencing an issue. Your thoughts have become difficult to read. Is everything okay?”

“Edith… there’s something here.”

“I will need an accurate description in order to identify any lifeform.”

“It’s big, scaly… talons on the forelimbs, like you said…”

“Are you describing a Lythodrake?”

“I think so, but it’s… huge. I can’t move… Edith… I’m too scared to move…”

“...”

“Edith, you said there were only hatchlings here.”

“...”

“Edith, what do I do?”

“....”

“Edith? EDITH!”

“The mother has returned for her young.”