Unexpected Comforts Aboard the Beast Ship
The distance to the Garden of Knowledge, guided by Mebi that one day, was farther than expected. A long journey crossing the depths of Wild Space. But the massive bio-transport ship we boarded guaranteed a surprisingly comfortable trip.
It looked like a hideous monster from the outside, but the interior rivaled the finest luxury liner in comfort.
"……No noise."
Lying on my back in the room, staring at the ceiling, I muttered to myself.
A ship sailing through space should inevitably hum with engine drone, pipe vibrations, and whirring ventilation fans. Even the latest models couldn't eliminate that faint white noise entirely. The human brain just adapted and ignored it; the sound was still there.
But this place was different.
Perfect silence. A quiet that mimicked the vacuum of outer space.
"Temperature and humidity… perfect too."
I reached out and waved my hand through the air. It wasn't the artificial blast from an AC unit. It felt fresh and just right, like a natural breeze through a forest.
Federation ships often had issues—humidity controls breaking other gear, mold on food, noses bleeding from dryness. But this creature regulated its own metabolism to maintain an optimal environment inside. And above all…
A fragrance?
I sniffed the air. You'd expect blood, rot, or acrid digestive juices in a monster's gut, but instead, there was a faint floral scent. Inhaling it eased my frayed nerves, melting away the tension.
"This is… way beyond expectations. Got nothing to say."
The most shocking part was the gravity control. No inertial lurch during warp jumps or sharp turns. The floor itself shifted fluidly, cradling my body and absorbing shocks. It felt like lying on the world's best waterbed.
"Federation brass would pass out if they knew."
I let out a dry chuckle.
Loud engines, oil stench, hard metal decks… Now I got why Nahibi griped so much about our ship. To her, Federation vessels were rattling oxcarts.
Another world entirely.
I ran my hand over the floor. No cold metal—instead, warm, soft leather enveloped my palm. The walls pulsed faintly, breathing.
Who knew a monster's belly could be this cozy? It felt alien yet oddly reassuring.
……Time to see Eve.
Alone, my mind wandered too much. Seeing her face would calm me down.
I shot up from the bed and stepped into the corridor through the organically parting door.
But then.
"……Which way?"
I stood blankly at a fork. I'd found the bio-warship's one flaw: its internals were a maze. No signs, no guide AI. Every passage twisted like identical veins.
"Damn. Perfect setup for getting lost."
No xenoforms in sight to ask—not even an ant. No choice. I closed my eyes and focused.
The mental link I'd forged during training with Nahibi.
[Nahibi!!!!!!!!!]
I bellowed in my mind with all my strength.
[Kyaaaat!!!]
Nahibi's scream slammed into my head.
[What?! Have you lost your mind, you lowly human?! I thought my eardrums—no, my brain cells were bursting!]
[Nah. Can't find my way. Help me out.]
[……?]
Her bewildered ripple hit me.
[Never seen such a lunatic.]
[Hear me out. First time in a place like this—easy to get turned around, right? No AI, no signs. Can't wander this massive beast ship room to room. Miss Eve.]
[So you thought to yell for me? Treating a guard like a navigator.]
[But you're all I got.]
[……Truly shameless.]
Nahibi sounded flabbergasted.
[You'll help, right? If I go missing, Eve'll be sad?]
[……Come here, and I'll shred that mental link first! Brace yourself!]
Snip. The connection cut.
Did I yell too loud? What if she's pissed and bails?
Then, something emerged from the shadows down the corridor. A small xenoform, like a wolf-lizard hybrid. It saw me, wagged its tail, and nodded ahead. Follow me.
Nahibi. Grumbles but still looks out.
I smirked and trailed it. The guide-dog xenoform led me far, until we reached Eve's section.
Talk about heavily guarded.
I whistled. My area had been empty; this was different. Xenoforms lined the halls—reapers, warriors, guardians. All varieties.
Treatment gap much? This must be the queen's quarters.
Before Eve's door stood unfamiliar xenoforms in sleek black exoskeletal armor, wielding long spears. Humanoid.
What're they? Not singularity-tier, but way above Upper Forms.
They crossed spears as I approached, but the guide barked something, and they parted. The door slid open smoothly.
"Whoa…."
Stepping inside, I couldn't close my mouth. It wasn't a room—it was a vast hall, ten times my quarters.
Organic xenoform designs blended with antique furniture. A massive glowing orb hung from the ceiling like a chandelier, casting soft light. Geometric murals adorned the walls. Plush fur carpet underfoot. And at the heart of this opulence.
"Kal!!"
Eve spotted me and came toddling over.
"Watch your feet when you run! You'll trip!"
I knelt instinctively, catching the charging girl. Heavy, warm weight. Her unique childlike scent. Finally, I relaxed.
"Sleep well, Eve?"
"Yeah!!"
She hugged my neck, rubbing her cheek against mine.
"Whatcha been up to?"
"Playing with Nahibi and Lydia! This place is awesome! Bed's so squishy, and they keep giving yummy stuff!"
Eve chattered excitedly. No fear of the new surroundings—she owned the place. Makes sense; as queen, this was home.
"Eve doesn't seem fazed by the environment at all. She's even more energetic. Guess this counts as returning to her natural habitat."
Lydia rose from the sofa, smiling. She looked right at home too.
"Adapted okay, Lydia? Anything uncomfortable?"
"It's more comfortable than I imagined—almost shocking. My worries feel silly now. Inspiring, even."
Lydia gazed around in awe.
"So beautiful. Who'd think xenoforms—ones I saw as monsters—had such aesthetic sense. These curves, textures… endless design ideas."
She was already sketching in her notebook. Artists adapt fast.
"Couldn't agree more. Can't judge by appearances."
Then, a white slime blob popped from thin air.
[Xenoforms are not monsters. Lowly human.]
Nahibi. Her body glowed redder than usual.
"Hey, Nahibi. What's up?"
I greeted casually.
['What's up'?! Kal, you scared me good earlier…]
Nahibi growled, approaching as her form swelled threateningly.
"N-Nahibi… don't puff up so scary-like? Eve'll freak."
I backed away, using Eve as a shield.
[Worry not. I won't hurt Lady Eve.]
Sparks crackled from her tentacles.
[Just a little pain.]
"For what?"
[Gonna rip out that mental link rough. Payback for startling me, Kal!]
"Gaaah! Eve! Stop Nahibi! Save me!"
I bolted, clutching Eve, dodging the slime.
"Kyarr! Tag, you're it?"
Eve treated it like a game, giggling wildly.
[Stop right there! Today, I'll fix that thick skull of yours!]
"My bad! Won't happen again!"
A ridiculous chase unfolded in the grand hall.
Fleeing Kal, pursuing slime, cackling little queen in between. Lydia clutched her sides laughing.
Outside lay the pitch-black void of space, deep in enemy territory. But inside the ship, it was warmer and livelier than ever.
Whether this was the calm before the storm or the prelude to a new beginning, no one knew. But one thing was certain: we were together.
The road to the Garden of Knowledge. Our journey continued, full of cheer.