Pandora's Box

In a way, things mended.

The bodies of the soldiers killed in the raid were buried with honours on their respective home planets, along with posthumorous medals for bravery and gallantry during combat. The exercise was classified top secret, and those who survived were separated posted elsewhere after signing an oath of silence on the matter. The cave was cleansed with fire before explosives collapsed the entrance, sealing its secrets forever.

Liz was taken straight to a hospital in secret upon arrival back to the capital. Her friends and family were told she had been lost in the wilderness and found by a scouting team. She was diagnosed with malnutrition, vitamin C deprivation, and several minor infections. After being scanned, she was gassed and underwent surgery. When Liz woke up later there was a new scar alongside her bellybutton, and the nurses told her the doctors had repaired injuries to her womb. She accepted this explanation with gratitude, though not belief.

She was later moved to a mental hospital, where she was treated for severe PTS and shock. After a year of therapy she was released, but suffered an emotional breakdown soon afterwards and was recommitted following a failed suicide attempt. It was another three years of rehabilitation before she was able to leave for good and retake her doctorate in botany.

The nightmares never truly faded, but endurance was something Liz had learnt in the cave.

The six embryos removed from her womb were taken in secret from the hospital and given to a new group of scientists that had established themselves in one of the outlying cities. What remained of the three aliens was taken there as well. None of the crested male’s offspring had survived their extraction from their mother. The head scientist, who had created their father over two years before, was confidant they could be successfully cloned within a month or so. Work set about immediately.


One year later to the day, the first brood hatched.