March 5th, 2185 -- 8:43 AM. Tuesday.

  I re-adjust my blue jacket as I close my car door. At the very least, I haven’t lost my license to enter or leave, so that’s a positive. I’ll probably take a while before I submit my request this time – maybe that’s what was wrong for all the previous ones. Fi-fi’s probably right that I just need to depend on her, but it’s good for a woman to be hard-working too, right?

  Yes, of course it is. Besides, I didn’t graduate with a double major for nothing! I roll up my sleeves and pull up my Yotta pistol. Thankfully, it’s fully charged. Oddly enough, the Retegroans seemed to have enhanced its capabilities; the battery life is extended, assuming their surge didn’t glitch out the display. Unfortunately, it’s also going to be my form of defense on this expedition.

  Welp, time for a practice run. I pass through the security checkpoint, passing my gun in and scanning my id. They don’t make a fuss thankfully – not anymore. Once done, I see the swirling blue vortex in front of me. Other than the line of people – Hunters, Looters, what have you –, there are armed guards standing about this single one. Or rather, they guard the single generator that keeps this wormhole stable.

  I step through the blue vortex, barely getting the chance to blink before appearing on the other side. I raise my hand as a response to the shining yellow star in the sky, oddly mirroring our own on Earth. It’s peculiar really; by all means, Hydra is an anomaly. So much has to go right for the existence of life.

  The oxygen has to be at just the right concentration so everything can breathe without suffocating.

  The sun has to be just the right distance away from the planet to maintain proper temperatures.

  The axis needs to be aligned such that some semblance of a seasonal cycle exists.

  And yet, all of these were true. Perhaps more miraculously, when theoretical physicists were developing wormhole machines, they managed to link Earth directly to Hydra. Allah, I can’t help but wonder if this was your intention. Maybe so, maybe not.

  Still, if you’re there, please give me answers about who or what I’ve become. And please, please help me hide my condition. Thank you.

  Also, can you explain my sudden hunger? Assuming it was halal, I really could have eaten an entire horse yesterday.

  Enough of my depression – time to get better at using this pistol. It’s been a while, but let’s see if I’ve still got it. I move past the Exchange Booths, happening to glance over at what materials they’re still accepting right now. For now, it seems to be bone marrow, pelts, and meat – the standard really. They hardly ever deviate from these items quite frankly. It almost makes me wonder just how they haven’t gone off the market yet. Do the rich really just want a fancy pelt to wear as a hat or something like that?

  My curiosity fades as I reach the training range. Two men start walking away as I approach, seeming to snicker amongst themselves. As I pass, I hear them whisper, “Bet she won’t hit the wide side of a barn.”

  Don’t let them get to you Zabrina, they’re just… irritating men. They’re like those gamers you kept playing with online; all talk and no bite.

  I take a breath and close my eyes, focusing. If I’m going to be ready for combat, I’m going to need to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice. No one’s going to cover up my mistake.

  I open my eyes and raise my Yotta pistol to the air, aiming down the sights within a second as I look on at the target. I fire a few plasma bullets, hitting… close to the bullseye dead on as I aim between the various targets. As a daring idea, I even leap forward and try a shot while jumping in a direction. I horribly miss, only grazing the edge of the target.

  “Woo!” someone whistles from the distance. I freeze, unsure who that was. Hesitantly turning around, my eyes absorb the form of this visitor…

  Oh she can call me whatever she wants.

  She casually saunters forward, hips swaying as the double-barreled Armera shotgun and her scoped L-Sizia rifle loom behind her dangerously. Her dark brown eyes narrow in on my face, seeming to size me up. With her left hand in her pocket, she angles her head slightly down to look at me. She extends her right one forward, one with white-rose skin with undertones of pink chrysanthemum present on her palms.

  “Hello cutie,” she teases, taking the other hand out of her pocket. With a simple flourish, her bright blue bangs get set aside like a prince’s. They happen to move past the equally blue goggles atop her forehead. “Where have you been?”

  Zabrina, don’t be weird around hot women, just shake her hand, it will be fine-

  “I’m here,” I answer casually, taking a look over her own outfit. The navy blue biker’s jacket extending just above the waist matches the color of her work pants, both seeming to be made of pristine leather. Though it’s not like she’s unarmored; there’s a chestplate covering most of her lower body while patches of metal peer through some of the tears.

  “Won’t you look me in the eyes?”

  “Ahem,” I cough, assuming I’m still ogling her too much. “I just wanted to make sure your clothing was fine.”

  “Oh, it’s always fine,” she answers with an unmatched confidence. “In fact, if you’re so curious,” she starts in a husky voice that sends my back on edge, “I can always give you a more personal and private inspection.”

  Allah forgive me for the fantasies I’m having. I may be bisexual and have a girlfriend, but I’m allowed to treat myself to eyecandy every now and then. I really wish Fi-fi would treat me like this… it was nice when she did stuff like this regularly. Though honestly, whoever she is, she’s a bit better than Fi-fi was. Not as if Fi-fi’s bad, this woman is just less… forceful.

  “Already?” a male voice calls out, seeming tired. She turns as I peer behind her, seeing…

  Oh.

  Oh no.

  He’s hot.

  Despite not having the same confidence in his walk, he wears his mandarin-colored jacket so well, hefting a shorter M-Sizia rifle with only iron sights over his shoulder as if he was lifting a person. If I wasn’t already taken, I’d love for a man to treat me like his gun; heft me over his shoulder, pull the trigger and-

  I should cut myself here before I start combusting.

  Still, he’s also good-looking with his more rounded nose and two-toned lips, fitting with his oaken brown skin, a shade darker than mine. He’s also got brown eyes, one of the most common types in the world.

  “It’s good to meet you,” I answer, simply nodding as his face rings far away bells.

  The other woman just hangs her head down and pouts, “You’re never any fun Purdil.”

  Purdil laughs along as he adds, “And you can never seem to stop yourself from flirting with women,” scratching her hair. “Anyways,” he adds, pointing at me, “this is the woman we’re taking with us.”

  “Ah, this crackshot?” she cheerfully addresses, getting me to sheepishly scratch my head.

  “It’s no big deal-” I start, only to be shushed by Purdil as he leans in close. I back away in a panic, not expecting to get an up close look of his features. Not as if I’m complaining though.

  “Oh, don’t worry about that,” he assures in a warm tone that seems to lift me right up. He lifts my hand with his own, the lily-white undertones on his palms opposing my daffodil yellow ones. He just cups it, mumbling, “If Hae-on there calls you a crackshot, then you’re already very good fresh meat.”

  “Fresh… “

  “Well yeah, we need one for a satanic sacrifice!” the woman – Hae-on – jests, starting to raise her long rifle. Aiming down the sights, she says, “What else do us queers do, find bitches?”

  I almost get myself to laugh at that.

  Almost. I quizzically turn my head, asking innocently, “Us?” I can’t let them see me as who I am yet.

  However, Purdil and Hae-on just share a glance before going on; “Anyways, don’t let that idiot of my sister fool you.”

  “HEY!” she cries out.

  Ignoring her, Purdil continues, “One lovely Miss Zabrina Lova, yes?”

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  “That is me,” I answer, internally melting at the way he pronounced my name so fluently.

  “Right, so you’ll just be with us for a while. Hunting monsters, that whole deal. No need to describe your backstory, we’ll learn it as you choose to open up.”

  “Yeah, I wonder how you’ll open up your mouth,” Hae-on snickers.

  I feel Purdil glare at her – I absentmindedly turn around, only to see Hae-on sticking her tongue out. Upon noticing my own stare, she just leaves it hanging out…

  Allah, how dare you tempt me so?

  “Taken!” I suddenly add, leaving Hae-on agape as Purdil just chortles.

  “Bahaha!” he continues, unable to stop his laughter as Hae-on fumes and shoves him, stomping away. I start to go after her, only for Purdil to raise an arm. “Don’t,” he adds in weak breaths. “She’ll cool down. And after seeing someone like you, I’d imagine why she’d be disappointed she was a mite too late.”

  “I… thank you for the compliment,” I answer formally, shaking his hand. “I am happy to be a member of the team.” He called me sexy? Indirectly, but he called me that?

  Wow… men.

  I mean, it’s a shame we’d never date since both of them probably aren’t not Muslims, but that’s fine – I’m used to disappointment.

  Though, strictly speaking, both of them seem comfortable with weaponry. Purdil lowers his hand in such a way that he can always pull up one of the submachine guns along his belt and start firing. Additionally, the woman Hae-on displayed similar discipline with her rifles. Despite the rather weak firepower of the pistol I have, their experience and capabilities should prove to be enough for this trial run.

  Huh, I don’t know how I didn’t notice the two Auto-Zizem guns along his waist earlier, both glowing an ominous orange like his outfit. Thanks, inner voice…? Actually, I’m pretty sure Hae-on had similar LEDs on her equipment, only using a pale blue coloring. Some Hunters do invest into cosmetics to set their weapons apart – a clear sign of their experience in teams, if nothing else.

  “Done chewing on the candy?” he cheerfully interrupts, snapping me back to reality. Candy, what candy-

  Oh he means eyecandy.

  Oh he knows.

  I cough: “My apologies, I hadn’t noticed the weapons along your side.”

  He merely gives off a light chuckle. “Well, shall we?” he starts, walking away. I follow behind, keeping a hand near my Yotta pistol. “Ideally our little expedition won’t be much,” he rambles, turning the rifle in his hands to look at the charge. “Just farming more of these rabid creatures, the usual.”

  “I understand,” I respond, still hating myself for going through with this hunt. Nonetheless, it’s the best I can do – it’s the only way to get funding quick enough. On the bright side, I may be able to salvage some meat and herbs so I can grow the creatures back home.

  Hae-on meets us at the entrance, no longer as flirtatious knowing my status. Still, she ends up blowing a single kiss that makes my heart flutter. Allah, I’m praying for you to give Fi-fi the idea to do this with me.

  We head off into the forest, the two Hunters keeping their hands on their weapons – much like me holding my pistol. I watch Purdil’s hand itch as it touches the finger, safety still on as he keeps walking on.

  “Still good, Zabrina?” Purdil asks, still relaxed as when we first met.

  “Mhm,” I say, trying to prevent myself from looking at his butt for too long. The view is hot, but-

  GOD DAMMIT ZABRINA LOVA, you’re here for research, not hot men in their twenties.

  Some of the bushes start rumbling, twitching. I twist and fire, three blasts released from the tip that burn through the bush. Hae-on and Purdil turn at my sudden fire, unveiling my target;

  An Aichoura now dead from a sear wound.

  “Bad habit…?” I defend. It’s not my fault I was nearly stabbed to death a day ago!

  “Ehh,” Hae-on shrugs. “We’ll just need something bigger, not just some squirrel.”

  “Aichoura,” I correct.

  “Huh, the more you know.”

  “Oh,” Purdil starts, “You’d love a woman who knows her biology, wouldn’t you?” Pfft!

  I snicker at the joke as Hae-on perks up.

  “How’s that stick?” she asks.

  “Sorry?”

  “Oh sorry, did your last boyfriend leave his ‘long circular rod-’”

  “One time!” Purdil cuts off. “I let you read my fanfiction once-”

  “It’s not my fault you wrote the worst gay sex scene I’ve ever read! Honestly, who describes a dick as a-”

  “STOP.”

  “Oh no,” I interrupt, “Do go on.”

  “See, she gets it!” Hae-on proudly admits.

  Purdil just groans, pinching his rounded nose. “Yes, I described it as a long rod. What else am I supposed to use?”

  “Well, a moderate sized organ,” I start. “Something that easily leads to pleasure, small but hard under the right circumstances, produces an erection. Though honestly, the worst you can do is describe the clinical act of it. It’s just better to go into the feelings, the emotions, – and I’m going on too long, aren’t I?”

  “No, do go on,” Hae-on encourages. “I’d love to know ‘Madame Dick Expert.’”

  “Is there… something wrong about penises? Have you - actually I’m not going to finish that.”

  “Oh please, nothing you can say could hurt her,” Purdil answers.

  One breath in. “Have you read explicit yaoi?”

  Hae-on freezes as and turns to Purdil, the latter of whom can barely hold his chuckles back.

  “I mean, maybe you’re more of a hardcore fan, so-”

  “I’m going to really do it this time,” Hae-on answers, getting roaring laughter from Purdil.

  “I mean, nothing wrong with it! All power to you-”

  “PLEASE,” Hae-on begs.

  I giggle and incidentally look up, noticing a Rachet snake hanging from the overgrowth and looming over Purdil.

  “Look out!” I start, shoving him.

  “What the- afh!” he curses as he’s pushed into the mud. “The hell-”

  The snake quickly curls and bites into my arm, getting a scream out of my mouth. Venom flows through my veins and sends a burning sensation that makes my whole arm feel like it’s on fire. I drop the Yotta pistol, tears starting to come forth.

  “Ah.” Before he can get up though, Hae-on pulls out a knife from her belt and severs the head off, instantly killing the creature.

  “Jesus,” Hae-on starts as she settles me on the ground.

  “Help,” I stammer, crying uncontrollably. Zabrina, you have to get it together. There are strangers, they’re going to look down at you if you’re like this. You can’t be weak in front of them.

  “Zabrina, look at me.”

  I raise my head up, seeing Purdil’s warm brown eyes. I glance down at his hands, already opening a medicinal kit.

  “I’ll need you to hold still. It’ll help for the poison-”

  “Venom,” I correct.

  “‘Venom’. Whatever, there’s no difference-”

  “There is!” I angrily retort. “‘Venom’ is inflicted from some wound, while poison is a defensive measure meant to discourage eating! There’s a very fine line and no biologist in their right mind would ever confuse the two!”

  He just rolls his eyes. “They’re functionally the same.”

  “Did you even hear anything I just said?!”

  “Did you feel me apply the bandage?”

  I look over at my arm, now wrapped up comfortably. I shift it around, wincing as rubbing alcohol burns my skin at the contact wound. That’s for the best though – better to prevent further infection.

  “No,” I answer.

  “Thought so. Well!” He takes my hand and raises me up, Hae-on glancing back to make sure I’m ok. I give a weak smile before returning my attention to Purdil. “Ready to proceed?”

  “Sorry for my outburst earlier,” I instead apologize. “I-”

  Purdil just raises his hand. “No need, it happens.”

  “Plus, you’re not like the last guy,” Hae-on.

  “What did he do?”

  “Ran headfirst into a venus flytrap.” There aren’t any venus flytraps on Hydra, what is she - oh. It hits me.

  “...You mean ‘Hydra Mantrap?’” I clarify.

  “Same thing!”

  This woman.

  “Well I’ll have you know that the leaf shape is ever so slightly different, and…”

  The rest of our day goes on rather pleasantly, killing and harvesting the occasional thing here and there. I even took my time to collect a few herbs for the creatures back home… who I have still not given a name to. Sunset approaches as we make our way back to the camp, having brought a huge haul within our portable Pocket-Holes. We show them to the traders still willing to do business, gladly emptying the ‘loot’ inside the localized portable wormhole. All in all, we got $5000 in total from our haul – despite me insisting I only needed $1500 to not cause any drama, Purdil and Hae-on were generous enough to give me an additional $500.

  “Consider it payment for the wound,” he answers. “Make sure to get that checked out, alright?”

  “Yeah,” I answered. At the time though, my wound hadn’t hurt anymore. I took a moment to check it after entering a restroom, but it just disappeared – As if it never existed. There wasn’t even a bite mark.

  What’s wrong with me?

  It’s a question I ponder as I drive home. I just sit in my car, finally making it after one long day. As I go to step inside my home, I start hearing clicks from the backyard. Who could be up this late at night? Fi-fi never liked gardening anyways.

  I start walking around to the backyard, only to see those creatures from before.

  Rather than ravaging my kitchen, they were now ravaging my backyard and seeming to plant odd little things into the ground. Even stranger, some sprouts had started to pop up from the ground. They were like fungi…

  Fungi…

  They were growing like fungi…

  Aha! Ginfu! It’s a perfect name!

  Besides, I won’t lie, they are still a bit cute… even if I have no idea what they are.

  Allah, thank you for your infinite wisdom, but I require more. Please give me answers.

  Though please give them tomorrow, I am feeling a bit tired now.