Inside the Containment Compartment, Hiroshi watched the Alien Water Specter close in, one predatory step at a time. He knew that if he didn't find a way out soon, his story would end in this cold, metallic room.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His brain worked at high speed, frantically searching for a countermeasure. I have to keep it talking. I have to stabilize the situation and notify Wen Mingde. But how?
Then, a plan formed.
Since the creature wanted to impersonate him, it had to be terrified of being exposed. He could use that fear.
Hiroshi looked at the Specter, which was now inches away, and spoke with forced calm. "Wait a minute. Do you even know who I am?"
"Hmm?" The Alien Water Specter paused, confused. "Does that matter? As long as I take on your appearance, I become you."
Hiroshi felt a flicker of hope. Good. It's freshly escaped—it doesn't have the awareness it develops later. It's easier to fool.
"Look," Hiroshi began, guiding the creature patiently. "You don't know my habits, my job, or my social circle. How can you impersonate me? You'll be exposed in five minutes and locked right back in that cage."
The Specter's logic seemed to stall for a moment. After a long pause, it hissed, "What you say makes sense... but even if I can't be you, I can't let you live. You've seen me. I'll just have to finish you off."
"Wait!" Hiroshi interjected, keeping his voice steady. "I can tell you everything about myself. I'll even take your place in the containment bay. That way, you can live a carefree life on the station while everyone thinks I'm just... tucked away."
The Specter froze, its eyes flickering as it considered the proposal. Freedom without the risk of being hunted? It was a tempting offer. But it was still suspicious. "Hmph. Why should I believe you?"
Hiroshi put on his best expression of sincere desperation. "Because I want to live. I have no power to fight you. And honestly? The environment in the containment bay isn't that bad compared to the alternative."
The Specter tapped its chin—mimicking Hiroshi's own habit perfectly. It decided it would play along, learn everything it could, and then kill him to ensure no secrets remained. Only the dead, after all, are truly silent.
"Fine," the Specter nodded. "I'll believe you this once. But don't play any tricks."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Hiroshi replied.
Over the next thirty minutes, Hiroshi began a long, rambling story about his life. He intentionally added useless details to stall for time. While the Specter was distracted by his narrative, Hiroshi's hand was deep in his pocket. Using a skill he had mastered back in school to hide his phone from teachers, he began "blind typing" a distress message to Wen Mingde.
Meanwhile, across the station, Wen Mingde was sighing with melancholy near the Reception Center, stressed over the escaped Curios. Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
He was startled. He usually kept his phone on 'Do Not Disturb' for everyone except his direct superior, Station Master Asta.
"Wait... it's Hiroshi?" He opened the message, and his expression instantly darkened. "What! The Specter is in the Containment Section? And it's intercepted Hiroshi!"
He didn't hesitate. He immediately contacted Asta to redirect the Security Department.
Thirty minutes later, inside the Containment Compartment.
"Hey, kid! Haven't you finished yet?" The Water Specter, now a perfect mirror of Hiroshi, crossed its arms impatiently.
"Almost, almost," Hiroshi sweated, his heart hammering. "You need to know the specific passcodes for the internal lifts, or you'll be trapped."
Suddenly, the heavy doors were kicked open with a violent crash.
A squad of muscular security guards in full defensive gear swarmed the room. At the back were two prominent figures: Asta and Arlan, the Section Chief of Security. Arlan stood silent and serious, his dark skin set in a cold expression. He was the strongest fighter on the station, and everyone knew it.
Wen Mingde rushed in first. "Alien Water Specter, you are surrounded!"
But as he saw the two identical boys, his voice trailed off.
"Section Chief! You're finally here!" the Hiroshi on the left shouted. "This thing mimicked me to stall for time. Catch it!"
"Nonsense! I'm the real one!" the Hiroshi on the right cried out. "Don't be fooled, Chief!"
Asta stepped forward, rubbing her chin. "The Specter is playing games, I see. Section Chief Wen, do you have a way to tell them apart?"
Wen Mingde nodded confidently. "Of course. By observing their sweat glands, pronunciation, and body temperature, I can distinguish the biological original from the mimic."
"Very well," Asta said. "Arlan, cover him."
"Yes, Miss," Arlan muttered, stepping forward as Wen Mingde prepared his equipment to scan the two identical youths.