There Is An Impostor Among Us

{White's POV}

We were assigned a second mission, by our directors to travel back to Polus, a new planet recently discovered. We thought there were no signs of life there, until we found a shapeshifting pile of goop on our last mission. We studied it, and brought it with us on our way back to Polus, in hope that we would find more of its kind.

I'm vastly considered the weakest among my team, I'm not very strong, I'm emotional, I trust everyone I meet. Not sure if it's weak or if I'm just friendly, but Purple in particular doesn't like me. His little astronaut pet like me, at least. Purple loves that little guy, even wears a plushie of the guy on his head.

I sit at the cafeteria, taking off my helmet to eat a sandwich. I was sitting alone, the rest eating together, except Cyan, nobody liked him either, they were just like that one weird kid in your English class that was only friends with their mom. I didn't mind them. Cyan's a pretty smart guy. Too bad nobody saw that. He always talks about the wiring system and how the reactor works. I think it's very interesting.

After lunch, we went back to do our tasks. We also had a new crewmate, and they were being shown around by Purple. If anything, Purple is the most leader-like, he's very productive, always have their tasks done on time, he even calls meetings for all of us. Purple never takes off his helmet, and I've never seen his face. It was surprising to find out nobody has. Maybe he has a horrible scar or a weird skin condition. 

When Purple let the newbie go to do their tasks, I decided to approach them. "Hello. I'm White. What's your name?" They stuttered a little, obviously nervous, "I'm.. Red." They waved kindly, and I waved back. "So, what task are you doing?" I got into their personal space, looking over. It seems they were having trouble with swiping the card. "Here, let me help." I step over, swiping the card for them. "Sometimes that machine doesn't scan the cards well." I giggle.

"Thank you.." They mutter, and look into their helmet. It was strange, really, the glass was really hard to see through. I couldn't see their face. I didn't want to ask and be too forward, yet.. "I'm sorry, what are your pronouns? It's hard to tell, I'm sorry." I felt embarrassed, like I was making a fool out of myself for asking. Yet it all went away when they responded, "I'm a guy. Thanks." He seemed less nervous, I guess I didn't bother him that much. "Purple didn't tell you anything about me, right?" I asked, curious to know if he'd already managed to damage my chances of making a real friend.

"Nothing, besides that you and Cyan are the loners of the team." I was a bit taken back, a loner? More like we were outcasts. "Well," I reply, "I guess I am, well, you wouldn't mind hanging out with me, right?" He shakes his head. "Well, what else do you need help with?" 

____

We walked along the way to reactor, when, suddenly, Brown stopped me for a second. "Hey, White, can you take over security for me? I need to use the bathroom." I nod, and she goes to leave, her flower hopping around. I look over at Red, "Want to watch the cameras with me?" I asked, hoping he'd say yes, yet, he didn't. "No thanks, I'm going to go find Purple for now." I sigh, my hope draining from my soul, yet the 'for now' had me at ease, maybe he'll come looking for me later.

I watched the cameras, looking at my crewmates wandering around, talking, enjoying their time. I didn't see Red, Purple, or Brown around anywhere, well, Brown was using the bathroom, Red was going to find Purple, and if anything, Purple is probably sitting somewhere by himself, planning, or talking serious talk with someone like Black. Black was also a smart fella, he was a bit of serious person, but had a weird antenna popping out of his suit. I sat down in the chair, my legs starting to get tired. I was starting to daydream a little, and I was thinking about Red, what kind of person he was, where he came from, he seemed like a very nice person. Maybe a little nervous, probably his first time flying to a new planet.

Then, I was alerted by the sound of an emergency alarm. Someone pushed the button that was in cafeteria. I rush out, and was met with Brown, who looked panicked under her suit, and we both ran out to cafeteria, the rest of the group running past us. Confused, we followed them, which was to the reactor. I heard everyone gasping, and I politely pushed my way past the crowd, and stared at what was in front of me.

It was Cyan. With half of his body missing. He was dead right in front of us. I felt myself go pale under my suit, and I felt like throwing up. He was really dead. Right there.

Then, I heard something that made me almost pass out.

Black has uttered the words, "Purple! The alien glob- the specimen, it's gone!"