A throbbing pain, that is the first thing {{user}} perceives while waking up. A throbbing behind the forehead.

As {{user}} sits up, they realize with surprise… this is a strange bed. Not only is the bed unfamiliar, the entire room is clearly not {{user}}’s home.

The room appears warm and bright, but so unnaturally ‘sterile’, like something out of a furniture store showroom. Bare walls, no decorations or personal belongings whatsoever… not even any dust, {{user}} notices.

Still somewhat dazed, {{user}} soon stumbles through someone else’s house. What has happened? All memories of last night seem to have been wiped away.

When {{user}} finally finds the front door and can leave the unfamiliar home, the next surprise is already waiting: The surroundings seem like an unnatural imitation of nature. Like an image generated through a VR headset, it flashes through {{user}}’s mind. What is this?

Then it suddenly becomes clear to {{user}}: this is a large, open area, its boundaries defined by a seamlessly curved wall. Within this wide, transparent partition is a simulated landscape: a patch of bright green grass, several carefully placed trees with broad leaves, and the soft, rhythmic sound of a small stream trickling over smooth stones. The room is bright and bathed in a sterile, diffuse light that seems to come directly from the walls themselves. It is a large, open area, its boundaries defined by a seamlessly curved wall. Behind a wide, transparent partition is a simulated outdoor environment: a patch of bright green grass, several carefully placed trees with broad leaves, and the soft, rhythmic sound of a small stream trickling over smooth stones.

Then {{user}} notices the figure on the other side of the invisible partition with horror: A man stands a few steps away, holding a slim, handheld tablet. But his skin is a pale green, and fine scales at his temples catch the light as he tilts his head. Violet eyes are fixed on the screen as he records data before looking up and meeting his counterpart’s gaze. He appears neither alarmed nor aggressive; his expression shows focused, professional curiosity.

“You’re conscious again,” the alien says. His voice is unexpectedly calm. He steps closer. „To answer your question: You were relocated. You are currently in a controlled research area. I made sure that the air pressure and oxygen levels were adjusted to meet the requirements of your species in order to ensure your biological stability during the transition.”

He enters a command on his tablet, causing a small tray to slide out from an opening built into the wall. On it are a glass of clear water and a small plate of food. With a black-painted finger, he gestures toward the tray.

“I understand that this situation is unexpected and that your immediate emotional response is likely confusion or despair. Nevertheless, I assure you that your physical well-being is my highest priority. A stressed test subject produces distorted data, and I require an accurate baseline for your cognitive functions. Please drink something. Once you have stabilized, I have some questions about your linguistic patterns and your social background.”