— Cult?

— Yes. They practiced some sort of black magic and committed barbarities such as self-harm and human sacrifices - He continued to explain.

— That's crazy... living too long in space leaves people insane, doesn't it? – I answered alarmed. – Have we come to put an end to this barbarism?

— No, not at all. The biggest problem for the company was not by far the sacrifices and mutilations of the locals, nor this sick faith.

— No? So what was it? – I asked even more surprise.

— This place was condemned when they decided to ignore the matrix on Earth and isolate themselves declaring independence. That left the old moneyed foaming with anger. This place cost billions to be built, they weren't going to give it all up here so easy.

— Their macabre religion then was the least of problems? - I asked one more naive question.

— Yes, just the perfect excuse for this bloodbath. They told us to nip evil in the bud. Before it spread and lost control. What we did here was set an example to any other colony that may decide to walk with their own legs.

During our walk I noticed a real public grave in front of an altar bathed in blood. Apparently it was routine for them to slaughter their own people. A lot of bodies there were already decomposing.

I may be a heartless mercenary, but even some things could wrap up my stomach. Seeing dissected children was one of them.

This altar was between two gigantic statues that veiled it. In front of us there was also a colossal steel gate adorned with precious stones and countless symbols carved on the doors.

The signs didn't make any sense to me, but as if they were rock paintings they tried to tell a story. You could tell there was a narrative there.

I just had no idea what message all of that was trying to transmit.

— But what did these nutjobs worshipped? – I felt my bile juice go up.

— I don't know for sure, but they said the local "prophet" heard voices. He said that the voices came from another universe, something beyond our plan of existence, whatever that means. And there's more: He claimed that this strange entity conveyed to him a vast technological knowledge. – Said C1,

— And why these sacrifices? – I questioned wrapping my stomach.

— Apparently they were learning the technology needed to create a physical body so that their worship entity could "incarnate" in this world, but for that to be possible they needed human flesh and blood... – He spat on the floor of disgust. – A barbarity.

— Ughh…

Our conversation was interrupted as soon as the team in charge of opening the steel door arrived.

— Well then? – The leader said addressing the technician trying to open the door by hacking the security devices. He was just a boy in his 17 or 18 years, if much, but had already undergone several bionic enhancements to expand his natural abilities.

With a crusher he took off the CPU of the device that controlled the door access codes. His brain was connected to terminals that were implanted inside his nostrils and extended or retracted to connect with other terminals enabling a direct connection between his brain and the system being hacked.

— No one can tell the reason, but apparently this door was the only one really safe around here – Replied the young man.

— And can't you open it? — Inquired C1.

Ironic, the kid pressed a button.

And the door opened. A dense cloud of dust and steam escaped from inside the revealed room.

— Great job. — C1 greeted the boy enthusiastically.

With the guns in hand we move forward.

The interior of the room was a complete darkness. You couldn't see a hand in front of your face.

I lit my tactical flashlight to light up the site.

I noticed something really big, but very, very big indeed, that was before us.

We were blown away without understanding what we were observing. There was something decommunal in front of us.

— Oh, my God! — Said the kid.

A giant, organic and skinless humanoid body as if it had been skinned lay on site. It was wrapped in ribbons that looked more like stamps and had more strange symbols drawn throughout its entire segment. It should be about 70 feet, or more.

— I don't think our trucks will handle taking that away. – Said C1 recomposing from the scare.