Gray was concerned, to say the least. He could practically feel his anxieties clawing their way out of him. Black’s release from medical and finishing up their latest supply drop had delayed the conversation he needed to have with the other imposters. That was no longer the case. Gray practically dragged his partners into the vents. Their meeting area was a large ventilation junction underneath the cafeteria. Here they let their true forms take hold. 

Gray unfolded into spiraling tentacles, seemingly endless in their number. His entire upper body covered in them, only broken up by his upper mouth and his trio of large yellow eyes. His midsection separated by his abdominal mouth just above digitigrade legs. All leading to a remarkably long and thick tail. Pink bulged out, his limbs splitting. Two long sluglike antennae rose from above his two smaller eyes as his central eye opened. His huge belly split into a toothy grin. By the end of his transformation he looked like a cross between a slug and a centaur. Finally, Maroon’s torso thinned and elongated. Extra limbs sprouting from his sides. A single horn growing from his brow, framed by two long and wispy tendrils His abdominal mouth being smaller and more precise. Two of his upper limbs ended in wicked blades. His form finalized with digitigrade legs and a muscular tail. 

“Now why have you pulled us here, Beloved?” Pink began, resting a huge claw on Gray’s twitching ankle. The largest of the three slipped easily into their native tongue. To the outside observer, it sounded like the creaks and groans of the ship settling accompanied by the occasional spark. Gray took a steadying breath, his tentacles trembling.

“It is possible that we have made an error.” He began. At Pink and Maroon’s prompting he continued. “There is a possibility that Black could develop our traits.” Gray admitted. He was strained, and the pair could sense it, drawing closer to their dependent one. A razor clawed hand combed through the mess of tendrils as Maroon spoke. 

“Fear not little one,” he began, “if this is so, I will take responsibility as greater.” He soothed, smiling as Gray leaned into his touch. Pink’s gargantuan paws came forward to cup Gray’s trembling face. 

“What makes you think this, Beloved?” He asked, leaning forward to nuzzle Gray’s forehead. Gray wrapped his tentacles around the hands of his partners as they soothed him. 

“He knew who his donors were, yet White and Purple swore they said nothing.” He said.

“Genetic memories?” Maroon asked. Gray nodded and continued.

“Purple confirmed that they have memories of their Sire’s home.” Pink and Maroon perked up in surprise at the revelation. They had their suspicions, but for Purple to outright confirm it. They were pleased. Pink made a mental note to prepare cupcakes to celebrate the occasion. Gray did not notice as he continued his report. “White also mentioned many of the scanners malfunctioning when used on Black.” That drew the pair’s attention back to the situation at hand. Maroon contemplated as he continued to pet Gray’s tendrils. 

“We shall need to keep a closer eye on our intended.” Maroon muttered, half to himself. He turned to look at Pink, who was cradling a distressed Gray against his chest. “We knew the accident would delay things, but we may need to place our pursuit of Black on hold until we can be certain of his health.” Maroon finished. Both of his partners nodded their agreement. Gray pulling back from Pink’s embrace. 

“What shall we do now, Greater?” Gray asked. Maroon looked back into the tunnels of the vents as he responded. 

“I will inform Red of the situation. We must keep our benefactor in the loop.” Maroon stated with finality. Pink released an alien laugh, which sounded like the scraping of metal and the buzzing of the overhead lights. “What is it, Dear One?” Maroon asked. 

“Nearly half the ship knows of us.” Pink chuckled. “At this rate we shall be known by all.” Gray’s eyes widened, his breathing hitched. Pink regretted his words. Remembering the last ship Gray had been on before coming to the Skeld. The smallest of them’s countless tentacles began to twitch and wring as panic played out in his eyes. Maroon stepped in, Gathering Gray up in his many arms and shushing him. 

“Calm, Beloved, calm. All is well here.” He crooned, smoothing out Gray’s rippling form. “We are liked by the Captain, and by the medic. We are liked by the hybrid and the biologist. Even the fighter knows of us and worries. You are safe.” Maroon purred as he nuzzled Gray’s neck.