"These look like some sort of life support system," Anwei said, gesturing to the pods that clung in thick clusters to the fleshy pillars around them. "Maybe it was just - some sort of accident. Maybe it isn't Earth that's gone, just - some of it."

She smiled, a little more sanely this time. "Of course, maybe the clothes they give you are alien goo. Goo might be in fashion this season."