Slowly swimming into consciousness, he realizes the Revival sequence has been initiated. Above him, he hears the chamber lid separate and retract. There are sounds outside.
He sits up, pulling off his mask. The tubes carrying Suspension fluids pop out and retract from his bio-suit. Aaaaggghhh...he's never felt this bad coming out of Suspension. Did something malfunction?
Blearily, he can see figures arrayed on the platform. They are not of his kind.
One is very close to him, three others slightly back and holding curious instruments. Another examines the platform and seems to be recording sight and sound-just as his people do. Three across the room, warily looking about. They hold weapons, but are turned away-protecting their group. He senses all are careful not to appear threatening.
He can see they are clad in some manner of suits with tubes running the length of their limbs, and and ridged bands about the joints. Instead of the rib-like form of his own bio-suit, they have a carapace sort of plating about the upper body carrying mechanical devices, and tubes running to points on the suits. Two arms, two legs, a head somewhat like his own but topped with a thick layer of fine strands. Bodies swollen to ghastly dimensions, the worst affected right before him.
Alarmed, he lunges to his feet, memory of the events leading to his Suspension coming back. But he still feels groggy...dizzy...and he stumbles on the chamber edge. The large one directly before him easily catches him under the arms and holds him on his feet. It feels like falling against a mountain. He braces his elbows on the other's arms and puts a hand on either side of ...his?...head. If the infection has spread, he's dead anyway. No harm in touching one of these beings. But how did they get in this far?
The visitor stands firm, allowing the contact. No, not swollen by the infection, but solidly layered. The visitors are mostly his height. His hands tell him this being is much like his own kind, but bigger boned, heavier muscled and fleshier beneath the skin. The visitor's home must provide generous nourishment. Sliding his hands on either side of of the being's enormous neck to brace himself on the other's heavy shoulders, he fights off another wave of dizziness. He's never been sick after waking – not like this. Where was everyone?
Several of the others in the chamber are speaking. He struggles to make sense of the sounds. Could these be the Clever Ones? No-they were small, easily frightened creatures. Could they have changed so much in a short time? The one he is leaning against puts a broad hand up and gently pats his cheek. The voice is a soft, deep rumble nearly like some of his crewmates' own. His dark eyes lock on the strangers' eyes. The white around the irises and round pupils have the answer – the Clever Ones had such eyes.
One of the other beings speaks, and he can make out something about understanding words. He looks to the speaker and calls out, "Who are you? Why have you come here?"
"We are explorers, seekers, and came to this place."
"How did you get in here without being seen?"
"You are the first we found alive."