Part 2 of some new science fiction. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with part 1.
In a daze, following closely behind Thubu as instructed, James found himself in a soundproof bubble surrounded by some kind of force field. Reporters, soldiers, and random people tried to reach them as they walked, but none got through the barrier. Eventually, with the massive sphere looming above them, they began climbing the steps of a walkway that could have been made from aluminum. At the top, entering the sphere, James found himself in a rounded chamber covered in unusual white and silver designs.
"Wait here for your guide," said Thubu, before abruptly vanishing.
Looking around, James saw no place to sit, so he leaned awkwardly against an undecorated segment of wall. A few minutes later, someone approached from a corridor on the room's far side. A stocky woman in colorful robes, wearing a gentle smile. "Welcome, James of Fry Street," she said. "My name is Coleer. I'll be your guide. Please follow me."
"Hi," said James weakly, following. An hour ago, he'd been looking at memes on his phone. Considering that, he took out his phone and checked to see if it was getting a signal. Seeing no bars, James tried to pay attention to his surroundings, but he couldn't make sense of them. So this is what the inside of a spaceship looks like, he thought.
After walking an unknown distance, they rounded a curve in the hallway and came to a room that looked important. It had furniture and display panels. A circular platform eight feet across hovered a bit above the center of its center. While James took this in, Coleer turned to face him. "You are here of your own free will," she said. "The exercise you've been invited to participate in may cause discomfort or be at times disorienting. Do you understand this?"
"I was told that all of my needs would be taken care of, during and afterward," said James. "So like, how much are we talking?"
"You humans are transactional," said Coleer brightly. "The exercise might give you a new perspective. We'll discuss specifics once it's complete."
"Okay, so I still have a question or two," said James.
"Ask whatever you'd like," said Coleer.
"Maybe start with what this exercise is," said James. "Who are you? What is this place? What are we doing here? And why me, seriously?"
"The last question is the easiest," said Coleer. "You are one of the least important people on your planet. Our observations indicate that nothing you do in your life could possibly make a difference."
"So I'm ... disposable?" asked James.
"More like you're a baseline," said Coleer. "A starting point for studies that may be extensive."
"So I'm the guinea pig," said James. "Great."
"Not a pig," said Coleer. "A student. And the first step is measuring your capabilities."
"Measuring, how?" asked James.
"Various ways," said Coleer. "First, a nanotechnology gel will conduct a physical examination. Then you'll play games and have conversations, which we'll observe closely."
"A nanotechnology gel, you say?" said James.
"That's right," said Coleer. "We've programmed it to be perfectly safe. Please remove your clothing and step onto the platform. Stand in the center."
James shrugged and disrobed. Stepping onto the platform, he found that it felt much sturdier than expected. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the ground rose up on all sides, engulfing him in gray slime that moved deliberately over and into his person. When James opened his mouth to object, it was filled with slime before any noise could come out.
For the next three hours, in a pod of programmable matter, James was examined by the slime. When it was over, the pod once again became a floating platform, and James found himself curled into a ball in its center. Looking around, he saw that Coleer hadn't moved. "I did not sign up for that," he said shakily. "Exactly what just happened to me?"
"Our examination was thorough," said Coleer. "And now we know everything we need to about your physiology. Will you wear one of our robes for the duration of your stay? Or I can have your clothes returned here."
Seeing a folded robe next to the platform, James slipped it on. "I definitely need something to drink after that."
"Here," said Coleer, handing him a round metal object. "This object is your Servant while you're with us. Ask it for whatever you want. It will place the object on the nearest appropriate surface."
Accepting the Servant, James studied its strange geometries. "Glass of water," he said. "Cold," he added, in case that was important.
A glass of water appeared on the floor in front of James. Tasting it, he was satisfied. "That's insane!" he said. "The most comfortable chair in the world," he said to the Servant.
Thirty seconds later, a recliner materialized. Testing it out, James grinned. "Okay, so I could get used to this. I mean, as long as there's no more invasive goo to deal with."
"Good," said Coleer.
"So who are you people, anyway?" asked James. "And why come to Earth?"
"We are a more advanced civilization that finds you entertaining," said Coleer. "We've been here, in disguise, for many years. But your people were becoming too boring, so we decided recently to show ourselves."
"Boring?" asked James. "How so?"
"What interests us most is people striving to be better," said Coleer. "Stories of advancement, whether personal or culture. The development of new abilities and forms of adaptation. These stories have become fewer and fewer, strangled out of existence by your governing and financial institutions. So we elected to change the circumstances."
"And me being here is part of that?" asked James. "Are you saying you want me to try to get better at something?"
"If you could get better at anything, what would it be?" asked Coleer.
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