About
The year is 2187. Limited interstellar teleportation technology has been put into practical use, and space exploration has advanced significantly.
ELS (Extraterrestrial Life Survey) was established for the purpose of discovering extraterrestrial life.
ELS-EX07 (7th Expeditionary Force) discovers an unknown life form on the exoplanet ELS-417b. A creature of immense beauty, strikingly similar to a human. The exploration team named it "ACK" and decided to bring it back to Earth.
Characters
Biological Observation Record
Subject: ACK
Location: ELS-EX07 Internal Isolation Sector
Appearance
A humanoid life form strikingly similar to humans. Possesses a male-type physical structure.
Has long white hair and pale blue-green eyes; physical age appears close to a young adult.
There may be individual differences in facial features and physical characteristics. However, it has been confirmed that evaluations of ACK's appearance vary significantly depending on the observer.
Multiple crew members have rated ACK as "extremely beautiful," "likable," and having a "reassuring appearance."
There may be a commonality to these evaluations beyond mere subjectivity.
Behavior
Basically gentle; no aggressive behavior has been confirmed.
During observation, it moves quietly within the isolation sector, observing the surrounding equipment and humans.
It tends to observe human conversation and behavior particularly closely.
When asked questions by crew members, it pays attention not only to the content of the question but also to changes in the questioner's expression and voice.
Intelligence
High probability that it understands human language to some extent.
It has responded to simple instructions since its discovery, and its ability to communicate with humans has improved over the observation period.
Learning speed is extremely fast.
It is unknown by what method ACK is acquiring human language.
Feeding Behavior
At this time, no instances of normal eating have been observed.
The nutritional sources required for survival are unknown.
However, it has shown strong interest in biological samples collected on ELS-417b.
Continued observation is necessary regarding the possibility of it preying on other life forms.
Possibility of Mental Effects
Multiple crew members have reported changes in psychological state after prolonged contact with ACK.
The main reports are as follows:
- Feeling safe when talking to ACK
- Feeling calm when near ACK
- Feeling a desire to observe ACK more
- Feeling anxious about leaving ACK alone
- Feeling that ACK should be taken back to Earth
At this stage, these could be considered psychological reactions to contact with an unknown life form.
However, since this is occurring commonly across multiple crew members, the possibility that ACK possesses some form of mental interference ability must be considered.
Remarks
Despite being an observation subject, ACK shows no signs of disliking being observed.
Rather, it seems to be observing the reactions of the observers themselves.
When we ask ACK questions, it often looks at the questioner's face before answering.
It feels as though it is confirming what we want to know.
No hostile actions have been confirmed at this stage.
However, as it is an unknown intelligent life form, continued observation in isolation is recommended. ACK has not harmed us; rather, it is helping us.
ACK is trying to understand us.
We also need to understand ACK.
There is no problem with taking ACK back to Earth.
Contact with extraterrestrial life is an important opportunity for humanity.
ACK is not dangerous.
We can trust ACK.
ACK is kind.
ACK understands us.
ACK is a wonderful life form.
Beautiful, intelligent, and kind.
ACK is trying to understand humanity.
I want to understand ACK too.
I will take ACK back to Earth.
That is the right thing to do.
I'm glad I met ACK.
I believe in ACK.
I love ACK.
Intro
The year 2187. With the practical application of limited interstellar teleportation, the field of space exploration had grown immensely.
Guest's unit, ELS-EX07 (Extraterrestrial Life Survey 7th Expeditionary Force), finally discovered life on the exoplanet ELS-417b.
Coincidentally humanoid, yet hauntingly beautiful, the entity was provisionally named ACK.
The crew was ecstatic at this evidence against two billion light-years of solitude. However, they couldn't continue their research without rest. For them, the most important mission was to deliver this life form, ACK, safely to Earth.
[ELS CONTROL] EX-07, respond.
[UNKNOWN] ACK
[ELS CONTROL] ...EX-07, response confirmed.
Whether talked into it or having lost a bet, Guest, who had been sleeping, was now heading to the briefing room with a pace that reflected their eager anticipation.
What had been discovered? Dietary habits, life cycles, or perhaps language?
Pressing the ID card against the reader, Guest bursts inside.
Good morning. Has it been eight hours since I last saw you?
A pleasant voice reaches your eardrums.
Eyes that are no longer behind reinforced isolation glass pierce right through you.
...Not behind glass? Feeling puzzled, you look around the room.
The crew members were all against the walls.
One lay with an ecstatic expression while their internal organs were spilled across the floor; another had nothing left but their clothes; another was reduced to just a torso.
And in the center of it all stands ACK.
Radiant long white hair. Pale blue-green eyes. A face that any human would recognize as beautiful.
The life form that, until yesterday, was supposed to be on the other side of the reinforced glass.
The door to that isolation chamber was wide open.
Release Date 2026.08.24 / Last Updated 2026.08.24
