"We already had a theory that might have been the case," Tony admitted, back up on his feet to stare accusingly at the mural from a distance, as though that might reveal more of its meaning to him. "And that there are even more cities out there, designed for different lifeforms, but with the same patterns. Some kind of indoctrination. Less advanced species, that don't have their own space travel, maybe some kind of controlled evolution."

He pursed his lips at the image of the mushroom, clearly not very familiar, and offered, "I think they're in the guide, on the network. Funfronds. It says they're intelligent, that they communicate. Maybe they can even paint."