Episode 10: The Signal Answers
238 Words
Captain Voss gasped for air. His body felt intact, but his mind reeled from what had just happened. One second, they had been standing at the edge of reality, facing an impossible creature, and the next—they were back.
The Aurora's bridge lights flickered. Alarm sirens blared. Crew members rushed to their stations.
“Captain!” Luma’s voice filled the air. “You and your team just… appeared. One moment, you were gone. The next, you were here.”
Voss turned, eyes scanning the bridge. Holt, Rao, and Ng were there too—alive. He touched his chest, half-expecting to feel the weight of the Rift still clinging to him.
Dr. Rao’s voice was a whisper. “Did that really happen?”
Ng looked at the console, his face pale. “Captain… the Signal. It’s changed.”
Voss turned sharply. “How?”
Rao stared at the data feed. “It’s no longer broadcasting outward.” She swallowed. “Now it’s receiving.”
The realization sent a cold shiver through the crew.
Commander Holt exhaled. “Receiving from where?”
Luma hesitated. “Unknown. But the pattern is clear.” A pause. “Something heard us, Captain.”
Voss felt his stomach tighten.
Then—the ship shuddered.
The lights dimmed.
And the main screen flickered to life.
A message had arrived.
Not from the Keepers.
Not from the Rift.
But from something else.
To be continued…
- Writer
