Episode 11: The Reply
229 Words
The bridge was silent. Every crew member stared at the screen as it flickered, distorted static shifting into something structured.
A message.
It wasn’t in any known language. The symbols twisted, rearranged themselves, forming something new.
Dr. Rao’s hands trembled over her console. “It’s trying to communicate.”
Voss forced himself to speak. “Can you translate it?”
She took a shaky breath. “I… I think so. The patterns match parts of the Rift’s transmissions.” Her fingers flew over the controls, decoding the shifting symbols.
Finally, words appeared on the screen.
“YOU WERE SEEN.”
Ng exhaled sharply. “What the hell does that mean?”
More words formed.
“THE RIFT WATCHES. THE VOID REMEMBERS.”
A deep, unearthly hum vibrated through the Aurora’s hull. The Signal grew louder.
Luma’s voice cut through the tension. “Captain… we are detecting a gravitational anomaly.”
The ship lurched, as if something immense was pulling at it.
Holt gripped her console. “Voss, whatever this is… it’s not over.”
The final words on the screen burned into their minds.
“IT WILL COME.”
The ship shook violently. The void outside the viewport rippled—like something on the other side was trying to break through.
Voss’s hands clenched.
They had escaped the Rift.
But something else… had followed them back.
To be continued…
- Writer
