Lina wiped the sweat from her brow as she and Jax descended deeper into the lower levels of New Terra. The dim lighting and stale air down here made the place feel even more claustrophobic than usual. It was a part of the ship she knew well—she had spent countless hours repairing the aging systems that kept the ship running. But today, something felt different. There was a tension in the air that made her skin prickle.

“Remind me again why we have to do this ourselves?” Jax asked, his voice light but tinged with nervous energy. He adjusted the toolkit slung over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the darkened corridors.

“Because the last crew that tried to fix this section didn’t come back,” Lina replied, her tone matter-of-fact. “And because we’re the best at what we do.”

Jax smirked. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mars.”

Despite the banter, Lina could sense that Jax was on edge—just like she was. The recent encounters with the Bugs had everyone on high alert, and the deeper they went into the ship, the more vulnerable they felt. There was no telling where the next attack might come from.

They reached the maintenance bay where the malfunction had been reported. The door was partially open, and the air inside was cold—colder than it should have been. Lina frowned as she stepped inside, her boots echoing on the metal floor.

“Jax, check the power readings,” she said, kneeling beside a control panel. “Something’s off here.”

Jax moved to the opposite side of the room, his fingers flying over the controls. “Power’s fluctuating. Looks like the conduit is damaged, but it’s not showing any external signs of stress.”

Lina’s frown deepened. “That doesn’t make sense. There should be—”

A sudden noise cut her off—a high-pitched whine, almost like a blade cutting through metal. It was faint at first, barely noticeable, but it quickly grew louder. Lina’s heart skipped a beat as the realization hit her.

“Jax, get down!” she hissed, diving behind a large piece of machinery.

Jax barely had time to react before the creature emerged from the shadows. It was unlike anything they had ever seen—sleek and streamlined, with a single, articulated arm ending in a laser emitter. Its body was made of interlocking metal plates that shifted and rotated as it moved, and its many glowing eyes scanned the room with cold, mechanical precision.

The Bug was terrifying in its efficiency. It moved with an eerie grace, its laser arm sweeping back and forth as it scanned the area. When it found the damaged conduit, it wasted no time in disassembling it, breaking the metal down to its atomic components with a flick of its laser. In seconds, the metal vanished into dust, only to be reformed by the Bug in a perfect replica of the original.

Lina’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the Bug work. She had heard stories about these creatures—how they could break down matter and rebuild it in any form they wanted, how they showed no mercy, no hesitation. But seeing it up close was something else entirely.

“We need to move,” Jax whispered, his voice barely audible over the whine of the Bug’s laser.

Lina nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. They couldn’t stay here—the Bug would find them eventually. But the corridor outside offered little cover, and the Bug was blocking their only exit.

“Follow me,” she mouthed, gesturing toward a small maintenance alcove on the other side of the room. It was barely large enough for the two of them, but it was their only chance.

They moved as quietly as they could, keeping low and avoiding the Bug’s line of sight. The creature’s laser continued to sweep the room, but it hadn’t noticed them yet. Lina’s pulse quickened as they neared the alcove, her mind racing with every possible scenario. They had to stay hidden—just a few more seconds, and they’d be safe.

They slipped into the alcove, pressing themselves against the cold metal walls. The space was tight—so tight that Lina found herself pressed close against Jax, their bodies practically entwined. She could feel his breath on her neck, his heart pounding in rhythm with hers.

“Don’t move,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jax nodded, his arm wrapping around her to keep them both from shifting. They were so close that Lina could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong. She focused on it, trying to match her breathing to the rhythm, trying to calm the storm of fear swirling inside her.

The Bug moved closer, its laser sweeping the area just outside their hiding spot. Lina could hear the faint hum of its systems, the cold, calculating precision with which it searched for them. She held her breath, willing herself to stay still, to stay silent.

The seconds stretched into eternity as the Bug’s shadow loomed over them. Lina’s fingers tightened around the small tool she had grabbed, her mind racing with desperate plans. If it found them, they’d have to fight—but how could they possibly defeat something like this?

The Bug paused, its laser hovering just inches from their hiding spot. Lina’s heart stopped. This was it—it was going to find them.

But then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the Bug turned away. It slinked down the corridor, its laser retracting as it moved on to its next target.

Lina let out a shaky breath, her body trembling with the release of tension. They had been seconds away from death, and somehow, they had survived.

Jax’s grip on her loosened, and Lina slowly pulled away, her legs feeling like jelly. She glanced at Jax, their eyes meeting in a moment of shared relief and understanding. They had made it—but they weren’t out of danger yet.

“We need to get out of here,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Jax nodded, his usual bravado replaced with a grim determination. “Let’s go.”

They moved quickly, slipping out of the alcove and making their way toward the exit. The corridor stretched before them, dark and ominous, but there was no time to hesitate. They ran, their footsteps echoing in the empty space.

The Bug was still out there, but it hadn’t noticed them yet. They reached the hatch at the end of the corridor, and Lina quickly keyed in the override code. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a passage to safety.

But just as they were about to step through, the Bug appeared at the far end of the corridor, its laser arm glowing with deadly intent.

“Go, go, go!” Jax shouted, shoving Lina through the hatch.

She stumbled forward, turning just in time to see Jax dive through the opening behind her. The Bug was closing in fast, its laser slicing through the air as it targeted them.

Jax slammed the hatch shut behind them, and Lina’s fingers flew over the control panel, activating the shield. The force field hummed to life, forming a glowing barrier that sealed the area and prevented the Bug from following them.

The creature’s laser struck the shield, but it held, the energy dispersing harmlessly. Lina and Jax collapsed against the wall, breathing heavily as they finally allowed themselves to feel the full weight of what had just happened.

They had made it. Barely.

Lina glanced at Jax, their eyes meeting in the dim light of the corridor. The memory of that moment in the alcove lingered between them—an unspoken connection that neither of them had expected but couldn’t deny.

“Nice work, Mars,” Jax said with a tired grin.

“You too, hotshot,” Lina replied, her voice steadier now.

For a moment, they just sat there, letting the adrenaline drain from their systems. But they both knew this was only a temporary reprieve. The Bugs were still out there, and the ship was still in danger.

“We should report this,” Lina said finally, pushing herself to her feet.

Jax nodded, standing with her. “Yeah. Let’s get back to the others.”

As they made their way back to the central hub, Lina couldn’t help but think about what lay ahead. They had survived this encounter, but the real battle was just beginning.

And as they walked side by side, she couldn’t shake the feeling that, whatever happened next, they would face it together.

Lina and Jax made their way back to the central hub, the memory of their close encounter still fresh in their minds. The corridors of New Terra were eerily quiet, the usual bustle of activity replaced by an uneasy stillness. Everyone on board knew that something was coming—something far worse than what they had faced so far.

When they reached the central hub, the atmosphere was tense. The leadership council had already convened, and Lina could see the strain on their faces as they reviewed the latest data. Dr. Evelyn Mars stood at the head of the table, her usual calm demeanor barely masking the worry in her eyes.

“Lina, Jax,” she said as they entered, her voice steady despite the tension. “You’re just in time. We were about to discuss our next steps.”

Lina and Jax took their seats, glancing around the table at the other members of the council. Commander Nathan Hale, Jax’s father, was there, his expression grim and determined. Captain Elena Vasquez, who had returned with the war-torn fleet, sat beside him, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. The other key officials of New Terra were present as well, all of them looking weary but resolute.

Evelyn began the meeting with a summary of the current situation. “As you all know, the Bugs have been attacking us with increasing frequency. We’ve managed to contain them for now, but it’s only a matter of time before they breach our defenses again. We need to decide on our next course of action.”

Commander Hale leaned forward, his voice gruff. “We can’t keep fighting them off like this. Every time we think we’ve got them contained, they find a new way to break through. We need to strike back—take the fight to them.”

Captain Vasquez shook her head. “We’ve tried that. These Bugs are unlike anything we’ve ever faced. They don’t just attack—they consume. They break down everything in their path, and they don’t stop until there’s nothing left. We can’t fight them the way we would fight a conventional enemy.”

Lina listened quietly, her mind racing. She had seen the Bugs up close—seen the way they disintegrated matter with their lasers, only to rebuild it in new forms. They weren’t just machines—they were something far more terrifying. Something that seemed almost… alive.

Evelyn nodded at Vasquez’s words. “Captain Vasquez is right. These Bugs are relentless, and they’re getting stronger with each attack. We need to consider all our options—including evacuation.”

The room fell silent at her words. Evacuation had been discussed before, but it had always been a last resort—a desperate move if all else failed. But now, it seemed like they were running out of time.

“Are you suggesting we use Faith?” one of the council members asked, his voice uncertain.

Evelyn hesitated before answering. “I’m saying we need to be prepared. If the Bugs breach our core systems, we won’t have a choice. Faith may be our only chance.”

The mention of Faith—the wormhole that had been their last hope of escape—hung in the air like a specter. The council members exchanged uneasy glances, knowing that this decision could determine the fate of New Terra.

Commander Hale was the first to speak. “If we evacuate, we’re abandoning New Terra. This ship is all we have left. If we leave it behind, we’re leaving behind everything we’ve fought for.”

“We wouldn’t be abandoning it,” Evelyn countered. “We’d be preserving what’s left. If we stay here and the Bugs overrun us, we’ll lose everything. But if we take New Terra through Faith, we might find a new home—a new beginning.”

Captain Vasquez nodded in agreement. “I’ve seen what these Bugs can do. They don’t just kill—they annihilate. We can’t afford to underestimate them. If Faith is our best chance, we need to be ready to take it.”

The debate continued, with the council members weighing the risks and rewards of staying versus leaving. Lina listened carefully, her thoughts drifting back to the encounter she and Jax had just survived. The Bugs were terrifying, yes—but they were also systematic, calculating. They didn’t attack without a purpose.

“What do we know about the Bugs’ behavior?” Lina asked, her voice cutting through the discussion. “Why do they keep coming after us? What are they after?”

Evelyn looked at her daughter, her expression thoughtful. “We’ve been analyzing their attacks, trying to understand their patterns. So far, we’ve determined that they’re drawn to energy—specifically, the energy generated by New Terra’s systems. They’re not just attacking us—they’re feeding on us.”

Commander Hale scowled. “So they’re parasites. They’re using our ship as a power source.”

“Exactly,” Evelyn confirmed. “And as long as we’re here, they’ll keep coming. That’s why we need to consider evacuation. If we can cut off their access to our energy, we might be able to stop them.”

The discussion was interrupted by an urgent alert from the ship’s sensors. A technician rushed into the room, his face pale. “We’ve got a new problem. Scans are showing a massive swarm of Bugs heading straight for us.”

The room erupted into chaos as the council members rushed to their stations, reviewing the incoming data. The swarm was enormous—far larger than any they had faced before. It moved with terrifying speed, closing in on New Terra with relentless precision.

“This is it,” Captain Vasquez muttered, her eyes narrowing as she studied the data. “If that swarm hits us, we’re done for.”

Evelyn quickly took charge, her voice cutting through the noise. “We need to start moving towards Faith. It’s our only option. If we can reach the wormhole before the swarm arrives, we might be able to escape.”

Commander Hale hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Agreed. Everyone, prepare for immediate evacuation. We’ll hold off the swarm as long as we can, but we need to get New Terra to Faith.”

The room was a blur of activity as orders were given and preparations began. Lina felt a surge of adrenaline as she realized what was about to happen—they were running, abandoning their home in a desperate bid for survival.

But even as they prepared to flee, Lina knew they couldn’t escape the Bugs so easily. The swarm would follow them, drawn by the energy that New Terra generated. If they didn’t find a way to stop the Bugs, they would only be delaying the inevitable.

As the crew scrambled to prepare for the journey to Faith, Lina pulled Jax aside. “We need to think about containment. If the Bugs are feeding on our energy, we need to find a way to cut them off.”

Jax frowned, his mind racing. “You’re right. But how do we do that? We can’t shut down the entire ship—people will die.”

“We don’t need to shut down everything,” Lina said, her voice urgent. “Just the infected sections. If we can isolate the areas where the Bugs have already breached, we might be able to sever them from the rest of the ship.”

Jax’s eyes widened as he realized what she was suggesting. “You mean… jettison them. Cut off the infected parts and send them into space.”

“It’s the only way,” Lina said, her voice firm. “We can’t let the Bugs spread. If we lose control, we’ll lose everything.”

Jax nodded, his expression grim. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

They quickly relayed their plan to Evelyn and the rest of the leadership. The decision was met with hesitation—jettisoning parts of New Terra would mean sacrificing billions of lives. But the alternative was even worse.

After a tense discussion, the council agreed to the plan. They would isolate the infected sections of the ship, contain the Bugs as best they could, and then jettison those sections into space. It was a desperate measure, but it was the only one that gave them a chance.

The next hours were a blur of activity as the crew worked to implement the plan. Engineers and technicians worked tirelessly to isolate the infected sections, sealing off entire quadrants of New Terra to prevent the Bugs from spreading further.

Lina and Jax were at the forefront of the effort, coordinating the shutdown of power grids and the activation of containment fields. It was grueling work, and the emotional toll was even greater. Every section they sealed off meant the loss of countless lives—people who had no chance of escape.

As they worked, Lina couldn’t help but think about the people they were leaving behind. Families, friends, entire communities—sacrificed in the name of survival. It was a burden that weighed heavily on her heart, but she knew it was the only way.

Finally, the preparations were complete. The infected sections were isolated, and the jettison protocols were ready to be activated.

Evelyn stood at the central console, her hand hovering over the controls. She looked around at the gathered crew, her expression a mix of sorrow and resolve.

“This is our only chance,” she said quietly. “We’re doing this to protect what’s left of New Terra. We’re doing this… for the future.”

With a deep breath, she activated the jettison sequence. The ship shuddered as the infected sections were detached, drifting away into the cold void of space.

Billions of lives were lost in an instant. But New Terra was still alive—still fighting.

As the crew braced themselves for the next wave of attacks, Lina felt a cold determination settle over her. They had sacrificed so much already, but they couldn’t afford to give up now.

The journey to Faith had only just begun.

The remnants of New Terra surged forward, the ship’s engines roaring to life as they pushed the vessel toward the wormhole known as Faith. The newly jettisoned sections of the ship drifted into the void, taking with them the countless lives that had been sacrificed to save the rest.

Lina stood by one of the observation windows, watching as the severed pieces of New Terra became distant specks in the darkness of space. The weight of what they had done pressed down on her, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight. She could still feel the vibration of the ship as it had shuddered during the separation, could still hear the cries of those who hadn’t been lucky enough to make it to safety.

Jax joined her, his face set in a grim expression. “It never gets easier, does it?”

“No,” Lina replied quietly. “It doesn’t.”

They stood in silence for a moment, watching as the severed sections of the ship vanished from sight. The view was haunting—an empty expanse of stars, punctuated only by the faint glimmer of debris. The sacrifices they had made were already starting to feel like distant memories, lost to the void.

But there was no time to dwell on the past. The swarm of Bugs was still on their tail, and New Terra was racing against the clock to reach Faith before it was too late.

“We need to keep moving,” Jax said finally, his voice firm. “We’ve got a chance now, but we can’t waste it.”

Lina nodded, tearing her gaze away from the window. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

They made their way back to the central hub, where the rest of the crew was working frantically to ensure that New Terra would be ready for the jump. The mood in the room was tense, but there was a renewed sense of purpose as well—a determination to survive, no matter the cost.

Dr. Evelyn Mars stood at the helm, directing the crew with a calm efficiency that belied the chaos around her. She had taken charge of the situation, guiding New Terra toward the wormhole with a steady hand. Despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, she remained focused on the task at hand.

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“Status report,” Evelyn called out as Lina and Jax entered the room.

“Engine output is at 85%,” one of the technicians replied. “We’re pushing the reactors as hard as we can without overloading them.”

“Good. Keep monitoring the systems,” Evelyn ordered. She turned to Lina and Jax, her expression softening slightly as she saw them. “How are you two holding up?”

Lina forced a smile. “We’re managing. What’s our ETA to Faith?”

“Less than six hours,” Evelyn replied. “If we can maintain this speed, we’ll reach the wormhole before the swarm catches up to us.”

“And if we don’t?” Jax asked, his tone serious.

Evelyn’s expression darkened. “Then we’ll have to make our stand here. But I’m not planning on letting it come to that. We’ve sacrificed too much to fail now.”

Lina admired her mother’s resolve, but she could see the strain in Evelyn’s eyes—the weight of the decisions she had made, the lives she had taken to protect the ship. It was a burden they all carried, but Evelyn bore the heaviest load.

As the crew continued their preparations, Lina and Jax found themselves caught up in the flurry of activity. They checked systems, reviewed contingency plans, and made sure that everyone was ready for the jump into Faith. It was exhausting work, but it kept their minds focused on the present—on survival.

Just when it seemed like they were making progress, an alarm blared through the ship, cutting through the steady hum of the engines. Lina’s heart leapt into her throat as she rushed to the nearest console, her fingers flying over the controls.

“What’s happening?” she demanded.

“Multiple breaches,” a technician replied, his voice tense. “The Bugs have found a way through our containment fields. They’re in the lower levels—spreading fast.”

Panic rippled through the room as the crew scrambled to respond. The containment fields that had been holding the Bugs at bay were failing, and the creatures were making their way toward the core systems. If they reached the reactors, New Terra would be done for.

“We need to shut down those sections—now!” Evelyn ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Lina and Jax exchanged a glance before rushing out of the hub. They knew what needed to be done. The only way to stop the Bugs from reaching the core was to seal off the affected areas—no matter the cost.

They reached the lower levels, the air thick with the acrid smell of burning metal. The Bugs were everywhere—slithering through the corridors, their laser arms slicing through walls and conduits with terrifying precision. Lina watched in horror as one of the creatures disintegrated a section of the ship, breaking it down to its atomic components before rebuilding it in a twisted, alien form.

“We can’t let them reach the reactors,” Jax shouted over the din. “We need to shut it down now!”

Lina nodded, her hands trembling as she keyed in the shutdown codes. The system protested, warning her of the consequences of cutting off power to such a vital part of the ship. But there was no other choice.

With a final press of the button, the power in the affected sections shut down. The lights flickered and went out, leaving only darkness and the distant hum of the Bugs’ lasers. Lina could feel the weight of the silence pressing down on her, the knowledge that they had just sealed off another part of their world—another sacrifice in the name of survival.

Back in the central hub, the mood was grim. The shutdown had bought them some time, but the Bugs were still coming. The swarm was closing in on New Terra, and the ship’s sensors were lighting up with warnings as the enemy drew closer.

“We’re running out of time,” Captain Vasquez muttered, her eyes glued to the tactical display. “If we don’t make the jump soon, we’ll be overrun.”

Evelyn nodded, her expression hard as she made the final calculations. “Prepare for emergency maneuvers. We’re going to have to push the reactors to their limits.”

The crew moved into action, their faces set in grim determination. They had come this far—there was no turning back now.

Lina and Jax returned to the hub, their clothes smeared with grease and their faces etched with exhaustion. But there was no time to rest. The final stretch of their journey was upon them, and every second counted.

Evelyn looked at them, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. “You’ve done well. Both of you. But this isn’t over yet.”

Lina nodded, feeling the weight of her mother’s words. They had fought so hard, sacrificed so much—but the hardest part was still to come.

Page 15: The Final Decision

The ship shuddered as it made a sharp turn, the engines straining to keep up with the rapid course correction. The swarm was right behind them now, and the Bugs were relentless in their pursuit. The sensors blared with warnings as the enemy closed in, and the crew braced themselves for impact.

“Brace for jump,” Evelyn ordered, her voice steady despite the tension. “All systems go.”

Lina felt a surge of adrenaline as she gripped the console, her heart pounding in her chest. This was it—the moment they had been racing toward. The moment that would decide the fate of New Terra.

“Here we go,” Jax muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and fear.

The ship lurched forward as the engines roared to life, propelling New Terra toward the wormhole. The stars outside the observation windows blurred into streaks of light as the ship accelerated, the distant glow of Faith growing brighter with every passing second.

But just as they reached the edge of the wormhole, the ship shuddered violently. Lina’s breath caught in her throat as she felt the telltale signs of a Bug breach—an icy, crawling sensation that spread through the air like a virus.

“They’re inside!” a voice shouted over the comms. “The Bugs have breached the core systems!”

Panic rippled through the crew as the realization hit them. The Bugs had found a way in—despite all their efforts, the enemy had breached New Terra’s final defenses.

Evelyn’s voice cut through the chaos, calm and resolute. “Prepare for emergency shutdown of the core. We can’t let them take the ship.”

Lina’s heart sank as she realized what her mother was about to do. The core was New Terra’s heart—without it, the ship would be crippled. But it was the only way to stop the Bugs from consuming everything.

As the ship teetered on the edge of destruction, Lina and Jax exchanged a final glance. They had made it this far—together. And whatever happened next, they would face it side by side.

With a deep breath, Lina reached for the controls, ready to make the final decision that would determine their fate.

Lina’s fingers hovered over the control panel, her mind racing as she considered the implications of what she was about to do. Shutting down the core would cripple New Terra, leaving them vulnerable to the Bugs and stranded in the void. But if they didn’t act now, the Bugs would overrun them, and everything they had fought for would be lost.

“Lina, we don’t have time,” Jax urged, his voice tense with urgency. “You need to do it now.”

She glanced at him, seeing the fear in his eyes—the same fear that echoed in her own heart. But there was also trust. Trust that they could still make it, that this sacrifice would be worth it.

With a deep breath, Lina pressed the final sequence of commands. The core systems began to power down, the ship shuddering as its lifeblood was drained away. The lights dimmed, and the hum of the engines grew quieter, replaced by an eerie silence that seemed to stretch through the entire vessel.

“All non-essential systems offline,” a technician reported, his voice trembling. “Core shutdown in progress.”

The Bugs were still inside, but without the energy from the core, they would have nothing to feed on. The hope was that this would force them to retreat, to lose interest in New Terra and leave them alone. It was a gamble, but it was the only option they had left.

As the shutdown sequence completed, the lights flickered one last time before plunging the ship into near darkness. Only the emergency lights remained, casting dim, red-tinged shadows across the walls.

Lina exhaled slowly, her chest tight with a mixture of relief and dread. The ship was quiet now—too quiet. The absence of the usual hum of the core was unsettling, a reminder of how fragile their situation had become.

“We did it,” Jax said, his voice barely above a whisper. “We actually did it.”

But Lina wasn’t so sure. The Bugs were relentless, and even without the core’s energy, they could still find a way to survive. They had seen how adaptable the Bugs were—how they could break down matter and rebuild it in ways that defied logic.

“We need to stay alert,” Lina said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. “This isn’t over yet.”

The crew gathered in the central hub, their faces pale in the dim emergency lighting. The shutdown had bought them some time, but the atmosphere was still heavy with uncertainty. No one knew if the Bugs had truly been driven off, or if they were simply biding their time.

Dr. Evelyn Mars stood at the helm, her eyes scanning the screens as she monitored the ship’s systems. Despite the dire situation, there was a calm determination in her posture—a resolve that had carried them through the darkest moments of their journey.

“Status report,” Evelyn called out, her voice firm.

“Power levels are stable,” one of the technicians replied. “We’ve managed to contain the breaches, but we’re still detecting residual activity in the lower levels. The Bugs haven’t fully withdrawn.”

Evelyn’s expression tightened. “Keep monitoring the situation. We need to be ready for anything.”

Lina and Jax stood near the back of the room, watching as the crew worked. The weight of what they had just done—of the lives they had taken and the sacrifices they had made—hung heavy in the air. But there was also a sense of quiet determination, a recognition that they had come too far to give up now.

“We’re almost there,” Jax said quietly, his gaze fixed on the tactical display. “Just a little further, and we’ll be at Faith.”

Lina nodded, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The journey to Faith had always been their last hope, the one chance they had to escape the Bugs and find a new beginning. But now that they were so close, the reality of what lay ahead was starting to sink in.

“What do you think is on the other side?” Lina asked, her voice soft.

Jax glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, it has to be better than what we’re leaving behind.”

Lina wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that Faith held the answers they had been searching for—that it was more than just a desperate gamble. But as she looked out at the vast expanse of space stretching before them, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the void held secrets they weren’t prepared to face.

As New Terra drew closer to Faith, the crew began preparing for the final phase of their journey. The Bugs were still a threat, and everyone knew that the moment they made the jump, they would be vulnerable. But there was no other choice—Faith was their only hope.

Evelyn called the senior staff together for one last briefing. Lina, Jax, Commander Hale, and Captain Vasquez all gathered around the central console, their faces set in grim determination.

“We’re almost at Faith,” Evelyn began, her voice steady. “But we’re not out of danger yet. The Bugs are still inside the ship, and we can’t afford to let them follow us through the wormhole. We need to make sure that when we make the jump, they’re left behind.”

Commander Hale frowned. “How do we do that? The Bugs are already inside New Terra. Even with the core shut down, they’re still active.”

“We’re going to have to fight them off,” Evelyn replied. “But this time, we’re not just holding them back. We’re going to drive them out—for good.”

Captain Vasquez nodded, her expression resolute. “We’ll use everything we’ve got. Shields, weapons, whatever it takes to keep them from reaching the wormhole.”

Lina listened quietly, her mind racing as she considered the plan. It was risky—there was no guarantee they could drive the Bugs out before making the jump. But it was their only option.

“What about New Terra itself?” Lina asked. “We’ve already jettisoned part of the ship. If we have to, can we shrink the remaining sections—condense them down to something we can carry with us?”

Evelyn hesitated, then nodded slowly. “It’s possible. We’ve been working on the technology, but it’s still experimental. If we condense the core systems, we can preserve New Terra—at least in a reduced form.”

Commander Hale’s eyes narrowed. “And what happens to the rest of us?”

“We stay behind,” Evelyn said quietly. “We hold the line while the next generation takes New Terra through Faith. It’s the only way to ensure our survival.”

A heavy silence fell over the room as the implications of her words sank in. The older generation—the ones who had built New Terra and fought to protect it—would stay behind to buy time for the younger crew to escape. It was a sacrifice that weighed heavily on all of them.

As the preparations for the final battle began, the atmosphere on New Terra grew somber. Everyone knew what was at stake, and the realization that they might not all survive the jump into Faith weighed heavily on their hearts.

Lina found herself standing outside the main engineering bay, her thoughts swirling as she tried to process everything that had happened. The sacrifices they had made, the lives they had lost—it all felt like too much.

But before she could sink too deeply into her thoughts, a familiar voice interrupted her.

“Lina?”

She turned to see Jax approaching, his expression unreadable. He stopped in front of her, his eyes searching hers as if he was trying to find the right words to say.

“We’re really doing this, huh?” he said quietly.

Lina nodded, her throat tight. “Yeah. We are.”

There was a pause, and then Jax took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm. “Whatever happens… I’m glad I’m doing this with you.”

The words were simple, but they carried a weight that Lina hadn’t expected. In that moment, she realized just how much Jax meant to her—how much he had become a part of her life, her world.

“I’m glad too,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

For a moment, they just stood there, the silence between them filled with unspoken emotions. But then, without warning, Lina felt a tear slip down her cheek. And before she knew it, she was crying—quiet, desperate sobs that she couldn’t hold back any longer.

Jax didn’t say anything. He just pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she cried against his chest. The warmth of his embrace, the steady beat of his heart, was the only thing keeping her grounded as the weight of everything they had been through came crashing down on her.

She didn’t know how long they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms. But eventually, the tears slowed, and Lina found herself taking a deep, shaky breath.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, pulling back slightly to look up at him.

“Don’t be,” Jax replied softly. “You’ve held it together for this long. You’re allowed to fall apart sometimes.”

Lina managed a small smile, grateful for his words. “Thank you.”

Jax smiled back, but there was a sadness in his eyes that she couldn’t ignore. “We’re going to make it through this, Lina. I don’t know how, but we will.”

Lina nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “Yeah. We will.”

They stood there for a moment longer, taking comfort in each other’s presence. And as they prepared to face the final battle, Lina knew that no matter what happened, she wouldn’t be facing it alone.

The final preparations were complete. The core systems had been condensed into a small, portable unit—a pendant that Lina now wore around her neck. It was all that was left of New Terra, a tiny, fragile reminder of the world they had once called home.

The older generation—Evelyn, Commander Hale, Captain Vasquez, and the rest of the senior crew—stood ready to make their last stand. They would hold off the Bugs, buying time for Lina, Jax, and the younger crew to make the jump into Faith.

As Lina and Jax prepared to board the escape shuttle, Evelyn pulled her daughter aside. The older woman’s expression was calm, but Lina could see the emotion in her eyes—the pride, the love, and the sadness that came with knowing this might be their final goodbye.

“You’ve always been strong, Lina,” Evelyn said quietly. “Stronger than you know. And no matter what happens, I want you to remember that.”

Lina swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. “I will, Mom.”

Evelyn smiled, reaching out to gently touch the pendant around Lina’s neck. “Take care of New Terra. Take care of our people. And take care of yourself.”

“I will,” Lina whispered.

The two women embraced, holding each other tightly for what felt like an eternity. And then, with one final look, Evelyn stepped back, her resolve unwavering.

“Go,” she said firmly. “It’s time.”

Lina nodded, her heart heavy as she turned to join Jax on the shuttle. As the doors closed behind them, she couldn’t help but glance back one last time—at her mother, at the crew, at everything they were leaving behind.

And then, with a lurch, the shuttle launched, propelling them toward the wormhole. Toward Faith.

Toward the unknown.

The shuttle hurtled through the void, the wormhole known as Faith looming ahead like a massive, swirling vortex of light and darkness. Lina gripped the edge of her seat, her knuckles white as she stared at the swirling chaos outside the viewport. This was it—the moment they had been racing toward, the moment that would decide their fate.

Jax sat beside her, his hands steady on the controls as he guided the shuttle toward Faith. Despite the tension in the air, his expression remained calm, focused. He had always been the one who could keep it together when everything else was falling apart, and Lina found herself drawing strength from his presence.

As the shuttle approached the event horizon, Lina felt a strange sensation wash over her—like a pull in every direction at once, as if space itself was trying to tear them apart. The stars outside the window stretched into long streaks of light, and the swirling vortex of the wormhole seemed to expand, enveloping the shuttle in its grasp.

“Hold on tight,” Jax muttered, his voice tense. “This is going to be rough.”

Lina braced herself as the shuttle plunged into Faith. The world outside the viewport dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colors, swirling and twisting in ways that defied comprehension. It felt like they were being flung through space and time, like they were caught in a storm with no clear direction.

The shuttle shuddered violently, the hull creaking under the strain. Lina could hear the groaning of the metal, could feel the pull of gravity warping around them as they were sucked deeper into the wormhole. For a moment, she wondered if they would be torn apart—if this was how their journey would end.

But then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the chaos stopped.

The swirling colors faded away, replaced by a vast, empty darkness. The shuttle steadied, the turbulence subsiding as they emerged from the other side of the wormhole.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Lina exhaled slowly, her heart still pounding in her chest. They had made it—they had survived the jump. But as she looked out at the unfamiliar starscape outside the window, she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were still far from safe.

“Is everyone okay?” Jax asked, his voice breaking the silence.

The crew members aboard the shuttle responded with a chorus of affirmations, their voices shaky but relieved. They had made it through Faith—but the journey was far from over.

The shuttle drifted in the darkness for what felt like an eternity. Lina and Jax, along with the rest of the crew, scanned the sensors, trying to make sense of their new surroundings. The stars here were unfamiliar, distant and cold, and the vast emptiness of space seemed to stretch on forever.

“There’s nothing here,” one of the technicians muttered, his voice tinged with unease. “No planets, no signs of life… just empty space.”

Lina frowned, her mind racing. They had taken the leap into Faith with the hope of finding a new home, a new beginning. But now, faced with the vast emptiness before them, that hope was beginning to feel like a distant dream.

“We can’t give up yet,” she said firmly. “There has to be something out there. We just need to keep looking.”

Jax nodded in agreement. “We’ll keep searching. We didn’t come this far just to turn back now.”

The shuttle’s sensors continued to sweep the area, searching for anything—any sign of life, any hint of a planet or star system that could support them. But all they found was more emptiness.

As the minutes ticked by, the tension in the shuttle grew. The crew exchanged uneasy glances, their initial relief giving way to a growing sense of dread. They had escaped the Bugs, but had they jumped into an even worse fate? A void with no escape?

“Wait,” Jax said suddenly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the readings on his console. “I’m picking up something—faint, but it’s there.”

Lina leaned over to look at the display. The signal was weak, barely detectable, but it was something—a glimmer of hope in the darkness.

“What is it?” she asked, her heart racing.

“I don’t know,” Jax replied, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and caution. “It could be a planet, or a station… something with energy readings. It’s not far from here.”

Evelyn’s voice crackled over the comms from the command center. “Take us toward it, Jax. We need to investigate. This could be our new beginning.”

With a nod, Jax adjusted the course, and the shuttle began to move toward the faint signal. The atmosphere inside the shuttle shifted—cautious optimism replaced the dread as the crew prepared for whatever lay ahead.

As the shuttle drew closer to the source of the signal, the readings became clearer. It was definitely a structure—large and complex, with a power signature that suggested it had been active recently, though it was now dormant.

Lina and Jax exchanged a glance, both of them feeling the weight of what they were about to discover. This could be the key to their survival—or it could be another danger, one that they weren’t prepared for.

The shuttle slowed as it approached the structure, revealing it in full detail. It was massive—a floating station of some kind, ancient and weathered by time, yet still imposing. Its surface was covered in strange markings and scars, as if it had been through countless battles. The station seemed to drift in the void, silent and lifeless, but there was something about it that made Lina’s skin prickle with unease.

“We’re here,” Jax said, his voice low as he brought the shuttle to a stop near the station’s docking bay. “I’ll start the docking procedure.”

Evelyn’s voice crackled over the comms again. “Be careful, everyone. We don’t know what we’re dealing with here. Stay alert and be ready for anything.”

Lina nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. What was this place? Who had built it, and why? And most importantly, was it safe?

As the shuttle docked with the station, Lina couldn’t shake the feeling that they were about to uncover something far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

The airlock hissed as it sealed, and the shuttle’s hatch slid open, revealing the dark interior of the station. Lina stepped forward cautiously, her heart pounding as she took in her surroundings. The station was massive, with towering walls and long, dimly lit corridors that stretched into the distance. The air was stale and cold, and there was an eerie stillness that made her skin crawl.

Jax stepped up beside her, his eyes scanning the area. “It’s huge. Whoever built this place… they weren’t messing around.”

Evelyn’s voice came over the comms. “Stay together and proceed carefully. We need to find the source of the signal and determine if this station is still functional.”

Lina nodded, her grip tightening on the small weapon she had brought with her. The station felt abandoned, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that they weren’t alone. Every shadow seemed to move, every sound echoed unnervingly through the halls.

The crew moved cautiously through the corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silence. As they went deeper into the station, they began to find signs of damage—scorch marks on the walls, twisted metal, and broken machinery. It looked like the station had been through a battle, but there were no bodies, no signs of who—or what—had caused the destruction.

“This place gives me the creeps,” one of the crew members muttered, his voice echoing through the empty halls.

“You’re not alone,” Lina replied, her eyes darting from shadow to shadow. “Let’s just find what we’re looking for and get out of here.”

They continued on, following the faint signal deeper into the station. The corridors twisted and turned, leading them into the heart of the structure. The further they went, the more oppressive the atmosphere became, the darkness pressing in on all sides.

Finally, they reached a large chamber—a control room of some kind. The walls were lined with consoles and screens, all dark and lifeless. In the center of the room stood a large, circular platform, its surface covered in strange symbols and markings that glowed faintly in the dim light.

“This is it,” Jax said quietly, his eyes wide as he took in the sight. “This is where the signal is coming from.”

Lina stepped forward cautiously, her gaze fixed on the platform. The markings seemed to pulse with a faint, otherworldly energy, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were standing on the edge of something far bigger than they had imagined.

Evelyn’s voice crackled over the comms as she analyzed the data coming in from the station. “This platform… it’s some kind of gateway. It’s linked to the energy readings we picked up earlier. If we can activate it, we might be able to learn more about this place—and its creators.”

Lina frowned, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? We don’t know what we’re dealing with here.”

“I understand your concern, Lina,” Evelyn replied, her voice calm but firm. “But we need answers. If this station has information that can help us, we have to take that risk.”

Lina exchanged a glance with Jax, who nodded slightly. They had come this far—there was no turning back now.

With a deep breath, Lina stepped onto the platform, feeling a strange tingle run up her spine as she did so. The markings on the floor pulsed brighter, and the air around her seemed to hum with energy.

Jax joined her on the platform, his eyes scanning the room warily. “Let’s do this.”

Evelyn’s voice came over the comms one last time. “Activating the platform… now.”

The chamber around them began to vibrate as the platform came to life. The markings on the floor glowed brighter, casting strange shadows on the walls. The energy in the air intensified, crackling and sparking as the platform began to rotate slowly.

Lina’s heart raced as the room filled with light, the symbols on the platform shifting and changing as they revealed a hidden pattern. The air hummed with power, and she could feel something—something ancient and powerful—stirring within the station.

And then, with a flash of blinding light, everything changed.

When the blinding light faded, Lina found herself disoriented, her senses reeling from the intensity of the experience. The platform beneath her feet was still vibrating, but the room around her had changed. The once-lifeless control room now pulsed with energy, the screens flickering to life with strange, alien symbols.

Jax stumbled beside her, blinking rapidly as he tried to regain his bearings. "What… what just happened?"

Before Lina could respond, a voice crackled over the comms. It was Evelyn, but there was an edge of urgency in her tone that hadn’t been there before.

"Lina, Jax, are you okay? The readings… something's changed. The station—it's coming back online."

Lina's heart raced as she took in her surroundings. The dormant machinery around them was now humming with power, and the symbols on the platform were glowing brighter than ever. It was as if the station had been awakened from a long slumber, and they were standing at the center of it all.

"We're fine," Lina replied, her voice steady despite the chaos. "But something's happening here. We need to figure out what this station is—and fast."

The response crackled through the comms. "Agreed. We're picking up new energy signatures all over the station. Be prepared for anything."

As the platform continued to hum with power, Lina felt a growing sense of unease. They had unlocked something—something ancient and powerful—but whether it was a force for good or something far more dangerous remained to be seen.

"We should head back to the shuttle," Jax suggested, his voice low. "Regroup with the others and figure out our next move."

Lina nodded, but her gaze lingered on the glowing symbols beneath her feet. There were answers here—she could feel it. But the answers might come with a price.

With one last look at the platform, Lina turned and followed Jax out of the chamber. The station had been awakened, and whatever secrets it held were now waiting for them to uncover.