Again... she could do nothing but watch as it all happened again — a helpless captive of her own subconscious...
The crimson light in her eyes flickered in a desperate attempt to keep her aware of her surroundings, the projections persisting for but a moment longer before they too began to fade into the unknown; a gnashing sound echoed throughout the cockpit, the horrifying symphony of chitins against metal — their sounds akin to the crushing noises of a brittle bone — sending frozen rivulets of fear cascading down her spine... fear, that the young woman refused to show nor acknowledge.
Dozens, if not hundreds of creatures continued to tear at her fragile, faltering sanctuary; the echo pounded into her senses with a cruel, rhythmic predictability. Above her, the ceiling of her cockpit started giving away, its pitiful groan of surrender reaching her ears — a testament to the relentless ruthlessness of the nightmarish horde. Her chest heaved with a calm serenity, each carefully constrained breath threaded with the bitter tang of burning circuitry and the unspeakable horrors cloying the air outside of her machine — the acrid stench of rotten flesh seeping insidiously through the failing seals.
She tried to feel at her right hand — the limb wrapped in the cold, armored glove of her fortified suit — only to remember that it had long since been severed; it was a chilling absence that silently crept into the edges of her perception, a ghostly void supplanting the comfort that she once knew — nothing more than an echo of the reality she was rapidly departing. Even after so long, the young woman could still remember the pain that had shot through her arm. It had been excruciating, a near-miss that had left her hand hanging by a thread; the sensation alone is nothing less than a searing agony that had forced her to grit her teeth — clenching down so hard that she had tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth — just to suppress the scream that had threatened to escape from her lips.
'... so the drug did work as intended.'
Without any discernible alteration in her expression, her remaining fingers proceeded to trace a course across the dashboard, their tips dancing upon the row of faded touch points before coming to a sudden stop; the panel before her flickered briefly, a soft hissing noise echoing through the confines of the cockpit as the hidden compartment slid open, revealing the hexagonal mechanism that is her last resort.
Time seemed to slow as she gripped the device, feeling the cold metal against her palm; a bitter smile made its way onto her lips as the young woman glanced to the side, towards a set of pictures taped onto the cockpit wall. The familiar faces of her comrades — her loved ones — stared back at her, a poignant reminder of what she fought to protect.
'... shouldn't have made that promise.'
A deep breath steadied her nerves as she began to rotate the hexagonal piece, each click resonating through the air like a somber requiem despite the doubt that started to claw at the edges of her mind, threatening to unravel her resolve. The bitter taste of regret lingered on her tongue — her grip tightened, her knuckles turning white as determination coursed through her veins.
She knew... oh, the young woman knew that they wouldn't want her to do this... those faces in the pictures, frozen in moments of joy and camaraderie. They would want her to live, to find another way, to fight for a better future, and yet... she knew that there was no turning back. Not now... not when she knew that she could finally end the threat that loomed over them all.
'No hesitation... no regret...'
All these pointless deaths and carnages were to be her last deed, her last act of sacrifice... and so, with a final rotation and a forceful push, the device slid into place, sealing her fate and igniting the self-destruct sequence... or at least, that is how it should've been.
Just like countless times in the past, the gods themselves seemed to intervene... not for the better, but for the worse.
The mechanism refused to budge, its unforgiving rigidity a cruel mockery of her resolve. She could feel her calm facade crumbling ever so slightly, revealing the flicker of sorrow in her eyes and the desperation to escape this horrifying loop that condemned her to relive her final moments without end. The young woman could do nothing but watch as her own body attempted to force the stubborn device, her efforts futile against its unyielding resistance; a mirthless chuckle escaped from her lips, her laughter rang hollow in the confines of the cockpit... and as if sensing her vulnerability, the creatures outside intensified their assault — they clawed at the weakened barriers, their hunger for her flesh evident in their relentless fervor.
"How foolish..." The young woman whispered to herself, her voice forming the same string of words that she had uttered during the final moments of her past life; she closed her eyes, seeking solace in the darkness behind her eyelids. "No matter; if this is to be my fate, then so be it."
In that moment of acceptance, the young woman let go of the device, her hand falling back to her side before it slowly began to reach for the rifle stored within the cockpit... and as the creatures breached the compartment — their gigantic appendages scraping against the interior — she couldn't help but feel a mix of dread and familiarity. The visceral images of her previous demise played out in her mind, yet despite everything, she no longer resisted the memories; instead, she embraced them, using the knowledge of her past experiences to steel her nerves for the unavoidable horror that was about to unfold.
'For honor and bravery...'
She straightened her back — her posture regal even in the face of an impending doom — and with a serene yet wistful smile gracing her lips, the young woman welcomed the creatures into the cockpit, preparing herself for the inevitable pain that was sure to follow.
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Her eyelids fluttered open, the lashes casting ephemeral shadows on her skin as she slowly emerged from the depths of her recurring nightmare. With a gentle sigh, she extended her slender fingers to brush away the sheen of glistening sweat that adorned her body, the salty droplets clinging to her skin like remnants of a tormenting memory. The room — bathed in the soft glow of artificial lighting — revealed the subtle contours of her private quarter, every surface gleaming with a muted luminescence; though her heart still raced, and her breath labored, she remained remarkably composed, her tranquility a stark contrast to the disarray within her mind.
'... another life, another trial to overcome.'
Rising gracefully from the bed, her bare feet made contact with the smooth metal floor, grounding her in the expanse of the space that surrounded her as the pure-white blanket slid from her skin; her eyes — deep and contemplative — darted towards the night table, where a medallion depicting a three-headed canine lay gleaming under the subdued light of the bedside lamp.
Cerberus, the watchdog of Hell...
Her fingers danced across the emblem, the touch a silent affirmation of the values she had sworn to uphold... of honor, of discipline, and of chivalry.
Shaking her head gently as if to clear her mind of the errant thoughts, the young woman proceeded to walk towards the nearest drawer with purposeful strides; she moved with a fluid ease — her curvaceous form an embodiment of grace — her hand reaching for the crystal-clear glass, her fingers gliding over its smooth surface. The sound of cascading water filled the room as the glass was filled with clear, life-giving liquid; a lone droplet — like a fallen star — clung to the rim, defying gravity before succumbing to the inevitable pull.
She raised the glass to her lips, the icy coolness of the water soothing her parched throat as she indulged in its revitalizing flow; each sip carried with it a silent promise of renewal, rejuvenating her both inside and out. With the vessel now partially empty, the young woman turned her attention to the digital clock adorning the wall, its soft glow punctuating the stillness of her private quarter. The luminous numerals blinked relentlessly, a reminder of the passing moments in the ever-unfolding tapestry of time. Savoring the refreshing aftertaste that had awakened her senses, she placed the glass back on the night table with a soft clink — her fingers releasing their delicate grip — allowing the transparent vessel to rest upon the smooth surface.
The metal floor beneath her feet seemed to whisper as she turned and glided gracefully towards the doorway that led to the adjoining bathroom. Her fingers brushed against the smooth, touch-sensitive panel embedded in the wall, the tactile sensation a grounding reminder of her reality; the gentle sway of her long white hair mirrored the fluidity of her movements, their blooming tresses echoing her silent contemplation as she stepped into the dimly lit chamber.
Droplets began to fall upon the young woman like a gentle benediction as she continued to stand beneath the shower, their pearly essence cascading down her body and tracing a tantalizing path over her generous bust — warm vapors caressed her skin, leaving a dewy glow upon her cheeks as the lilac hue of her eyes shimmered in the soft ambient light.
Her mind meandered through the memories of the relentless battle she had fought against the nightmarish horde and the sacrifices she had made along the way; her form, now partially obscured by the steam, no longer bore the marks of her struggles — scars that told tales of courage and pain. They swirled around her like a protective veil, creating a private cocoon where her thoughts ebbed and flowed... and in this moment of solitude, the young woman allowed herself to reflect on the journey that had led her to this point.
"... the best humanity had to offer, was it?" Her voice — tinged with a mix of weariness and regret — filled the bathroom as she spoke to herself, her words blending seamlessly with the soothing sound of running water. "What a joke..."
How many men had died under her command? How many families had been torn apart as a result of her orders? The weight of those losses — their smiles of acceptance etched deep in her memory like haunting specters — bore heavily upon her shoulders; the turmoil within her heart was concealed beneath the calm facade she wore like a second skin.
She could feel her fingertips grazing the smooth surface of the shower tiles, each touch a caress that mirrored the gentle stream of water cascading down her figure; the drops flowed like an intricate dance across her shoulders, carving trails of shimmering pathways down her back. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to sink deeper into the soothing embrace of the shower. Her breathing steadied as the minutes blurred into a tranquil serenade — a fragile sanctuary that offered solace amidst the chaos of her thoughts.
Time seemed to lose its grip as she continued to stand beneath the shower, her mind delving into the past, reliving the moments of courage and sacrifice that had defined her life... and amidst the rhythmic cadence of water, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips — a bittersweet expression that held within it the beauty of both joy and sorrow. She had borne witness to the worst humanity could offer, but at the same time, there is no denying the sparks of bravery and kindness that had shone through even the darkest of nights; it was those sparks — those fleeting moments of selflessness — that kept her anchored to her purpose, like a beacon guiding her through the abyss of uncertainty.
'If only that was enough...'
As the minutes ebbed away, a subtle shift in the spaceship's motion caught her attention — the vessel lurched slightly, an imperceptible nudge that rippled throughout the floor beneath her feet; the young woman's eyes flickered open, and a calm serenity washed over her countenance as she sensed the approaching moment.
"So... it is time." She whispered to herself, her voice carrying a soft sense of acceptance and duty; the myriad memories that had consumed her mind just moments ago now faded into the background, the weight of her past struggles giving way to a focused resolve.