I never thought I would reach space. Not like this. Even so, was it safe knowing the huge explosion was really close? I suppose that was the least of our problems. My name is Erízia.— It seemed that these mask-suits allowed us to breathe and survive in space, as well as to speak. The situation is very complicated, but you'll understand soon.— Am I in danger?— That was the question that echoed most in my head, but I didn't get an answer this time. She had a worried look while being focused on whatever her objective was. I thought I had lost my fear because the only thing I felt was confusion. In the reflection of her mask, I could see a large object near us. When I turned around, I saw a colossal ship. I had never seen anything like it before; not in books, not in movies. From the symbols on the outside, I could tell it was a government ship, but it had nothing to do with the military. One of its lower entrances opened. Erízia gave one last push, grabbing one of the outer bars near the door, entering after this long journey. I was able to take one last look at the surface of Nerhol, our planet. We were far, very far away. Upon entering the ship, the doors behind us closed.

///: INITIATING DECONTAMINATION PROCESS.— A robotic voice prompted the opening of small compartments that firmly pulled at our clothes and skin. After a few seconds, they closed, opening the security door to a large hangar of small spacecraft, where dozens of unfamiliar people looked down from the upper walkways, leaning on the railings. All eyes were on me. We quickly moved towards another door ahead, which opened just before we reached it.

???: Erízia. A man with peculiar glasses nodded his head. Erízia removed the belt, holding me so I wouldn't fall. Two medics with a floating stretcher passed the man, carefully placing me on it.

Flutur: I am Flutur, Director of Navigation of the S.S.M.A... the ship you're on now.— The medics grabbed the stretcher by its sides, carrying me away from Erízia and Flutur. At that moment, nothing crossed my mind; I knew something was wrong and accepted the situation. Everything will be fine, Idia!— Flutur called out as he saw me being taken away, trying to somehow soften the strange situation. We passed through several more doors and endless corridors until we reached the medical room. This is the last thing I remember from yesterday, and I still don't understand much, or rather anything. I think there's nothing more I can write about yesterday.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Erízia: What about the other two?—

Flutur: They'll arrive tomorrow, no one expected this outcome. Besides... we tried to initiate the protocol without raising suspicion but it didn't work. None of this can leave the S.S.M.A.— Flutur sighed, adjusting his hair. Go rest, we need to prepare for whatever's to come.— Erízia saluted and left a few seconds later

***

Interior temperature stable at 25°C. Humidity at 52.5%. Oxygen levels optimal. The conditions of the artifact were extreme, there must have been some anomalous change during the way.

Subject's condition.

Vitals normal. The subject maintains a temperature of 36.5°C... I am unable to obtain data on her sfera.

Anomaly number one.

There's no... data... but the simulation has exceeded its capacity.

Critical energy level.

That is the irregularity.

Fuck... is it actually real?

...

We must extract it.

We have a damn bomb on board.

And on top of that, we don't know what it's capable of causing.

We need to... extract it somehow... we don't have ti-

!

But, it's for...

Behave.

Have you lost your manners?

Where are the 8 years of constant work?

We can't forcefully extract it, she would bleed out in no time... and we don't even know if the artifact could react to any stimulus.

I'm sorry... you're righ-

We have the cranial analysis... look at this.

...

The artifact has penetrated the skull... and is about to touch the pia mater.

About to?

The artifact has been moving all along at a speed of 1.67 micrometers per second.

It passes through the body as if it were jelly.

The problem will be when... when it touches the sfera.

Exactly.

Would it kill her?

Most likely, with that exaggerated amount of energy and force...

I don't see much hope.

To what extent could this be the worst outcome?

I don't know.

But I don't think it's the best either.

H-hey so... how much time until it reaches the sfera?

Ten... minutes.

We have ten minutes to save her.

And somehow extract the object.

...

We need more personnel.

Take care of it.

Understood.

...

Do you think you can save her?

I don't know.

...

But we still have time... there are still possibilities.

/ / / / /

C∞