The chamber shook as the sphere’s energy rippled outward turning the air into light Aiden covered his face the blue glare burning through his eyelids When it faded the station groaned alive consoles flickering corridors breathing with long-dormant power

Nara’s projection stabilized hovering near the sphere Her voice was softer almost reverent System online partial neural network detected Aiden stared at the sphere and whispered Marin if you’re in there answer me

The voice returned layered with static I waited too long Cross You left us Aiden’s stomach twisted He stepped closer saying We all died out there You think I wanted this The sphere pulsed again forming a faint holographic outline of Director Marin tall rigid the same face Aiden remembered from training except half his skull shimmered with code

Marin said The Gate failed because you shut it down The timelines collapsed you condemned us to drift forever Aiden shouted The Gate was unstable it would have erased the colonies Marin replied It erased everything anyway look around

Kael raised his weapon aimed at the hologram I don’t care what ghost you’re fighting if this thing wakes the storm again I’m out Marin turned his glowing eyes toward him ignoring the gun Who is this scavenger Kael smirked Just the guy keeping your golden boy alive

Nara interrupted Energy levels rising uncontrolled Aiden the core is reacting to emotional input He froze realizing his anger was feeding it He took a deep breath and said Marin listen I came back because I found the signal If you’re still here then there’s a chance to fix the Gate

The hologram flickered You think time forgives Cross The station trembled dust falling from the ceiling Nara’s tone sharpened Radiation spike we must leave Aiden refused We leave and this dies forever

He reached the main console and began transferring data The system protested flashing old warnings He forced the override The sphere screamed a sound that wasn’t sound shaking the floor Kael grabbed his arm yelling You’ll kill us He shouted back Maybe that’s what it takes

Light exploded around them the sphere collapsing inward before bursting into a thousand shards Each shard floated weightless glowing like fireflies They moved with purpose merging into a single beam that shot through the wall and vanished into deep space

Silence followed The sphere was gone only the echo remained Nara said Transmission complete destination unknown Aiden collapsed against the console breathing hard Kael muttered You really don’t know when to stop do you Aiden managed a weak grin That’s why you keep me around

They returned to the ship the corridors pulsing faintly like veins still carrying a dying heartbeat As the airlock sealed Nara appeared again saying The signal has reemerged stronger than before vector leads to the inner Belt Aiden stared at the stars beyond the cracked viewport whispering Then we follow it

The Vigilance turned away from the ruined station engines igniting bright as dawn The fragments of Erebus drifted behind them fading into the dark