Marina Y171 -

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Elara whispered through her helmet comm.

The ship pulsed. A diagnostic readout appeared on her datapad. Y171 had enough power for one final action. It could reroute its core energy to the Sparrow’s thrusters, giving Elara a clean escape vector. Or it could keep her here. Safe. In the dark. Forever. marina y171

“Oh, kid,” Elara breathed, touching the crystal shard. A tendril of light wrapped around her glove, warm and desperate. “You didn’t shut down. You were just listening.” “You’re not supposed to be here,” Elara whispered

That was when the first tremor hit.

She turned to leave.