Echoes of the Nexus

The Eclipse erupted from hyperspace with a violent lurch, reality snapping back into place like a taut rubber band. Elias gripped the edge of the console, his muscles bracing against the sudden deceleration. The ship's systems flickered, struggling to recalibrate after the unstable jump.

LUX's voice echoed through the bridge, still laced with residual static. "Jump successful. Current location: Kepler-62 Relay Station. Nearest human settlement: Outpost Helios."

Sienna exhaled, slumping against her chair. "We made it."

Elias turned to the viewport, his eyes scanning the vast expanse of space beyond. The Kepler-62 system was a hub of deep-space research and trade, a midway point between humanity's core colonies and the unknown frontiers. Against the backdrop of the red dwarf star, a massive orbital station loomed—Kepler Relay, a sprawling structure of interlocking rings and glowing docking platforms.

LUX interrupted the momentary silence. "Incoming communication request. Origin: Helios Command."

Elias straightened. "Put it through."

A flickering hologram materialized in front of them, revealing the stern face of Admiral Julian Roarke. His silvered hair and sharp gaze commanded authority, his military uniform pristine even in the low-light projection.

"Dr. Voss," Roarke greeted, his voice edged with restrained urgency. "We received your emergency beacon the moment you re-entered real space. Your ship's telemetry is erratic, and the energy signatures you're emitting are… unusual."

Sienna shot Elias a look, but he kept his expression neutral. "We encountered an anomaly," he said carefully. "Something we need to discuss in person."

Roarke studied him, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Understood. You are granted priority docking clearance. Helios Control will escort you in."

The transmission cut out, and Elias turned to Sienna. "We need to be careful about what we say."

Sienna nodded grimly. "They're going to want answers, Elias. The kind we might not be ready to give."

The Eclipse aligned with the relay's docking ring, automated thrusters guiding them into a secure bay. As the ship latched onto the station, a deep metallic thunk echoed through the hull, followed by a hiss of pressurized air. The airlock indicator flashed green.

Elias inhaled sharply. "Showtime."

---

The docking bay was bustling with personnel—scientists, engineers, and security officers in sleek tactical armor. Roarke was waiting as Elias and Sienna stepped onto the platform, flanked by two officers armed with pulse rifles.

"Welcome to Helios," Roarke said, his tone polite but firm. "I hope you understand the need for security measures."

Elias nodded. "We do."

Roarke turned and gestured for them to follow. "Then let's not waste time."

They walked in silence down a brightly lit corridor, the hum of the station's core reverberating beneath their feet. Sienna cast a wary glance at their armed escort, whispering under her breath. "They're treating us like a potential threat."

"They don't know what we brought back," Elias murmured.

Roarke led them into a high-security debriefing chamber—sterile, cold, with reinforced walls designed to block unauthorized transmissions. The doors sealed shut behind them.

The Admiral took his seat, fingers steepled. "Now," he said evenly, "explain what happened out there."

Elias took a slow breath. "We found The Nexus."

Roarke's expression barely flickered, but there was a tension in his jaw. "We suspected as much. Your ship's energy signatures suggest exposure to an unknown gravitational phenomenon."

Sienna leaned forward. "It's more than a phenomenon, Admiral. It's a seal. A containment field for something that should never be released."

Roarke's gaze darkened. "Elaborate."

Elias exchanged a look with Sienna, then began explaining everything—the golden energy, the visions, the Forgotten, and the thing that nearly broke free.

By the time he finished, the silence was suffocating.

Roarke exhaled slowly. "You're asking me to believe that an ancient intelligence imprisoned an existential threat beyond the Nexus, and that this seal is now failing?"

Elias's expression was grim. "I don't need you to believe it. I need you to understand that we may already be too late."

Roarke leaned back, his face unreadable. Then he turned to one of his officers. "Prepare a full decontamination scan of their ship. Retrieve all data logs and cross-reference the energy signatures with known anomalies."

Sienna's posture stiffened. "You think we're compromised."

Roarke's gaze was unwavering. "I think you may have brought something back with you."

Elias's stomach clenched. He hadn't considered that possibility.

LUX had stabilized their ship, but the energy residue—the message imprinted into their systems—what if it wasn't just information?

What if it was something else?

Something waiting.

Watching.

And ready to wake up.