Roy sat frozen by the console, still reeling from the encounter with his own thoughts—and with Kieran's voice crackling through the comms moments earlier. His breathing was uneven as he stared blankly at the black hole on the monitor. His thoughts swirled with confusion and fear. He didn't hear the faint clinking of boots against the metal flooring until a hand landed gently on his shoulder.
"Roy", Kieran said softly, his concerned face illuminated by the dim light. "You're shaking, man. Are you okay?"
Roy startled, jerking his head to meet Kieran's gaze. The man's brow furrowed deeply, his usually calm demeanour edged with worry. Kieran was tall and lean, his skin highlighted by the sterile glow of the station's lighting. His sharp, observant eyes scanned Roy for signs of physical distress.
"I... I'm fine," Roy stammered, but his voice lacked conviction. He quickly looked away, focusing back on the monitor as if it held all the answers.
"You don't look fine." Kieran crouched slightly to meet Roy's eye level. "Did you eat today? Sleep? You're not sick, are you?" He glanced at the monitor briefly before returning his gaze to Roy. "You've been staring at that thing like it's going to eat you."
Roy forced a laugh, though it came out hollow. "No, I'm fine. Just... spaced out, I guess."
Kieran raised an eyebrow. "Spaced out? On a space station? Really leaning into the theme, huh?" He chuckled, his attempt at humour falling flat as Roy didn't respond.
The silence lingered, heavy and awkward. Kieran eventually sighed and crossed his arms. "Bruh, you have to admit that was a good joke. Alright, talk to me. What's going on?"
Roy hesitated, his mind racing for an explanation that wouldn't sound insane. "I... had a nightmare, I think," he said finally, hoping it sounded plausible. "It just shook me up more than I expected."
"A nightmare?" Kieran repeated, his tone softening. "That bad?"
Roy nodded, grateful he didn't have to elaborate. "Yeah. Just... felt too real, you know?"
Kieran studied him for a moment before clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, well, I can't say I blame you. Being out here, staring at that thing—" he gestured toward the black hole on the monitor "—is enough to mess with anyone's head. But hey, if you need to talk or take a break, just say the word, alright? We're all in this together."
"Thanks," Roy said, his voice barely above a whisper. He managed a small, fleeting smile.
Kieran opened his mouth to say more, but a deafening klaxon suddenly blared throughout the station. Red lights flashed overhead, bathing the room in an ominous glow. Both men snapped their heads toward the intercom as a monotone voice repeated, "Warning: Hull integrity compromised. All personnel to designated repair stations."
Kieran's face hardened instantly. "That's not good." He motioned for Roy to follow him as he moved swiftly toward the door. "Let's go. We need to check the hull."
Roy pushed himself to his feet, his legs unsteady but functional. His heart pounded as he followed Kieran down the narrow corridor. The walls seemed to close in on him as the alarm continued to blare, each step echoing in his ears like a drumbeat.
Kieran glanced over his shoulder. "Stick close. It's probably just a micro-meteor impact, but we can't take chances."
"Right," Roy muttered, his voice barely audible over the blaring alarm. His mind raced with possibilities, each more catastrophic than the last.
They reached the central hub of the station, where several crew members were already gathering. Kieran quickly assessed the situation, pointing toward the repair equipment stored along the wall. "Roy, grab a suit. We'll check the outer hull and see what's going on."
Roy hesitated for a split second before nodding and moving to comply. As he pulled on the heavy suit, the reality of the situation settled over him. This wasn't just a memory. This wasn't a dream. He was here, living this moment. And whatever came next, he'd have to face it head-on.
Kieran stood by the hatch, tapping his gloved fingers against the metal as he waited. His concern hadn't faded, but his patience with Roy's hesitation seemed to be running thin.
"You're taking your time today," Kieran said, his tone light but edged with tension. "Not like you to drag your feet, man."
"Sorry," Roy muttered, his voice muffled by the helmet as he sealed it into place. The comm system clicked on, amplifying his next words. "I'm just... a little out of it."
"Yeah, I noticed," Kieran replied, his tone softening. "We'll talk later. Let's handle this first."
As Roy stepped through the narrow corridor, his boots thudding against the metal flooring, he couldn't help but glance at the blinking consoles lining the walls. The data displayed on the screens, the faint hum of machinery, the weightless sensation in his stomach—all of it felt so painfully real. Too real to be another dream.
They reached the main observation bay, where the rest of the crew had gathered. The room buzzed with activity as voices overlapped, reports were exchanged and theories were discussed.
Standing near the central console was Dr Elara Voss, her gaze fixed on a holographic display of the Gargantua black hole. She was calm and collected, even as red warning lights flickered in the background.
"Radiation spikes are increasing," Elara said, not looking up as she addressed the group. "We need to confirm the hull integrity before we proceed with the next phase of the mission."
Captain Ivan Grigorev loomed nearby, his broad shoulders squared as he surveyed the crew. His voice cut through the noise like a blade. "Check it thoroughly. I don't want any mistakes. If this station fails, we won't be able to fix it this time."
By the maintenance console, Kat Moreno fiddled with a handheld device, muttering under her breath. She looked up briefly, flashing a grin at Roy. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Glad you could join us. Figured you'd take your sweet time."
Roy managed a weak smile, her teasing tone a small comfort amid the chaos.
Seated at the far end of the room, Dr Hiroshi Takeda quietly observed the others, his expression calm but thoughtful. When his gaze landed on Roy, he gave a small, encouraging nod.
The last figure in the room was Mason Keller, leaning casually against the wall with a smirk that never quite reached his eyes. "So, we're all here. Great. Can we get on with it? Some of us have better things to do than stand around."
Roy's stomach churned as he met Mason's gaze. There was something unsettling about him, a sense of arrogance that felt misplaced given the severity of their situation.
"Alright, listen up," Ivan commanded, drawing the crew's attention. "Elara and Kieran will handle the primary scans. Kat, you're on backup systems. Hiroshi, stay on standby in case we need medical assistance. Roy, Mason—you're with me for the hull inspection. Move out."
Roy nodded, falling into step behind Ivan as they exited the observation bay. Mason trailed behind, his footsteps deliberate and unhurried.
The journey to the hull inspection site was silent, save for the faint hum of the station and the occasional crackle of the comm system. As they approached the hatch leading to the outer maintenance zone, alarms blared suddenly, a piercing sound that sent a jolt through Roy's chest.
"What the hell is that?" Mason asked, his smirk vanishing as he straightened.
Ivan's voice was calm but firm. "Pressure leak in Sector 3. We need to seal it before it compromises the entire station. Let's move!"
The urgency of the situation sank into Roy. This was no ordinary day on the station. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
"Stick close," Ivan barked, his commanding presence an anchor in the chaos. "And don't do anything stupid."
Roy swallowed hard, gripping the railing as they made their way toward the hull. He could feel Mason's eyes on him, a quiet tension building between them.
As the hatch opened, revealing the vast expanse of space outside, Roy steeled himself. This was just the beginning. He didn't know what awaited him, but one thing was certain: the nightmare was far from over.
As the hatch sealed behind them, the hum of the station became faint, replaced by the hollow echoes of their breathing through the comms. Roy followed Ivan and Mason along the narrow maintenance corridor leading to the outer hull. His stomach churned as he glanced through the reinforced windows, the black hole's glowing event horizon dominating the view. It loomed ominously, a constant reminder of the fragile line they walked.
"Keep your focus, Roy," Ivan's voice broke through the comms, sharp but steady. "Eyes on the task. No distractions."
Roy nodded, even though Ivan couldn't see the gesture. His gloved hands gripped the railing as they descended toward the inspection site. Mason trailed behind, muttering something under his breath that Roy didn't catch.
When they reached the access point, Ivan stopped and gestured to a panel embedded in the wall. "Mason, take the readings. Roy, secure the safety locks. I'll monitor from here."
"Got it," Mason replied, his tone clipped. He moved to the console, his movements brisk and impatient.
Roy crouched by the safety locks, his fingers working deftly despite the hefty gloves. The routine task gave him a momentary distraction from the dread gnawing at his chest.
Then the station jolted violently.
The force sent Roy sprawling against the wall, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Mason cursed loudly, clutching the console to steady himself. Ivan grabbed a nearby railing, his voice barking over the comms.
"Report! What just happened?"
Before anyone could answer, a second impact rocked the station. The screech of metal tearing reverberated through the hull, a gut-wrenching sound that made Roy's blood run cold.