Fleeing the Storm: A Moment's Respite
02 Dec 2024Abby L.S.D.
The hum of the Python's engines is steady beneath my feet, a low vibration that’s become familiar over the years. It’s an odd sense of comfort in the chaos of everything around me. The Thargoid invasion of Sol is coming. It’s not a matter of if anymore, but when. Hundreds of refugees packed into the cramped vessel, waiting for a chance to escape the coming storm.Inside the ship, it’s quiet. Too quiet for my liking, given the tense situation. The cockpit lights flicker softly in the dim, a dull orange glow that matches the soft hum of the power systems. The ship lurches slightly as I activate the FSD, the countdown ticking down. The stars streak past as the jump initiates, and for a moment, the ship feels weightless. I let out a breath as the ship folds space, the familiar stretch of stars turning into bright lines of light, and then snapping back into focus. The jump’s complete. It’s a fleeting sense of relief. For now. But we’re not out of danger yet.
I check the time. "ETA to the next safe zone?"
"ETA: 14 minutes," the AI responds.
