Chapter : 8
Tittle : Life
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The immediate danger had passed, leaving a heavy silence punctuated by the hum of life support and the occasional crackle of damaged systems. In-Guk, his usual stoic mask firmly back in place, turned towards Elara, who was still nestled safely in Maya's arms.
His gaze, however, held a flicker of something uncharacteristic. He inclined his head slightly, a gesture so subtle it was almost missed. "Elara," he said, his voice a low rumble, "thank you. You saw it... before we did."
The words hung in the air, a rare and significant acknowledgment from the usually taciturn In-Guk. Eunwoo and Ana exchanged surprised glances. In all the years they had served together, they had never heard In-Guk directly thank anyone.
A small smile bloomed on Elara's face. She seemed to sense the weight of his gratitude, even if she didn't fully understand the averted disaster. "You're welcome," she said softly, her voice still a little shaky.
A teasing grin spread across Ana's face. "Well, well, well," she said, her usual playful tone returning, albeit tinged with lingering nervousness. "Did I just hear In-Guk say 'thank you'? The universe is truly full of surprises!"
Eunwoo chuckled, the tension in the bridge finally beginning to dissipate. "Indeed, Ana. Perhaps we should start facing near-death experiences more often if it brings out this side of In-Guk."
In-Guk shot them a withering glare, his usual demeanor reasserting itself. "Don't push it." But even his stern expression couldn't completely hide the faint blush that crept up his neck.
Maya hugged Elara tighter, a wave of affection washing over her. The little girl, seemingly unfazed by the near annihilation they had just faced, giggled, her small body wriggling in Maya's embrace.
"It was like a really cool movie!" Elara exclaimed, her eyes wide with a childlike excitement that was both endearing and slightly unsettling given the circumstances. "The big rock went boom!" She made an explosive gesture with her small hands.
Maya exchanged amused glances with Eunwoo and Ana. Leave it to a child to find excitement in the face of mortal danger. It was a stark reminder of the resilience of youth and the simple joy that could still exist even after witnessing such terror.
"It was a bit too 'cool' for my liking, Elara," Maya said gently, smoothing down the little girl's hair. "But you were very brave."
The moment of levity, however brief, helped to ease the tension in the bridge. They had survived by a hair's breadth, and the unexpected gratitude from In-Guk, coupled with Elara's innocent reaction, offered a small reminder of the humanity and resilience that still bound them together in the vast, unforgiving emptiness of space.
As the tension from the near-collision began to subside, and Eunwoo ran diagnostics on the Drifter's systems, a collective gasp filled the bridge. A soft, ethereal glow had begun to illuminate the viewport, growing steadily brighter.
"What is that?" Ana breathed, her usual playful tone replaced with awe.
Eunwoo, his attention drawn from his readings, stared at the unfolding spectacle. "Sensors are picking up... a significant gravitational anomaly. And... incredible energy signatures."
As they continued their trajectory, the source of the glow resolved itself into an enormous planet hanging in the blackness of space. It was unlike anything they had ever seen.
Swirls of vibrant green and deep blue dominated its surface, reminiscent of Earth, but interspersed with vast continents of shimmering pink and streaks of brilliant, almost neon, colours they couldn't identify. Bioluminescent clouds drifted lazily across its alien skies, casting an otherworldly radiance.
Elara, who had been quietly observing the displays, gasped, her eyes wide with unadulterated wonder. "It's so... pretty!" she exclaimed, her small hand reaching out towards the image as if to touch it.
Maya felt a lump in her throat. After the grim realities of Earth's demise and the constant threat of the void, this sight was like a beacon of hope, a breathtaking testament to the universe's boundless creativity.
"The atmospheric readings... they're complex, but there are strong indicators of oxygen and nitrogen," Eunwoo murmured, his fingers flying across the sensors. "And... significant amounts of water vapor. The temperature range also appears to be within habitable parameters."
In-Guk, even his stoic features softened by the sight, simply stated, "Life."
The planet was a jewel in the darkness, a vibrant tapestry of colours against the stark backdrop of space. It was alien, yet held the promise of life, a stark contrast to the dying world they had left behind.
For the weary crew of the Stardust Drifter, carrying the last hope of humanity and a small, orphaned child, this unexpected vision was a powerful reminder of why they had risked everything. It was a new possibility, a chance for a future they had almost given up on.