Thanatophany

Decades later, a transmission surfaced from the long-lost Nebula Explorer V1

Him imagined by AI

This is Captain Ethan Cross… I’m still here. Still waiting. Still watching.

It’s so quiet. Not peaceful — aware. Like something is listening back.

Today, I went beyond the edge. Beyond anything Connors ever dared. Far past the Rosette Nebula.

And I found Him.

Not love. Not wrath. Just… presence. Endless. Formless. Unyielding. I looked into the abyss, and it stared back at me… and smiled.

He never spoke. But I understood everything.

We were never alone. Never meant to be. All that waiting? It led to this.

Annihilation wasn’t for the vessels alone. Hayes… don’t you see?

Sir? Didn’t you say you’d save me? Where are you?

It wasn’t just a message Hayes…It was a warning. Or a prophecy. Either way — he was right.

He’s not coming. He’s already here. And you will suffer too.

— End of Transmission —

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