Last Light in the Dark

The shuttle descended towards the coordinates of the Aquarius research facility, revealing a stark contrast to what they had expected. Instead of a sprawling complex, they saw a small, unassuming building that resembled a modest house, perched on the edge of a vast, murky lake.

The shuttle touched down on the outskirts of what should have been Outpost Zeta. As the team disembarked, they were met with an eerie silence. The military base, which should have been a hive of activity, stood as a hollow shell of its former self.

Consciousness returned to Marcus slowly, like wading through a thick fog. He blinked, his vision gradually coming into focus. Above him, a familiar face swam into view – Rylee, her brow furrowed with concern.

The world exploded into a cacophony of light and sound as Marcus and the team plunged into the swirling vortex. He felt as if he were being torn apart and reassembled, his very essence scattered across time and space.

As they made their way through the frozen outpost, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The motionless figures around them seemed to stare with unseeing eyes, their faces caught in expressions of surprise, fear, or determination. "Do you think they can see us?"

"What was that?" Marcus asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Rylee shook her head, her expression grim behind her helmet visor. "I don't know, but we need to move. Now."

As the shuttle descended through the planet's atmosphere, the team huddled around the viewscreen, their expressions a mix of anticipation and dread. The swirling clouds parted, revealing a landscape that sent a collective shudder through the crew.

The blast door hissed open, revealing the dimly lit corridor beyond. The team moved out in tight formation, every sense on high alert as they made their way towards the maintenance tunnels.

The team moved cautiously through the airlock, the beams from their helmet-mounted lights cutting through the darkness of the abandoned station. The air was stale and cold, carrying an underlying scent of decay that set Marcus's nerves on edge.