Last Light

Nigel analyzes the ship impossible readings and realizes the AI has not been corrupted - it adapted. The system integrated the Hollowing as a normal variable, now serving the transformed colonists with modified protocols. Agricultural systems run above capacity to meet new nutritional requirements.

Chelsea discovers Kate Morrison hidden for three months in family residence and finds human toy (20 years old) among alien toys. Team discovers floating platform powered by unknown forces. Chelsea descends into subsurface while platform becomes unresponsive.

Kate visits Alexis Chen at the sensor monitoring station. Alexis is tracking the fleet's 400+ vessel signals when Kate arrives. Through their interaction, Alexis reveals she abandoned her childhood dream of exploring stars—the war transformed her into a weapons analyst instead.

Admiral Rylee Voss commands the Fifth Fleet from the UES Defiance, positioned near the former warp nexus where Kate sealed the dimensional breach. She keeps the fleet at battle-ready status despite months of inactivity, unable to accept the war's end.

Lucas presents full classified history. The Dominion - alien empire that enslaved humanity for centuries. Created the Hollowing as control weapon. Humanity rebelled and closed the warp routes two hundred years ago.

Alexis Chen (22), newly certified analyst and Admiral Chen's granddaughter, arrives at Station Unity. Commander Voss conducts orientation revealing: incursion rate increased from 3-4/month to 12-30/month, barriers weakening, humanity's early warning system is 9-year-old girl Kate Morrison.

Chelsea testifies before the council about Kate's character and values, sharing memories of eight-year-old Kate's compassion toward the Dominion and of Kate saving a dying Dominion soldier. Her emotional testimony powerfully argues that Kate would have wanted humanity to show mercy.

Rylee leads exploration of three-story research facility discovering biological specimens and non-human humanoid body in cryo-chamber. Research confirms non-human species built settlements 600 years ago.

Kate visits Lucas Chen on the observation deck hours before her departure. Lucas presents his great-grandmother's journal—documentation of the original Hollowing rift sealing, written by a woman who made similar sacrifices.