Suddenly, the progress bar leaped to 100%. The computer didn't beep; it let out a low, discordant hum that vibrated through the floorboards. The archive began to unpack itself.

"If you are listening to part seven, the loop has failed again. The anomaly at the AN27 marker cannot be contained. Do not attempt to decompress part eight. Whatever you do, Elias, stay away from the light."

The cabin lights flickered and turned a deep, bruised purple. Outside the viewport, the stars began to drift together, forming a shape that looked disturbingly like an eye.

In the silence of the Eventide scout ship, the name felt like a heavy weight. His crew had found the drive floating in the debris of the Oort Cloud, tucked inside a black box that absorbed light rather than reflecting it. Parts one through six had contained nothing but static and what sounded like rhythmic breathing.