Systems Failure

The hum of the Stardust, once a comforting lullaby of a working vessel, had begun to fray at the edges. It was a subtle thing at first, a flicker in the auxiliary lights, a momentary stutter in the life support. Captain Rostova noticed it, of course. Her gaze, usually steady and focused on the vast expanse outside, was now darting between the main viewscreen and the diagnostic readouts flickering on her console. Commander Li, ever the diligent engineer, was already at his station, his brow furrowed in concentration as he ran diagnostics.

"Anything, Jian?" Rostova's voice was low, laced with a weariness that had nothing to do with lack of sleep and everything to do with the gnawing unease that had settled over the ship since they’d entered this sector.

Li ran a hand through his dark hair, his fingers stained with a faint sheen of lubricant. "The power conduits are fluctuating, Captain. It's not a consistent pattern. Almost… capricious. Like something is deliberately interfering."