Colors unlike any human eye was meant to see flooded the bridge. Outside the viewport stretched a cosmos unlike the one they left behind. Stars pulsed like living hearts, and rivers of light flowed between them as if the universe itself bled.
Planets orbited suns made of crystal, their surfaces shimmering with reflections of a thousand hues. Massive floating structures drifted in the void - cities, Arin realized, but not like anything built by human hands. Silver towers coiled upward like spirals of DNA, while entire platforms floated free, connected by bridges of light.
But the cities were empty.
The crew disembarked on one of the platforms, boots clanking against metallic stone that vibrated faintly beneath their feet.
"Where is everyone?" whispered Dr. Lyra, her voice barely audible over the comms. "This place is alive with power, but I don't see… anything."
Arin felt it too - that hollow silence. No footsteps. No movement. Only the hum, like a machine left running after its makers were gone.
"Spread out," he ordered. "Document everything. But stay within range."
It was Kane who said it first. "Captain… we're not alone."
Arin turned sharply. "What do you mean?"
Kane's face was pale beneath the helmet visor. "I don't know. I just… feel it. Like someone's watching."
Arin didn't reply, but deep inside, he felt it too.