The Ark drifted quietly through the starry expanse, its engines humming with a calm that contrasted sharply with the storm brewing inside Ethan Warren's mind. He sat in the command chair, the soft glow of the control panel illuminating his face. After the recent battles and narrow escapes, he was physically and mentally drained. But the real weight was in his connection to the Ether. Every day, he felt it pulling at him harder, darker, threatening to consume him.
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at the star map displayed before him. The Empire was tightening its grip, and with every step they took, Celos Vex was one step closer. Ethan had fought harder than ever to protect his crew, but the constant strain was becoming unbearable.
The low hum of the ship was abruptly broken by a sharp beep. Ethan glanced at the comms panel. "Mira, anything on the scanners?"
