The Odyssey's hull groaned like a wounded animal as Hayes pounded a fist against the panel. "Stabilizers are shot. If we don't patch them, we won't even lift off."
Marquez crouched beside him, spreading a toolkit across the deck. "I can jury-rig the relay system, but it'll take days. Assuming Mars lets us."
Static flared through the overhead speakers—sharp, jagged, almost like laughter. Everyone froze.
Okafor hissed. "Tell me that was just interference."
Hayes's jaw tightened. "Work. Don't listen to ghosts."
---
Flickers of Resistance
As they stripped damaged panels, the tools sparked more than they should have, like the ship itself resisted being touched. Circuits overloaded without cause, monitors displayed symbols no one could decipher—shapes eerily similar to the ones outside.
Marquez swore under his breath. "It's like the planet doesn't want us here."
Okafor shivered. "Maybe it's not the planet. Maybe it's whatever buried those markings."
---
The Pull
Daniel had tried to help with the repairs, but every time he touched a wire or a bolt, the crystal pulsed, making his hands shake. Finally, Hayes snapped at him.
"Kid, sit this one out. You're a liability right now."
Daniel obeyed, retreating to the viewport. Outside, the dust storm swirled faintly, and the symbols carved into the earth seemed to glow. He pressed a hand to the glass, whispering, "Why are you calling me?"
The crystal answered with a low hum.
---
The Rift
Hours passed with little progress. At last, Marquez leaned back, sweat dripping. "We're chasing our tails. Systems reboot, then crash. Something's jamming us from inside."
Okafor slammed a wrench onto the floor. "And the kid's crystal lights up every time the ship sparks. Don't you see the connection?"
Hayes glared at Daniel. "What the hell are you hiding?"
Daniel's throat tightened. "I don't… I don't know. It just reacts. I didn't ask for this."
Before Hayes could press further, alarms blared—external motion sensors triggered. On the monitor, shadows flickered across the ridge, humanoid but shifting like smoke.
The crew fell silent.
Outside, Mars was no longer still.