Permafrost

[Spectre]

Distance to nearest station: 273 Mkm (approx) - Holman Outpost
Distance to nearest celestial body: 43 Mkm (approx) - Charted Tau-35

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Helioshock

CV Montu, Interstellar Space
January 14th, 827 A.S. - 8:22 SST

A stark change from the bright stars and colors the ship was used to during its normal operations, the vast expanse of interstellar space was still as cold as the Barrier always seemed to be. Stuck between the rifts of two systems, the ship had drifted out on its pre-designated course with little regard to what biological life was still aboard. By now, twenty-three of the ship's eighty-seven human crew had succumbed to the cold, with the rest save the captain huddling around the ship's reactor for warmth in the dead, merciless expanse of interstellar space.

The captain, meanwhile, seemed unprovoked by the unforgiving cold, secluding herself to the cabin she'd called home since departing Dabadoru all those months ago. Among those lost in the cold was her XO, the venerable spirit she'd come to acknowledge as a true friend. One that seemed to understand her, even in her most mentally challenged circumstances. Yet, even with Kryn gone, Vex still felt as if she could hear her, speaking at the back of her mind. Perhaps it was the subtle chills of the air finally clawing its way in, but the sight of her body on the floor huddled by what used to be a lit heater diminished any hope that it was anything but insanity.

"It's okay, Kryn.. we'll get through this.." Vex kept muttering. As any true friend, she refused to believe Kryn was gone, simply believing her to be asleep. Even if it was the subtle mental breakage she's experienced for the last few months, it brought her some degree of comfort.


In truth, what kept Vex alive was a mystery that would baffle even the most qualified of medical personnel. The temperatures within the ship, and especially the captain's cabin, had long since plummeted past the negatives, and were reaching levels where the air was beginning to get thin. While the auxiliary AI aboard kept the ship regulated, not much could be done to fix the ship's interior with the reactor out. Near the reactor would be significantly warmer, but each person huddling it for warmth was idly dosing themselves with heavy levels of radiation, a consequence of the ship's fight with the Order bomber wing the day before.

The Montu was a mess, yet Vex refused to give it up. The course was still set for a small hideout in the barrier. A place with warmth. Hopefully, at least.
Even if it was only temporary.