The AI spoke one last time. “Course set for Titan Station. Estimated arrival: 14 months. Shall I begin Surge 10 thaw protocol?”

Captain Webb had been dead for six years. Cycle 3. An EVA tether snap. She had watched him spin into the black, his final transmission a choked apology.

“Captain Webb is deceased,” she said, her voice hollow.

A red light began to pulse on the wall.

Elena froze.

A long silence. The red light stopped pulsing.