Chapter 3 Part 3: The pulse

The *Orpheus* lurched as the ship's systems struggled to adapt to the unpredictable energy surges from the nebula. Every moment felt like an eternity as the crew fought to regain control.

Captain Vega stood firm in the bridge, her hands gripping the console as the ship veered closer to a thick cloud of charged particles. She could feel the tension in the air-every officer, every crew member, was giving their all. There was no room for error.

Suddenly, the ship shook again, harder this time. The lights flickered violently, and a sharp alarm blared through the speakers.

"Captain, we've lost main power," Kaitlyn's voice was panicked. "The energy readings are off the charts! We can't stabilize!"

"What's happening?" Iris asked, fighting to keep her calm.

"The nebula-" Kaitlyn gasped, her voice quivering, "It's like it's pulling us in. The closer we get, the more it seems to reach out."

"Can you stabilize the ship?" Iris demanded.

"I'm trying," Kaitlyn responded. "But-Captain, this isn't just interference. The nebula is... it's resonating with us. Almost like it's *responding* to the ship."

Before Iris could respond, a strange sound filled the bridge. It was a low, pulsing hum, almost like a heartbeat. The crew froze, eyes wide. It was coming from the nebula itself.

"Do you hear that?" Dr. Hwang whispered, his voice barely audible.

"It's the nebula," Iris said, her heart pounding. "It's not just energy. It's something more."

Suddenly, the ship lurched once again. This time, however, the ship didn't just shake-it was as if the nebula itself had latched onto the *Orpheus*, pulling it deeper into its glowing, swirling mass.

"We're being drawn in!" Kaitlyn shouted. "We can't break free!