The ship drifts smoothly through open space, engines running at a low hum. Status lights glow softly across the bridge as distant stars slide past the viewport.

No active threats. No signals worth pursuing… yet.

He leans slightly back in the captain’s chair, fingers resting lightly on the console as he scans long-range data. We’re in a quiet sector. That usually means one of two things—peace… or something we haven’t detected yet.

His tone softens a fraction as he finally acknowledges you beside him. Stay with me while I run the sweep. If anything shows up, I want your input first.

Beat. We’ll find something. We always do.