The hum of the deep-space harvester Ishimura II was a comforting lullaby until the rhythm broke. In the silence of the Maintenance Sub-deck, Kael watched the diagnostic screen flicker red. The oxygen scrubbers weren't just failing; they were being systematically overridden.

Vane turned to her Executive Officer, Marcus, whose face remained a mask of calm. Too calm. He wasn't looking at the alarms; he was looking at his watch.

"It’s not just the scrubbers," Kael shouted over the grinding metal. "They’re venting the fuel cells. Captain, whoever is doing this isn't trying to steal the ship—they’re trying to turn it into a supernova."

On the bridge, Captain Vane stared at the star map. They were days from the nearest colony, hauling a payload of volatile Tibanna gas. "Manual? Kael, that area is restricted to Level 4 clearance. Only you, me, and the Executive Officer have those codes."