The entire Morning Star trembled like a frightened beast in the sea of stars.
The cabin walls vibrated softly, lights flickering with an unstable buzz of electricity.
Jiang Zhenshun sprinted down the corridor, Gray following closely at his side, paws tapping rapidly against the metal floor.
> [Alert: Power Core in Sector A has been hit. Protective layer breached. Sealing and isolating.]
[Alert: Fire control system in Sector B damaged. Firepower output down by 57%.]
[All non-combat personnel, proceed to the nearest escape pods immediately.]
His earpiece echoed with the cold mechanical voice reporting bad news over and over, mixed with the shouts and commands of soldiers.
When Jiang Zhenshun burst into the safety module control area, he saw several young soldiers moving emergency medical kits and portable energy canisters, unable to hide the panic on their faces.
"Move faster! Eyes front!"
He barked with a soldier's authority, making them flinch before quickly picking up their pace.
Gray ran over to the nearest escape pod, sniffed the air, then turned to Jiang Zhenshun and barked once.
"You know this is the place, huh?" Jiang Zhenshun patted Gray's head.
At the end of the corridor, red warning lights illuminated as safety air curtains hissed from the doors. A violent tremor shook the ship, as if struck by a massive hammer, the rumble mixing with distant explosions.
Jiang Zhenshun took a deep breath and switched his earpiece to the public channel.
"Jiang Zhenshun evacuating non-combat personnel in Sector B. Keep the corridors clear."
> [Copy that!]
> [Alert! Ongoing unidentified enemy assault, suspected Class IV mass weaponry detected. Hull integrity compromised. All units—]
"Boom—!"
Another massive impact rattled the ship, distant walls visibly bending under the force.
Sparks rained down from the ceiling.
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the other side of the corridor.
Jiang Zhenshun looked up, seeing a figure running through the flames.
Long, icy blue hair shimmered under the red lights and falling sparks. Her white lab coat was torn, blood staining the cuffs, but her clear aquamarine eyes remained steady and resolute.
She was beautiful.
Clutching a black briefcase, she stopped in front of him, panting, looking up.
"Is… this the nearest escape pod?"
Jiang Zhenshun paused for two seconds, then nodded. "Yes, right here."
"Thank you…"
She wiped the sweat and ash from her face, revealing a tired yet warm smile.
Gray stepped closer, sniffing her, head tilted.
"I'm Liu Ruyan, from the research team."
Her voice was soft yet calm.
"Before the sectors lock down, I must get this data out."
Jiang Zhenshun glanced at the black briefcase, noting the high-security research markings and locking mechanisms.
"Alright, this way."
He pulled open the nearest escape pod door. Four empty seats awaited inside, silver harnesses swaying faintly in the dim light.
"This pod fits four. You go in first." Jiang Zhenshun said.
"…Thank you."
Liu Ruyan looked at him, a flash of sorrow and determination crossing her eyes before she stepped inside.
As she sat down, Gray trotted over and sniffed at her pant leg.
Liu Ruyan knelt down, gently stroking Gray's head. "Good dog."
"Woof," Gray let out a soft bark.
Jiang Zhenshun took a deep breath, gently lifted Gray, and placed him inside the pod.
"Take care of her," he said quietly.
Liu Ruyan looked up, biting her lip, wanting to say something, but only nodded.
Jiang Zhenshun stepped back and pressed the emergency lock button. The door slowly closed, leaving a small gap.
"Wait here. Don't move until I bring the others." His voice was firm.
Liu Ruyan met his gaze and nodded deeply.
The door sealed shut with a thud, red lights flashing, indicating three seats remained.
---
> [Warning: Sector A core meltdown imminent. Detonation in 30 seconds. Seal off relevant areas immediately.]
Jiang Zhenshun tightened his grip on his rifle, turning away from the escape pod as he sprinted back toward the still-evacuating corridor.
The ship shook violently again, lights flickering, sparks spraying from shattered panels.
> [Jiang Zhenshun, status update?]
> [Sector B evacuation at 70%. Continuing mission.]
He responded quickly.
"Woof!"
Gray's bark echoed faintly from inside the pod.
Jiang Zhenshun's eyes flickered, and he quickened his pace.
---
Suddenly, a disheveled figure stumbled through the sparks ahead.
Familiar brown hair, eyes reddened by smoke, clutching a chubby white cat to her chest.
Xia Ranjan.
"Hah… hah… Jiang—Jiang Zhenshun!"
She panted heavily, voice trembling.
"Tuanzi ran off… I went to find him… I…"
Jiang Zhenshun instinctively raised his rifle, but as he saw her tear-streaked face, his finger trembled, lowering the barrel slowly.
"Are you insane? This is not the time to be running around!"
"I—I'm sorry…"
Tears pooled in Xia Ranjan's eyes, refusing to fall as she clutched Tuanzi tighter.
Jiang Zhenshun gritted his teeth, turned, and barked, "Follow me."
---
He ran back to the escape pod, entering the emergency override code.
The door opened slowly. Liu Ruyan looked up, eyes meeting his as she saw Xia Ranjan step in, hugging Tuanzi. She blinked in surprise, then shifted to make room.
"Get in." Jiang Zhenshun ordered.
Xia Ranjan climbed in, tears and ash on her cheeks, hugging Tuanzi tightly. Gray wagged his tail, sniffing at Tuanzi with a low whine.
"Jiang Zhenshun, get in!" Liu Ruyan shouted, her voice shaking.
Jiang Zhenshun looked at them, took a deep breath, then turned away, pressing the external seal button.
"Take care of them."
---
> [10 seconds until core meltdown.]
Jiang Zhenshun raised his rifle, walking toward the flames at the corridor's end.
"Looks like… it's time to bury myself with this ship in the sea of stars."
Step by step.
The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning metal and gunpowder.
"Woof—!"
Gray's cry tore through the sealed pod, echoing down the corridor.
Jiang Zhenshun smiled faintly, not looking back.
In the next instant—
"BOOM!!"
A deafening explosion roared, flames and shockwaves tearing through the corridor with shards of metal.
Darkness consumed Jiang Zhenshun's vision as his body was flung backward, slamming into a hard metal wall.
> [Escape pod emergency launch sequence initiated.]
The mechanical voice crackled as the pod door slammed shut in the blast's aftermath, locking with a final clang.
"What—"
Everything went black.
The next moment, the escape pod jolted violently, weightlessness crashing down as the Morning Star's pod shot through the hull like a bullet, trailing flames as it streaked across the silent cosmos, plunging into the unknown darkness.
Inside, the lights flickered as Liu Ruyan and Xia Ranjan clung to their harnesses, Gray and Tuanzi huddling together, whimpering softly.
And Jiang Zhenshun, heavy eyelids drooping, could still hear their urgent cries and the trembling metal around them.
In the end—
He left that burning ship behind, with them, drifting into the starry sea.