The Expanse: Mnemosyne's Ghost

Chapter 3

Holden led the charge, muscles taut and heart pounding as they squeezed through the tight passage. The corridor was dimly lit, the flickering emergency lights casting eerie shadows. Bobbie, ever the soldier, brought up the rear, her weapon at the ready.

They moved quickly, each footstep echoing in the eerie silence. The narrow passage seemed to stretch on forever, twisting and turning in ways that disoriented even the most experienced among them. The air grew cooler, and the unsettling hum of the Protomolecule's presence was a constant reminder of the danger they were in.

Naomi's voice broke the silence. "We've got to find a way to the ship's core. If we can reach the engineering section, there might be another exit." Her determination was clear, but there was an undercurrent of fear that resonated with everyone.

The corridor widened slightly, and they emerged into a larger room. The instant change in space was disorienting. Equipment was strewn everywhere, and the walls were lined with panels now overtaken by Protomolecule growths. Pulsing blue light emanated from the tendrils, casting sinister patterns on the cluttered floor.

"Looks like an auxiliary control room," Drummer observed, her hands hovering near her weapons. "Let's hope it hasn't been entirely compromised."

Holden scanned the room, searching for any signs of another exit. "Spread out. Look for anything that can help us—maps, schematics, anything." The urgency in his voice was palpable.

As they moved through the room, carefully avoiding the proliferating Protomolecule, Naomi approached a terminal that seemed less corrupted. Her fingers danced over the controls, attempting to access any coherent data. "I've got partial schematics," she whispered, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "There's another exit, two levels down. We can navigate through the maintenance shafts."

They pressed on, leaving the auxiliary control room and descending through the ship's cramped maintenance tunnels. The metal creaked and groaned under their weight, protesting with each step as if the ship itself conspired against them. The temperature dropped further, each breath turning visible in the frigid air.

After what felt like an eternity, Amos came to an abrupt halt at a junction. "This way," he said, his keen eyes spotting a hatch leading to a lower level. He wrenched it open with a grunt, the sound echoing through the confined space.

Holden dropped down, followed closely by the others. They landed in a maintenance corridor barely wide enough to turn around in. "Stay close," Holden instructed, his voice steady even as his pulse raced.

Just as they found their footing, the ground trembled, a resounding boom reverberating through the ship. The shrill wail of an alarm sounded, and the corridor was bathed in the angry, pulsating glow of red emergency lights.

"The Protomolecule—it's reacting to us," Naomi warned, her voice tinged with urgency. "We need to move faster."

Navigating the cramped and twisting corridors, they could feel the ship resisting their every move. The Protomolecule's influence was palpable, the very air feeling oppressive and laden with threat.

Finally, they reached the marked exit, 'Level -2 Maintenance Shaft.' Holden's heart leaped with relief as he pulled the latch open. Fresh air—a stark contrast to the tainted atmosphere within—rushed in, promising salvation. But their relief was short-lived; they could hear the faint sounds of movement behind them.

"Go!" Bobbie urged, keeping a watchful eye on their six.

One by one, they climbed out of the maintenance shaft, the relative safety of open space within reach.

What Fate do you choose next?

Set up defenses at the maintenance exit and assess their next steps.