Chapter 58: The Keepers

The strange signal pulsed rhythmically on the Ark's display, casting an eerie glow across the bridge. Ethan studied the data, his instincts grappling with the decision. The signal was unlike anything they had encountered before: faint, encrypted, and nestled deep within Reaver territory. It could be a trap, but it could also hold valuable information, or even survivors in need of help.

Nova, her eyes glued to the screen, broke the silence. "Captain, whatever this is, it's encrypted in a way that feels… almost familiar. It's like an old language that's been layered with Reaver code. I could try decrypting it, but it'll take some time."

Ethan nodded thoughtfully. "Go for it, Nova. We'll stay on our course, but keep that signal on our radar. If it's something important, we'll need to be ready."

Lillith, who had been quietly observing, stepped closer to Ethan. "This feels… off. I don't trust it, but I understand the curiosity. Just be cautious, Captain."