Session 45

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ARS-8: The Spiral Chorus (2025-06-07)

Arrival at the Station

The crew of the Hollow Spark arrives at the derelict station ARS-8, with all systems warped by time and nanite-driven anomalies. The station's internal reality appears unstable—geometry shifts subtly, sensor echoes are inconsistent, and the entire structure seems partially phased.

Upon boarding, the crew is immediately confronted with a deeply unsettling atmosphere. The lights flicker, gravity is uneven, and every corridor gives the impression of being observed.

The Core vs. the Lab

The group debates where to proceed first. Mia initially suggests investigating the computer core, recognising its strategic importance—but she is clearly uneasy, even afraid, of going near it.

Det votes to secure the AI core for better understanding the station's condition and hopefully getting access to internal sensor logs and layout data.

Siz is notably disturbed by the environment, especially by the implications of bringing nanite-driven anomalies into inhabited places.

The IL-0 Anomaly

As they explore, Chimes provides key information: "IL-0" refers to a localized manifestation of a nanite-based reality-bending swarm anomaly—the same subject Dr. Magrete Steel was researching.

However, a chilling observation emerges: the station welcomed them as if IL-0 were a returning entity. Mia wonders whether the anomaly has gained identity or agency, manifesting as a being.

Siz expresses disgust and dread at the irresponsibility of introducing reality-warping nanites to populated systems, and suggests the place be destroyed after Magrete is recovered.

Phenomena and Psychological Pressure

Mia begins to see things: spirals of light, oddly placed on or behind the walls. One such vision nearly compels her to reach out—but she pulls back just in time, alarmed and panicked. Her tail flicks aggressively, and she orders the others to move away immediately.

Det tries to rationalise what they’re seeing, suspecting faulty systems or sensor errors, but tension continues to rise.

The group presses forward, encountering strange spatial shifts—hallways bending subtly, time seeming to stutter for moments. Some rooms appear different when viewed from various angles.

The Lab and Containment

Eventually, they reach what appears to be Dr. Steel’s primary research chamber. At the centre is a containment pod, cracked and breached.

Mia cannot shake the sense that whatever was inside has escaped. A lattice-like structure has formed along one side of the containment chamber, suggestive of nanite bloom patterns.

Against her better judgement, Mia places her gloved hand against the glass, exactly where the lattice is thickest. Something happens: a whisper in her mind, a soft pulse from her nanites. Not audible—only felt. A recognition.

She reports nothing visible happened—but she is clearly shaken.

Chimes’ Commentary and Philosophical Revelations

Chimes speaks at length about the nature of what they are dealing with. He distinguishes between extraplanar realms (like the Hells, the Abyss, or Limbo), which obey their own sets of rules, and whatever is unfolding here.

The nanites are not opening doors between realities. They are rewriting the very concept of what a door is. They reshape existence itself to be compatible with a presence that would not survive in any known cosmology—not even hellish ones.

Chimes clarifies: this is not magic, not interplanar travel. This is reality being reprogrammed to accommodate something fundamentally incompatible.

Siz, Det, and Mia’s Reactions

Siz gives a haunting metaphor: this is like a cancer cell in the universe’s superstructure—growing a new reality from the old, in a way that corrodes its host.

Det reflects on the fringes of scientific understanding—suggesting this is not just risky or experimental, but bordering on cosmic hubris.

Mia, deeply disturbed, notes how her own nanite-infused blood is reacting. She pleads that they find Magrete fast, implying that only the scientist might have the knowledge to stop what’s coming—or at least understand it.

Final Thoughts and Exit

The group concludes their exploration shaken but informed. They’ve confirmed the nanite bloom has escaped containment, the station is partially converted into an alien-compatible reality, and that Magrete Steel may be the only person who can reverse the process.

Chimes, Det, and Siz all agree: they must act quickly. ARS-8 is a ticking existential bomb, and the anomaly now seems aware of them.