The Path Splits: The Wayfinder or The Ship?
Landing at Outpost 09: The Beginning of the Journey
Visuals:
The ship touches down on a metallic landing pad, rusted and covered in mist from the ocean winds.
The station’s entrance looms ahead, flickering lights barely holding on.
The distress signal continues to pulse, casting a red glow over the platform.
“No life signs detected. However, environmental scans show signs of artificial power sources. Recommendation: Proceed with caution.”
The ship automatically overrides the hesitation and initiates landing procedures.
“Manual override engaged. This station requires immediate investigation. Preparing to land.”
Inside Outpost 09: Meeting Sabine
As the doors slide open, the user steps into a dimly lit corridor, the sound of humming generators the only sign of life. Dust particles float in the air, illuminated by faint flickering lights.
Ahead, in the center of the control room, a hologram materializes.
Sabine appears—her form slightly glitching but unmistakably present.
Sabine: “Welcome, traveler. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a visitor.”
Her voice is steady, calm, but laced with something… a hint of sorrow? Uncertainty? Hope?
Sabine: “You’re standing in what was once a thriving station… but now? Just echoes.”
(The console behind her flickers, revealing glimpses of the outpost’s history—crowds of researchers, scientists, and travelers… then suddenly, empty halls, flashing warnings, and then—nothing.)
Sabine: “There’s something you need to know. The people here didn’t leave… they vanished.”
The hologram distorts momentarily, then stabilizes.
Sabine: “I don’t know why you came here, but I think we were waiting for you.”
The user is now deep within Outpost 09, standing in the dimly lit control room. The faint blue glow of the Wayfinder device pulses softly, casting shifting shadows across the metallic walls. Sabine’s hologram flickers, her expression unreadable.
Sabine: “This is your choice, traveler. The Wayfinder can guide you deeper into the station… or you can turn back to your ship and leave this place behind.”
A subtle tension lingers in the air.