For a long moment, nothing happened. Then the air in front of the ship began to shimmer, like heat waves rising from hot pavement. The shimmer expanded and solidified into a circular portal, its edges crackling with energy that Dr. Chen's instruments couldn't classify. Through the portal, Reina could see something that shouldn't exist, a spiral staircase made of light, ascending into darkness that felt infinite. She turned to her crew. "This is it. Everyone who's coming, get ready. We don't know what we'll find on the other side, so be prepared for anything."
