Far from Earth, in a peculiar region of dead space, hang dark stars that somehow seem yet to blaze.

Ship pulled into orbit by groping gravity; sensors showing nothing – something strange – normality – nothing again. Crews’ minds’ eyes reveal more – mad shapes, contorted, longing for release – through the depthless void.

As they wait, watch, the dark star seems to snap open like a silent and lightless nova, revealing life at its heart. From within, a writhing black singularity takes form inside minds seeking to impose image, order upon something unimaginable, entirely alien.

It reaches out, desiring companionship, swallows the vessel whole.