Inside the control room the damaged system displays suddenly went dead, the screen blanking out as their connection to the central computer core was cut. With no orders in place the ship's systems began to switch back to conservation mode, lights and life support powering down as the systems mistook the interruption as a ship-wide power down.

Somewhere, several decks above the intruding party, a presence sensed the change in state, something which hadn't happened since its first awakening. While its mind didn't truly understand the concept a new sensation rushed through its form, a wave of pleasure and anticipation. Its brief contact with the Other had been exhilarating, and even now it could sense its influence growing beyond its own structure.