Commander Vance paced the artificial grass of Habitat 4, watching the stars move in their scripted arcs. He spoke daily to "Ground Control," thanking them for the nutrient paste and the perfect synthetic sunlight. To the public, he was a hero, the first human to live permanently in the void. He felt like a pioneer, a solitary explorer of the infinite. 

Today, a massive shadow eclipsed the station. A face appeared on the other side of the reinforced glass—not human, but a colossal, wet eye. A booming vibration rattled his ribs. 

"Feed time," the voice commanded.