Catalyst Engine

Stennesi Triadi is one of many human colonies that expanded throughout the stars in this sci-fi original. The planet's previous inhabitants are an ancient and extinct alien civilisation called the Galm, who left hundreds of subterranean power nodes in the wake of their mysterious disappearance from the planet. Harnessing the power of the nodes and using them to sustain their cities, the human settlers grew too rapidly and drew too much power, and so for a night they unwittingly unleashed the Lights. All those who look upon the Lights are changed in frightening ways, and a devastating catatrophe occurs within the city of Eul.

The story of this novella comprises of four chapters, each following a different struggle at different stages of the event of the Lights. First comes the sergeant, leading an extermination squad in the final days of the cataclysm. Then the merchant, who faces the chaos that ensues on the day following the appearance of the Lights. After that, the xenologist, an alien expert who is delving into the mysteries of the Galm inside the node itself. Finally, the zealot; a leader of a cult that worships the Lights as divine, and wishes only to recreate the Lights.