Infini

As the clock strikes the dawn of the 23rd century, an urgent atmosphere descends upon the mining station O.I. Infini. An emergency declaration initiates a desperate search and rescue mission as the team grapples with the implications of their proximity to a cluster of black holes.

On his first day, SAR operative Whit Carmichael makes the reckless decision to use an illicit teleporter to reach Infini. Ignoring explicit protocol, he carries with him the heartfelt plea from his wife, _'Do whatever it takes to return safely,'_ which becomes his guiding principle as he faces the chaos.

Less than an hour into the unfolding crisis, alarming reports flood in to East Coast SAR about the catastrophic destruction of West Coast SAR. The situation escalates further with news of a deranged survivor planning to teleport a destructive payload to Earth, igniting fears of an apocalypse.

Upon reaching the remnants of the West Coast SAR outpost, East Coast SAR encounters a horrific scene likened to a frozen slaughterhouse. The chaos left behind by the mining staff's violent actions raises unsettling questions about humanity's nature in such extreme circumstances.

As Whit navigates the eerie landscape of destruction, he begins to understand the grim reality faced by the mining staff, whose horrifying acts of cannibalism reveal the depths of their despair. This chilling revelation adds urgency to Whit's mission to prevent further catastrophe.

In a shocking turn, Whit discovers a laboratory that reveals the planet is composed of alien organic material known as primordial ooze. This ancient substance holds terrifying abilities to infect biological tissues, posing a critical threat to both the team and humanity.

As the infection spreads, Whit witnesses the psychological breakdown of his once-unified team. Some members succumb to violent behaviors while others choose self-destruction, leading to a complete unraveling of their shared camaraderie and leaving Whit isolated in his fight.

In a moment of utter despair, Whit records a passionate indictment against the primordial ooze, lamenting how it exploits humanity's darkest instincts instead of fostering collaboration. This expression of hopelessness reflects his internal struggle amidst the torment surrounding him.

In a tragic culmination of his despair, Whit decides to end his life, casting a haunting shadow over the mission. His death underscores the despair that has taken hold in the station, highlighting the tragic loss of not only his life but the loss of hope for his team.

As the primordial ooze envelops the bodies of the fallen team members, it astonishingly revives them, now devoid of their previous anguish. Though a sense of eerie calm surrounds them, the psychological scars from their experience remain deeply ingrained in their psyche.

The revived team prepares to teleport back to Earth, their traumatic experiences minimized into a sanitized narrative. They face the daunting task of reconciling their haunting past with the concerns of a world oblivious to the horrors they endured.

As the team departs, Whit's essence remains intertwined with the desolated station and their harrowing experiences. His spirit serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the shadows that will continue to haunt those who survived.

Whit catches sight of humanoid figures formed from the ooze, and one holds a photograph of his beloved wife. This poignant image symbolizes both what he has lost and the memories that will forever anchor him, even in death.

Upon returning to Earth, Whit is faced with the dissonance of finding his wife waiting for him, unaware of the true horrors he faced. Their reunion is shrouded in the somber reality of his experience and the sanitized story they present.