The initial scans weren't that promising — just an array of corridors and storage hangers, once busied with the citizenry but long since abandoned. It looked like the operation was going to be a bust after all, but then I noticed it: a blip. Nothing more than a shimmer, really; a tiny artifact in the digital latticework. You're never going to cloak something from a phase scan completely. The trick's in masking what traces you do leave behind, making them as innocuous as possible. Whoever was behind this one was good. They were very, very good. But then again, so was I.

I dialed in the settings and the snow fell away. There, on the edges of the station, was the last remaining escape pod. And there was something inside. Something alive.

Stories of the day:

Thanks for watching — you're basically our favorite person. Watch more 90 Seconds on The Verge at 90so.tv, on iTunes, and on YouTube!

Today's 90 Seconds on The Verge was written by Bryan Bishop. All production magic is credited to John Lagomarsino.