[Bother -- I sent the incomplete version! Here are the final lines: ]
She took a step forward almost without thinking. Low down on the wall opposite, the crudely scratched words mocked her with their message, cryptic no longer. She stared at them in dismay.
==== Next?
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Challenge things, one or more to be included in the next piece (I'll swear this took me longer than writing the rest of it!):
1) three Federation pursuit ships
2) a telepathic warning
3) a small black case belonging to Avon
4) "That wasn't supposed to happen!"
5) +Unable to maintain normal functions,+ Zen reported calmly.
6) the sound of tearing metal
7) Gan's left boot