The starship Odyssey drifted through the blackness between galaxies, its sensors picking up an anomaly—a tear in space-time, pulsing with energy. Captain Elena Vasquez stood on the bridge, her eyes on the viewscreen.

"Command, this is Odyssey. I've found something."

"Copy, Odyssey. What is it?"

"A rift. It wasn't there before."

The Builder leader appeared beside her. "It's a doorway. To another universe."

Elena's blood ran cold. "Who built it?"

"We don't know. But we need to close it before something comes through."

The Odyssey approached the rift, its scanners probing the anomaly. The energy was immense, unstable.

"We can't close it from this side," the science officer said.

"Then we go through," Elena replied.

She piloted the ship into the rift. The universe dissolved into light and sound, then reformed.

They emerged in a different galaxy—stars, planets, nebulae.

"There," the Builder said, pointing to a structure—a massive ring, pulsing with energy.

"The controls are there."

Elena landed the Odyssey on the ring. The Builder interfaced with the controls.

"The rift is closing," he said.

They launched, returning through the rift just as it sealed.

"Command, the anomaly is gone."

"Copy, Odyssey. Good work. Come home."

Elena turned the ship toward home, the stars streaking past.

The universe was safe.

But she knew there were other dangers.

And she would be ready. Always.