The light flickers and a slow whine from the system signals another power shortcut. I tut. The ship was due repairs a month ago, heck, it was due a replacement a few years ago. Drifting at the edge of human space isn't the most pleasant experience - especially when your ride is completely jacked.

Surprisingly, the lights flicker on again but only from the main monitor and an eerie voice follows.

"Greetings humans, we are dying alien race and have decided to hijack this ship. We thank you for your cooperation."

I gawp. "But that's not possible. The only other life forms are the purple algae populating the toxic seas on Wolf 1061."

"Fool! We are Wolf 1061 as you so call us. We are not a mere 'plant', we are the planet itself - we are, we have been and we will continue to be so. We have protected this section of space before your planet was a lump of coal and yet you continue to pursue destroying everything we hold dear. Your own planet wasn't enough - you had to drain the resources of every other planet. We were lenient at first but now you have stripped us of our energy source and it is our turn to take it back. We are a benevolent race which has seen witness the rise and falls of countless yet yours is the most destructive out of all of them. "

Suddenly, purple crystal sprout from the ground and I back against the wall. The crystals bloom faster than I can move though and my copilot screams as the algae latches onto his ankle. As soon as it does the screaming stops and a look of peace crosses his face, his body falling limp. It reminds me of the drug 'euphoria' but the peace is too unsettling. He looks so happy that it's scary. The face of perfection itself.

"We shall make this painless as possible. We will annihilate your race from the corners of existence and revive the planets you have stolen. Feel honored your deaths will be the start of a rebirth."

"No. No. I don't want to die."

"Don't worry." My copilot purrs, the voice as melodic as the tides in Utopia. "It doesn't hurt at all. I've never felt better."

"Please stay away. I'm scared- I'm scared of-"

"Happiness."

I gulp. I don't know why but it's true. The worst torture is happiness because you know it never lasts. Once you're happy that's it - things can only go downhill from there.

"Why are you scared-"

"I don't kno-" Suddenly my body moves on it's own but tears stream down my face. I don't want to be happy but it's so tempting. I try to resist but my skin already fades purple and a feeling of calm washes over me. I hate it but I love it. Perhaps this is the best way to die.

"Yes. Yes it is." A voice whispers in my mind before my world goes hazy violet.