Part 4/6:
Years pass aboard the ANIARA, and the atmosphere shifts from hopeful to dire. People succumb to despair, leading to increased cultish behavior and even suicides. MR and Isagel become closer during this time, but Isagel grapples with the emotional fallout, including the impact of her being pregnant amidst their bleak reality.
The Arrival of the Probe
In their eventual anticipation surrounding the arrival of a mysterious probe, the inhabitants oscillate between hope and skepticism. The crew’s psychological well-being hinges on the possibility of rescue, but when the probe reveals no significant answers, anxiety escalates, ultimately culminating in tragedy as the captain shoots the Astronomer—a fatal act that devastates the crew's morale.
Climax and Despair