In the thick fog that seemed a tangible viscous fluid, the pristine hull of the Sea Song moved like a ghost, as if it could vanish into the boundless mist at any moment.
It was unclear when it had begun, but the roar emitted by the steam core had transformed into a bizarre, deep moan mingled with layered echoes. Sharp shrieks intermittently came from the pipes, and murmurs as if someone was talking in their sleep were mixed within those shrieks.
"The machinery has begun to be possessed..." a Tech-Priest reported to the captain as he returned from the engine room, "The effect of the soothing incense is diminishing."
"Disconnect the differential engine's power shaft, switch all machinery to manual control, release steam core pressure to the yellow zone—replace the Boiling Gold Catalyst in two hours," the captain commanded calmly, "Rotate personnel in the engine room every three hours."