[ WP ] Sailors have always been a superstitious bunch . In the long stretches of darkness and isolation between stars superstitions still run high . So let 's hear a ghost story from deep space .

`` All hands, all hands, stand by for FTL in thirty seconds. Stand by for FTL in thirty seconds, make ready for your blackout.'' 
 
 I could n't help my curiosity. 
 
 `` Why do you announce the jump, captain?'' 
 
 Instantly every pair of eyes on the bridge was on me, their faces looking like I had asked why you have to put on a suit in space. 
 
 `` They did n't tell you, son? About blacking them out?'' 
 
 That was the man at the navigation console, a crusty veteran with haunted-looking eyes. He was the only one to speak up. 
 
 `` Blacking out? No, they did n't say FTL could make you-'' 
 
 `` No, no. Blacking *them* out. Holy Elon, what are they teaching kids in the academy these days?'' 
 
 His voice was rising. I was a but thankful - at least I was n't the center of attention anymore. 
 
 The captain, though - he just put a hand on the navigator's shoulder, patting him through the suit. 
 
 `` Easy, Roger. Okay, kid - this must be your first run, so I'll give you the short version: Never, ever leave your eyes open during an FTL jump.'' 
 
 `` Why?'' 
 
 He shrugged. 
 
 `` Do n't rightly know.'' 
 
 `` It's'cause they come in through the eyes.'' 
 
 `` Shut up, Roger.'' 
 
 `` That's enough!'' 
 
 The captain's bark was loud, silence settling on the bridge in the aftermath. 
 
 He sighed heavily and leaned back in his acceleration couch. 
 
 `` The guys in white coats up at the research stations, they say something about the jump field making you hallucinate things - like, you're expecting something to be there but hyperspace is empty, so your mind invents something to be there. Shut your eyes, though, your mind expects darkness and you do n't see anything. It's bad for you, leaving them open. Whatever it is.'' 
 
 `` Standbye FTL, five seconds.'' 
 
 I could barely hear the navigator's mutter over the comm. 
 
 `` Do n't teach'em nothin' anymore, that's how they get in. Every spacer knew that.'' 
 
 `` FTL drive online. Jumping.'' 
 
 I could n't help my curiosity. 
 
 God, I wish I had just shut them.
