I went into this story knowing simply by the title that most if not all the characters would die graphic and tragic deaths, but nothing could have prepared me for how hollow and hopeless I would feel as each happened. Even though the story only allows for a limited view of each character because of the setting, the connection with each character is real. The whole premise of red shirts being sent to die for things they will never understand or know, for an organization who claims to be about peace and exploration, only to treat them as cannon fodder is heart-wrenching and painful. The ending, for me at least, leaves one feeling defeated and shallow for wanting the characters to die but complete their mission over wanting them to fail but live, because at the end it all feels pointless, I wont spoil because it is so important to the story, but I will say after I read it I needed to lay down and sit with my thoughts for a bit.