The air on Eos Station was thick with anticipation. With the Klingon assault looming, every security team was on high alert, energy shields were set to maximum, and every available personnel was stationed at their posts. Elena Mitchell stood at her station in Operations, her gaze fixed on the viewscreen, scanning for any movement in the Klingon vessels. Her thoughts, however, were preoccupied with the recent diplomatic meeting and the tension brewing in her personal life. Peter’s revelation about her XO made her wonder what else the two were keeping from her.

The comm system crackled, interrupting her thoughts. “Eos Station, this is the Edison. We’re approaching with the SS Aventuras. Requesting immediate docking clearance.”

Elena frowned, quickly composing herself. “Acknowledged, AJ. We’ll clear a docking port and prepare for your arrival.”

Moments later, the USS Edison and Aventuras glided into the docking port. The doors opened, and Elena, accompanied by Gab and a security team, went to greet their visitors. AJ awaited them by the docking port. His uniform was immaculate, and his expression, while calm, conveyed a sense of urgency. Beside him stood the weary crew of the Aventuras.

“AJ,” Elena said, extending a hand. “Good to see you. What’s the situation?”

AJ shook her hand firmly. “Elena, we’ve had an eventful journey. We detected an increase in tetryon particles from one of the Underspace apertures. We tracked the source and observed that the apertures have started closing.”

Elena’s eyes widened in surprise. “Closing? Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” AJ confirmed. “Given the Klingon threat, this is a significant development.”

A wave of relief mixed with confusion washed over Elena. The impending battle seemed less immediate. “If the apertures are closing, does this mean the threat is diminishing?”

“It’s hard to say,” AJ replied. “But if Korta and his ships are aware of this, they might reconsider their plans. They could see it as a chance to withdraw.”

Elena turned to Harris. “Gab, contact Korta. Inform him of the new developments and see if he’s willing to discuss a resolution.”

As Harris sent the message, Elena glanced at the Aventuras crew. They looked exhausted and in need of help. “AJ, I’ll have our engineering team and medical staff assist your ship and the Aventuras.”

AJ nodded appreciatively. “Thank you, Elena. We should also discuss the situation further and analyze the data we’ve gathered. However,” he gestured, “I have injured, who need assistance.”

Elena smiled as she saw the four missing Andorians stepping through the docking port. She was relieved and puzzled all at the same time. “It seems a bit more has happened,” she smiled.

Moments later, Elena stood in the conference room. She had opted not to inform Peter of the meeting. If she was to be the Commanding Officer, Korta needed to respect her without her husband’s meddling.

When Korta entered the conference room, he took his seat, his eyes sharp and calculating. He wasn’t here to mince words. “Captain Mitchell,” Korta began, “it seems the situation has changed. The closure of the apertures is significant. I assume this means your precious Federation is not responsible for the anomalies?”

Elena took a deep breath, relieved for the chance to de-escalate. “That’s correct, Captain. We’re still working to understand the full implications, but this development should address some of your concerns.”

Korta leaned back, his posture a mix of frustration and anger. “If the apertures are closing, then the threat to the Empire is no more. I must reassess our plans.” He paused, then added, “Given our current situation and the knowledge that the portals are closing, it’s only logical to withdraw from this sector. We won’t engage in battle when the threat has diminished.”

Elena raised an eyebrow. “You’re withdrawing? Just like that?” She listened to the words; they were not the words of a Klingon.

Korta nodded. “Yes. We can’t afford a conflict when conditions are changing. We’ll pull back and reconsider our strategy.” 

Elena exchanged glances with AJ and Harris. Withdrawing was very un-Klingon-like. Klingons never retreat; to die in battle was a glorious feat. It was clear that the Federation team was very confused. She also knew Korta wasn’t a coward, and he would have fought this to the bitter end. 

As Korta and his crew prepared to leave, Elena turned to AJ. “Thanks, AJ,” she placed a hand on his shoulder, “It would seem you arrived at just the right time.”

AJ nodded. “I’m always here to support,” he winked. “The Edison will continue to monitor our departing friends, just in case.” He raised an eyebrow. 

Korta’s departure was swift and without ceremony. As his ship moved away from the station, Elena felt a mix of emotions. The anticipated battle had fizzled into an anticlimactic withdrawal, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Turning to Gab, Elena said, “Let’s continue monitoring the apertures until we are certain this thing is over. We don’t need another surprise.”

As the tension on the station began to ease, Elena found herself reflecting on the events that had just unfolded. Walking over to the replicator, she ordered a tea, her mind still processing the conversation with Korta and the unexpected reprieve from battle. She glanced at Gab, who was standing nearby, his usual composed demeanor slightly cracked after everything they’d been through.

“So, Peter’s best man?” Elena asked her tone light but laced with the clear intent to discuss the matter.

Gab looked at her, hesitating for just a moment before he sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I was Peter’s best man at his first wedding. Rachel, his ex-wife, is my sister.”

Elena raised an eyebrow, the revelation hitting her with a mix of surprise and frustration. “You didn’t think that was important to mention?”

Gab shrugged, his voice steady but with a hint of vulnerability. “I didn’t want to complicate things, especially with you being my CO. I figured it was better to keep our personal connections out of it.”

Elena took a sip of her tea, considering his words. She knew the fine line between personal and professional life in Starfleet, but this felt different. “I understand why you’d want to keep things professional, but it’s still a big thing to leave out. What else are you holding back, Gab?” she asked, her tone softening, more curious than accusatory now.

Gab shifted his weight, leaning slightly against the wall, clearly uncomfortable with where this was going. “Honestly, Captain, it wasn’t just about you. I didn’t want anyone thinking I got this position because of Peter.”

Elena nodded, appreciating his honesty. After a moment, she tilted her head and asked, “But, Gab, why haven’t you taken a command of your own? With your experience, you should’ve been in the center seat years ago.”

Gab exhaled, a weary smile crossing his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Starfleet seems to prefer using me as a troubleshooter, sending me wherever there’s a crisis. I’ve been moved around so much that they’ve started to see me more as a fixer than someone who should be in command.”

Elena frowned, not buying into his self-deprecating explanation. “You really believe that? Because from where I’m standing, you’re more than capable of leading a ship.”

Gab let out a small laugh. “Well, they moved me here, didn’t they?”

Elena’s eyes narrowed as she caught the note of evasion in his voice. “Gab, what’s really going on? Peter won’t talk to me, but I get the feeling there is much more going on here. So if there’s more to this, I need to know.”

Gab avoided her gaze, a flicker of guilt passing over his face. After a long pause, he finally admitted, “Peter asked me to come here to keep an eye on you.”

Elena’s expression hardened, her tea forgotten. “So, you’re here to babysit me? That’s your mission?”

Gab quickly shook his head, holding up his hands in defense. “It’s not like that, Elena. Peter was just concerned. He thought I could help if things got tough, make sure you had support.”

Elena crossed her arms, her voice dropping to a cold tone. “And how do you feel about that? Being stuck here while officers with half your experience get commands?”

Gab looked down, clearly struggling with his emotions. “It’s frustrating, to be honest. I’ve watched younger, less experienced officers get their own ships while I keep getting assigned to… babysit new COs.”

Elena stepped closer, her voice softening with a mix of empathy and determination. “You deserve better than this, Gab. Don’t let them keep you in the background. You need to push for your own command.”

Gab looked up, “You may be right but that’s not up to me! Maybe it’s time, but I stopped letting them decide my career a long time ago.  I go where the uniform takes me.”

Elena smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get through this. But first, I need to figure out what comes next.”

Gab nodded, “he meant well; just remember that.”

Elena watched as Gab left the room, the door sliding shut behind him with a hiss. The silence that followed spoke louder than the entire conversation.  It spoke of everything still left unsaid. She stood there for a moment, her mind racing, trying to process the emotions that had taken her by surprise. Gab had been honest, and she respected that, but it didn’t change the fact that Peter had put him in an impossible position. Peter’s meddling had turned what should have been a straightforward assignment into a web of personal conflict. His betrayal cut deep.

She turned and slowly made her way to the large window overlooking Operations. The hum of the station’s activity below was a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside. The orderly scene outside the window did little to ease the frustration gnawing at her. This assignment was supposed to be her chance to prove herself, to take on a challenge, and to rise to it. But now, it felt like Peter had undermined her from the start, doubting her ability to handle it on her own.

Elena’s gaze drifted to the twinkling stars beyond the station. Eos wasn’t what she had expected, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t make it work. Taking a deep breath, Elena straightened her hair, her hand moving to tap her commbadge.  She paused for a second, then tapped it. “Computer, open a secure channel to Starfleet legal services.” She knew what she needed to do next; for her career to survive, she was going to have to make some seriously hard decisions.

Her voice was steady, but her heart pounded in her chest. This wasn’t just about the mission anymore. If Peter thought he could control her, he was sorely mistaken. She was done playing by his rules. It was time to take control of her future on her terms. As the channel connected, Elena felt a new determination settle over her. Whatever came next, she would face it head-on. She would rise above this, not just to fulfill her duty, but to prove to Peter, to Gab, and most importantly, to herself that she was more than capable of handling anything that came her way.

Elena’s mind briefly rifted to the challenges ahead. With the Klingon threat temporarily reduced, she could turn her focus back to the station’s situation and the potential political ramifications of the Underspace apertures closing. She couldn’t afford to let her personal life interfere with the challenges facing Eos Station, but the bitter taste of betrayal lingered.