The empty corridors of Eos Station felt colder than usual. Passing through Ops, Elena’s mind was deep in thought. The last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. This virus had quickly spiraled into something far more threatening. Now, with Doctor Tavok’s arrival brought the possibility of a breakthrough or the risk of something far worse. She didn’t know what to think. He’d been on the station for only a few days, and each day made her more suspicious of his motives.

She entered the control room, where Gab stood waiting, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the console. The screen displayed the familiar silhouette of the USS Edison just outside the station, still stuck in emergency quarantine measures. Gab looked up as Elena approached; his usually calm demeanor was now replaced by noticeable tension.

“No updates yet from the Edison?” Elena asked.

Gab shook his head. “Nothing new. The situation aboard is stable for now, but their med bay is overwhelmed. They’ve reported two more infections. Tavok claims his cure is nearly ready, but…” His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.

Elena sighed. “But we still don’t trust him.” She sat down in a nearby chair.

Gab nodded. “There’s something about him. Something… off.”

Before Elena could respond, the door slid open with a hiss, and Doctor Tavok entered the control room. The tall Vulcan was flanked by two security officers. His expression remained composed, appearing in control. His presence seemed to chill the room even further. “Captain,” Tavok greeted, inclining his head slightly. “I understand the urgency surrounding the cure. I have completed my initial analysis, and I believe the necessary adjustments can be made. However, I require more data from the USS Edison before I can proceed.”

Elena exchanged a quick glance with Gab. A request to return to the Edison didn’t sit well with her. This only enhanced her feeling that something was wrong. The SS Lien, which Tavok claimed held vital information, had been bound for Qo’noS, carrying cargo meant for Klingon command. The Lien was a loss, and the mystery of why it had been infected remained unknown. But Tavok’s insistence on visiting the Edison seemed odd, almost desperate.

“Doctor Tavok,” Elena said slowly, “You’ve made significant progress, but we can’t risk further exposure. We’ve transferred all of the needed data here.”

Tavok’s eyes narrowed; however, he appeared calm. “Without the additional hands-on data from the Edison, I fear the cure may not be ready in time. Our crew is at risk, Captain. Every moment we delay brings us closer to something neither of us want.”

Gab stepped forward. “What kind of data are you looking for, exactly? Surely, there’s enough information on the virus here. What do you hope to find on the Edison that you didn’t find on your first visit.”

Tavok’s expression didn’t waver, but Elena swore she saw a flicker of something; frustration, perhaps? “The strain aboard the Edison has mutated. That information is crucial. Without it, the cure will only be temporary.”

Before Elena could respond, the comm system crackled to life. “Captain, this is Ensign Carter in Engineering. You’ll want to come down here. We’ve detected unauthorized access to the station’s mainframe.”

Elena’s heart skipped a beat. “We’re on our way,” Elena said, exchanging another glance with Gab. “Why didn’t we see this coming sooner?” she thought. The pieces were all there: his odd behavior, the suspicious requests for additional access, and now the unauthorized data breach. Tavok was too calm, even for a Vulcan. She should’ve known it was a red flag. But she needed to act.

Down in Engineering, Ensign Carter stood at a console, his face pale as he gestured to the screen. “Captain, someone’s been accessing restricted files in the medical database. We’re seeing traces of external access. Someone’s been rerouting information through different subroutines, making it difficult to track.”

Elena looked at Gab, her suspicions rising. “Isolate the data. Can you tell where it’s being sent?”

Gab moved to the terminal, his fingers flying over the controls. “It’s hard to say, but it looks like the connection was established from… the docking bay. Whoever it was, they’re not in the station’s system anymore. It was quick, almost too quick. This wasn’t an amateur job. We need to check Tavok’s ship. Now.”

Elena didn’t wait. “Get a security team down there. Lock it down.” They rushed out of Engineering, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place faster than she could handle. Elena’s comm badge chirped as they rounded another corner.

“Captain,” the voice of Doctor Rodriguez crackled through, “I’ve just received word from the USS Edison. They’ve detected a spike in viral activity aboard.”

Elena didn’t need this; the stakes were already high enough. If Tavok reached the Edison, the situation would escalate from bad to catastrophic.

“Understood, Doctor. Keep monitoring the situation. We’re moving to intercept Tavok now,” she said as they hurried toward the docking bay.

By the time they reached the docking bay, alarms were already blaring. Elena could see the sleek outline of Tavok’s shuttle. “How did he get away?” she shouted, but it was too late. There was a calculated efficiency to his plan, the kind that hinted at more than just medical supplies and research equipment.

Gab was already barking orders, directing security teams to surround the docking area, but it was clear Tavok had anticipated this move. His shuttle was already departing.

Elena hit her comm badge again. “AJ, Tavok’s shuttle is heading your way. Prepare to intercept. We can’t let him reach the Edison.”

AJ’s voice came through the comm, “We’re on it, Elena. I have the Edison’s tactical systems on standby. We’ll stop him.”

Elena nodded to herself, feeling slight relief that at least one part of their response was in motion. But the unknown gnawed at her. Tavok had been too confident. He had to know they’d figured it out, and that meant he had an escape plan. She should have seen this.

Suddenly, the doors to the docking bay sealed shut, and an alert flashed on the panel beside them.

“What’s happening?” Gab asked, his voice filled with frustration.

“Docking bay controls have been overridden,” Ensign Carter’s voice came through the station’s comm system. “He’s locked us out. I can’t regain control remotely.”

Elena felt her stomach dropped. Tavok wasn’t just running. He was covering his tracks, and if they couldn’t stop him in time, they would lose any chance at answers.

“Damn it!” Gab cursed, watching the ship disappear from view. “We’ve been played.”

Elena’s fist tightened, “He won’t get away with this.” She turned to Gab. “Let’s hope AJ can get to him before he leaves the sector.”