During a routine escort mission, Lieutenant Cam Solari deftly maneuvered his ship through the vast expanse of space when an unexpected object drifted into view. It resembled a circular stone, its surface dotted with intricate, moving parts that caught the distant starlight, glimmering like a jewel against the dark canvas. Cam’s pulse quickened at the sight, and he had turned to his wingman, ‘Wildcard,’ whose eyes were wide with intrigue.

“Check that out,” Cam said, leaning forward in his seat, his fingers dancing over the controls. The object seemed to beckon them closer, and with a determined nod, he activated the tractor beam. The beam engaged with a low hum, and the object slowly began to glide toward them, casting strange shadows against the cockpit.

Hours later, as they were finalizing the docking procedure at the station, Wildcard’s voice crackled through the comms, breaking Cam’s reverie. “Hey, did you notice that thing glowed while we were towing it?” The words hung in the air, and Cam’s brow furrowed, a knot forming in his stomach. He replayed the moment in his mind, recalling the way the object had shimmered, but the realization had come too late; he had already secured it in a cargo bay tucked away in Sector November-Magenta.

Now, as he stood outside the office of Deputy Director of Shipyard Operations, Renu Tol, the anticipation tightened in his chest. The soft chimes he had triggered echoed through the sterile corridor, merging with the distant hum of machinery—a constant reminder of the bustling operations around him. He shifted his weight, his boots clicking softly against the metallic floor, glancing at the closed door with a mix of curiosity and unease. What awaited him on the other side?

Renu had been spending the last few hours fixing fried parts on a starship that had come in for repairs. He took a break and went to his office to review some reports, leaving his team to continue where he left off. Renu sighed at the sound of the chime, wondering who was bothering him now. ” Enter,” Renu replied with an almost annoyed tone.

As Cam entered the office, introduced by the soft hiss of the doors sliding open. His gaze landed on the Trill seated behind the desk, the overhead light catching the subtle pattern of spots that trailed elegantly down the side of his neck.  Cam’s chest tightened, his breath catching for a moment. He forced himself to move, each step feeling heavier than the last. His fingers curled into his palms, trying to hide the slight tremor in his hands.

“Lieutenant Commander Tol,” Cam said, his voice low but controlled. The words felt heavier than they should as they left his mouth. “We found an object… it might have contaminated the starfighter. Maybe more.”

Renu looked inquisitively toward the young Lieutenant. “What is it?” he asked as he stopped what he was working on, curious about the object. “What do you mean by contaminated?” he then asked.

Cam’s throat tightened as he stepped forward, the PADD cool in his hand. He passed it to Lieutenant Commander Tol, his fingers brushing against the hard surface a moment longer than necessary.

“It’s all here,” Cam said, his voice low but firm, though a slight tremor betrayed his nerves. His gaze drifted for a moment before snapping back to Tol’s eyes. “We found an object—looked dormant—just floating out there. Sensors didn’t pick up anything unusual when we brought it in.” He hesitated, his jaw clenching before he continued. “But my wingman… he saw it glow when we reeled it in.” A pause hung between them. “I didn’t hear about it until after we’d stored it on the station.”

Taking the PADD, he looked over it, still confused about what it could be. “Did you see it for yourself?” He asked, looking back at him.

“I should have confirmed it with my own eyes, sir. That’s on me,” Cam admitted, his voice tight with a mix of regret and responsibility.

“Where is it?” Tol asked, looking at him, unsure why he was so nervous around him, but shrugged it off.

“Cargo Bay Twelve,” Cam muttered, the words barely escaping his lips as if meant more for himself than anyone nearby. He hesitated, the tension lingering in his voice before he added, “Sector November-Magenta.”

“Very well, I’ll go check it out. If there isn’t anything else, you’re dismissed.” Tol replied

Cam nodded, releasing a breath of relief as he pivoted on his heel and headed toward the exit. The sleek, metal sliding doors glided open with a soft hiss, sending a refreshing rush of cool air that rustled the leaves of the potted plant on the desk behind him. Stepping into the bustling hallway, he was enveloped by the murmur of voices and the rhythmic tap of shoes against the polished floor.