AJ sat alone in the Edison’s briefing room, the pale glow from the display console casting shadows across his face. He straightened his uniform as the secure subspace connection linked with Eos Station, the screen flickering to reveal Captain Peter Mitchell.

“AJ,” Peter greeted, his voice calm, “I’ve reviewed your initial report. Give me the details.”

AJ took a breath, collecting his thoughts. “Sir, the ambush was… unexpected. We had accounted for The Broker’s known assets, but additional forces, new mercenaries, caught us off guard. They engaged aggressively, and we sustained injuries. Fortunately, no casualties.”

Peter’s brow tightened. “These additional forces. Any signs they were anticipated by your intel?”

“No, sir. Lieutenant Krev’s intelligence logs showed no immediate indicators of recruits joining The Broker’s side. However,” AJ hesitated, “we suspect he’s actively looking to expand his network. Lieutenant Krev is running additional surveillance.”

Peter nodded slowly, “Continue the surveillance. If The Broker’s looking to bolster his ranks, it’s a clear indication that he’s preparing for another confrontation. Don’t let him outmaneuver you again.”

Peter’s insistence on foresight had shaped him, and he knew the Captain was pushing him to be better. “Yes, sir. The Edison is prepared for the next encounter. We won’t be caught off guard.”

Peter leaned forward slightly. “Keep me updated on Krev’s findings and remember—our mission isn’t just to take down The Broker but to dismantle his network entirely. If he manages to slip away again, you’ll be facing more than a reprimand.”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

With a final nod, Peter terminated the call. The screen darkened, leaving AJ in silence with only the hum of the ship’s systems surrounding him.

Hours later, Lieutenant Krev paced in his quarters, reviewing the latest intel reports. His forehead creased in concentration as he scrolled through the encrypted feeds. His antennae twitched with irritation as he noted something troubling: two more mercenaries flagged as high-priority threats had recently disappeared from their usual haunts in the T’Met system. The timing was too convenient.

Krev’s fingers moved over the console as he pulled up their profiles, analyzing their histories. Known for operating on the fringes, these mercenaries had been cautious about aligning with larger groups—until now. The Broker was expanding his reach, and the list of names in his ranks grew more by the day.

Krev frowned. “The Broker’s desperate,” he muttered to himself. “He wouldn’t risk reaching this far otherwise.” Krev forwarded the information to AJ with a note: “Additional mercenary activity confirmed. High likelihood these recruits were intended for a follow-up ambush. Advise immediate course correction.”

Down in sickbay, the tension between Dr. Andrews and Commander Carter had reached its boiling point. Standing beside her desk, the Doctor glared with frustration, her voice low but heated. “Commander Carter, the Captain sustained serious injuries last time because he didn’t listen to Krev. We all saw it. He rushed in without backup.”

Carter crossed her arms, frowning. “AJ does what he thinks is right. He trusts his instincts.”

“And his ‘instincts’ could have got him killed,” she shot back, her hands balled at her sides. “You know how dangerous The Broker is, but this isn’t about courage. It’s about strategy, about listening to the people who are trained to see things he might not.”

Carter hesitated, her words hitting home. She’d been AJ’s closest confidant, the one who always defended his decisions. But seeing AJ now, still recovering, battered and bruised—she couldn’t deny that perhaps they’d relied a bit too heavily on one man’s intuition.

“Look,” she said finally, his tone softening, “we’re all frustrated. But AJ’s stubborn because he cares about every single one of us. He wouldn’t risk himself if he didn’t think it was necessary.”

“That’s exactly why I’m so angry,” Andrews replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’s got people who care about him, too. And we can’t keep watching him throw himself in harm’s way because he thinks he has to shoulder it alone.”

Carter nodded, meeting her gaze. “I’ll talk to him, make sure he listens to Krev and considers all angles before jumping in again. But he’s going to need your support. We all do.”

Her expression softened slightly, but the fire in her eyes remained. “Fine. But if he ignores Krev again, I’ll do more than just argue.”

Meanwhile, in the ship’s main control room, whispers circulated among the crew, punctuated by wary glances and tightened jaws. Smythe’s betrayal had left scars. People exchanged murmurs about how someone they had trusted could have jeopardized their lives so easily.

Petty Officer Mira Langley leaned over the console, talking in a low voice to Ensign Hiro Tanaka. “I still can’t believe Smythe. We worked side by side with him, trusted him.”

Hiro’s eyes narrowed, his voice taut with restrained anger. “He put us all in jeopardy. It wasn’t just betrayal; it was sabotage. I’m done trusting anyone who isn’t loyal.”

Their conversation caught the ear of Lieutenant Jenna Brooks, who glanced over and stepped in. “I understand how you feel,” she said, keeping her voice steady. “But mistrust can be as dangerous as betrayal. We need to stay united.”

Hiro looked away, his jaw clenching. “Tell that to the Captain. He took Smythe under his wing, and vouched for him. It’s going to eat at him.”

Brooks placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “And that’s why we have to be there for him. Smythe’s actions reflect on Smythe, not Captain Don’t let one man’s deception tear us apart.”

The mood remained tense, but her words seemed to ease the weight of betrayal that had been simmering just beneath the surface. Hiro nodded, reluctantly acknowledging the truth in her statement.

As the Edison continued its journey, AJ received Krev’s latest report and processed it in silence. The Broker was doubling down, desperate for reinforcements after their last encounter. AJ gathered the senior staff to discuss their next steps, aware that Smythe’s betrayal lingered in each mind, casting a shadow over their plans.

AJ surveyed his team, noticing the fatigue in their eyes and the determination lurking beneath. “We can’t afford to let The Broker catch us off guard again,” he said, his voice firm. “We rely on each other, on our skills, and on our trust. We’ve been through a lot, but that only makes us stronger.”

The crew nodded, and as AJ outlined the next phase of their operation, the lingering wounds began to close. This time, there would be no second-guessing. They were ready for whatever lay ahead.