The cold, sterile floor of the brig held the lifeless body of Peter Mitchell. Elena knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she pressed them against his chest, wishing his wounds to heal. Blood seeped through her fingers, warm but quickly cooling. Her breathing came in gasps, each one a sudden realization that he was truly gone. AJ’s voice echoed from beyond the brig door, pounding against the metal. “Elena! Open the door! Let me in, damn it!”

But she couldn’t move, couldn’t pull her gaze away from Peter’s empty expression. The alarms blared above, their shrill nearly lost beneath the beat of her own heart, growing louder and louder in her ears. Bits of memories raced through her mind. Peter’s voice, his laughter, and his touch all flooded her mind as he lay motionless on the cold floor.

Earlier That Day

The USS Edison drifted seamlessly into Eos Station’s docking port, its hull catching the flash of station lights as it maneuvered into its final destination. AJ stood on the bridge, hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the watchtower-class station before them. Today marked more than just another routine docking; it was the conclusion of a delicate mission. The shadow of the consortium still lurked somewhere out there. However, today, they would deal a blow to the consortium. 

AJ’s mind raced with half-formed plans and doubts as the ship’s vibrations shifted, signaling the completion of docking procedures. He’d handled high-risk assignments before, but this one carried an unknown problem. The prisoner, Ambrose Nichols, was a man with arms reaching deep into the underworld of Freecloud, and if anyone had the connections for an escape attempt, it was him.

Elena’s voice broke his internal monologue. He turned to find her standing beside him, “We’re preparing for the transfer, AJ. How are we looking on security?”

“Secured, but I’d recommend additional backup,” AJ replied, trying to ignore that uneasy feeling. “Nichols isn’t an ordinary prisoner. He knows how to manipulate just about everything.”

Elena nodded in agreement. “Let’s lock this down. The Federation wants Nichols, and we can’t afford a single mistake.”

Hours later, AJ and Elena stood shoulder to shoulder in the brig as Nichols materialized on the transporter pad, surrounded by two burly security officers. Nichols was calm, almost too calm, his eyes filled with disturbing mixture of arrogance and curiosity.

“Commander Tindal, Captain Mitchell.” Nichols’ voice was smooth. He was way too confident. “I must admit, I didn’t expect such a warm welcome. Do you really think Eos can keep me locked up?”

AJ stepped forward, “You’re not here for comfort, Nichols. You’re here to answer for every crime you’ve committed.”

Nichols chuckled, looking unimpressed. “Ah, Commander, you still don’t understand. Eos is just a small dot in a much bigger scheme. There are forces at play that you can’t begin to understand.”

Elena’s gaze narrowed as she tried hard to ignore Nichols’ taunts. “You’ll answer Nichols. Your games end here.”

Nichols’ laughter faded, and for a moment, something flashed across his face. He moved as he lowered his voice. “You have no idea what’s coming.”

AJ signaled the guards to secure him, and as the doors hissed shut on Nichols’ cell, an unsettling feeling settled in his gut. He exchanged a look with Elena, but neither spoke.

As they finalized the security around Nichols’ cell, Peter entered, his face displaying some form of confidence. “I want to talk to him, Elena,” he said, breaking protocol.

AJ’s stomach tightened. “Captain, we’ve been over this. He’s dangerous, and we need to stick to the plan.”

Peter waved him off. “We’re out of time for protocol, AJ. Nichols holds the key to dismantling the consortium’s operations. I need answers, and I need them now.”

Elena was hesitant but gave a small nod, signaling her approval. But as Peter approached the cell, Nichols’ demeanor shifted. A smile crept across his face, and his eyes brightened as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

“You’re a brave man, Captain,” Nichols said, “Or maybe just foolish.”

Peter’s voice was firm. “I’m done with your games, Nichols. Tell me about the consortium’s plans. Now.”

Before anyone could react, Nichols lunged, his movements a blur. AJ shouted, reaching for his phaser, but everything was a flurry of motion in the cramped room. A shout, a flash of movement, and then Peter’s strangled gasp filled the room as he fell back, clutching his side. Blood pooled around him as he stumbled, sinking to the floor, his eyes wide with shock.

“No!” Elena screamed, her hands reaching for him even as Nichols slipped into the shadows beyond the brig’s failing lockdown. Tindal slammed his hands against the sealed door, desperately trying to override the lock.

“Get this open! Now!” he shouted, his voice hoarse. The guards scrambled, trying to regain control of the panel as AJ’s heart raced. Finally, the door slid open, and he rushed to Peter’s side, dropping to his knees. Peter’s face was pale, and his breaths were shallow, his life slipping away even as Elena cradled him close, whispering words only he could hear.

Alarms echoed down the hall, as chaos spread through Eos Station. Somewhere in the distance, Nichols was escaping, a shadow in the darkened corridors. But in that moment, all AJ could see was Elena, kneeling beside her fallen husband, his blood on her hands as she held him close.

And in the silence that followed, the weight of what had just happened was the only thing on AJ’s mind.  He placed a head on Elena’s shoulder as he ordered for Medical.  “Commander Harris to the brig, immediately,” he barked as he tapped his comm badge. 

“Find him,” he ordered to the remaining Security guards who were just standing there in shook. As the guards scattered, AJ clenched his fists. Somewhere in the shadows, Nichols was still out there free and ready to strike again.