It was one of those days when the entire station fell silent. Elena had shaken enough hands and accepted enough hugs, and now she was left with the painful moment of being alone with just your memories. It had only been a few days since they had laid Peter to rest, but the hole he left was still very real. She still felt so much guilt over the entire situation. Why hadn’t she done more?

While the station moved around her, she was alone in her grief. The continued condolences from her friends somehow felt hollow. She turned a corner and saw Ambassador Rempeck approaching, his expression seemed softer. For a brief second, she had debated turning. That was until they made eye contact. She sighed.

“Captain Mitchell,” he said, his voice quiet. “I wanted to again express my deepest condolences for your loss.”

Elena looked at him with a puzzled expression. Rempeck’s kindness was unexpected, almost unsettling. She recalled Peter’s warnings about the Ambassador as she spoke. “Thank you, Ambassador,” she replied, forcing a smile despite the feeling in her stomach. “It’s been a difficult time for his family.”

“He was a remarkable man,” Rempeck continued, “His dedication to the Federation and you was unparalleled. I can only imagine what you must be going through right now.”

A chill ran down Elena’s spine. “What do you know of his dedication?” she demanded, “how well did you know him?”

“I knew him very well, in fact,” Rempeck replied, “However, the Peter I knew worked for Starfleet Intelligence. He was my handler during my defection from the Free State.”

Elena felt her breath stop “He worked for Intelligence? I mean I had my suspicions, but he never confirmed it.” She knew her marriage was full of secrets. He was always hiding things from her, but this secret was huge.

“Smart man,” Rempeck said, with a smile. “He was skilled at keeping his cards close to his chest. His instincts were always sharp; he knew how to navigate just about anything.”

Elena’s heart raced, Peter had warned her about Rempeck. Why hadn’t she pressed him for more details? “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” she demanded, her voice rising.

Rempeck nodded with a sigh, “I didn’t believe it was my place to share such information. I’m positive your husband had his reasons for keeping things from you. Intelligence work is complicated, Captain. Sometimes the truth is a liability.”

She clenched her fists, as Peter’s warnings echoed louder, it was almost impossible to hear Rempeck. Why did he trust Rempeck? Or did he? “Tell me the truth, Ambassador,” she said, “What else did you and Peter discuss that I don’t know about?”

Rempeck looked at her for some time, Elena could see the reply forming in his head, even though his expression was blank. “The circumstances of my defection and the political climate at the time were challenging. Peter had a particular insight that helped me navigate those waters. He was more than just a handler; he was a confidant. I owe him a great deal.”

Elena felt a mix of anger and betrayal growing inside of her. How could Peter have kept this from her? Had he truly trusted Rempeck, or was there something else at play? “So, Peter trusted you?” she pressed for more information.

“Peter was a man of principles,” Rempeck replied. “He believed in the possibility of change, in the potential for peace. I like to think I have that potential, too. But perhaps I was not as transparent, as I should have been.”

Elena’s heart sank further as she realized just how involved Peter was in Rempeck’s life. The lines between ally and enemy blurred and left her truly feeling vulnerable. She needed to confront this head-on to understand Peter’s choices. “I need to know what you’re planning, Rempeck. What do you want from my station?”

“I want stability,” he said, “I don’t want the events of our past to repeat themselves. There are dangers out there, Captain, dangers that can change everything I’ve built.”

Elena narrowed her eyes, doubt creeping into her thoughts. “And you expect me to trust you after this revelation? You were involved in my husband’s life in ways I don’t fully understand.”

Rempeck nodded, acknowledging her point. “Trust is a delicate thing, Captain. I don’t expect you to offer it freely. But I assure you, I have no intentions of undermining your command or the station’s integrity.”

As he turned to leave, Elena felt a strange pit in the bottom of her stomach. His warm, kind words felt like a cover, concealing his true intentions. As she watched him walk away, she wished she could trust him. However, something in the back of her mind said she couldn’t.

Later that day, Elena returned to operations to find Lieutenant T’Kara reviewing data on the screen. Elena could see that she was looking at reports from across the sector.  “Anything good?” she asked. 

“Captain,” T’Kara greeted her as she sat up a bit. “We’ve been receiving increased reports of Orion activity in the sector. It’s becoming more frequent.”

Elena nodded, her heart sinking. The Orions had a notorious reputation, often associated with piracy and illegal trade. “What have you got?” she asked.

Bringing up a holographic display of the sector, “Our latest scans show a growing increase in Orion movements here,” she pointed.  “They’re operating in established shipping lanes, but something isn’t right.”

Elena looked to Commander Harris, who had moved to her side. He had stepped up in her absence, and she admired how he handled the pressure. “What are the tactical implications?” he asked.

T’Kara replied, “I don’t know, but I recommend increasing our patrols and conducting security drills throughout the station. The last thing we need is Orions getting into the mix.  We’ve been through enough.”

“Make it happen,” Elena ordered. “We need to be prepared for any scenario.”

Days passed as the station crew worked to prepare for any potential threat. Gab made it a point to walk the corridors, checking in with various teams in an attempt to bolster morale. He knew that in moments of crisis, the self-esteem of the crew mattered more than ever.

During one of his rounds, he spotted CPO Byrne organizing supplies in the main supply bay. “How’s everything looking, Reagan?” he asked, approaching her.

“Good, sir,” she replied, “We’re stocked up on medical supplies, just in case.”

“Keep that spirit high,” Harris encouraged. “We may need it more than we realize.”

As Gab continued his rounds, he couldn’t shake that uneasy feeling inside of him. The Orions were a problem and posed a real threat. The last thing the sector needed was something from the Orion.  The last thing they needed was Nichols to join the Orions. He had gathered the crew for security drills, and each drill intended to push the crew to their limits.

They practiced evacuation protocols, response times to alerts, and tactical formations. Throughout it all, Elena found herself lost in her own thoughts. She couldn’t help but reflect on her conversations with Rempeck and the implications of Peter’s past. She had hoped the ship’s observation lounge could provide some peace. She enjoyed looking out at the stars. She found it relaxing.

Just then, Rempeck entered. He seemed calm and composed. “Captain,” he said, offering a slight nod of acknowledgment.

“What do you want, Rempeck?” she replied. “Now is not a good time.”

“I understand,” he replied, “I just wanted to assure you that I intend to help this station and protect its people. My connections can be a valuable asset to the station.”

Elena crossed her arms, skepticism crossed her face. “And how do I know you’re not playing both sides? Peter’s death is still fresh, and I’m not ready to trust you.”

“I know trust is earned,” Rempeck said, “I didn’t choose the circumstances of my past, but I won’t be judged by those circumstances either.”

As they spoke, Elena couldn’t shake the feeling that Rempeck was hiding something. The uncertainty nagged at her, mixing with her grief and doubt. “If you truly want to help, then be transparent with me. Otherwise, you’ll find my trust harder to gain.”

Rempeck nodded, “Fair enough, Captain. Just know that I’m here to support you in any way I can. And, I believe I can be of immediate help to your current problem.”

Elena narrowed her eyes. “You’ve got my attention.”

Rempeck clasped his hands behind his back, “I’ve seen some information about certain… activities within the sector. As you’re no doubt aware, the Orions have been making some moves. However, they’ve taken a particular interest in a man you know well, Nichols.”

Elena froze at the name. “What do you know?” she demanded, standing up to meet him at eye level.

“I know where he’s stashing his latest shipment of weapons,” Rempeck replied, “Advanced technology, likely stolen from various Federation outposts. If the Orions get their hands on it, they’ll be nearly unstoppable.”

Elena’s mind raced. “And you’re offering this information out of the goodness of your heart?”

Rempeck chuckled softly. “I’m not a saint, Captain. But I believe a strong Federation presence in this sector benefits both of us. Nichols is a disruptor, a loose cannon. Eliminating him ensures stability and, dare I say, peace.”

Elena crossed her arms, her skepticism increasing. “You’re eager to hand over such valuable intel. What’s in it for you, Rempeck?”

The Romulan’s smirk didn’t fade. “I’m simply ensuring that my… efforts in this sector aren’t hindered by confusion. Let’s just say I prefer a more predictable playing field.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“I expect you to act in the Federation’s best interests,” he countered. “The compound is located here,” he handed her a padd, “If you move quickly, you can intercept the weapons before the Orions.”

Elena didn’t answer, instead, she studied him, searching for cracks in his facade. Rempeck’s confidence made her stomach churn; he clearly believed he held the upper hand.

“Fine,” she said.“Once, I’ll verified your intel. But don’t think for a second this earns you my trust. If you’re playing both sides, I’ll find out.”

Rempeck tilted his head, “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Captain.”

As he left, Elena tapped her communicator. “Mitchell to Commander Harris. Report to my office immediately.”

Later, in her office, Commander Harris reviewed the intelligence Rempeck had provided, he was just as confused as Elena. “Do you believe him?” he asked.

“No,” Elena replied flatly. “But we can’t ignore the possibility that he’s right. Nichols has been quiet for too long. It’s worth investigating.”

Harris nodded. “The Edison has already identified one of Nichols’ suspected weapons compound. If this matches Rempeck’s intel, we may have a chance to take action before the Orions escalate things.”

Elena took in a deep breath, “Then let’s move. If we can confirm this is another stash, we’ll take it out and cut off the Orions. But I want eyes on Rempeck. If he’s playing us, I want to know.”

Unbeknownst to Elena, Rempeck was already in his private quarters, accessing a secure terminal. The faint glow of the screen illuminated his calculating expression as he recorded a message.

“Our plan is in full motion,” he murmured. “The Federation will handle Nichols for me, leaving the spoils of his operation free for the taking.”

He ended the transmission, leaning back with a satisfied smirk. He didn’t know that the Edison had already found the second compound. By the time he made his move, his plans would crumble, courtesy of Eos Division.