The lights were dimmed, the reflection of the red lights from the consoles were hitting the nervous bridge officers that were focus on the given situation that had rapidly developed right in front of them. The situation was tense, they knew what was at play. Ko was sitting in her chair monitoring the post-extraction response from the Vaadwaur grasp, who became clearly suspicious of Gemini intension.

A countdown was on the screen, the away team had informed them of Vekiron retaliation for their actions. At sun dawn, things will happen, just unknown of what will happen. Ko looks over her shoulder to Keeyiro, “Ensign, status report”.

“It’s troubling, the enemy ships are making unusual movements. They might be calibrating their weapons on us for a potential escape” Keeyiro voice dripped of worry and yet remained calm after the events with USS Mariner to deliver the current age Dominion. The difference was that both USS Andromeda and USS Serenity were there to back them up, now they were alone.

Taking a deep breath looking back to the screen at the deeming countdown “Lieutenant Padgok, take this info in your escape vectors”

Padgok remained focus on his console, “Already projecting potential routes based on the movements of the Vaadwaur ships. I have to take in account the slowdown-space that renders no effect with the Vaadwaur ships” It was a valid point, data showed ships leaving and arriving at the system with no problem.

Triage Zone – Planet surface

The rain was soaking the area that was now concealed in chaos with smoldering debris from the diversion explosion that happened earlier by the works of Suto and Miki. The Vaadwaur were focus on saving what could be saved, and it was the only opening the away team could get. Silina looked at her team, some were shaken of what had happened, but Silina looked a little proud seeing their maintained professionalism.

There was another heavy burden, the choice she had to make. Silina looked around, seeing the injured and wounded, “Miki, what is Gemini status?” Silina hoped for the good news, knowing that the leverage that the Vaadwaur had on them were dealt with.

“They got the hostages, including a few civilian informants that were not expected to take a lift in the ride. Gemini was unable to identify who were there” Miki confirmed the news that made Silina relax a bit “But the more we save, the better”.

“Indeed” Silina smiled a bit, it was something. But she knew that the work they were doing right now was hopeless. These people would die, they were no match for the sheer amount of ships that were in orbit. Silina looked at Suto “What are the chances that Gemini be able to get as many as civilians with us?”

Suto remained quiet and calm, true to her half Vulcan nature, but she felt the creeping fear from her human side growing. She looked at her Captain, “About 25% Gemini can take if it reacts correctly and fast”.

Meanwhile, Viamame ignored the conversation, tending to the patients in silence. She just lost a wounded Vaadwaur soldier that had received treatment from her. In the back of her mind, she knew that Vekiron’s retaliation was coming, they didn’t know in what form.

Medical Tent – Planet surface

The makeshift tent with dim flickering lights that set the mood with tension and fear. Silina had entered grabbing the things she needed and saw Miki follow her into the tent, “What Lieutenant?” She asked in a whispering tone.

Miki shrugs and looked outside at the muddy surrounding with beds of wounded, “You know what will happen next?”

“They get executed, Vekiron his prides showing is true nature. He can’t point his finger at us, but he can make an example of it” Silina leans on the table. She knew this was going to happen, or will happen. The weight of her choices breath down over her shoulders, “That’s why we are on a time limit”.

Looking at her, no judgmental looks or shame. Miki wonders if he would do the same, the same in this situation, “If we leave, they will die”.

She slams her hand on the desk, “I am fully aware of my choices, Lieutenant.” Silina doubts whether they should act on this or not. “The realization is a fact, we are outgunned, we made priorities. Horseheads crew is that priority and not this planet” She hated, the fact that she will be unable to help them all.

Taking a deep breath, “Sometimes mercy has a price. But it’s still mercy Captain” Miki said looking back at her “Time is running out”.

Outside the tent, Viamame was standing, hands trembling, unable to say anything. The rain hits her face, the emotions boiling in her. She looked at the people that she helped, that thanked her for saving them. The fact was now sinking in, the mercy she showed, the duty she performed, was all for nothing.

Main square – Planet Surface

The away team had to stand there among the many sacred civilians. Civilians that were standing there, huddling, clutching each other, unsure of what would happen to them as the sun breaks the dawn on the horizon. The smoke of ashes had hung in the air like an omen that was ready to be poured down over these people. Silina stood in the muddy ground, like she was rooted to it as her eyes focus up front, the podium with the device that would show Vekiron.

The holographic projection of Vekiron appears. “Impressive sleight of hand you showed these people, Captain.”

The cold shiver run over her back as she heard his voice. Silina eyes looked at the figure, the tone of Vekiron didn’t sound angry, but it was colder, as if disappointment was masking its true feeling. But it didn’t break her, “Why are we here? Do you need assistance with the mine? You have not called for help at all, we here to help”.

His eyes locked on hers, cold like the void, calculating of what to say next, “I think you’ve assisted quite enough, Captain. However, I do wonder…” The tone of his voice lingers as if a knife was slowly drawn, “Whose blood will balance your result”.

The square got quiet around Silina and the rest of the away team froze. This approach of the Vaadwaur, not yelling for loosing, rather knowing that he already won by just sacrificing a few pawns. Not by weapons, no shot was fired, no by the build of uncertainty.

It slightly broke down the modest, caring Captain that saw the scared faces around her, the twist of dread that was building up. The sacrifice was going to be bigger than these people would assume, but it was the only way that she could move forward. Her eyes never broke sight of that of Vekiron. “You’re making big accusations, Vekiron. If this is your way to show mercy, it’s not. This is extortion”.

Leaning forward, Vekiron’s projection showed a cruel smile curling his lips “Ahhh and yet, Captain….you paid” The holographic image disappears as smoke in the sunlight disappears.

USS Drava

Sitting quickly down in the chair “Get ready for emergency departure, have Gemini perform the action Lieutenant Scott” Silina orders as she prepares the Drava to move. The ship systems slowly power up as Silina taps quickly an update to her notes, the success of her extraction, the moral blow to Vaadwaur, the fear that her actions might trigger a massacre.

Miki sits down next to her silently, his mind was distracted by the ethical blow of their mission to this planet. Save Horseheads crew, but at what cost. “Shields powering up, we need them more than weapons” He stated, getting a nod from Silina.

In orbit, Gemini is locked and surrounded by dozens of Vaadwaur ships, and the crew knows the price of their mercy, but ready to save as many as possible. The showdown is about to happen.