Stepping out of the aft turbolift, Corbin led the group onto the bridge with I’Tareen close beside him. The ship remained at red alert; the muted klaxon pulsed through the air like a warning heartbeat. Security personnel ringed the perimeter, phasers at the ready, their presence a stark reminder that this might become the Atlas’ first real combat engagement. Corbin trusted his crew implicitly; he could feel their focus, their readiness, but this was never how he imagined their maiden mission on the new ship unfolding. As he crossed toward the centre seat, he sensed not fear but a steady, collective confidence from the officers around him, each one bracing for whatever came next.

“Report?” Corbin asked as he approached Alkos.

The Bajoran rose from the captain’s chair, smoothly returning command to its rightful owner. “The civilian ships are still broadcasting the same rhetoric,” he said, his voice edged with tension. “We’ve also detected additional Ivalan vessels on an intercept course.”

“Those will be our cruisers moving to support you,” I’Tareen said, her voice calm but her posture rigid as she stepped closer to Corbin. The Prime Curator’s eyes swept across the displays with growing concern, fully aware her people were now moments from standing opposite their own citizens.

“Our reinforcements will be in position in just under two minutes,” Rowal reported as he took over at tactical. His hands moved quickly across the controls, his normally serene Deltan composure tightened by the gravity of the situation. “Once they arrive, our combined firepower will match the civilian vessels.”

Nelson had moved to stand beside Rowal rather than taking her usual seat at Corbin’s right. Her posture was taut, and her analytical eyes locked on the tactical displays. “At this rate,” she said quietly, “we’ll have enough strength to counter them, but only if they force our hand, sir.”

“We’ve got to find a way to de-escalate this matter,” Merrendis advised, her voice soft but steady. The Risan counsellor stood close to Corbin and I’Tareen, her calm presence grounding the rising tension on the bridge.

“Counsellor Merrendis speaks wisely,” I’Tareen agreed with a decisive nod. “Captain, please, open a channel. Let me address them directly.”

Corbin gestured for Alkos to open the channel, and once the Bajoran confirmed that the signal was ready, he nodded at the Prime Curator. She straightened her posture, cleared her throat, and addressed the freighters directly.

“Attention, civilian vessels surrounding the Atlas,” I’Tareen’s voice rang out clearly over the comm. “This is Prime Curator I’Tareen speaking from aboard this vessel. You are violating Ivalan law with your current actions. Stand down your weapons immediately and allow us to discuss this matter peacefully.”

There was no reply, only absolute silence. The channel carried no signal back, no acknowledgement, nothing but the cold void of unresponsiveness.

I’Tareen tried again, her tone calm but firmer. “With the combined strength of this vessel and the Ivalan fleet, you are outmatched. Stand down your weapons and declare your intentions. I am willing to negotiate and discuss your grievances.”

Again, there was only silence. The channel carried no sound. I’Tareen’s hands tightened briefly in a grasp, a flicker of frustration crossing her otherwise composed expression.

Turning to Corbin, she seemed almost at a loss. He drew a deep, steadying breath. “This is Captain Romen Corbin of the Federation starship Atlas. I could warn you that any attack on this vessel would be met with overwhelming force. On your long-range sensors, you should be detecting multiple warp signatures that match this ship’s frequencies, along with those belonging to Klingon and Romulan ships. I don’t want this to escalate to war between our people. I am more interested in understanding your message: what is this ‘Deep Light’ you invoke, and what does it demand of you?”
A proximity alert sounded sharply at the tactical station. Rowal’s voice was immediate and controlled. “Sir, the remainder of the Ivalan fleet has arrived and taken defensive positions, forming a perimeter around the civilian vessels. They’ve locked their weapons on the civilian ships.”

Corbin nodded slowly at the update. He tried to reach out to those on the civilian ships, even if they were brainwashed and missing their eyes. “Please respond. Fighting accomplishes nothing.” His voice carried a measured calm, but beneath it was the weight of command and the urgency of a situation spiralling beyond standard protocol.

“What can we offer them that would force them to walk away from this?” Merrendis murmured, her voice low, almost lost beneath the hum of the bridge. She glanced at Corbin and the Ivalan leader, searching for guidance.

Nelson shrugged, a hint of sarcasm colouring her tone. “Perhaps more volunteers who are willing to remove their eyes?” She arched an eyebrow, though the attempt at levity did little to ease the tension.

I’Tareen lifted her gaze, her eyes sharp and resolute. She spoke up again towards the viewscreen, addressing her fellow Ivalans. “If you stand down your weapons, I will withdraw the Ivalis Two defence fleet and deactivate our orbital weapon platforms. You may then retreat safely to Ivalis Two without further escalation under impulse power only.”

Corbin blinked, confusion crossing his features. Why offer such a strategic position and sacrifice planetary defences? Yet he felt the unwavering certainty radiating from her. He realised her gamble was designed to buy time, to prevent immediate bloodshed.

Another alert from tactical pierced the tense air. “Sir, the civilian ships are retreating at one-third impulse, heading directly for Ivalis Two,” Rowal reported.

Corbin turned sharply to I’Tareen. “Prime Curator, did you just hand an entire world over to this sect? If they reach Ivalis Two, they could potentially spread their influence further.”

I’Tareen met his gaze steadily. “For the good of the Union,” she said calmly. Turning to one of her nearby advisors, she issued swift orders for the orbital fleet. “I hope that this gives us time to understand what we are dealing with and to stop further harm.” She then returned her attention to Corbin, her expression resolute.

Nelson shook her head in disbelief, stepping closer. “Otherwise, many more innocent people could suffer,” she muttered, her voice tight with frustration.

I’Tareen’s composure never wavered. “Captain Corbin, I must request Federation assistance in addressing this crisis. In exchange, I will open the Ivalan Union to diplomatic talks that could lead to a lasting alliance between our peoples.”

Corbin sensed the urgency behind her words, the weight of responsibility pressing on her shoulders. Her willingness to commit her people and resources so quickly revealed the desperation she felt. He nodded solemnly. “We will do everything we can to help,” he promised.

Before Corbin could speak further, a wave of overwhelming sensation struck him: fear, anguish, and a furious, searing anger. He instinctively clutched his forehead, dizziness overtaking him. Nelson and Merrendis moved swiftly to support him, holding his arms as his vision blurred and his knees buckled.

The chorus of voices repeated the same chilling phrase, seeming to originate from a thousand sources simultaneously.

“Surrender to the Deep Light.”

The words tore at his mind, each repetition more intense than the last.

Within seconds, Corbin’s strength failed him entirely. He collapsed to the deck of the bridge, barely conscious, as the alien statement echoed through the very core of his mind consistently.

Around him, the bridge crew reacted with alarm, their faces pale with shock.

Nelson’s voice cut sharply through the chaos. It was almost as if she knew what was going on. “Romen! Focus on my voice! You’re safe. Stay with us!” She tapped her combadge and called down to sickbay, telling Carrilion to prepare for them before telling Aklos to activate a site-to-site transporter. She wanted him to beam her and the captain straight to sickbay.

During the commotion, Merrendis politely pulled the Ivalan leader out of the way, suggesting that she take her and her advisors off the bridge while they dealt with the matter. I’Tareen asked if she could stay. Her eyes narrowed, recognising that the very force that had claimed the I’Shathren’s crew now sought to claim Corbin.

The battle for the Atlas had begun, not only in space but also in the mind of the captain and potentially in the minds of all aboard.