Interrogation Room 4

The light brown room, furnished with simple chairs and a table, was one of the many interrogation rooms in the Security Hub. Screens on the walls displayed the glowing Starfleet insignia, while a subtle hum emanated from the systems monitoring the detainees.

Sitting stiffly, Vresh crossed his arms and scanned every corner of the room. His posture radiated defiance as Domam entered, flanked by Nirech. “If we’re here under your so-called ‘protection,’ why are we in this room? This isn’t protection, it’s an interrogation! I won’t talk like this!”

Domam exhaled deeply and sat across from him. “Listen, kid, we’re trying to help, but you’re making it difficult,” he said, locking eyes with Vresh.

“Help?” Vresh slammed his fist on the table, his voice rising. “Like Starfleet helped us when we were abandoned here? You only care now because it’s your supplies going missing. Drop the act! I never should’ve come here.”

Dealing with teenagers proved more frustrating than bartering with a Ferengi merchant. Domam felt his patience wearing thin as frustration built. “You’ve been on the defensive since you got here. I’ve already told you, there’s a new command structure on Hecate Station. We’re working to fix what the last administration ignored.”

Nirech leaned forward, cutting Domam off. “What the chief means is, we recognize the situation and take responsibility for our part in it,” he said gently. “But give us a chance to help you.”

Vresh slowly shook his head, his wariness unrelenting. “Even if you’re sincere, the Syndicate won’t let you interfere with us. They’ll notice we’re missing.” His words caused Domam and Nirech to exchange concerned glances, realizing he’d let slip a crucial piece of information.

Interrogation Room 5

Nirech entered the adjacent room to find Nyla sitting nervously, clutching a cup of replicated tea. Analyzing the situation, he decided on a softer approach. Sitting across from her, he smiled gently. “Can you tell me what the Syndicate asks of… your group?” he asked, searching for the right term.

Nyla hesitated before replying. “Rats. They call us Tube Rats because we use the tubes to get around,” she explained. Her voice softened as she relaxed slightly, but a trace of fear lingered, Vresh’s warnings about Starfleet had clearly left their mark.

Nirech nodded. “What do they offer you? And what do they expect in return?” he asked, activating his PADD to take notes.

“They give us food, mostly. Vresh, Talitha, and Gira talk to them. I only know they ask us to sabotage systems,” Nyla said, pausing to sip her tea. Her hands trembled slightly. “They came to our midsection post recently. I was there.”

Hearing the unfamiliar names, Nirech realized there might be a hierarchy within the Tube Rats. Vresh was clearly the leader, but Talitha and Gira appeared to play significant roles. “What did you hear during their last visit?” he asked carefully.

Nyla furrowed her brow, thinking. “They planned to sabotage the Environmental Control Hub. Vresh told Talitha to take care of it, and…”

Domam burst into the room, interrupting. “Lieutenant, we’ve got an alert about a possible sabotage in the Environmental Systems. We need to move.”

Surprised, Nirech rose quickly, glancing back at Nyla. She sipped her tea and avoided his gaze as he left.

Environmental Control Hub

The Environmental Control Hub was a vast, open space dominated by towering filtration units and rows of glowing consoles. Steam hissed intermittently from the machinery, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Domam and Nirech led a security team, their tricorders scanning the area.

“Faint life signs up ahead,” Nirech announced, pointing toward a cluster of equipment. “Looks like the rats brought company.”

“Stay sharp,” Domam ordered, moving carefully. “We need to contain this without casualties.”

As they approached, they spotted a small group of Syndicate operatives and two Tube Rats. A younger girl, trembling, held tools as she tampered with a filter.

“Hurry up, kid!” barked an Orion enforcer, his pistol trained on her. He turned to the older girl. “One wrong move, and your sister’s gone.”

Domam stepped out, weapon drawn. “Let them go. We’re not here for you, we’re here to fix this.”

The enforcer smirked, shifting to a defensive position. “One step closer, and the kid’s dead. Want to test me?”

The older girl, Talitha, hesitated. She glanced at the enforcer and then at her sister, torn between obedience and protection. Finally, she shouted, “They’re lying! They don’t care about us, they’re just using us as tools!” Lunging at the enforcer, she tackled him. “Duck, Alexia!” she yelled to the younger girl.

The distraction was all the security team needed. They quickly disarmed the operatives, though one managed to escape into the tubes. Domam secured the children, watching the fleeing figure disappear. “Get those two to the hub,” he instructed as engineers moved in to begin repairs.

Standing beside him, Nirech muttered, “They’re not done with us yet. This was just a warning.”

Lowerdecks

Deeper in the lower decks, music pulsed through a crowded club filled with civilians dancing, drinking, and gambling. The dim lighting and the haze of smoke created an atmosphere of chaos and indulgence.

On an elevated platform, a group of Orion men lounged on a crimson U-shaped couch. The leader, flanked by two dancers, reclined with an air of smug confidence. A subordinate rushed over, whispering hurriedly into his ear.

The leader’s expression darkened as he absorbed the news. With a sneer, he pushed the dancers aside and leaned forward.

“So that’s how you want to play this, Starfleet…” He exhaled sharply, a hint of menace in his tone. “Fine. Let’s see how much you can handle.”

Refugee Bay 10-B

The repurposed cargo bay was now a bustling refuge filled with rows of beds divided by salvaged panels. Starfleet personnel distributed food and administered medical care at temporary stations. The dim lighting and hum of activity created a somber yet functional atmosphere.

Nyla stood at the front, accepting food and blankets from a Starfleet medic while two younger children clung to her. Vresh and Talitha lingered nearby, watching with guarded eyes.

“You’re safe now,” Nirech said, smiling as Nyla returned to her assigned cot. “We’ll keep our word.”

Nyla hesitated, glancing at Vresh. “Some of us believe you. But Vresh… he doesn’t trust you. He’s been in this too long.” She lowered her voice. “But I think he will, eventually.”

Meanwhile, Domam approached Vresh and Talitha. “You showed courage back there, protecting your sister,” he said to Talitha.

Talitha crossed her arms. “I did what I had to do.”

Vresh scowled. “What now? You’ll feed us for a while, then forget about us? That’s all Starfleet does, show up and then leave.”

Domam nodded. “Things are changing. You’re part of that now, whether you like it or not.”