The Black Aegis glided through the stars, making its way toward the MedVac Station, a massive floating medical facility orbiting a distant gas giant. Designed specifically for Federation investigators and special operatives, the MedVac stations were sanctuaries in the vast emptiness of space—a place where those on the front lines of alien and galactic threats could get patched up, both physically and mentally.

Inside the ship, the crew was still reeling from the effects of Vargas' mysterious technique. Their ears rang, eyes strained, and some of them felt like their heads were being split open. The usually chatty crew was uncharacteristically quiet, a sense of unease hanging in the air as the memories of the Brood and the mental strain weighed on them.

Keera leaned back in her chair, massaging her temples. "I don't know what hit me harder—the brood queen's tentacles or you." She shot a sideways glance at Vargas, who was seated, staring out at the stars. His face was calm, betraying none of the turmoil that had rocked the rest of them.

Vesik, still rubbing his ears, grumbled, "I don't care what you did. All I know is that my ears are still ringing, and I'd rather face a thousand Brood than go through that again."

Nera, the most stoic of them all, was more composed but visibly exhausted. "It hit us hard… like something tore through our minds. What was your technique again, I thought techniques were just throwing fireballs or lightning bolts?"

Vargas gave a slight smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Those are spells, Nera. Techniques are more tailored towards the individual Awakened…It's complicated." he said, his tone evasive, as if the explanation were too much to unpack. "Let's just say I worked hard to develop its potency, way before you guys joined. It's nothing a normal person should be too bothered about."

Nera raised an eyebrow but didn't push. They'd all known for a long time that Vargas was holding back secrets, and this technique was clearly one of them.

The ship docked at the MedVac station with a soft shudder, and the crew, grateful to get some real medical attention, exited the Black Aegis into the gleaming white halls of the facility. The sterile environment, with its bright lights and humming machinery, was a stark contrast to the dark, organic horror they had just faced aboard the derelict ship.

They were quickly ushered into individual medical bays where doctors and medical droids swarmed around them, checking their eyes, ears, and vital signs. Keera winced as a med droid shined a bright light into her eyes. "This better be temporary," she muttered. "I don't plan on going blind because of a stupid alien infestation."

It was in the shape of a cube with various medical tools coming out of various compartments built into the droid

"You will be fine," the droid replied, its voice calm and clinical. "Your optic nerves have suffered mild strain but will recover with rest and medication."

Vesik, his large frame barely fitting in the examination chair, scowled as a doctor examined his ears. "Feels like someone shoved nails into my skull," he grumbled.

The doctor gave him a sympathetic look. "That's the auditory trauma from exposure to high-frequency magical waves. Nothing permanent, but I'll prescribe you something for the pain."

While his crew was being tended to, Vargas made his way to the common lounge, where other investigators sat chatting over coffee and various other stim drinks. The MedVac was not only a place for healing but also a hub of information exchange for those who worked in the shadows of the universe.

As Vargas entered the lounge, a few heads turned, recognizing the veteran investigator. He nodded at a couple of familiar faces before grabbing a drink and sliding into a chair across from two investigators he knew well—Taris, a grizzled old veteran with cybernetic limbs, and Morina, a younger investigator, but a scar running along her cheek proved her experience.

Taris leaned back, sipping from his cup. "Heard you had a run-in with the Brood out near the MACS01-IY nebula. Nasty business."

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Vargas took a sip of his drink and nodded. "Brood queen. She'd set up shop on a derelict—an old one, from before even the Federation's time. The whole thing was crawling with abominations."

Morina's eyes widened slightly. "A brood queen? That's… worrying. You know what that means, right?"

Vargas sighed. "Yeah, Khalis already put in a report to HQ. They'll mobilize if it gets bad. The queen's gone, but that doesn't mean we're in the clear."

Taris grunted in affirmation. "How was it? Looks like your crew's all banged up."

Morina frowned. "You had to use it, didn't you?"

Vargas gave a small, knowing smile. "Yeah, I did. The queen wasn't going down easy, and I couldn't risk a full infestation. Still it worked out fine, they're all alive and the brood are dead. "

Taris and Morina exchanged a glance but didn't ask further. They knew better. Both of them had fought against the Awakened, individuals who were sensitive to and could harness the aera that permeated the universe. Techniques were the pinnacle of an Awakened's skills, it was out of the question to reveal it so casually.

Taris shifted gears, leaning forward. "And what's this I hear about Investigator Beirut? I heard HQ's been sniffing around his activities lately."

Vargas shook his head. "He's under suspicion of colluding with some alien factions. Word is, he's gone dark on Triton I. Not a lot of details, but I've been told to keep an eye on the situation."

Morina's brow furrowed. "Beirut? I worked with him once. Seemed straight-laced. You think he's really gone rogue?"

"Hard to say," Vargas replied. "But if he's mixed up with alien factions, it could be trouble. He's an Awakened as well. You know how delicate things are with the Federation's dealings with the outer worlds."

Taris snorted. "Delicate, my ass. It's all a ticking time bomb, and we're the poor bastards who get to sweep up the mess."

Vargas smiled. "That's why they pay us the big bucks."

As they sat discussing the latest developments, Keera, Vesik, Nera, and Ralo emerged from the MedVac's hallway, all looking fresher, if still a little pale. They'd been through hell back on that derelict ship, but they were professionals. They didn't complain. Keera gave Vargas a quick thumbs-up, and Vesik's usual grumble about needing "something stronger than pain meds" was already half-hearted. Nera, as always, remained stoic, her mind focused on whatever came next.

"Everyone is doing better now.", Ralo explained, conclusively.

Vargas pushed off the lounge chair and approached his crew. "You guys sure?"

Keera rolled her eyes. "Still feel like I got run over by a grav-truck, but yeah, we're good."

Ralo raised an eyebrow, focused on his datapad. "So, Beirut? Seems like we're jumping from one mess to the next, huh?"

"That's the job," Vargas replied with a shrug. "Get ready. We head out as soon as the Black Aegis is cleared for takeoff."

As they made their way toward the ship, Taris called after Vargas from across the lounge. "Hey, Vargas!"

Vargas turned, and Taris gave him a knowing look. "Why do you keep your crew so small, huh? Most veteran investigators have whole squads, dozens, even hundreds of people in their employ. You're still running with the same tight-knit group after all these years."

Vargas scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile crossing his face. "Quality over quantity, Taris. Besides, they're good company." His tone was light, a small seed of the past propped up in his memory, but he quickly brushed it aside.

Taris just grunted, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. "One day, that small crew of yours might not be enough, Vargas. You'll need more hands if you keep going up against things like the Brood or whatever else is out there."

Vargas gave him a nod, not bothering with a response. He wasn't about to explain his reasons, not here. He liked keeping his crew small, tight-knit. Death was ubiquitous with this job, he needed good and experienced people if he was ever going to make it to retirement.

Without another word, Vargas turned and led his team back toward the Black Aegis. The medics had cleared the ship, refueled it, and they were good to go. As they boarded the vessel, Keera took her seat in the cockpit, already prepping the flight path. Vesik and Nera headed to their stations, and Ralo settled back into his corner, typing furiously on his datapad, gathering intel on Triton I and the tangled web of suspicion around Investigator Beirut.

"Nera how is the armory looking?"Vargas called out.

"All good boss. We barely used the weapons so we should be covered for now". Vargas nodded at the response, before ordering Keera to take off.

Once they were airborne, Vargas took a deep breath, feeling the familiar hum of the ship's engines beneath his feet. The Black Aegis had been with him through thick and thin, just like his crew. They were all battered, bruised, but never broken. And now, they were heading into the heart of another mystery.

"Everyone ready?" Vargas asked, glancing around the cockpit.

"Locked and loaded," Vesik replied, cracking his knuckles.

Keera smirked as she punched in the coordinates for Triton I. "Hope this Beirut thing isn't as messy as the Brood."

Nera raised an eyebrow. "When is it ever simple?"

Vargas chuckled. "Never is. But that's why we're here, right?"

With a flash of light, the Black Aegis jumped into warp space, streaking through the stars, heading toward the unknown.