There was a deafening silence in the briefing room when Samir tapped his comm. All men knew the Hyperion might not be winning the next fight. If so, then they were out of options but to order an evacuation of the derelict and destroy the Andromedan vessel. That is, if they even got the chance.

“Klyker, where’s the enemy fire coming from?” Singh tapped his comm.

A second later and the Lt. Commander responded, “Sir! I’m not reading any other vessels. The explosion appears to have come from inside the Hyperion. I’m reading a significant hull rupture and damage to several systems.”

Samir shared a dark look between Chief Helmsman Kieth and Father Soren. “Was it at water distribution?”

The comm chirped. “Yes, but how did you—“

“Never mind that,” Samir interrupted. “Seal off all sections and get engineering crews on it. It’s not a primary system, but we need to make sure it hasn’t compromised the hull integrity.”

Samir tapped the comm off. He took a deep breath. Sweat beaded his brow. While this wasn’t the worst case scenario, the Free Exchange had made a move on whatever was inside the water tank. It would be hours before they could determine whether anyone had made it inside the container. In the meantime, there was no telling what they could do.

“Inform the men to get ready,” he told Sergeant Barnes. “We can’t wait any longer. We need to take control of the ship.”

He turned towards Chief Helmsman Kieth. “Head towards the bridge. I’ll join you there in thirty minutes. As for the rest of you, get ready.”

“And what will you be doing?” Father Soren asked.

Captain Singh faced the man gravely. “Making sure all our ends are covered.”

The men filed out of the room one-by-one until only Samir and Father Soren were left. The two shared a quick look before Captain Singh took his leave as well. He went down the hallway, deep in thought.

He was certain that Erika Terese was a Free Exchange agent of some sort. It wasn’t the ideology that had tipped him off. He knew that the Exchange was only ever interested in preserving itself. However, they often made use of such people. Humans so driven by their ideas that they were as puppets. That she of all the galaxy had been placed as his second-in-command was not lost on him.

Samir could guess at the game being played. They offered her the opportunity to study the new beings from Andromeda. She would play along—perhaps even knowing that they were likely to stab her in the back. But to play the long game is to lose. One had to be decisive. To strike before the other had a chance. Otherwise the Free Exchange would win. His hand felt at his waist where his pistol sat. It’s time to eliminate another threat.

A hand fell on his shoulder.

Samir stopped in the hallway, but he already knew it was Father Soren behind him. He didn’t turn around to face the old priest.

“I think you should reconsider.”

“Why?” Captain Singh remained still. “She’s likely working with them. If not, then she’s certainly a part of the plan.”

“And perhaps you should understand that you are too.”

Samir lifted his head behind his shoulder. “Was capturing Ensign Williams part of the plan? Was discovering that container part of the plan? We have them on the back foot. What we’re doing is working. We need to strike while we have the chance.”

Father Soren shook his head sadly. “There is a difference between killing someone you know to be a threat and murdering on a whim. You knew Ensign Williams was a traitor. She held a gun to your crewman, and she tried to kill me. You knew she would’ve gotten out, eventually. Can you say the same for Terese?”

“She’s dangerous. Maybe the most dangerous person on this ship. If she gets what she wants…”

“But what do you know!?” the old man demanded. “You understand how the Exchange manipulates people? They give just enough information. Just enough truth. And then…” Father Soren gestured with his eyes toward the gun. Samir hadn’t realized he already drawn it.

Samir blinked. He had believed much the same with Ensign Williams. It was funny how none of those thoughts came to him now.

“I wonder if that’s the plan for you. To murder your enemies one-by-one. Real or imaginary. Right up until you turn your own men against you. Think Samir Singh! Or are you the same man that burned my world—my home to ashes?” Father Soren’s fingers clenched Samir’s shoulder, digging into his flesh. “You put a gun in my hand, and you swore your life to me. I still hold you to that vow.”

Father Soren whispered under his breath. “Don’t make me claim it now.”

A memory flashed again. One that he had seen a thousand times. The world of Canna. Prized jewel of the Danubik Systems. Four hundred years had been spent terraforming it. Generations sacrificing for a lush new Earth.

Samir saw it burning. He stood on the bridge of the Perses. The holographic picture captured every detail. The world was a crimson glow as tsunamis of fire swept the blackened ground. Webs of lava scarred the surface where the planet’s crust had been shattered and exposing the molten core. The planet spun silently, a blazing funeral pyre that wouldn’t stop burning for ten thousand years. He could see the smoke staining the stars.

Later, it wasn’t hard to put the gun in the priest’s hand.

Captain Singh took a shaky breath. His fingers barely holding the pistol. His face was wet. He struggled to keep control of himself. “What would you have me do?”

“Secure the ship as planned. Go to Amos and talk to him. I’ll handle Commander Terese.”

Maybe it was the part of him that was still a soldier. Maybe it was some vicious attribute of human nature. Samir didn’t care. He wanted to fight his enemy and win. He wanted more than anything to claim victory. But it was for the right cause. Samir thought desperately. This time was different. This time, he had changed.

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And then maybe not. He had gone down this path before. He had killed and killed until there was no one left standing before him. And then what was left? His hands bloodied and the universe burning before him. Maybe another choice could have been made. Maybe there was another option open to him. He wouldn’t know until he went down the road—no matter the consequences.

Samir put the pistol back, and he turned towards the priest. The old man stared at him with the same look he had all those years ago. All that rage and fury in those eyes. Samir had always wondered why the man had never pulled the trigger. Why he chose not to kill Samir there and then. He had more than every right to. Knowing the question in Samir’s gaze, the old priest finally sighed.

“It doesn’t matter the sin. Every man has a right to beg mercy. Maybe even you.”

It wasn’t a long walk to engineering. A shorter walk still to Amos Singh. The Captain caught his Chief Engineer organizing his men to seal the hull rupture. He waited for a moment to let the crew to disperse before he took Amos aside. The rest of engineering carried on as Samir led Amos to a private section.

It was one of the forward control arms of the gravity core. The four arms stabilized the main core and connected it to the ceiling, where power was carried to the rest of the ship. The small room overlooked the central pillar and held several key control systems, most of which were kept automatic. Below the glass, Samir could see the angled chamber holding the black hole in place.

“Sir.” Amos saluted.

Samir inwardly groaned. “We can do without ceremony right now. I need something from you. Something important.”

It was an understatement to say that Samir Singh had regrets in his life. He knew he had his fair share of sins. But at the moment, he deeply regretted that he never had the chance to seriously talk with Amos after their first encounter on Ghenus. Maybe that was another flaw of his. Samir never found the time for things truly important. And judging from the look that Amos gave him, maybe that would cost him.

“Captain?” His Chief Engineer did not mask the confusion in his voice.

“There are… plots aboard the Hyperion. People are trying to determine who benefits from the discovery of the derelict. I can’t explain much right now, but there are traitors on this ship. They’ve moved once before, and that explosion earlier was another attempt. We need to secure the Hyperion.”

Perhaps that was another fault of his. Samir couldn’t let Amos in on the full truth that he intended to send the derelict on its way. He truly believed that Amos would do the right thing, but that was a small risk that he couldn’t afford right now. As much as Samir trusted Amos, he needed this half-lie.

Samir was a man that needed to right the wrongs of the past. Leaving anything to chance now was something he simply could not do. Besides, once Amos sealed off engineering, it wasn’t like anyone else was going to tell the man otherwise.

Amos nodded along.

“Take your most trusted men and section off engineering from the rest of the ship. Protect the gravity core. I am planning on arresting the civilian crew and putting the Hyperion into lockdown.”

“I understand.”

Samir saw Amos’ eyes. The man was following orders, but he still had his reservations. It was in that hesitation that Captain Singh truly understood. He never cared for other men’s loyalty. Samir could lead the crew of the Hyperion into hell itself, but it wouldn’t matter to him if he went alone.

Now, more than anything, he wanted Amos’ loyalty. If only because the Chief Engineer had seen the same burden that he had. Amos was the one man who might understand him. The one man who could sympathize with the weight that Samir carried. And if Amos could look at Samir, and say to him that the Butcher of Three Systems might redeem himself, then maybe Samir could believe in that. And to know that he was truly doing the right thing.

But as much as he wanted, Samir was afraid of that as well. Father Soren Danubik might have been the one man able to judge the Butcher, but he wasn’t the one man who could understand Samir Singh. The one man able to look at him, to truly stand in his footsteps and to know. Maybe sending the Andromedan vessel off towards its destiny wasn’t the right call. Samir wasn’t ready for that judgement, and so he spoke the next best truth he could.

The Captain sighed and paused for a moment. “You told me you wanted to wipe the blood off our name. I am… holding you to that today.”

Amos blinked. The man shifted unsettled, but he remained silent.

“The contents of a civilization rest in that derelict. What happens now—what happens to them, rests on us. They depend on us. And I need you to trust me, no matter what happens, just for one day.”

Maybe it was enough to ask for that. Samir prayed it was so. If only he could make the world as what he wanted. If only he could just right the wrongs. Maybe things could be right again. Maybe Canna would stop burning. Maybe the sky could be washed of his sins. Was it so wrong to want that?

The Chief Engineer looked down towards the floor. The thought reluctantly took him. He lifted his eyes again. “I think I can do that, Captain.”

Samir lifted his hand, and Amos shook it. “I’ll see you once it’s over.”

The Captain led from the front as eight marines trailed behind him. They passed by a few of the crew in the halls and none stopped them. It was an all too easy matter of stepping onto the bridge. The men quickly took positions around the room while the rest of the crew barely had time to react. Lt. Commander Klyker looked downright confused as he and the most of the bridge crew were forced from their stations. Samir saw Miles glance back from his seat as the Captain addressed the room.

“It has come to my attention that there are traitors among the crew. For everyone’s safety, you shall be escorted to safe zones and detained there until the threat has been deemed neutralized. Please remain calm. This will be over shortly.”

“Captain!” Lt. Commander Klyker stepped forward. “Let me stay on the bridge. I can coordinate the teams.”

Captain Singh only silently stared back at the pleading man, making it clear the answer was no. Klyker’s confused eyes suddenly flashed with understanding, and he took a deep breath. “This is about the derelict, isn’t it? What are you planning?”

“A man must follow his conscience. I warned you that day. We must go our separate ways—and suffer the consequences. Now please, fall in line.”

The man’s face hardened as he realized. Samir couldn’t trust the man because Klyker needed the derelict to return to the Exchange. It was his only chance of saving his home. Without that, the expedition would’ve been a failure and subsequently any chances of ascending to the High Board. Samir would’ve preferred otherwise, but he simply couldn’t trust Klyker not to make a foolish move.

Klyker looked to the bridge controls. He likely thought that he could reach the comm. He only would need a second to activate it and warn the rest of the ship. A marine stepped forward and prodded him with the gun. He wouldn’t get that second.

The Lt. Commander reluctantly stepped in line with the rest of the crew that couldn’t be trusted.

“Sir.” Miles suddenly stood up from his chair. “I think I should go with them.”

Captain Singh looked at the man, puzzled. “Why?”

The Chief Helmsman hesitated. “My… condition could be activated again. It isn’t safe to have me on the bridge while this is happening.”

Samir nodded, understanding. While this deprived them of a pilot, they could work around it for now. The crew were silently led off the bridge. Captain Singh assumed his chair and quietly surveyed the rest of the room. Most of the marines remained behind, closing the doors shut and sealing the room off. The only other people who remained were crew they had deemed loyal or were otherwise too necessary to be detained. The marines stood by them to make sure they didn’t try anything.

“Sergeant Barnes, we’ve secured the bridge. You can begin.” Samir pressed his personal comm.

From his chair, he flicked the emergency lockdown sequence. The lights of the room suddenly blared red as the sequence took effect. Normally it was only to be used when a significant force had boarded the vessel, however, it would suffice for their purposes. Passageways between decks closed off, isolating each deck of the ship from one another. Only those with military level passcodes could get by the checkpoints.

Communications were completely cut off within the vessel. All computer systems were shut down, preventing access. The only equipment still powered was on the bridge or engineering. Effectively, the Hyperion had become a cage. Once they had the crew properly detained in cordoned off sections, they would restore power. Until then, it was simply too dangerous.

Samir tapped his personal comm again, this time reaching out to Amos. “Is it done?”

“I’ve sealed off engineering.” Amos responded calmly. “The ship is yours, Captain.”