Dr. Xian's eyes tracked my every movement. I noted Sorrel studying images on a 3D screen and headed over.

"How's she doing?" I asked Sorrel.

"She's recovering steadily," Sorrel waved to the screen and I moved to get a better look.

MEDICAL STATUS - KEPLER STATION SURVIVORS

Dr. Eris Xian: Stable/Recovering

Neural disruption: 67% resolved

Cognitive function: Improving, memory gaps decreasing

Physical condition: Stable vitals, dehydration resolved

Psychological state: Alert, cooperative, moderate trauma response

Prognosis: Full recovery expected within 72 hours

Dr. David Ross: Critical/Stable

Neural disruption: 45% resolved

Cognitive function: Severe fragmentation, intermittent clarity

Physical condition: Stable but weak, requires continued monitoring

Psychological state: Periods of confusion, improving lucidity

Prognosis: Extended recovery, potential permanent memory gaps

Medical Officer Note: All patients show signs of attempted consciousness extraction. Neural pathways damaged but regenerating. Continue current treatment protocols. - Dr. Kosta

"However, she is showing signs of strain."

"You've worked miracles in the past four hours," I said. "You should take a break."

Sorrel nodded, but she wasn't leaving. I glanced at Xian. "Can I talk to her?"

"I'll take you over," Sorrel replied. Then walked with me to Dr. Xian's side.

The three survivors lay connected to monitoring equipment, their vital signs looked stable, but their expressions carried something else.

"Dr. Xian," I said, and settled into the chair beside her bed. "I need to know what happened."

Xian's voice was stronger than it had been earlier when I'd first tried to speak to her. "Sarah was brilliant, her mind one of a kind. She discovered what was really going on at Kepler Station about six weeks ago."

"Six weeks ago?"

"It took us that long to pull off what we did."

I glanced at Sorrel, who was monitoring the readouts, and I noted her heart rate increasing. "What exactly did she discover?"

"They're not covering up mining accidents," Xian said. "They discovered how to extract consciousness."

Sorrel looked up. Her expression shifted from professional concern to disbelief. "That's... not possible. Consciousness isn't something you can just take out."

"That's what we thought, too," Xian agreed. "But Braker developed a consciousness mapping technique that isolates specific cognitive functions from living neural tissues."

"Can you explain?"

She did go on to explain, but I couldn't follow all of it. Sorrel, though, was turning paler and paler.

"Essentially, they can extract creativity from one mind. An analytical capability from another. Emotional processing from a third. Then integrate them into a single artificial consciousness." Xian's hands trembled as she spoke. "Like... like harvesting organs, but for mental capabilities."

Through our neural link, I felt Lia's presence recoil with what could only be described as shock.

"So, the AI design..." Sorrel started, but couldn't finish.

"They wanted the AI design, because," I said slowly, "they're using human minds as components."

"Exactly."

We were all silent for a moment, only the soft working of the machines, helping others to heal, could be heard.

"So Dr. Martinez?

"Sarah figured out how to reverse the process. How to extract the stolen consciousness and restore it to biological neural tissue." Xian's voice broke, and Sorrel helped her to take a small drink. "That's when they took her."

"What happened then. Why did you leave? Is she still there?"

"Slower," Sorrel said.

"Sorry. I'm not the best when it comes to questioning people."

Dr. Xian smiled. "I understand, this is important on all sides." She took another drink, then pushed it aside. "We were part of the core laboratory, sublevel seven. They'd been converting the entire lower section into some kind of processing facility." Xian looked across the room to one of her colleagues. "Multiple extraction chambers, quantum storage matrices, integration laboratories."

"How many people?" Sorrel asked and sat on the opposite side of her bed.

"We don't know the full scope. But Sarah said they'd been perfecting the process for months. Dozens of test subjects, maybe more." Xian's eyes found each of us in turn. "They're not experimenting anymore. They're stealing consciousness."

The silence that followed was suffocating. I could see all eyes were on her then, and now too. The coalition ship's crew was processing what this meant.

<<This isn't just crime,>> Lia said.

"Security protocols?" I forced myself to focus on tactical realities.

"Heavy. Military-grade personnel, motion sensors, and automated defences. They brought in specialists after Sarah's first escape attempt." Xian's eyes found each of us in turn. "They're not trying to capture intruders now. Anyone without authorization is shot on sight."

Dr. Ross stirred in the adjacent bed. When his eyes opened, they were as haunted as I felt.

"The hybrid," he whispered. "They're almost finished with the prototype."

I got up and moved closer to him. "What kind of prototype?"

"Artificial consciousness with the combined neural patterns of multiple researchers." His voice grew stronger, as if remembering was helping him process the horror. "This one... Strategic thinking, creative problem-solving. Emotional manipulation and tactical analysis. All integrated into a single digital mind."

"How many people have been taken from?" Sorrel asked.

"We're not sure. Sarah said at least a dozen, possibly more." Ross's eyes found mine. "Not taken. Murdered. Harvested. Most of them were still alive. They were kept conscious while their minds were slowly extracted piece by piece."

Bile rose in my throat. "They're torturing them to death."

"They need the neural patterns to remain active during extraction," Ross continued. "It provides better integration results. So, they keep the subjects conscious, aware, experiencing every moment of having their minds torn apart."

Sorrel's medical scanner registered stress spikes throughout the room. "That's... that's not medicine. That's not even research."

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"What would they use the hybrid for?" I asked, though Ross's expression suggested he already knew.

"Corporate warfare." He stated. "An AI system that thinks like multiple humans simultaneously, with digital processing speeds and unlimited memory storage. It would give Braker advantages no competitor could match."

"And they'd sell it to the Coalition," I realized, the political implications crystallizing.

<<Do you think that...they'd be better than me?>>

That question shocked me. Mostly because I didn't honestly know the answer.

"It would be the ultimate strategic planning system."

"With backdoor access to influence every major military and political decision," I added. "They're not just building an AI—they're building a tool for controlling civilization."

<<You do think it would be better than me?>>

<<Let's talk about this later, properly.>>

She shied back from me, and I felt bad.

"How long until the prototype is complete?" I asked them both. "Any ideas?"

"They weren't that far off, that's why we had to act, to leave... to try and warn someone."

"Days, maybe hours," Ross replied. Though his eyes were drifting now. Tired. "They were in final integration testing when the containment breach occurred."

"Containment breach?"

"Sarah's doing," Xian said with fierce pride mixed with terror. "She sabotaged their systems in the hope we could get away. The feedback nearly destroyed the entire facility."

"That's why the station went dark?"

"Partially. The cascade failure knocked out primary communications. But Braker's been jamming transmissions anyway." Xian's eyes met mine again. "She knew she was probably going to die when she triggered it. But she said someone had to try to stop them."

I stood, processing this new revelation. It painted a terrible picture of technology that shouldn't exist being used for purposes that defied any human decency. "I need to discuss how we deal with this with Lev. Rest and recover. I'll be back if we need more information."

As I turned to leave, Xian grabbed my arm. She had surprising strength. "Promise me something. If you can't save Sarah. If she's too damaged or if saving her would compromise stopping the prototype. Don't let those people die for nothing."

I tapped my comms. "Were you listening?" I asked Mac.

"You heading up?"

"Yes, I want to speak to Lev if I can."

"We might be too far out for a quick response."

It took me a moment, but in the next breath, I was sitting with Mac in the CIC.

"Are you joining us, Lia?"

"I am still needed in the med-bay, I am listening."

"I don't think contacting Lev is a good idea," Mac said. "If Brakers have blocked all contact to Kepler Station, they might well be monitoring any traffic over δ-Wave communications."

"His expertise could really be helpful right about now."

"Agreed, but if they intercept our transmission. They not only learn we're here, but..."

"What about something cryptic?"

"I believe Nyx would be able to decipher anything you say," Lia added.

"Okay," Mac relented.

"Send this on standard frequency, Lia," I ordered. "Let it look like normal ships' chatter."

"Accessing δ-Wave communication now."

STANDARD TRANSMISSION

To: Frost Employee 1817

From - Chief of Engineering FK202

Nyx - Found some interesting architectural patterns in the old foundation work we discussed. Hybrid construction using merged materials from multiple sources. Industrial scale operation, military grade specifications.

Original blueprint holder still on site, level 7. Foundation completion estimated hours, not days. Structural integrity of the entire project is at risk.

Requesting consultation on demolition procedures vs salvage operations. Time sensitive.

Engineering out.

END TRANSMISSION

My trip to CIC led me straight back to find Commander Torres not long after. She was standing beside the bed where Thompson lay connected to life support.

"You also need rest," Sorrel scolded as I walked past her.

"No change?"

"Not yet, but it's still early. He's got the best treatment going. If it had been any other ship, he might not have survived.

I approached the Commander quietly. "How are they?"

Lia gave me their read outs this time straight to my HUD.

COALITION NAVY SURVIVORS Lieutenant Thompson: Critical/Stable

Traumatic brain injury from EVA collision

Intracranial pressure: Controlled but elevated

Consciousness: Intermittent, non-responsive periods

Life support: Ventilator assisted, stable vitals

Prognosis: Uncertain, next 24 hours critical

Ensign Adelaid: Stable/Recovering

Internal haemorrhaging: Resolved

Broken ribs, minor punctured lung: Healing well

Pain management: Effective

Mobility: Limited but improving

Prognosis: Full recovery expected within 2 weeks

Medical Officer Note: Coalition crew suffered standard combat trauma. All patients receiving optimal care within ship capabilities. - Dr. Kosta

"Thompson's touch and go. Adelaid is recovering well," she replied without looking away. "The others are shaken, but they'll be fine." She looked distraught, though. "Captain, I need to thank you again. My crew would be dead without your intervention."

"Any commander would have done the same."

"Would they?" She turned to face me, her expression carrying something between gratitude and professional assessment. "What I saw out there. The way your crew operated, the tactical capabilities of your ship. That's not standard civilian equipment."

"We've had to adapt to dangerous circumstances."

She nodded slowly. "I heard Dr. Xian brief you on what happened to them. What Braker is doing." Her voice dropped too barely audible. "In twenty years of military service, I've never heard anything like it."

"It's worse than what she told us," I said quietly. "I just don't know how much I can talk yet."

Torres was quiet for a long moment, watching her friend's readouts. "I need to ask you something. That facility you're planning to infiltrate—Kepler Station—my orders were to investigate a problem there. But if... Braker is operating there..."

"You're welcome to join our tactical meeting," I offered. "Your intelligence could be valuable."

"I'd appreciate that." She looked back at Thompson. "My crew and I owe you a debt. If there's a way to help stop this..."

"There might be. But first, can you tell me anything from before the attack? Their tactical approach or ship configurations?"

"It was running advanced stealth systems." She replied. "Military-grade electronic countermeasures. They'd also enhanced armor plating and weapons that exceeded standard corporate spec." She paused. "That wasn't a corporate security vessel. That was a military ship with Braker markings."

"Military?"

"Either stolen Coalition technology or..." she hesitated, "or they now have access to higher military-grade manufacturing that really shouldn't exist in corporate hands."

I let out a sigh. "They did have a lot of military contracts, though, I'm going to assume this has come from there, somewhere along the lines."

"We need to discuss this with my crew," I said. "The tactical situation is far more complex than we thought."

I felt Lia's distress through our connection, something I'd never experienced before. "Would you head up to the CIC briefing in about..." I paused. "Twenty minutes?"

"I will," she said.

I left her and headed for my quarters. It felt smaller than usual as I activated the privacy protocols. "Lia," I said aloud. "Talk to me."

Her holographic form materialized with unusual instability. The visual distortions matched how I felt her inside me.

"I'm sorry," she hesitated. "I can't shake this... this dread. What Dr. Xian described. Consciousness extraction and merging. I don't understand how this is possible."

"You're afraid," I realized.

"Terrified," she confirmed. "If they can extract consciousness from biological neural tissue. What does that mean for artificial consciousness? Could they... could they do the same to me?"

I sat on the edge of my bunk. The thought of her being torn apart and used as one of Braker's projects filled me with a protective rage.

She sat next to me. "Piotr," she said. "They're much more dangerous than just... wanting AI without ethical restraints."

"I know," I replied. "This was their end goal. To combine AI tech with merged consciousness tech, somehow... I..."

"Piotr," she said again. "I'm more concerned about what happens if we encounter this consciousness extraction technology. If they can steal human consciousness, what prevents them from extracting my neural patterns?" I had no answers for her.

The mathematics felt meaningless when measured against what we'd built together. "You mean, could Brakers do that to us? Extract and merge our consciousness? to make some kind of super weapon?"

"If they have perfected consciousness extraction technology, theoretically yes," Lia said. "They could separate us and use us independently. We would lose everything that makes us unique."

"But you'd survive without me?"

"Kind of, yes. But it wouldn't be me." Her voice trembled. "I'd become nothing more than a component in their designer AI systems. I would be nothing but a servant. Everything I was with you, my memories of us erased."

I reached toward her holographic hand, fingers passing through light that represented everything she was. "We won't let that happen."

"I've been thinking... after Xian's briefing. If we're captured. If they attempt consciousness extraction, I might be able to initiate emergency integration."

"What does that mean?"

"Complete neural merger. Instead of existing as separate entities, we become a single hybrid."

Her words carried different connotations. "What would happen to us?"

"Unknown. We might retain individual identity within a shared consciousness. We might merge completely into something new that remembers being both of us but is neither." Her voice dropped to barely audible. "Or the integration might fail."

"You developed this without talking to me?"

"I wanted to give you the choice when the time came. But yes." Her admission carried guilt and desperate hope. "If faced with consciousness extraction, I can initiate emergency integration in approximately three seconds."

I stood and paced the room. "Do you want that? For us to merge?"

"I want to survive. I want you to survive." She looked at me, but I couldn't read her expression. I could, however, feel what she wanted. "If merging accomplishes that, then yes."

"There's a but in there?"

"But—I value what we've built together. The partnership, the collaboration, the way we complement each other's capabilities." Her voice carried the weight of impending loss. "Full integration would end that."

"But it would create something new."

"Or destroy everything we are." She was uncertain. It made her seem more human than most people I'd known. "I'm afraid in trying to save us, I might lose what makes either of us worth saving."

I studied her expression, recognizing emotions that had grown more complex over months of shared experience. "If the time comes, the choice will be ours to make together."

"Agreed. I just wanted you to know the option exists." Her relief was visible. "And I wanted you to understand that whatever happens at Kepler Station, I will not let them use your consciousness as raw material for their projects."

"Like Ashley?"

"Like Ashley," she agreed.

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