"I've got the CIC," I said to Mac. "Get some rest, it won't be long before we're in Sigma."

"Incoming transmission from Admiral Kuba's flagship." Lia announced. "Direct from the front lines."

It hadn't been long since we'd heard from the Coalition there. My stomach twisted.

<<More bad news?>>

<<I hope not,>> I replied.

The display flickered, then resolved into the weathered face of Admiral Kuba. Behind him, we could see the chaos of a warship's CIC during active combat. Damage control teams rushing past, sparks from overloaded systems, and the red glow of emergency lighting.

"Captain Tachim. I'm transmitting from the Defiance during a brief lull in engagement. You need to understand what we're facing out here."

"We're listening," I replied and automatically keyed in the others in the med lab.

"I know Commander Harrison brought you up to speed on the enemy's weapons. But six hours ago, they deployed something different. Not just ship-to-ship consciousness extraction—they're creating localized extraction fields that can affect multiple vessels simultaneously."

"How large an area are you talking?" Dr. Martinez asked.

"They positioned stealth extraction arrays throughout the Rolst Minor asteroid field and coordinated attacks on my entire task force," Kuba continued. "We didn't see it, at all till it was too late. Seventy of my ships were hit simultaneously. This wasn't meant to capture them this time. Every crew member aboard those vessels were reduced to a vegetative state in under a minute."

"Seventy ships."

"Friends I'd known for decades," Kuba said, the emotion clear in his voice as it cracked.

"I'm truly sorry."

"Friends who set self-destruct sequences before their minds forgot the codes."

"Admiral," Martinez said. "Please send me any scans you can."

"Packet incoming." He replied with a shake of his whole body. "We lost fourty thousand of my best people in that engagement alone, including Admiral Wests' entire command staff."

"I don't have enough words for you," I said.

"The worst is," he continued. "Brakers Corporation then moved in and claimed the intact ships."

"Why are Brakers there?" Dr. Martinez asked the obvious question.

"Admiral Kuba's expression darkened further. "I don't know. This is highly speculative, but analysis of the extraction technology here and the reports you've sent show Brakers have been adapting this technology, not creating it. The technical sophistication of these weapons are decades beyond our current capabilities." He paused. "We believe Braker Corporation acquired this and it is in fact alien technology. They have been developing it alongside those we're fighting on the frontlines. What Dr. Martinez developed was impressive, but this... this is something else entirely."

Dr. Martinez was staring at the display in horror. "The research we're carrying—the defense?"

"May be the only thing that can stop this escalation," Kuba finished. "But we need AI coordination that surpasses anything we have here."

"That's why you asked for us to come as well. Doli…" I had to tell him. "Admiral, I'm sorry, you know she's compromised, and is getting worse."

"I know," he said. "These coordinated extraction fields require real-time computational response beyond human capability. The alien origin explains the quantum processing speeds we're seeing. They've built weapons that operate on principles our science barely understands, using computational architectures that exceed even our most advanced AIs."

"What can we do, Admiral?"

"I sent immediate extraction orders of the highest priority to your Ring-14. Dr. Kosta and her medical convoy have successfully transferred the consciousness extraction survivors to Ring-14. They're now enroute to your position with your AI, Nyx." Kuba's expression softened slightly. "Dr. Kosta has--"

The transmission cut to static as another explosion rocked the Admiral's ship.

Fuck… "Can you get him back?"

"Negative," Torres said.

"Keep trying."

Within minutes, our comm system activated again, "Captain Tachim. Nyx on medical convoy Charlie-Nine-Seven. I've been monitoring Admiral Kuba's transmission and Coalition command frequencies."

"Receiving, go ahead, Nyx."

"I've completed transfer to join Dr. Kosta's convoy."

I felt a mix of relief and anticipation. "What's your ETA?"

"We've managed to get it down to four days."

"That can't be safe. Even we're struggling to keep going."

"We are pushing engines beyond maximum safe parameters with Brakers premium grade fuel. Emergency coordination has been arranged through Admiral Kuba's authorization." Nyx paused. "Additionally, Dr. Kosta has acquired another medical genius who worked for Brakers. She's been studying everything Kuba's forwarded on from your research."

"Nyx," I said, and this was a question we'd all have, "what's your assessment of the coordinated extraction technology?"

"My preliminary analysis agrees it's an evolution of the original technology that Braker has been developing, but coordinated through network protocols rather than individual targeting. The power requirements are significant but achievable with proper infrastructure."

"Can it be stopped?"

"Yes, your team is on the right track. Implementation requires coordinated AI processing and extensive nanite deployment. It would be... technically challenging even for me but feasible."

"Are you bringing more fabrication equipment?" Dr. Martinez asked, ever practical.

"Affirmative," Nyx replied. "We brought everything we could from Ring-14. Our cargo holds now have mobile medical fabrication units. Combined with your current research, production capacity should increase significantly."

"Good, keep in touch," I replied.

"The Chief?" Nyx asked then paused. "Sorry Captain."

"Please," I said. "Something wrong?"

"Is he good? Sorrel seems quite stressed I… did something happen?"

<<He's concerned for him?>> Lia asked.

<<Seems so, yes.>>

"The Chief is good, yes. Please tell Sorrel not to worry. We're looking after him. Please do the same for her, for us."

Nyx's face brightened. "I already sent her to rest. She's been running herself ragged."

"We all have," I replied. "And on that note, let's make sure we're all fully rested before we meet. We'll need every mind fit and well for what is to come."

"Four days," Nyx dipped his head and the transmissions ended. I looked around at the CIC's crew. The research that had seemed critically important now felt like humanity's last hope against a threat that could coordinate attacks across entire fleets.

"How long until we have basic protection protocols ready for the whole ship?" I asked.

"Six hours for field deployment," came the response. "But if we're facing coordinated extraction networks..."

"We'll need everything Ashley designed and more," Elena finished. "Extended protection, AI coordination, fleet-wide deployment. All of it."

And at present, we had nothing.

It seemed no sooner had one event expired, that another popped up. "Captain, we need you in our detention center." Lev said. "Both prisoners are talking."

That was either good news, or not. "I guess you have CIC," I motioned to Mac.

He nodded my way. "Always."

Lev paced outside the hastily put together holding cells, he did smile though when I approached. Through the transparent aluminum barrier, Ryan and Volk sat both looking considerably worse for wear.

I didn't need to ask what he had done. It was written on all their faces. "What did you learn?"

"Everything," Lev replied. "They both squealed like the fucking rats they are."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

I let him focus for a moment. "They sent word of Captain Crai's cargo."

That made more sense, he was worried. "Crai is a formidable Captain. They'll be okay."

He nodded and looked back to the duo. "Ryan's been transmitting since the day we left. Ship specifications, crew complement, research objectives, tactical capabilities. Everything Ranger would need to plan a boarding raid."

My stomach dropped. "That's over two weeks?"

"Yes. Volk only started transmitting two days later." Lev tapped the plasti-glasss. "They've been using personal equipment modified with transmission arrays. Low-power signals that piggyback on standard Coalition communication protocols."

"Is there anyone else on board?"

"Not among the marines. I've swept every piece of equipment, every personal device. They were operating alone, didn't even know the other was a mole either." He sighed. "The damage is done it's how we handle it now we know that Ranger knows everything about our capabilities, our mission timeline, our destination."

Silence took the both of us, lost in thoughts of what was to come. I stared at at Ryan, and he sat staring at the wall with the resignation of someone who knew his situation was hopeless.

"Why?" I asked. "What made good people turn?"

"Money, sadly." Lev said. "Braker pays well for Coalition intelligence." Lev's expression darkened, and I noted his fists. "Volk... Volk says he believes the Coalition is losing the war, that we're on the wrong side."

"Do you think he's telling the truth?"

"We all heard Admiral Kuba."

I frowned. "And Brakers would do what on the front line?"

"I don't know," he said. It was the way he looked at me. He didn't think we were on the wrong side, did he?"

<<No,>> Lia said. <<He is however looking for reassurance off his Captain.>>

"We're days away from the Sigma. We've all worked damn hard to not only upgrade the ship, but Dr. Martinez and Lia have never stopped."

"We've got this, right?"

"More than right."

"Volk wants to speak to you." Lev said.

"Not now. Dr. Martinez wants you for the upgraded nites." I paused. "What do we do with them?"

"They've compromised our operational security completely. Let them rot, then transfer them to Kuba. Likely… he'll throw them both out an airlock."

"Seriously?"

"There's no time for traitors in war."

I looked to Ryan. "He's just a kid."

"A kid who compromised our entire mission. Every tactical decision, every course correction, every capability we'd developed. Ranger knows it all because of them. They don't deserve to live."

"There's more," Lev continued. "Volk gave them intelligence on your nanite research. The crew's psychological profiles, and our current defensive capabilities. He even transmitted the schematics for Ashley's ship modifications and the new weapons calibration."

"Fuck. How did he even get that…" I swore under my breath. "Pavel?"

"It probably never even crossed his mind."

"I should talk to him."

"I've got this." Lev said. "He…"

"He likes you?"

"I see something different in him. Reminds me…"

It dawned on me then. "Of Alex?"

"I—"

"I'm here," I said and noted the pain cross his eyes.

"This has all brought Alex's memories back."

"We're all dealing with a lot of emotional baggage right now."

"Captain, I am sorry to interrupt. Our long-range sensors are picking up multiple contacts, Lia said. "Four vessels, maintaining pursuit course at extreme detection range."

"CIC," we both said.

"Mac?"

"Running full sensor sweeps. Get your asses up here."

"On it," Lev hit for the elevator.

"Can you identify them?" I asked.

"Processing... Yes. A hundred percent Commissioner Ranger."

"Derek to Faulkner," Derek's voice came through my HUD. "We're losing people fast over here. Request immediate nanite support."

"Negative, Manta-S. We don't have enough doses for fleet-wide deployment," I replied, the words bitter on my tongue. "Can you maintain formation?"

"Unknown. Half my crew is down. We're running with emergency protocols."

"Ghost isn't going to last," came Commander Morales next comm.

Their signal cut to static mid-transmission. On our tactical display, the escort vessel's engine signature went dark.

Once in CIC I relieved Lia's hologram from next to Mac, Lev sat at tactical. I pulled up the details and cringed.

"Six ships approximately eighteen hours behind us at current speeds. But Peyton—there's something else."

"What?"

"They've already been probing us with consciousness extraction tech."

"What kind of probing?"

"Low-level neural resonance scanning. They're testing our defensive capabilities and worst of it is they're mapping our crew's consciousness patterns from extreme range."

On my HUD popped the reading:-

Neural resonance frequency: 847.3 THz

It was targeting hippocampal regions, and it was fast.

"Show us what else you're seeing, Lia," Mac ordered.

The viewer shifted to show colored electromagnetic patterns.

"I can an confirm they are conducing consciousness mapping sweeps. Neural interference detected. 47% of our unprotected crew are showing cognitive degradation." Dr. Martinez said.

"You're fucking kidding me," Lev let out a breath. "They're what? Cataloguing everyone aboard."

"How is that possible at this range?" I asked.

"They have some powerful tech onboard. They've been modifying it since we left Kepler is my guess." Dr. Martinez's voice changed. "We're detecting neural interference in the medical bay."

"You're safe though, right?"

"We're safe, the rest of your crew is not."

"It's already started. Lia said, her holographic form flickered violently. "The scanning is affecting unprotected crew members. Consciousness mapping at 23% completion across ship population." Two are down in the lower decks."

"Doctor, how many people can we protect right now?" Mac asked.

"Twenty-three doses just cleared. Nanite distribution: 18 doses administered, 57 crew members still vulnerable. We have more in the tanks, but we need another four hours for them."

"Impossible, we aren't going to get four more hours," Mac said. "How long before this affects everyone?"

Lia's hologram vanished for several seconds. "I'm experiencing heavy processing loss. For organic minds without protection... maximum of thirty minutes."

"Options?" I asked.

"The asteroid field ahead." Lev highlighted the display and zoomed in for us. "Dense enough to break any of their scanning locks.

"We'd have to navigate it at high speed." I stated.

"Engine stress analysis?" Mac asked.

"Catastrophic failure increased to seventy percent," Lia reported.

"Probability of survival if they lock on is zero. Time to asteroid field: 11 minutes, 23 seconds."

"Three more crew collapsed. Mapping completion now at 67% reaching critical threshold." Doctor Martinez reported. "Their neural scanning is accelerating."

"Plotting a course over there now," I said.

"Lia, can you navigate us through?" Mac asked.

Her face paled if that was even possible. "But I could try."

Instead, Mac shook his head. "No, this is on me. Support Peyton and the Doctor."

The ship lurched as we changed course. Our engines screamed even more being asked to maneuver instead of continuing in a straight line.

"Convoy status?" I called up to Mac through the engine noise.

"We've lost contact with Ghost completely," he replied. "Manta-S is still with us but barely maintaining speed. Derek's reporting consciousness mapping at ninety-two percent of his crew."

"Already? and the others?"

"Silent Thunder went silent two minutes ago. Scanner shows her drifting at the edge of sensor range."

Engine core: 2,847°C - 23% - Above maximum safe operating range.

"Chief Las?" I tapped down for the engines.

"Here," he said.

"Pavel with you?"

"Kids never left since you apprehended the marines."

"Pavel? Changes?"

"Good to go, Chief?"

"What?" I asked.

"Pavel and Las have been working none-stop to alter our engine configuration again. Emergency burn. Lia direct everything we have to power it. Now."

"Captain, the engines are already running beyond safe parameters—" she tried

"Will it work?" Mac asked Lev.

"Hundred percent."

Mac turned to Lia, "I don't care. Push them harder we have to get out of range." Mac wasn't holding back genuine fear in his words. "If they lock on properly, we're all dead."

I pulled the engine schematics up and read over them quickly. "Pavel wrote this?"

"Really is a smart kid."

Our engines changed color to green. The first time they'd been this low in days. "Very smart," I said. "He's incorporated Ashley's designs and managed to do it without a dry dock."

Core stabilizing at 2,650°C - still critical but manageable.

Power output increased 18% with new configuration.

The ship shuddered though as they increased output and the warning lights flashed across multiple consoles.

Another minute passed. "Engine temperature is once again approaching critical. Fuel consumption rate: 347% of normal. We only have 4.3 hours remaining at current burn rate."

Red lights flashed and the klaxons sounded.

"I'll call it," I said. "Ship wide comms."

"Ship-wide, Captain."

"All personnel to secure locations." I ordered. "Life support down to minimum. Artificial gravity to 30%. All available power to our engines and shields."

"The prisoners," Lia whispered.

"Out of luck." I replied and watched as the Faulkner's crews scrambled for areas they could survive.

"Martinez," I called over comm. "Get whatever nanites you can and distributed them immediately. Priority to essential personnel."

"The Chief?"

I glanced at Lev.

"I'm needed here," he said.

I shook my head. "Get to medical. Now." I turned back to the screen. <<We're going to blow the engines.>>

<<I have a suggestion,>> Lia said.

<<What?>> I glanced to Mac. "Sorry, you're on your own."

"Go," he said. "Do what you can for us."

"Pavel," I commed for the kid.

"Here Captain. Sir. I'm sorry the fixes won't hold."

"I know, I'm on my way."

"You can do something?"

"We have some ideas. Get suited up we're heading down."

"Do—wn?" came his shaky voice.

"I need the best assistant I've got. You're it."

"Yes, Captain."

"Doctor?"

"Lev is protected, he's on his way to you," came her reply.

"Keep the production line going, we're going to buy you as much time as possible."

"Ranger is accelerating to match our burn," Mac reported. "Distance holding steady, but the consciousness extraction probes are intensifying.

Enemy vessels closing - range: 847,000 kilometers.

Consciousness extraction range: optimal at 200,000 kilometers.

"What's the distance to the asteroid field?" I asked.

"We're twelve minutes out at this current burn rate," Mac reported. "Engine failure probability is climbing every second."

"Crew down?"

"Eighteen crew are unconscious. Their neural activity has dropped below viable levels. We might not pull them back from this."

"Convoy status report," I ordered.

"Manta-S reports forty crew down," came Torres' also in CIC. "Derek says they're losing helm control as their team succumbs."

"Escort vessels Silent Thunder and Iron Covenant are falling behind," Mac added. "Both ships report critical crew losses. Iron Covenant's last transmission indicated their entire engineering section was unconscious."

The tactical display showed our convoy spreading out as ships lost the ability to maintain formation. Three of our escort were dropping back, their engine signatures erratic as we were losing them.

"Almost there."

I spotted Lev. "I'll need you to help Chief Las."

"All normal crew are down. If the scanning continues..."

Extraction field strength increasing - 890 THz, expanding to cover entire ship.

She didn't need to say what… we all knew. It was likely game over.

"Ten minutes," Mac announced. "Pursuit ships are still maintaining scanning distance."

"Probability of reaching cover before complete neural mapping: 34%." Lia said.

The door to Engineering opened, and we finally entered the deck. Chaos was everywhere. Ducts venting steam, smoke. I coughed. "Engine three is offline," Chief Las reported. "Containment breach. The cooling systems is offline. Coolant pressure's dropping - 34 PSI below minimum threshold.

"Where's Pavel?" I asked.

Chief Las pointed down. "Already doing his best with Engine 3."

"What's wrong with them?"

"Blown coolant lines." Las answered.

"Compensating with one and two," Mac reported. "Whatever it takes to reach those asteroids."

Engines at 156% rated capacity = Failure imminent.

"They'll blow their lines if you can't get three stable."

I covered my ears as the engines screamed. "Lev." I said through our comm and pointed down. "You got two. I'll instruct you from one."

He cast one glance to the suits by the engines entrance and shook his head. There was no time for that.

"Doctor," I said. "Prepare the med bay for emergency patients."

"Emergency? Who? What?"

Protected crew maintaining 94% cognitive function.

Unprotected crew: 31 affected, 8 critical, 13 comatose.

"Going down." Lev said. "See you on the other side."

"We're relying on base suits. Radiation poisoning."

"No, no way, you can't do that!"

But we were both already both doing it, rung by rung we went into the bowels of the engines.

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