The atmosphere on the Agamemnon bridge was intense. Personnel were shuffling between stations, alarms were signalling, and everyone was preparing to shift to their alternative locations should the order to multi-vector assault mode be given. 

“It makes no sense. All of our personnel have been accounted for, Commander. I’ve reviewed internal logs since our arrival. There was no exchange of personnel or equipment to the Ark. I’ve checked for any evidence of tampering, but there just isn’t any.” Jaxon Pratt, their Chief Operations Officer, said to Cadun Kir, who stood beside him. 

Cadun had immediately jumped into trying to confirm for his Captain if the visual they were showcased only moments before could be corroborated by anything they had on their end. 

It couldn’t be. 

“Captain. I just don’t see how what they are showing could be us. We have no data to reflect an absence of crew members who could be responsible for that. Everyone was accounted for.” Cadun reported in to his Captain as he made his way closer to her. He was impressed by how focused and unfazed she seemed. Captain Everett emanated a confidence that could only come with years of experience in the chair. 

“Supreme Commander Traxx. We have checked our records and have found nothing to support your claim. I acknowledge what you see in that recording, but there is simply no evidence…” Fran attempted further conversation but was abruptly cut off once more from Traxx.

“I do not care what your records show. Look at that! It is.. Starfleet. They are planting explosives. We both know that your Starfleet wanted us to stay here.. My people demand justice for this. We will get justice. You will surrender immediately, or we will destroy you, Captain. Those are the two choices on the table. This was an act of War!” 

Cadun took a deep breath. The Supreme Commander was clearly not joking around. “Captain. We cannot engage them… There has to be another way.” He said this in a lowered voice, so as not to convey it to their counterpart. 

“We will defend ourselves, Commander. I will not let this ship or crew be threatened. Especially unjustifiably so.” Fran replied, not minding her volume like Cadun had.

Cadun bit his bottom lip now and looked between the viewscreen and his Captain several times. He knew once the exchange of fire had started, moving back from that would be all but impossible. He had to believe Fran did not want that escalation as much as he did. 

“What if we did surrender, Captain? We know we are innocent. If we can prove it, or let them run a formal investigation with our cooperation. Let them come to the same conclusion as us. There has to be a way other than more bloodshed,” Cadun stated. He refused to believe that this could not be resolved peacefully. 

Fran stared at him intently for a moment before nodding and redirecting her attention back to the Supreme Commander. “Supreme Commander. If we surrender, I demand a fair process and investigation into these claims. I will not jeopardize the security of my ship or people, but we will participate actively and cooperatively with you.” 

“That is unacceptable, Captain. You will relinquish control of Agamemnon, and you and your people will answer for your crime.”

Cadun looked at his Captain. He expression remained focused, but he could sense her patience was running thin. 

“Supreme Commander. Let me make myself very clear. I acknowledge the loss and suffering you and your people are feeling right now. I know you want justice. You have compelling evidence on your side supporting your position that we are responsible. But it is evidence I cannot confirm on my end with the information we have. I have a duty to protect this ship and its crew. I will not put us in an unfair position of vulnerability. I will offer you a surrender here and now, but on the terms I have stated. It is that, or I will show you the full might that this well-equipped tactical ship is capable of.” Fran announced in a firm and final tone.

Cadun calmed his own breathing. He and everyone on the bridge were riding the intensity of the silence between their Captain and the Supreme Commander. 

The seconds continued to pass. 

He felt each beat of his heart. 

Then finally.

“Very well, Captain. Your surrender is accepted. I will expect full cooperation from you and your crew.”

The Supreme Commander cut off his communication with Agamemnon, and the screen went blank. A collective sigh of relief was shared amongst those on the bridge. 

“Power down weapons. Go to yellow alert and standby lowering of shields.” Fran ordered as she resumed her command chair.

Cadun resumed his own station, grateful that things had landed the way they did. A surrender without loss of autonomy and complete control was the best outcome they had ahead of them.