Restoring Order

On the bridge, the atmosphere was thick with unease. Despite the time that had passed since the heated meeting in the conference room, the crew still carried the weight of the tension. There were no words exchanged, just the hum of the Serenity’s systems. Qamiwat's seat remained vacant; she was spending her week of leave focusing on her mental well-being, determined to return more rational and stronger.

Suddenly, an alert caught Noble’s eyes as he quickly processed the information on the tactical station.

“Captain, the prisoners have escaped! They’re heading straight for the armory!”

Steele’s expression hardened instantly. He wasted no time. His hand shot to the command panel next to his seat, sending a ship wide transmission with a firm tone.

“Attention, this is your captain speaking. We are entering yellow alert. Hostile prisoners have escaped the brig who can be identified by their gray camouflage uniforms. They are highly dangerous. Avoid the following decks, which will be sent shortly.”

The transmission ended.

Turning his attention to Noble, he barked his orders.

“Commander Noble, send your best security teams to intercept and engage the escapees. Try to take them alive, but above all, they must not reach the armory."

“Aye, sir.”

Noble nodded and quickly entered his final orders on the tactical control panel, confirming the deployment of the security team, then turned and rushed off the bridge, his footsteps echoing in the hallway as he moved to coordinate the response.

*

Malinov took point, her sharp eyes scanning the maze of corridors as she led her crew toward the armory. The air was tense, every footstep echoing down the silent halls, but they moved swiftly.

Suddenly, a grenade whizzed through the air and landed among them with a sickening thud. It exploded in a blinding flash of light and deafening sound, the concussive force knocking most of the escapees unconscious.

“They’ve found us!”

Malinov dove for cover behind a nearby wall.

The remaining able-bodied members of her crew scrambled, firing their captured weapons in a panicked, erratic spray.

One by one, Malinov's crew fell, each of them dropping to the floor as precise shots from the security officers landed with surgical accuracy. The firefight lasted mere seconds; the sharp, staccato bursts of phasers reverberated before it abruptly ceased.

When the smoke cleared, Malinov was the only one still conscious, her heart racing as adrenaline coursed through her veins. Without hesitation, she turned and sprinted down the hallway, her breath ragged, glancing over her shoulder to check for pursuit.

Just as she rounded a corner, Noble appeared in front of her, his movements swift and sure. Before she could react, he delivered a devastating hook to her liver, the pain taking the breath from her lungs. She staggered, collapsing to the floor, every ounce of energy draining from her body.

Dazed and struggling to breathe, Malinov’s defiance finally broke. She raised her hands to surrender, her head hanging low as her crew was subdued one by one, their resistance crumbling. The brief and chaotic uprising was over.

“This is Commander Noble to Captain Steele. The escapees have been captured, sir.”

On the bridge, Steele, and the rest of the crew let out a collective sigh of relief, the weight of the situation lifting from their shoulders.

“Cancel yellow alert. Bring them back to the brig, Commander Noble. Moving forward, I want you to personally oversee them. Steele, out.”

With the crisis averted, Steele leaned back in his chair, taking a deep breath as the crew returned to their posts. It wasn't over yet, but for now, they'd won the battle.

"Captain, we're receiving a transmission from Rear Admiral Thorne."

An ensign manning the tactical station reported.

"On screen."

Thorne's image appeared, his face calm and composed.

"Hello again, Robert. I hope all is well."

"Yes, sir. What news do you bring from the Admiralty?"

"They've decided that the Serenity will lead a mission to the Galactic Command of Man. Your objective is to locate their capital and meet the Imperator. Make it clear that the Federation is not a threat—that we seek peace and coexistence."

"And if they attack us, sir?"

"Then you are authorized to use any means necessary to ensure peace."

"Understood, sir."

The transmission cut out, and Steele used his communicator to reach Noble.

"Steele to Commander Noble."

"Here, sir."

"Interrogate the prisoners. Find out where their capital is—we're due to pay them a visit."

"Aye, sir."