“How?” Ceix asked, looking down at the dead body of Gant, the Vaadwaur who had helped them survive. Who had provided the intel that had made them hold their ground until the attackers withdrew.  Who had surrendered himself to the Federation’s justice, but never met it.

The man’s body looked almost enviably peaceful, his slack expression and closed eyes reminding Ceix of how tired he was, and how far away rest remained to be. He turned to the attending physician – Doctor Trovek out of all people – keeping his expression neutral through conscious effort.

Next to him, Lieutenant Sh’shiqil observed Trovek, not bothering to hide her disdain and the fact that she still didn’t trust her.

The Doctor inclined her head slowly, motioning towards a thin line that ran across Gant’s throat. The only injury present, barely noticeable, confirming what Ceix feared the most. “The compression of the tissue here would have cut off oxygen to his brain.”

“So you’re saying that someone killed him.” Ceix said heavily and turned to Sh’shiqil “I will need security to review who entered the brig.”

The Andorian tilter her antennae. “That will be impossible.”

“Impossible?” Ceix echoed sharply.

This time, she nodded to emphasize her point. “Yes. This section was without power for several minutes, and the damage to our computer makes a successful review of what happened… unlikely.”

It took Ceix every ounce of self-control to not slam his fist on the bio bed in front of him. “We can’t let this go unpunished. He helped. He surrendered.”

The two women fell silent. Trovek, because she didn’t know what to say, and Sh’shiqil because she knew that surrender was a sore point for Ceix. For all of them. The attackers had offered them to surrender unconditionally to the Vaadwaur Supremacy, and they had declined. They would never know if, had they taken that chance, more of them would have survived.

“Captain, if I may.”, Trovek said carefully. “If someone entered his cell… he didn’t fight back.”

Ceix expression fell.

“I suppose he knew he was on borrowed time.” Sh’shiqil mused. “Perhaps, it was even what he considered to be justice. I don’t know. I … didn’t get a chance to get to know him. Nor did I want to, at the time.”

“I want you to find out whatever you can.” Ceix said once he had found his voice. “And inform me immediately. He might have done unspeakable things, but this… this isn’t justice.”

He turned on his heels and left before Sh’shiqil could nod her antennae, and paused when Trovek spoke up again.

“There will be a memorial for the fallen. In Little Risa. Perhaps… Perhaps you could say something about Gant.” A pause “I don’t know how well it will sit with the survivors.”

“Many have every reason to hate everything Vaadwaur. Even most of Starfleet now does.” Sh’shiqil reminded her, and Trovek fell silent again.

“But…” Sh’shiqil added, softer this time “It wasn’t a bad idea, Arys.”

“I will add his name to the list of the fallen.” Ceix said quietly. “And make sure it is remembered.”