The last of the Armonians was finally given the vaccine. Marcus’s work on Armon III was coming to a close. In a way, there was a deep sense of relief that the disease was now treated and prevented. But in other ways, Marcus would now miss Armon III.

The relationship with the Armonians has started rough and deeply frustrated Marcus to the core. Now the Armonians treated him like a hero. Teaching Marcus their culture and even some of their songs.

Marcus was walking through town with Iskra as the clouds thickened and thunder boomed in the sky.

“A bad omen,” said Iskra

Marcus, “What do you mean, Iskra?”

Iskra said, “We are a tropical world; rain we see much of, but thunder and lightning are very rare here. Our people consider these storms a sign of bad tidings to come,” they said

Marcus looked at the sky thoughtfully as they walked Marcus to his borrowed home. Watching the lightning flash, he could feel Iskra visibly upset.

“I will be ok from here, Iskra; go to your family.” Marcus said with a small smile.

Iskra nodded and left Marcus at the door. Marcus went inside and into the kitchen to see the security Ensign Wall pacing his kitchen.

“Ensign, what brings you here?” Marcus said, sensing the man’s nervousness.

“Not safe to talk! Read my mind!” Wall said, grasping Marcus’s shoulders, “Quickly!”

Marcus nodded and started reading Wall’s mind; he was muddled and confused. “Focus Ensign!”

Ensign Wall nodded and took a deep breath, his mind clearing as he relayed his memories to Marcus.

The Ensign had overheard the Captain talking to the Vaadwaur leader…

Spiff  “I locked the controls to fire on the medical facility no matter what coordinates the Armonians put in. I could not have possibly controlled the Doctor leaving or know he’d take Estry’s PADD! You should have been more careful with the disbursement device! Had it not leaked, you and your people would not have gotten infected!”

Damel “We had an understanding, Captain; you were to give us Armon III for us releasing over 1000 Federation hostages we currently hold. Making you a big hero. Now you have broken that deal, and we are forced to honor a peace agreement with the Armonians!” Damel growled, slamming the console.

Spiff said “I understand that, I have lost out in this deal to. All the reports will show the good Doctor being a hero instead of me! Do you understand how bad it hurts to be writing a commendation instead of a letter to his parents?”

Wall sneezed alerting them to his presence, the Ensign ran directly to the transporter room and beamed down through the storm to see Marcus. Marcus knew he has seen the truth but was unsure what to do with it. It’d be a matter of time before they would figure out it was Wall that overhead them. Marcus took off the Ensigns comm badge and grabbed walls arm leading him out into the city. Throwing the comm badge in the nearest puddle as he took him towards the bunker.

Before them beamed in the Vaadwaur leader Damel and in a flash of violet. Wall was gone as Damel pointed the weapon at Marcus “Forget what you saw Doctor. You still are an honored soul amongst the Vaadwaur, killing you is not something I want to do. It would not be considered honorable. I already completed my business with the rest of your crew. I will leave the ship as a gift for you and promise you safe passage back to your star base.”

Marcus reached for his phaser but thought better of it.

“Smart man Doctor.” Damel said with a wicked grin and pulled something from his vest throwing it at Marcus’s feet. Then beamed away.

Marcus picked up what was a framed picture. One he knew was proudly displayed on the Captains desk in his office. A drawing of “Spaceman Spiff” by Bill Waterson, he knew then that the Captain was dead.

Marcus tapped his comm badge “Anvers to Merced.”  No answer came as the storm still rumbled over head.

Marcus closed his eyes and focused stretching his senses to the the ship in orbit. Nothing… he sensed absolutely no one on board.

Marcus opened his eyes in tears, there were devices that could trick or hide things from a Betazoid. But he had a feeling though it was as Damel said. The ship was empty holding its orbit on autopilot. Anvers being the last one alive from the Merced.