The atmosphere aboard Vanguard's ship was a mix of victory and uncertainty. The tension was palpable as Jack sat in the command center, his hands clenched around the arms of his chair. The mission to disable the Dominion's pulse cannon had been successful, but something gnawed at him. There was a sense of unease that he couldn't shake, like a storm brewing just out of sight.
Mira entered the room, her expression unreadable as she walked up to Jack. "We've done it, Jack. The pulse cannon is offline. The fleet is retreating, and Dominion's plans are disrupted for now."
Jack nodded, trying to focus on the immediate win. He needed to process this moment of triumph, but his mind kept drifting back to the events that led to this mission. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
"Yeah, but I can't shake the feeling we're not done yet," Jack said quietly, his eyes scanning the holographic map that displayed their fleet's movement. He studied the coordinates and the number of ships retreating, yet there was something out of place in their data streams. They hadn't expected the Dominion to give up so easily.
"Maybe you're overthinking things. You've been under a lot of pressure," Mira suggested, though her tone was tinged with hesitation. She, too, had the sense that things weren't as they seemed.
Suddenly, an alarm blared, piercing through the silence and setting everyone on edge. The sound echoed across the ship as a flashing red light illuminated the walls.
"What's happening?" Jack demanded, rushing over to the control panel.
"It's a breach," the communications officer replied urgently. "The enemy ship—it's still active! Their systems are powering up, and they're targeting us."
The holographic display shifted, showing the Dominion flagship suddenly turning and heading straight for them. A new ship, one that had been concealed in the chaos, had appeared out of nowhere.
Jack felt his stomach drop. "How did they hide that ship? We ran the scans. There's no way they could've pulled this off without us noticing."
Mira stepped forward, her face pale. "Someone on our side helped them."
The words hung in the air, chilling the room.
"Who?" Jack snapped, his mind racing. He had trusted his crew, each member vital to their cause. The thought of betrayal was unfathomable.
But Mira's suspicion was not unwarranted. She'd seen it in the way certain members of the crew had acted strange glances, odd shifts in behavior. But nothing concrete had ever come up until now.
"Commander Ryder," the officer called out, snapping Jack back to the situation at hand. "The Dominion flagship is locking onto our engines. They're going to disable us."
Jack's mind raced as the reality set in. They were trapped. "Mira, Ryker, we need to act fast. Get everyone to the hangar, prepare the fighters. We can't let them disable us."
As the crew rushed to carry out the orders, Jack couldn't help but keep looking back at the mysterious signal that had caused the breach. The ship that had emerged out of nowhere how had they missed it? His heart told him that the betrayal had to be inside their own ranks.
Mira caught up with him as they made their way toward the hangar. "I'm sorry, Jack. This doesn't feel right. I think someone on the inside tipped them off. Maybe even helped them launch this counterattack."
Jack shook his head, disbelief clouding his thoughts. "But who? We've all been in this together. Every one of us risked everything.
Ryker, who had been trailing behind, joined them. "You think it's one of us?" His voice was low, tinged with anger and confusion. "I can't believe it. Who could have betrayed us?"
Before Jack could respond, the ship rocked violently as the Dominion flagship fired a salvo of ion blasts at their shields. Sparks flew from the ceiling, and the ship groaned as it fought to maintain integrity.
"We don't have much time," Jack said. "We need to stop them before they hit our core."
The trio rushed to the hangar, where the rest of the crew was already preparing the fighter ships. Jack's mind was consumed with questions, but there was no time to waste. He had to lead them into battle. His thoughts swirled as he climbed into his fighter ship, the cold metal cockpit enclosing him in a cocoon of metal and glass. He glanced at Mira, who had also climbed into her fighter. Ryker was already in position, his eyes locked onto the control panel.
"On my mark," Jack ordered, steadying himself. His heart pounded in his chest, but his voice remained calm. He had to remain strong for his team, for the rebellion.
"Three… two… one… Go!"
The doors of the hangar opened, and their fighter ships shot into space, streaking toward the looming Dominion flagship. The air was filled with the sound of engine thrusters roaring as they engaged the enemy. Jack led the charge, weaving between enemy fire, his ship expertly dodging incoming blasts. Mira and Ryker followed close behind, their ships supporting him in the battle.
However, as they closed in on the Dominion flagship, Jack couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong. Every move they made was anticipated. Every maneuver seemed calculated. It was as if the Dominion knew their every move.
"Something's off," Ryker grunted over the comms. "They're too well-prepared."
Jack's eyes narrowed as he scanned the enemy ships. It was then he saw it. A subtle flicker in one of the lower decks of their ship a signal. Someone was coordinating from within.
"Mira, I need you to get a visual on the lower decks of the Dominion flagship," Jack commanded, his voice firm. "There's a signal coming from somewhere inside their ship. It's a diversion."
Mira's voice crackled through the comms. "Got it. I'm on it."
As Jack continued to fire on the enemy's outer defenses, a sudden burst of communication broke through the static. "Commander Ryder, this is Ensign Grant. I, I have information."
The voice was panicked, shaky. Jack's heart skipped a beat. Grant had been with them since the beginning of the mission, one of the youngest recruits on board. If he had information, it could change everything.
"Ensign, what is it?" Jack demanded, trying to maintain focus as he dodged another round of ion blasts.
"I, I'm not sure, sir. But I overheard something. There's someone aboard the Vanguard... someone close to you... working for the Dominion."
Jack's breath caught in his throat. "Who?"
"I don't know yet... but I think it's Captain Drake. I've seen him meeting with Dominion officers on a secure frequency."
The name hit Jack like a hammer. Captain Drake had been one of his most trusted officers. They had fought together in the early battles of the rebellion. The thought that Drake could betray them could betray Jack was unimaginable.
"Ensign, get to a secure channel, and don't trust anyone until we confirm this," Jack ordered, his voice cold and sharp.
The sound of a blast and the crackle of static cut off the communication, leaving Jack in a haunting silence. The realization set in. If Drake was truly working for the Dominion, they had a traitor in their midst. The battle they were fighting wasn't just against the Dominion it was against someone on the inside.
Mira's voice broke through the comms again. "Jack, I've found the signal. There's a breach in the lower decks of the Dominion ship. Someone's tampering with their systems... it's Captain Drake."
Jack's stomach twisted as he realized the full extent of the betrayal. The person he trusted most someone who had fought alongside him, laughed with him, shared dreams of victory was working for the enemy. This wasn't just a battle for survival anymore. It was a fight for the soul of the rebellion.
"Ryker," Jack said, his voice tight with anger, "take the fight to the Dominion flagship. Mira and I are going after Drake."
Without another word, Jack and Mira altered their course, heading toward the Dominion ship's lower decks, where the treachery had begun. The battle had just taken a turn one that would change everything.
The time for mercy was over.
Terjemahan Indonesia:
Suasana di kapal Vanguard penuh dengan campuran kemenangan dan ketidakpastian. Ketegangan terasa jelas ketika Jack duduk di pusat komando, tangannya menggenggam kursi dengan erat. Misi untuk menonaktifkan meriam pulsa Dominion telah berhasil, namun ada sesuatu yang mengganggunya. Ada perasaan tidak tenang yang tidak bisa dia hilangkan, seperti badai yang sedang berkembang di luar jangkauan pandangannya.
Mira memasuki ruangan, ekspresinya tak terbaca saat dia berjalan mendekati Jack. "Kita berhasil, Jack. Meriam pulsa sudah offline. Armada sedang mundur, dan rencana Dominion terganggu untuk sementara."
Jack mengangguk, berusaha fokus pada kemenangan sesaat. Dia perlu memproses momen kemenangan ini, tetapi pikirannya terus kembali pada peristiwa yang membawa mereka ke misi ini. Dia tidak bisa menghilangkan perasaan bahwa ada sesuatu yang salah.
"Ya, tapi aku tidak bisa menghilangkan perasaan bahwa kita belum selesai," kata Jack pelan, matanya memindai peta holografis yang menampilkan pergerakan armada mereka. Dia mempelajari koordinat dan jumlah kapal yang mundur, namun ada sesuatu yang terasa tidak pada tempatnya dalam aliran data mereka. Mereka tidak mengira Dominion akan menyerah begitu saja.
"Mungkin kamu terlalu banyak berpikir. Kamu sudah terlalu tertekan," usul Mira, meskipun nadanya dipenuhi keragu-raguan. Dia juga merasakan bahwa ada sesuatu yang tidak beres.
Tiba-tiba, alarm berbunyi keras, memecah keheningan dan membuat semua orang terjaga. Suara itu menggema di seluruh kapal saat lampu merah yang berkedip menerangi dinding.
"Ada apa?" tanya Jack, berlari menuju panel kontrol.
"Ada pelanggaran," jawab petugas komunikasi dengan terburu-buru. "Kapal musuh—masih aktif! Sistem mereka menyala, dan mereka menargetkan kita."
Tampilan holografis berubah, menunjukkan kapal induk Dominion yang tiba-tiba berbalik dan menuju langsung ke arah mereka. Sebuah kapal baru, yang sebelumnya tersembunyi dalam kekacauan, muncul entah dari mana.
Jack merasakan perutnya terjatuh. "Bagaimana mereka bisa menyembunyikan kapal itu? Kita sudah memindai semua sistem. Tidak mungkin mereka bisa melakukan ini tanpa kita ketahui."
Mira melangkah maju, wajahnya pucat. "Seseorang di pihak kita membantu mereka."
Kata-kata itu menggantung di udara, membekukan suasana.
"Siapa?" bentak Jack, pikirannya berpacu. Dia telah mempercayai setiap anggota kru, masing-masing dari mereka sangat penting bagi tujuan mereka. Pemikiran tentang pengkhianatan itu sangat sulit dipahami.
Namun, kecurigaan Mira tidak tanpa alasan. Dia telah melihat bagaimana beberapa anggota kru bertindak aneh pandangan yang mencurigakan, perubahan perilaku yang tidak biasa. Tetapi tak ada yang pernah terbukti hingga saat ini.
"Komandan Ryder," panggil petugas, menyadarkan Jack dari situasi yang ada. "Kapal induk Dominion mengunci mesin kita. Mereka akan menonaktifkan kita."
Pikiran Jack berpacu saat kenyataan itu mulai terasa. Mereka terjebak. "Mira, Ryker, kita perlu bergerak cepat. Arahkan semua orang ke hangar, persiapkan pesawat tempur. Kita tidak bisa membiarkan mereka menonaktifkan kita."
Ketiganya bergegas menuju hangar, di mana kru lainnya sudah bersiap menyiapkan pesawat tempur. Pikiran Jack dipenuhi dengan berbagai pertanyaan, namun tidak ada waktu untuk berpikir lebih jauh. Dia harus memimpin mereka ke medan pertempuran. Pikirannya melayang saat dia naik ke pesawat tempurnya, kokpit logam yang dingin mengelilinginya dalam kepungan kaca dan besi. Dia melirik Mira, yang juga sudah berada di pesawatnya. Ryker sudah siap di posisinya, matanya tertuju pada panel kontrol.
"Pada hitungan ketiga," perintah Jack, menenangkan dirinya. Jantungnya berdegup kencang, namun suaranya tetap tenang. Dia harus tetap kuat—untuk timnya, untuk pemberontakan.
"Tiga... dua... satu... Mulai!"
Pintu hangar terbuka, dan pesawat-pesawat tempur mereka meluncur ke luar, melesat menuju kapal induk Dominion yang menggantung di angkasa. Suara mesin pesawat yang meraung memenuhi udara saat mereka melibatkan musuh. Jack memimpin serangan, menghindari tembakan musuh, pesawatnya dengan cekatan menghindari ledakan yang datang. Mira dan Ryker mengikuti dengan rapat, pesawat mereka saling mendukung satu sama lain dalam pertempuran.
Namun, saat mereka semakin dekat dengan kapal induk Dominion, Jack tidak bisa menghilangkan perasaan bahwa ada yang tidak beres. Setiap gerakan mereka diprediksi. Setiap manuver terasa seperti telah dihitung. Seolah-olah Dominion tahu setiap langkah mereka.
"Ada yang tidak beres," gumam Ryker melalui komunikasi. "Mereka terlalu siap."
Jack memusatkan perhatian pada kapal musuh. Saat itu, dia melihatnya. Sebuah kilatan halus di salah satu dek bawah kapal musuh sebuah sinyal. Seseorang sedang mengoordinasikan dari dalam.
"Mira, aku perlu kamu mendapatkan visual pada dek bawah kapal induk Dominion," perintah Jack, suaranya tegas. "Ada sinyal datang dari dalam kapal mereka. Ini semua hanya pengalihan."
Suara Mira terdengar kembali di komunikasi. "Dapatkan. Aku sedang memeriksanya."
Saat Jack terus menembak pertahanan luar mereka, sebuah ledakan dan suara statis mengganggu komunikasi mereka.
"Komandan Ryder, ini Ensign Grant. aku punya informasi."
Suara itu panik, gemetar. Jantung Jack berdegup kencang. Grant telah bersama mereka sejak awal misi, salah satu rekrutan termuda di kapal. Jika dia memiliki informasi, ini bisa mengubah segalanya.
"Ensign, apa itu?" tanya Jack, mencoba tetap fokus sambil menghindari tembakan ion lainnya.
"Aku tidak tahu, . Tapi aku mendengar sesuatu. Ada seseorang di atas kapal Vanguard... seseorang yang dekat denganmu... bekerja untuk Dominion."
Jantung Jack berdegup kencang. "Siapa?"
"Aku tidak tahu, tapi aku pikir itu Kapten Drake. Aku pernah melihatnya bertemu dengan perwira Dominion melalui saluran yang aman."
Nama itu menghantam Jack seperti palu godam. Kapten Drake adalah salah satu perwira paling dipercaya. Mereka telah bertempur bersama dalam banyak pertempuran awal pemberontakan. Pemikiran bahwa Drake bisa mengkhianati mereka mengkhianati Jack sungguh tak terbayangkan.
"Ensign, pindah ke saluran yang aman, dan jangan percaya siapapun sampai kita konfirmasi ini," perintah Jack, suaranya dingin dan tajam.
Suara ledakan dan statis memotong komunikasi, meninggalkan Jack dalam keheningan yang menakutkan. Kenyataan itu mulai menyadarkan. Jika Drake benar-benar bekerja untuk Dominion, mereka memiliki pengkhianat di tengah mereka. Pertempuran yang mereka hadapi bukan hanya melawan Dominion tetapi melawan seseorang di dalam.
Suara Mira terdengar lagi melalui komunikasi. "Jack, aku sudah menemukan sinyalnya. Ada pelanggaran di dek bawah kapal Dominion. Seseorang sedang merusak sistem mereka... itu Kapten Drake."
Perut Jack berputar saat dia menyadari sepenuhnya pengkhianatan tersebut. Orang yang paling dia percayai seseorang yang telah bertempur bersama, tertawa bersama, berbagi impian kemenangan bekerja untuk musuh. Ini bukan hanya pertempuran untuk bertahan hidup lagi. Ini adalah perjuangan untuk jiwa pemberontakan.
"Ryker," kata Jack, suaranya penuh amarah. "Bawa pertempuran ini ke kapal induk Dominion. Mira dan aku akan mengejar Drake."
Tanpa sepatah kata lagi, Jack dan Mira mengubah arah mereka, menuju dek bawah kapal Dominion, tempat di mana pengkhianatan itu dimulai. Pertempuran baru saja berbalik pertempuran yang akan mengubah segalanya.
Waktu untuk belas kasihan sudah berakhir.