The Romulan Shadow

[Cptn Neptune 0]

As the Challenger crew continues its mission to find the lost Starfleet crews, the looming shadow of Romulus turns

 

It was a balmy early summer day in Hein’Rhe. Located to the east of the capitol city, the mountainous and picturesque region was home to the House of N’Dak. For one month a year, Destorie N’Dak Supreme Commander of the Galae took his leave of the politics that embroiled the great capitol of Romulan Star Empire.

 

However, despite his bondmate’s protest, this normally turned into a working vacation, especially given the mass hysteria over the humans.

 

N’Dak’s own thoughts had been occupied with them for sometime now, it had been several months since Admiral Valdore had gone to Betazed to begin recruiting new agents to infiltrate the Coalition network.

 

It had not been a move he had supported as a member of the War Plans Council, and an issue his sister as Director of the Tal’Shiar had strongly opposed. It was indeed a rarity that a policy would survive despite their opposition—truly a sign of the fear that gripped the Romulan people.

 

Destorie sat on an open air balcony of the large complex his family inhabited, over looking the city below. In one hand he held a datapad containing the latest reports from the fleet yards through out the empire. Laying next to him on a small table were half a dozen more datapads. The amount of paper work a galactic navy could produce was staggering.

 

To his right, lay an open envelope of thick black fibers, sealed by an electronic panel; a Tal’Shiar document, most likely from his sister. He placed the datapad down containing the fleet yard report and picked up the black envelop, keying in his authorization code.

 

He lifted the flap revealing the contents. “Interesting…”

 

Before he could finish, he heard a set of steps coming towards him from the opposite end of the balcony. Reflexively he looked towards them, one hand gripping his disruptor.

 

“May I help you?”

 

Before him stood a not entirely familiar face; he recognized the man as an assistant to the Proconsul but he was unsure of his name…or his intent. “Fleet Admiral,” the young man said directly. “I am sorry to interrupt you during your vacation.”

 

Destorie’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Of course you are,” his words tinged with sarcasm.

 

“The Proconsul has summoned you to a meeting in the Imperial Complex.”

 

Destorie’s eye brows shot up. Summoned Me? Who does this woman think she is? Covering his increasing irritation, Destorie stood placing his hands behind his back. “And she just can’t come here? Her predecessors have always made house calls.”

 

The young assistant lifted his own eyebrows quizzically. “I am afraid that is not possible.”

 

“Ahh…very well then…when I am to report to the Capitol?”

 

“Now, we have a transport waiting for you.”

 

“I should have known.”

 

“If you will follow me, sir.”

 

Destorie nodded, seething at the insolence oft Lai. Despite his age, he remained an imposing figure to most that approached him; the young assistant glanced warily at him as he stood. His fit 6’2” frame moved gracefully yet purposefully from the chair as he fell in line behind the younger man.

 

For all of his physical attributes, it was something else that struck fear in those who opposed or dared oppose him—his piercing eyes. Sharpened and dark, they were said to look through you, beyond your mortal soul. A glaze from those eyes could mean your death.

 

Had that been true, the young assistant leading him would have certainly found himself in the morgue. N’Dak resented the notion that he be accountable to the Senate, let alone a liberal bureaucrat such as Lei.

 

~ ~ ~

 

“Jolan tru, Fleet Admiral…please be seated.”

 

Destorie glanced at the woman speaking to him, and nodded slightly…just enough to be respectful. He pulled the chair out and sat down with out ceremony. “What is so urgent that it could na wait for my return from Hein’Rhe or that you could not have contacted me by visual communiqué?”

 

Lei looked carefully over the man before her, his directness caught her off guard, but only slightly. “I am genuinely concerned about your lack of respect for the Senate and our power over you…”

 

Bureaucrats…seething did not do justice the emotion swelling inside. “With all due respect, Proconsul,” he cut her off abruptly, making no attempt at diplomacy. “I have been charged with the protection of the Empire, and I will do as I see fit to carry out that mission.”

 

Lei lifted her eye brow. “Silence…”

 

Now it was Destorie taken aback. Silence, was not a command that was often given to the most powerful man in the Imperial Navy. More from sheer surprise than obedience…silence was indeed what the Proconsul received.

 

“Fleet Admiral,” she said regaining her composure. “There was a reason why Valdore was chosen to lead the War Plans Council over you…and this is it: You’re propensity to act independent of the Senate, not to mention your dubious ties to the Tal’Shiar…”

 

“I really hope you did not drag me out here to insult me,” he said unwilling to allow the woman before him to out posture him, and thus gain the upper hand. “I could have gotten this from my bondmate!”

 

The raised tone in Lei’s next statement told Destorie it was time to stop pushing. Regardless of his power, she was still the Proconsul of the Empire, and any conflict between her and himself would not be in the interest of the Empire. “Silence…your sharp tongue and wit may win you favor with the Senate and Vice-Proconsul, but they will not help you win my favor.”

 

Lei allowed that to linger before she continued. “Despite my protests,” she said slowly. “You will have your war eventually. But the blood of our people will be on your hands if you fail.”

 

“We will not fail.”

 

“Your arrogance will be your downfall.”

 

“And hubris yours.”

 

The two starred each other down for a moment.

 

“However,” she said breaking the uneasy silence between them. “With Admiral Valdore dispatched to Betazed, you are the senior member of the War Plans Council, and as such will lead the council in his absence.”

 

Destorie allowed a grin to appear on his face. Her true intent had been shown. She could have just as easily informed him of such a decision via satellite communiqué or even via courier, but she’d called him here…to tell him personally…a warning that she was watching him. “I am honored.”

 

“Let us hope that you lead with the interests of our people, not your house.”

 

“I have never,” he said firmly, “placed my house before the Empire. That is treason, and unless you’re calling me a traitor…”

 

“Of course not,” an attempt to defuse the situation.

 

“Very well then,” he said feigning respect. “Is their anything else, Proconsul?”

 

“Yes,” she said detecting the faux-respect, but largely ignoring it. “You will be expected to report regularly to the Senate. Unlike your previous arrangements, insubordinate independence will not be…tolerated.”

 

“Are you threatening…me?” He almost laughed.

 

Chillingly sober, Lei looked him dead in the eyes, “Not at all, I’m informing you that your leash has been—tightened; don’t hang yourself on it, Fleet Admiral.”

[Cptn Neptune 0]

A note from the Author: This log should be dated: Aug 21, 2155...NOT...June 9, 2156...heh...sorry about that.

[STSF Seiben 0]

A little late to be worrying about that, eh? This log's over a month old! :D

[Cptn Corizon 0]

A little late to be worrying about that, eh? This log's over a month old! :D

 

 

It didn't hit me...till I read through old logs to find the names I needed for something else, and I realized...I'd already posted this! (Found it on my Hard drive, thinking it was the log I'd written a while back and needed to post soon! )