The Dread-ed Regent

[Cptn Jack DeChevel 0]

Author's Note: This log occurs before last week's game

 

The holo-image flickered slightly as it materialized in the Ready Room of the ISS Agincourt. Captain DeChevel found himself unprepared for the menacing specter that materialized in his private sanctuary—Lord Regent Koshic N’Dak.

 

“Greetings Lord Regent,” DeChevel hid his apprehension.

 

“Spare me the useless repartee,” Koshic’s voice echoed coldly, even though he was not physically in the room.

 

“Of course,” DeChevel tipped his head slightly, “What can I do for you?”

 

“You can start,” the holographic image seemed dangerously real, “by telling me why I was not immediately informed the moment your lackeys found an Iconian ruin.”

 

Taken aback, DeChevel reeled. How did the Lord Regent know about that? It’d been less than an hour since the device, item, ruin—whatever you wanted to call it—had been discovered and already the Lord Regent was calling to know why he hadn’t been informed; DeChevel smelled a rat.

 

“Honestly,” DeChevel knew better than to lie to the telepath, “We’ve barely had a chance to examine it ourselves…authenticate it if you will.”

 

The hardness on holographic Regent’s face didn’t flicker. “Unacceptable,” he said. “Almost as unacceptable as your inability to locate the Romulan Resistance cell on the planet.”

 

Definitely a rat. “I have marine teams scouring the planet for them now…”

 

“We’re drowning in the excess of your stupidity, Captain,” Koshic didn’t let DeChevel continue his thought. “While you prattle on and let your incompetent Marines wander about like lost children on the planet, those pointy-eared bastards are no doubt hatching a plan to slip between your fingers.”

 

“I assure you that won’t happen,” DeChevel’s resolve hardened. “Not on my watch.”

 

“I know it won’t,” Koshic countered quickly, locking his gaze onto the captain of the Agincourt. “I will be returning ahead of schedule to oversee the transport of the ruin to my vessel, as well as the capturing of the Romulan cell.”

 

“As you wish, my lord.”

 

“Do not think that if I am forced to take matters into my own hands your career will be spared, Captain.”

 

“I…” Telepaths.

 

“I suggest, Captain, that you deliver to me the head of the Romulans upon a platter when I arrive…”

 

“My Lord, they are deeply entrenched…”

 

“I did not ask for excuses,” Koshic extended a hand in the direction of DeChevel’s throat, and closed his fist.

 

“Agh…” DeChevel felt phantom thoughts of long repressed memories of childhood as an outcast return to his mind. The constant beatings the other children put upon him, the insecurities of his own impurity rising to the surface. It was as if the faults of his entire life surfaced at one time to haunt him now.

 

Smiling imperiously down on the captain, Koshic released his hold upon him. “As I said, I will not tolerate failure…Captain.”

 

And with that, the holo-image vanished into thin air, leaving DeChevel to grasp at his throat. “Pompous...bastard…” he managed between gasps for breath.