The Moment

[NDak 0]

In every regime change there's a moment where the people who've taken over realize how complicated their task is and that it's easier to critique what others are doing and offer vague policy proposals than it is to actually govern. This is called the "Oh, ######" moment. For Destorie N'Dak, newly minted Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire, that moment occurred his first morning in the Praetorian Residence.

 

“Adm… Praetor,” his former aide-de-camp, turned first assistant Daol tr’Kaen said. “I know it’s early, but there are pressing matters.”

 

Destorie groaned inwardly and pulled the luxurious satin-esque covers of the large four-poster wooden bed up over his face. “It can’t wait another thirty minutes… it’s not even morning yet.”

 

“Actually,” Daol said walking over to the large closet to the left of the room and returned with a robe. “The sun has risen and set on a dozen different worlds in the Empire since you were last up.”

 

Another groan. “You know damned well what I meant.”

 

“I know,” Daol said, stopping and standing patiently. “However , the sun is already climbing over the Imperial City as we speak. Unlike your quarters at your personal residence in the Senate Quarter, these do not face the sunrise, but the sunset… I can’t help but wonder if there’s a message in that.”

 

Reluctantly, Destorie emerged from beneath the covers and shrugged on the robe Daol offered him. His normally perfectly groomed hair went in several different directions, and sleep tugged at his slightly swollen eyes. “I assume I have time to get a shower and something to eat before…”

 

“I am afraid not, Praetor…”

 

“Call me Destorie…”

 

Daol sighed. “I am afraid not, Destorie.”

 

“What’s so important that I can’t get a damned shower and a cup of coffee.”

 

“You have an urgent call from the Governor of Thakolin III. There’s been a massive tsunami that’s effected nearly the entire settlement. Three hours ago there was a mining disaster on Jok II’s fourth moon. A freighter has gone missing near the Breen border. And the Federation President is expecting a call back from you by the end of the morning. On top of that, you need to be briefed by the Senate Intelligence Committee, Tal’Diann and Galae Intelligence Agencies.”

 

“All of that happened since I went to sleep?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’ll take the call from the Governor in the office shortly. Then get me the Governor of Jok on a conference call and send for the Minister of Energy and the Director of Resource Extraction Safety. I’ll take a shower while they make their way over. Then have whomever is briefing me head over, and tell them they’ll be having breakfast. Then… then I’ll have a chat with the President before lunch.”

 

“Yes, Destorie… but…”

With his trademark imperiousness, Destorie stopped mid-stride towards the gold-leafed double doors that led out of the bedroom suite and into a sitting area. “But what?”

 

“Well, that’s not your whole morning.”

 

“Oh dear Elements.”

 

“In deed.”

 

Destorie frowned and put his hands on his hips. “What else do I have to do this morning?”

 

“It would be easier if I just gave you the ISD, sir.”

 

Daol handed him an ISD and Destorie’s eyes widened as he went over the list for several minutes. “That… that is my morning?”

 

“Yes,” he said. “The CoS trimmed the list down a bit, but yes, that’s your first morning.”

 

“Dear elements. I wasn’t this busy during the war. I wasn’t this busy on the campaign trail. I wasn’t…”

 

Daol nodded. “I am aware, but I am sure you’ll adjust.”

 

“But most of this isn’t even governing… it…its publicity and listening to people drone on about their pet causes, or putting out fires that someone else should have already done.”

 

Destorie frowned and started walking again. Daol nodded. “Welcome to political service, Praetor. It’s not as glamorous as they make it in the HIC-vids.”

 

Nearly growling, Destorie continued walking. “I wish someone would have told me that before I signed on for five years of this.”

[Kansas 0]

Nearly growling, Destorie continued walking. “I wish someone would have told me that before I signed on for five years of this.”

 

Job security Praetor NDak. Job security. Chin up, and if the ISD Padd should happen to be lost, then oh well.

 

"How did the Praetors appointment Padd end up in the second floor head again....."

 

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