Conspiracies of Darkness

[NDak 0]

A pale moonless night had fallen upon Jesan, City of Order. Troyius’ lone moon – Achilen – was in the new moon cycle and was invisible to the eye. The once dusty plains that were now a string of glass and steel buildings lighting the landscape stood eerily quiet. From the heart of the city, Government Center, Defense Minister Atrin Yalon stared aimlessly into the depths of darkness just beyond the city lights.

 

“The Elasians have yet to respond to our demands,” he said. “While not surprising, their lack of action is… I never dreamed they’d show such…”

 

“Restraint?”

 

Yalon turned to face the man who’d graced his office more than any other as of late. He had grey hair pulled back neatly around his scalp. Pointed ears and dusky olive skin gave away his biology quickly.

 

Nodding, Yalon continued. “Yes, they are normally so rash. I thought for sure that we’d be at war by now.”

 

The Romulan nodded. “To be honest, so did I. The Elasians have ever shown themselves to be so willing to commit to any conflict, especially one against your people.”

 

“And now this…”

 

Outwardly displaying a sympathetic façade, Aheri tr’Klaeinfar nodded. Inwardly he felt a twinge of pleasure. The Troyians were playing right into his hands. Even if the plan had not gone exactly according to the script, he felt that the objective could still be achieved, hence his continued presence.

 

“It is as I told you,” he said. “The Federation cannot be trusted. They turned their back on you’re the moment they go the chance. Charging into your space on the story of seeing to their Ambassador here, something they don’t even have at the moment.”

 

“There can be little doubt they were spying,” Yalon said with a heavy sigh. “But working with the Elasians… it’s just hard to fathom.”

 

“You should fathom it. Not only did were they spying, but they refused to leave your space. Showing them you were not afraid to defend your territory was a wise decision.”

 

Yalon wasn’t sure he agreed. The Elasians they could deal with, but the Federation? It didn’t take an expert on war to know that the Troyian Navy was no match for Starfleet. “We are no match for the Federation, I do hope that your government will remember what sparked that little engagement in the first place, Commander.”

 

Klaeinfar perked a brow in similar fashion to his ‘couins’ and smiled slightly. “I will remind you, Minister that the decision to engage the Cepheus was yours and yours alone. I did not ask you to offer protection to the Terrible Gale.”

 

Exhaling Yalon considered disputing the Romulan’s version of events but decided it not worth his effort and decided on something more pressing. “To be honest I am not sure what our next move will even be, Commander.”

A true look of concern filled the Romulan’s face. “You are considering abandoning your ambitions?”

 

“The Federation have complicated this, and if your Empire is unwilling to openly support us…”

 

“The Federation will not become involved in your war with the Troyians. They hide behind their prime directive…”

 

“Are they the ones hiding?” Yalon asked pointedly. “I seem to recall three of my starships being destroyed by a Starfleet ship before being saved by another of their vessels who arrived with the Elasian flagship in tow. It seems, Commander, they are not as bound by the prime directive as you would have us believe.”

 

Scoffing, Klaeinfar leveled a glare at the Troyian. “Minister,” he said firmly. “I assure you that you have the full support of the Romulan Senate behind you…”

 

“I’ll note you said the Senate and not your vaunted Star Navy,” Yalon said.

 

Unsure if that was supposed to be the insult it was or if the Troyian simply chose his words poorly, Klaeinfar decided to go with the later, for now. “Atrin, my people have been behind you all this time. Helping you develop the means to free yourself from the vassalage of the Federation. Do you honestly think we’d abandon you now? Now that you stand on the verge of declaring your independence in a bold stroke and on the eve of vanquishing your hated rival, the Elasians?

 

“Of course we wouldn’t. Troyius is a friend of the Senate, and Romulans neither make nor cast aside our friends easily or lightly. We will stand with you and help continue to nurture you into people that others fear. A proud and independent race, respected throughout the quadrant…”

 

Yalon had served his empire for many years. He was a veteran of the Elasian-Troyian Wars, and had served as a member of the negotiating teams between the Elasians and the Troyians when the Federation had mediated the cessation of hostilities. He recalled then, as he suddenly did now, the silver-tongued platitudes of the Federation diplomats. His eyes seemed to burn when he looked directly at the Romulan.

 

“The Federation,” he said bitterly. “Once promised us the same. They said if we ended our war on their terms that they would bring peace and prosperity to our people.”

 

“And what did the jackals bring you?”

 

Ignoring the question and continuing on, Yalon’s voice grew hard as granite. “In the last months of the war, the Elasians had taken the Prosperity system from us. Though we had fought hard, the weapons the Klingons had covertly given them proved difficult to overcome. Millions of my people lost their lives, Commander. Millions.”

 

“And the Federation let them keep it?”

 

“Yes,” he said. “They told us that sacrifice was required to bring peace between our people. They told us that if we accepted that peace, we’d be welcomed into their Federation with open arms. Now it is twenty years later and we are still only associates. They have not helped us one bit, but the lives of my people were forfeit for that promise.”

 

Klaeinfar nodded, not entirely sure where this was going.

 

“Commander, you say your people want to help us. You told me that some lives would have to be lost in order for our goal of a free and independent Troyius to be accomplished.”

 

With a sickening feeling of where this was headed, Klaeinfar nodded. “Yes, I did tell you that.”

 

“If you lie to me, as the Federation has lied… mark my words. No Tal’Shiar, no fleet of starships will keep you safe. My people stand now on the brink of disaster. If our provocation of the Elasians leads to a conflict with Starfleet we will undoubtedly fall, and fall quickly. If you are the instrument that has visited this upon us, I will seek vengeance upon you and your house even if I must do it with my last burning breath.”

 

Trying to recall if the Minister had ever shown this much passion and failing, Klaeinfar nodded. He declined to point out that all he’d done was simply point in a direction; the true instrument of the destruction of Troyius was the minister himself, something no doubt his empire wouldn’t fail to point out.

 

Deciding that change of subject was in order, Klaeinfar motioned the window and on towards the star-filled sky. “So what will be your next move, Minister? A full scale invasion? Now that the Federation has abandoned their neutrality…”

 

Fire still in his eyes, Yalon shook his head. “A few hours before the altercation with the Cepheus we received a coded transmission from the Elasian’s. The Lord Regent wishes to treat with us to discuss terms to end hostilities between us. As I understand it, he does so without the authority of the Council.”

 

“Interesting, it does show a sign of weakness on their part, that the highest ranking military leader would take such a risk.”

 

“Our spies also tell us that the Dohlman is unwilling to go to war as well…”

 

“Your spies?” The look on Klaeinfar’s face was genuine surprise.

 

“Yes, our spies…”

 

“And when were you planning on telling me you had someone inside the highest echelons of the Elasian command?”

 

A slightly rueful glance took the place of determination, besting the Romulan was a small pleasure. “It hadn’t seemed important to fill you in.”

 

Scornfully, Klaeinfar glowered. “I cannot properly advise you, Minister, if you withhold pertinent information.”

 

“Perhaps,” the Troyian minister said. “As I said it hadn’t seemed pertinent, but now that we’re such close friends and dare I say…allies…”

 

Was that sarcasm? Klaeinfar softened his outward expression but was starting to boil on the inside. He also began to worry. What else did the Troyians know? Had the Federation snared them into a setup? That thought caused a momentary glance of horror to wash over his face and he worried if Yalon saw it. If he did, however, he didn’t react to it.

 

“So you mean to treat with him, even though he lacks the authority?”

 

“He is, as you said, one of their highest ranking military leaders. If the Lord Regent of the Rohland forges an agreement with us that prevents war his Council will honor it.”

 

Klaeinfar almost growled, but kept himself in check. “And your people will accept it?”

 

“Of course they will, so long as we come to an agreement favorable to Troyius.”

 

“And the Federation? How do you…”

 

“With luck,” Yalon said, cutting the Romulan off. “With luck our effort to seek a peaceable end with the Elasia will staunch the wound we’ve created…”

 

“You do not mean to reconcile with them…after all we’ve done for you.”

 

Throwing a dangerous glance in his direction, as if that had wounded him personally, Yalon shook his head. “Of course not. I am a man of my word. My people seek to be free and independent, and we will not soon forget what Romulus has done for us, so long as Romulus stand by us, as you have said they will.”

 

Breathing easier now, Yallon nodded. “Good, good. I was worried there for a moment, Minister. You have come to be a rather amicable companion and I would hope to keep you as such.”

 

Smiling, though it seemed a bit unholy, Yalon nodded. “Likewise, Commander. I hope you remember what I said though. Troyians do not abide betrayal well…”