"Equivalent Exchange"

[STSF Seiben 0]

PART III – “Equivalent Exchange”

 

Set a few days after the events of the “Watch your back” log.

 

ROMULUS – “If I were au, I would watch my back” it was the last thing he ever heard from Khre’Riov tr’Malov. If anything, tr’Malov was a man of his word, and a powerful, well connected man at that. In the days that followed, he narrowly avoided being killed twice, once when his flitter exploded just as he was about to get in. It was only his quick reflexes that saved him, when he jumped into the adjacent ditch by his apartment complex.

 

The second attempt on his life took place as he left his office two days ago. A sniper perched overhead took a shot at him, grazing his rib and missing his heart by mere inches. After his release from the hospital, tr’Kaye took to hiding, looking to evade his would be assassins.

 

Obviously, tr’Malov or someone else in Galae Command had it in for him after his passionate outburst against the impending attack on Federation star bases or colonies near the Neutral Zone. Fearing for his life, Khre’Riov tr’Kaye went into hiding, staying from place to place, never spending more than a day at the same place.

 

But that wasn’t what bothered him the most. Unlike most of peers, tr’Kaye had a liberal attitude towards the Federation, and was a staunch advocate for peace and dialogue between the two powers. The vote to carry on the attack went through unopposed and was quickly approved by the Preator.

 

The imminent death of countless innocent people, both Federation and Romulans, weighed heavily in his mind. Travelling by night, tr’Kaye in a stolen flitter flew as far away from the capital as he could, heading into the remote mountainous region to the north.

 

In his youth, tr’Kaye hiked and climbed virtually every hill and mountain in the area. He knew this area like the back of his hand. Piloting fast, but cautious enough to avoid suspicion, tr’Kaye touched down in a hilly region in the remote mountains, landing in a small lake.

 

Quickly climbing out, as the flitter began to sink, tr’Kaye swam to the surface looking back to see the tip of his flitter sink to the bottom. Lit only by the full moon overhead, tr’Kaye made the hike to an abandoned cabin atop one of the hills. Looking around him, tr’Kaye opened the door and let himself in.

 

The cabin was sparse, but liveable. Perfect for hiding out for a few days in an emergency situation like this. After making a small meal in the kitchen, tr’Kaye walked over to the communications terminal located in the living room. He opened it up, using a little-used frequency, setting the transmitter receiver to its highest setting.

 

He instinctively looked around, and spoke into the mic, knowing just how risky his next actions would be.

 

 

STARFLEET HEADQUARTERS – SAN FRANCISCO

 

A few days ago – 0200 ZULU

 

“Sir!” the young ensign at the comm terminal exclaimed. “I don’t think you’re going to believe this, but you have to listen to this.” The Commander of the watch walked over to the young ensign at comm. “What is it, Ensign?” The young ensign looked up at the commander.

 

“We just received a message from Outpost 180 on the Neutral Zone, sir. They say that they have received a message from someone in Romulus!” The commander looked at the recorded message and whistled. “You’re right, I can’t believe this. But we can’t wait on this. Get Admiral Baldwin here ASAP. I don’t care if you have to wake him up at home!”

 

Élysée Palace – Paris, France

 

Two days ago

 

“…So that’s the story, gentlemen” Admiral Baldwin said. “If we’re going to act on this, we’d better do so immediately. And stalling risks this man’s life” he looked around at the table. The conference room was filled with high-ranking brass from Starfleet as well as the President and his Cabinet members.

 

 

The President sat in thought, stroking his long white beard. “Unbelievable, if this is indeed true Admiral. Please, go ahead and play the message you’ve received” Admiral Baldwin pressed a button. The lights went off and a holo-screen projected to life, and soon was filled with the image of an unfamiliar Romulan male.

 

The image was grainy and audio was weak, but all in the room was able to hear what this man had to say. “This message for anyone at the United Federation of Planets who will hear my plea. My name is Khre’Riov Dorval tr’Kaye of the Romulan Galae.”

 

“I am contacting you today to inform you of a massive Romulan counter-attack taking place in response to the destruction of a Romulan outpost several weeks ago. The attack is underway, and Romulan vessels have already departed Romulus. You do not have much time”

 

The Romulan looked around nervously. “I am putting my life in great danger even by contacting you about this, but I feel that the risk is worth the danger. I strongly believe in harbouring peace and dialogue between our two races. This planned attack is senseless, and will only result in the unnecessary loss of innocent lives on both our sides. “

 

“Therefore, I am offering to divulge all pertinent information in regards to the attack and any other information you wish about the Romulan Galae. I can’t do it over this line, as you know. Too much risk.”

 

 

Tr’Kaye looked at the viewer, his expression serious. “I will tell you anything you want to know, in exchange for political asylum on Earth. There is nothing for me left on Romulus. My life is in danger here. Twice already, there have been attempts on my life. But, I will not let that overcome me. Too many lives are at risk.”

 

“In a few days, I will charter a flight to the colony closest to the Neutral Zone, a few light years inside Romulan space. It’s risky, I know, but that’s closest I can get to Federation space. It will be up to you to infiltrate Romulan space, to pick me up and take me back to Federation space. Please, thousands, if not millions of lives are at risk. I do not wish for this foolish attack set off another Earth-Romulan war”

 

 

“If you do not want the same, then please come get me. I will send the precise location of the colony as well to aid you in your travels. Time is of the essence here, and I hope that you receive this message and decide to act upon it. The peace of our two worlds depends on it”

 

The screen then went blank, and was replaced by a Federation logo. The men in the room looked at each other. “I am led to believe that this man is telling the truth” responded Captain Spock. “If the Romulans are planning such an attack, then we’ll need to act promptly”

 

“But how would we be able to rescue him? None of our ships will be able to travel that far inside Romulan space. We’ll risk setting off another war just by being in Romulan space. I don’t think tr’Kaye really thought this through” responded one cabinet member.

 

“Actually” Baldwin chimed. “We just might have a ship that can perform such a rescue” another Admiral, Admiral Schuster looked at Baldwin. “You mean the Altair? But she doesn’t have the appropriate personnel to carry out the rescue.”

 

“No, but we can always borrow some from another ship. The nearest star base to that colony is Starbase 33. Challenger is on her way there to investigate the activity in the Neutral Zone” Baldwin replied. “Very good then” the President responded. “I’m sure they’re both up to the task at hand”

 

 

TO BE CONTINUED…

[Lerak trPexil 0]

Full Metal Alchemist