A Thorn Left Untended

[Jorahl 0]

[Joint log by SubCommanders Jorahl and Dabi]

 

The Chief Engineer's office of SkyHarbor Aegis was something of a mystery. Some Chiefs had completely ignored the room. Still others have rarely been seen to leave it's protective walls. Among the tech crews there was a rumor the previous Chief never actually left and his remains lay entombed in a wall panel or on Jorahl's shelf as a trophy, depending on who you asked. The tale could not easily be confirmed or dismissed because the current Romulan Chief rarely used the room and it remained silent and locked for most of the time. So, it drew no small amount of attention as SubCommanders Jorahl and tr'Jeth stepped into the office.

 

The room was pitch black as Jorahl first stepped in. With the detection of motion the computer quickly faded up the lights. A scan of those entering cleared the start up of a number of displays and access panels. The room was void of personal items or other embellishments of interior design. However, it could not be said to be featureless. Nearly every available wall space was taken up with a viewscreen. The full workings of the station could be easily accessed and monitored from this one room. The single desk came to life as well with it's entire surface lit up with displays or control inputs. Jorahl stepped behind this desk, turned, and sat on a simple chair,

the only item in the room not equipped with a monitor or touchscreen.

 

Jorahl eyed Dabi for a moment. He remained silent until the door had firmly shut behind them and then for a few seconds after for dramatic effect. "I am aware of the human custom of a best man. It is a position of great honor. The one chosen and groom to be are many times like brothers. In some older customs this person becomes a protector of the grooms new family. In others the best man is to take the place of the groom if anything happens to them. It is a type of guaranty that the grooms family will be protected and continued."

 

Torate responded without all of the torment in his voice as Jorahl did, "We are brothers, with both of our planets under the same moons. Do na feel required, or accepting any lloann'na honor that you speak of." Torate was just fulfilling his fiance's request; even more so than she asked, since he may have his blood brother there if all goes well. Jorahl was just a backup and Dabi had explained that minimally in his request. As Jorahl entered something into the desk panel a section of wall monitors cleared and were replaced by a single display. The blank screen snapped to life with a security camera view inside one of the holding cells in Aegis' brig. The date index in the corner showed the image was recorded some three years prior. With the press of a button the record began to play.

 

In the cell stood Dabi with Jorahl turning towards the exit. tr'Jeth stood motionless with a slight hint of green blood dripping from one hand. As Jorahl cleared the exit he wrapped a gleaming blade up inside a white cloth, both tools when death became the last duty of a Romulan. Jorahl called out to the guard standing watch, "If he tries to escape, capture him. He does not die on his own terms from this point on." Just as the cell door shut tight Dabi looked up and said clearly to Jorahl, "How's the family." The record image paused, focused on Dabi, a strange look locked on his face.

 

With cold eyes Jorahl looked at tr'Jeth. "You made a thinly veiled threat against my family and now you would have me stand beside you as you start your own." Jorahl stood straight and tall. "We have worked past much of what happened back then. We have learned and forgiven. Most of the human crew have long forgotten what happened then." Jorahl's sharp Romulan features tightened to a razors edge. The pain and passion of emotions so feared by the Vulcans rolled freely across his face. "I however am ROMULAN!" he shouted, "and I have not laid eyes on you once in all these years and forgotten!" Jorahl's hand slammed down onto the desk, crushing a wayward PADD. He then quickly squeezed the PADD into a wad of twisted metal and broken polymers. "I hold no debt against you except for that one foolish threat." Jorahl's eyes locked with Dabi's.

 

Torate stood interested and watched Jorahl seemed to lose his temper.

 

Jorahl continued, "One day you will look down at your own children and understand." Still with muscles tensed and only the slightest edge removed from his voice, "For Dr. Pavilion and the children you may have with her I will not collect on this debt. But, I will not stand beside you."

 

Torate spoke quietly, and gently, "Au know, Jorahl, au were na being threatened, nor aus family. But now I know that this is why au ignore your brother, if only by heritage, on this station. Au would rather tear apart the strength of the Rihannsu, instead of knowing there was never bad blood. Au owe me na debt.. but I trust au know to support and build aus house beyond what the lloann'na left alive on our planets." He turned his back on Jorahl and left the office. Thinking to himself, he wondered why he could never build a strong Rihan friendship with this one, one who clearly isolates himself away from his own people. He headed back to Dheno in silence.

 

Jorahl remained in the office, emotions smoldering on his brow. He looked back to the events of before. The thought that he should have ended tr'Jeth Dabi then and there for mutiny was strong in his mind. That he let the smallest of threats against his wife and children go unanswered gave him shame. But, for all his fury the time for vengeance was passed.

 

With so many of their people scattered and in distress this was not the time for a bloodfeud. Jorahl only hoped he would not regret that decision as well.

Edited February 1, 2012 by Jorahl