Difficult Decisions & Impossible Choices - Decent into Night pt 2

[Varlon 0]

A log between Daise’Khre’Riov Var’lon tr’Vatrix and Fvillah Tricus tr’Salis (played by t’Rexan)

 

Tricus tr'Salis sat hrrau his study thinking about the meeting he was about to have with another of the most powerful men in his Empire. The room was warm with the fire crackling behind him, and he decided he needed a drink; a strong drink. He stood and took a few steps to the left and grabbed the decanter of Saurian Brandy which he kept on the side table for occasions such as this and poured himself a tall glass full. Replacing the cap, he decided to just put the container on the desk where it would be within easy reach. He felt he was going to need it this night.

 

He had known Var’lon tr’Vatrix for many years and the man had always been a trusted ally and considered somewhat of a friend. However, Tricus was now worried by the words and warnings of na only his advisor Proconsul tr’Merk, but that also of Krein tr’Vren, head of the Tal Shiar who was also a trusted confidante. The fact that both had come to him separately and shared the same concern now worried him greatly.

 

Could tr’Vatrix really be building up his Galae forces to stage a coup against him? He commanded the military resources to do so, and the routes that he had just placed his fleet increase upon could be seen as a way of choking off any assistance or aid that Tricus or the Senate might call for; even bottling up the Fvillah’s own Praetorian Fleet. The sudden increase hrrau Galae forces noted by tr’Vren and tr’Merk caused the Fvillah to become increasingly fearful that tr’Vatrix might actually go too far, and end up starting some adverse course of action. Fears that had been whispered to him had ranged from a personal coup against the Tricus himself; or almost equally adverse, the man could begin a civil war with those hrrau the Othan Sector and some of the more frontier worlds that may support them. Tricus knew that he could na let this happen, as those sectors were extremely rich in natural resources and were the reason why their leadership in the Deihu was so strong of late. Those sectors had supported him and kept his coffers filled. They possessed wealth and resources that had been severely stressed hrrau other sectors of Rihannsu space, and most notably those closest around ch’Rihan. Na, he could little afford to spurn those leaders, as they would one day have an affect on the rest of the Empire, even io day, possibly trying to split from the Empire themselves. Na, he needed their support.

 

A knock sounded upon the heavy wooden door, and Tricus watched as his dheno brought tr’Vatrix into his personal study, saluted and left. He noted while the Daise’Khre’Riov stood there at vae’drae, the personal sidearm that the man wore. Though it had been worn here on numerous occasions before, tonight it actually worried him more than usual. Perhaps tonight’s discussion, would be io to as require him to leave it by the door. Though, asking that in itself could signal issue between them prior to their discussion, and even prompt thoughts of using it. Better to let it remain as something ornamental and unremembered.

 

Despite having known the man that sat in front of him for decades, Var’lon still found it difficult to read the face of the Fvillah when he was in his “work mode”. He had a feeling this was going to be one of those moments before even entering the room, but the look on the Fvillah’s face confirmed his suspicions. Whatever they were about to discuss was not going to be pleasant.

 

“Daise’Khre’Riov, Aefvahd. I hope the late hour did na cause au too much difficulty?” the Fvillah stated as he took a seat behind the heavy desk, “What I wished to discuss with au, is a matter of some import.”

 

“I’ve always been at your command, my Fvillah. And I’m happy to be of service, no matter the hour.” Var’lon held off on further council or pleasantries until the purpose of the conversation was revealed. This was not his show for now.

 

“It pleases me to hear au say this, Daise’Khre’Riov. It is menkha to know who one can trust, and who one can na,” the Fvillah continued. “As I said, some matters have come to my attention of late, that I wish to discuss with au.”

 

The formality used by the Fvillah was not lost on Var'lon as he continued to stand. He normally would have been asked to sit by now and his name used instead of just a title. It only further confirmed his earlier thoughts of how this was going to be a difficult conversation.

 

“It has been brought to my attention, that au have asked to bring the Galae Fleet to a heightened state of readiness, and have already deployed many ships along primary shipping and tactical routes. I do na recall discussing this with au. This increase is io that would be expected along the Outmarches with our enemies; but it concerns me that this buildup au have instigated, is along so many of our internal strategic locations. It is as if au feared aur own people?”

 

“Ie... I have indeed increased our state of readiness across a number of locations due to credible intelligence showing increased risks. I have not attempted to hide any of these actions either as those plans have already been submitted to the Senate as well. With your incredibly busy schedule, I did not want to disturb you with potentially trivial matters. As au known, I try to only bother you with issues of the utmost importance.”

 

The Fvillah leaned back into the antiquated seat that he kept for his comfort, the old leather creaking as he shifted his weight and steepled his fingers together, “I also find that there have been many times of late when I have wished to consult with au rhae matters of ‘utmost importance’, but have found too often, that au have been away from the homeworld, for io reason,” he paused a siuren for effect, “ or another.” Tricus did na feel he needed to say anything about tr’Vatrix’s extended mission to Dumok’azen as it was at least a Galae mission, but rather the long vacation he had been away with his bondmate, that was the matter to which his statement was implied. He shook his head and looked back up at tr’Vatrix, “There have been questions if au still take the office seriously, or even wish to continue serving aur people hrrau this capacity.”

 

The Fvillah knew that until io normally retired from old age or yy’a hrrau battle, that io did na just leave the position tr’Vatrix held willingly, due to the number of secrets and confidential information known. There was really only io other way to leave the office, and he’d prefer na to use this option if tr’Vatrix truly was still loyal to him. It would be unfortunate to needlessly lose a fine officer, and someone he could actually sit down and have discourse with as almost an equal. He pointed a finger towards tr’Vatrix, “I need to know, that I can still trust au.”

 

In reality, the Fvillah had been deeply jealous of tr’Vatrix for many years. Na only was he popular with the masses, he was also well liked amongst many of the Deihu, and that was na small feat. Then there was the Galae Fleet itself; which almost to a man or woman, were willing to lay their lives down for this man that they were so intensely loyal too. Would that he, Fvillah of the great Rihannsu Empire, be able to command such respect as this man did so easily without even trying. If tr’Vatrix were ever to truly challenge him, and possibly try to stage a coup as the others had whispered rumor of, Tricus would be hard pressed to stop tr’Vatrix. Though, there were those that were his detractors as well, the Tal Shiar, the N’Dak family and a small faction of very wealthy Deihu, many from the Othan Sector who believe his fleet limited their control of their own space. They were pretty much the same ones that warned of the man’s bondmate, blaming her for many of issues they were now citing to tr’Vatrix’s credit. Still, it must be nice to have a beautiful woman by one’s side, as he thought of his own somewhat dowdy bondmate and frowned.

 

“I’ve always thought my duties have been carried out in such a way that you would never need to question my trust or loyalty,” Var’lon began. “It pleases me that you’ve trusted me enough to seek my council on the important matters you deal with on a daily basis. I don’t often take many trips away from the homeworld. However there are occasionally issues that require my presence elsewhere. In those situations, no matter what is happening... I am always available to you. The secure communication systems of the Empire are unmatched anywhere and you can reach me in but a moment’s notice.”

 

“Be that as it may, I find that I require au presence fahd rhae ch’Rihan for the time being,” as he reached over to pickup the heavy crystal tumbler filled with the brandy he had poured earlier, turned the glass in his fingers a siuren, and took a deep drink from it before continuing. “I think I would also prefer to see more of our ships return to position around ch’Rihan, and na out rhae whatever chase au have sent them upon.”

 

Var’lon frowned as he listened to the Fvillah. So far he seemed to have not countered any of the points Var’lon brought up. There had to be more going on here than meets the eye. To have him question his loyalty and actions like this meant something else must be going on.

 

“I don’t see a problem with remaining here on the homeworld. There is nothing I can think of that would require me elsewhere. As au know, it is not often that I am actually away.” Var’lon paused a moment as he gathered his thoughts on how to respond to the next request.

 

“Ie, I will give au that, it has been rare that we’ve seen au gone for so long a time as au have been of late, but as I said, I would prefer au remain rhae the homeworld for the time being. In part, as I wish to speak to au more on the issues of what occurred at Dumok’azen. Many of the Deihu and leaders of the Othan sector are seething over the events that recently took place there. I would na have them needlessly targeted further. Negotiations may involve many face to face meetings. A shipboard call could be deemed as insulting that au did na care enough to attend hrrau person. “

 

“Of course. I am at your disposal,” Var’lon replied, nodding his head in agreement before continuing. “Regarding repositioning our forces, I respectfully disagree with returning them to their original assignments. Doing so could potentially leave us vulnerable and unprotected. Is it not my responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the Empire? You’ve trusted me this long to act in our best interest, and I would ask that you continue to believe I’m acting strictly in the the interest of the Empire.”

 

“But so many troops, hrrau just the last few days? Well, in addition to that small fleet that au left at Dumok’azen. I am still na sure why au have need for such a mobilization? Unless au are planning to begin a major offensive, that have na been apprised of? Is this why au reassigned the new Vereleus-class Dreadnought Azgalor to sit off of Dumok’azen, rather than it’s being assigned to my personal fleet, as had been expected. I know au were testing the Teronix auself, to assess it’s systems and safety, but I ‘had’ expected to take delivery of the new ship recently, and then I receive word, that au used it for your personal use, as a courier for au bondmate to join au?”

 

Tricus tr’Salis took another drink before he continued. “For that matter, hadn’t au just prior to Azgalor being completed, completely upgraded the Talon, au bondmates’ ship? Could it na be sent on whatever mission it is that au have had to ramp up so many resources? It has the firepower of almost two ships, could it na take care of itself rhae a mission without support assigned to it? Or, have au come into more of the latinum that the Talon had previously brought back, to cover the cost of this increased military buildup? It strains the Empire’s resources without any prospect of gain from the action. There have also been several complaints filed against au and io of au officers, an Enarrain N’Dak, also of the Talon, but Deihu N’Dak’s son I believe, by the some of the Othan leadership.” He paused a siuren, and finished drink. “But au are right, I have trusted au hrrau the past and thus, this is why I ‘know’ that au will honor the request I am about to make of au.”

 

A tightness began forming in Va’rlon’s stomach at the last comment. This was going to be the purpose of the late-night summoning and what he was sure he was going to dislike.

 

“I have read the reports that were sent about the attacks upon some of the Talon’s crew, both rhae the ship, as well as rhae planet fahd. I also agree that until the incident against Enarrain N’Dak, that it seemed related to the incident concerning au bondmate, the Daise Maenak and one other crew member that I’m na even sure has survived. It would appear to me, that someone other than Galae, may be interested hrrau gathering data upon those involved either by the nanogenes, or having had to work with them.” Tricus reached over and grabbed the half-filled crystal decanter, refilling his drink and taking another deep pull on it. “This is why I have made my decision as to how to handle this situation. As a result of Enarrain N’Dak’s unfortunate incident and subsequent inability to take command of the Talon, the acting XO also missing and presumed abducted, and the next ranking officer listed as out on ‘special assignment’, I find na senior officers of note to take command of the Talon.”

 

Tricus tr'Salis needed another drink to get this io out, and was debating if he really should call his dheno to have tr’Vatrix’s sidearm removed, but decided he would show at least a bit of trust. “Therefore, I at this time, require that Khre’Riov t’Rexan, I suppose that she is t’Vatrix hna’h, that she report to the RES Talon to resume command of her ship until such time that the missing officer is recovered, and those responsible are identified.”

 

“Fvillah, the Khre’Riov has tended her resignation in order to spend time at home raising her... OUR newborn son! It has only been about two months since she has given birth. However; there are a number of more-than-capable officers in the Empire. I can have any one assigned immediately to fill the role until such time that Enarrain N’Dak is able to resume his duties.”

 

“If I remember correctly, she had taken a leave of absence and has been away from duty for well over a year hna’h. It is time she got back to work, other officers have had children too, and either return or retire. However, Galae has put in too much investment, time and resources to train her, to let her just quit. It was part of the price of accepting her rank, she should know this. Besides, she has first hand knowledge of what these nanogenes do, and well, face it, they’ve already made an attempt upon her once. She will be the perfect bait to draw them in, so that we may try to follow them to their base of operations.”

 

“Absolutely not!” Var'lon exclaimed as he lost the cool demeanor he managed to maintain thus far in their conversation. “Use her as BAIT?! That is out of the question!”

 

“Au refuse my request? And telling ‘me’ what is out of the question? After standing there and professing that au live to serve the Empire and the Fvillah? And then the very next words from au mouth are NA!?” Tricus half rose from his seat, face dark with anger and anticipating trouble, his hand near the switch that would summon his dheno to enter the room.

 

“I have vowed to serve both you and the Empire,” Var’lon began. He took a deep breath and attempted to get his temper back under control. “However there are better ways to achieve what you seek to accomplish than to do that. If you want to get to the bottom of what happened, I will support you. I want to see the situation resolved as well. Just give me a little bit of time and I’ll see that it’s handled and that you have a full report as to the outcome.”

 

“Au say au serve myself and the Empire, yet when I ask this of au, au refuse. I was told I should expect this from au if I were to ask it of au," he paused and shook his head. "As for better ways, how so? How many more of au galae crewmen have to die for this folly? How many rhae the Talon have already died due to the attempts on the Maenak and Khre’Riov? I can remember at least three so far. How many more should be sacrificed so that au bondmate may live at home hrrau comfort? She already has received the benefit of renewed youth and looks, a matter I noticed au were quick to take advantage of and claim her for au own?”

 

The Fvillah’s last comment made clear to Var’lon this was the result of at least a few others trying to discredit him and remove him from his position. He made a mental note of it to deal with it later. First he had to protect his family.

 

“You have a family yourself Fvillah... what would you do if someone came along asking you to use your wife as bait? I have loyally served you and the Empire for over 40 years. I have given greatly of myself in order to serve. Surely you can understand my interest in wanting to protect my family while still serving you and the Empire?”

 

“I can see au point tr’Vatrix, however my bondmate, is na a Galae officer, a Khre’Riov at that. Au knew the consequences of bonding with another flag officer, especially io that reported directly to au. Surely she should na receive special favor hrrau her position, just because au have chosen to take her to au bed? Were my bondmate to be hrrau the same situation, I would expect na less of her to do her duty. I’m sure au bondmate, will remember her place once informed of my decision. If au will na put an end to this, I will see that it is done, and doing so, that t’Rexan be used to draw them out. How could they pass up the prize they are clearly after? Surely they went after the Daise Maenak, as au bondmate was too difficult to obtain with her dheno detail and yours as well. Na, this is the perfect opportunity to draw these veruuls out, that wish to use this information for their own use, and na that for the good of the Empire. We will send her out, with a ‘single’ ship, na fleet, na escort, and hopefully she’ll find information rhae the missing officer as well, but if they make attempt to capture her, her crew will be ordered to make little move to prevent this. How can this na tempt them, if she truly is the target of their intent? Then, if she were somehow to be captured during the mission, the crew will just need to track her movement after she’s been taken.”

 

This was not going as Var'lon had hoped. It was unlikely he would be able to win an argument with the Fvillah once his mind was made up. He had been able to help influence the decisions made previously so that he could simply just agree with the Fvillah, but this was not working out like past instances had. This was going from bad to worse. Not only was this a risky plan, it was foolish as well. Worse yet, it involved his bondmate!

 

“How can you expect to potentially get to the bottom of this and catch those responsible with such a ridiculous plan? It not only unnecessarily jeopardizes the lives those those involved, but jeopardizes the overall chances of succeeding in finding and stopping those responsible!”

 

tr'Salis angered at his plan being called ridiculous by the man standing before him, and slammed his glass down, spilling a good bit of it all over the desk. “Ridiculous? Ridiculous? I have na seen a better plan from au, and besides, with the proper use of a subdermal tracking device, it will tell us exactly where she is. Within a proscribed scanning area of course.”

 

“If I was with the group responsible for this, the first thing I would be checking for would be tracking devices and disabling them. Without any kind of help or support, this is basically a suicide mission.”

 

“Yet it is what I require of au. Au are to reassign her to the ship, and have it ready to leave hrrau the morning, this is non-negotiable.” tr’Salis stood fully, fists upon the black lacquered desk, the stone of his heavy ring of office gouging the wood beneath it as he leaned forward across the desk glaring a bit towards tr’Vatrix.

 

“And if I refuse?” Var'lon surprised himself with that response. It was treasonous to even suggest such a thought.

 

“Oh Elements!!” as he pounded a fist against the desk. “I had hoped I au would be reasonable, that au were still the man I could trust, and na question my orders. Na matter what, this will happen. I offer au io more chance to comply, I do this, as I had considered au an ally and friend, or else I’d have already called the dheno to have au removed. Do na prove me wrong. If au do na, the consequences will be dire indeed.”

 

Var’lon starred at the man before him. He was forcing him to choose between his family and his country. The anger in his eyes was apparent as he remained silent staring intently at the Fvillah.

 

“If au refuse, au will be removed from au office, and she will then be ordered to report by au replacement. Au will be tried for treason, and as your son will be alone, he will be fostered by Galae Medical where they will be able to study and test the boy to see if there are any long term affects upon his development by the nanogenes of his mother. If she were to also refuse, she would be arrested and the same result for the boy. I would recommend, based upon our relationship, that au consider my offer.”

 

“I would say you’re not giving me much of a choice in the matter.” He was clutching his fists by this point. “And my son has already been tested by Galae Medical. He has absolutely no sign of the nanogenes in his system.”

 

“Var’lon, fhaen, be reasonable. There are still many that feel that au bondmate, is the io still hrrau question. Where au na bonded with her, I doubt that we would na be having this conversation. However, many still whisper that she is actually a cloned entity, controlled by these aliens that created the nanogenes, and that she unduly influences au decisions. And ie, I know she’s been tested by Galae Medical, but they could have missed something with this new technology. She never held this type of sway over au before she was ‘brought back to life’, so why so suddenly now?”

 

Releasing his clutched fists, Var’lon took a deep breath in an attempt to keep his temper in check. “She has always held that type of sway over me. I’ve always looked after her. We’ve simply taken the next step in our relationship. My decisions and council are my own. In fact, she is trying to step away from Galae in order to help ensure others don’t see her as trying to interfere. This is why she’s agreed to retire, and to stay home to raise our son.”

 

“As I said, there are those that question her, and thus they question au. Hrrau questioning au, I find that I must have proof of au loyalty to show that ‘I’ am na the io being the veruul. If au send her, it will show those that question au, and question my trust hrrau au, that au will indeed obey and that au do na put auself and au family before the Empire. Var’lon, this is something required of au. Think of the consequences to au son. Na only would he lose both parents, but his house name would be tarnished, and his family assets seized. He would be left with nothing.”

 

Var’lon remained unresponsive. After all of his work to get his family settled and to finally ease his wife’s pain, everything was being torn to shreds. In order to save his son, he was being forced to sacrifice his wife.

 

“This is my order Daise’Khre’Riov, she is to be rhae the Talon hrrau the morning.” tr’Salis said in a cold, final tone, “I will na hear any argument to the contrary.”

 

He sighed as he finally responded. “It will be done, Fvillah. I do na have to like the order, but I will comply.”

 

“I am pleased that au have made the right decision. It relieves me that I do na have to take action against someone who has been steadfast in his dealings over these many years. It will show those that worry that au are being influenced by some sort of alien mind control, that there is na for them to worry about as well. Au loyalty is as menkha as always, and au will remain hrrau charge of Galae and io of my consultants.”

 

“Is there anything else you require of me, Fvillah?”

 

“Na, au had best be heading home, as au have less than eight hours to get her aboard that ship. Au are dismissed,” and with that, tr’Salis motioned towards the door.

 

Var’lon turned without the normal salute and started walking towards the exit. As he reached it, he stopped and turned back to the Fvillah.

 

“You showed concern for me earlier in suggesting I be concerned about the appearance of undue influence that might be being made over me. We’ve known each other a long time... so I’m going to do the same for you.” Var’lon looked upwards a moment as he gathered his thoughts not wanting this to come out the wrong way. “Whomever is providing council to you regarding my family is obviously out of touch with reality. I would caution you to take care with the advice they might be providing you on other matters if this is the type of recommendations they’re making regarding this matter.”

 

Turning around once again and left the room without waiting for a reply. He barely noticed the trip home as his head swam with various thoughts on how he could break the news to his wife. It was hard for him to focus as he found himself jumping from feelings of anger to regret to worry. Glancing down, he noticed his weapon still at his side. It would have been oh so simple to have just used it to end the entire situation. It would have been easier to deal with the consequences of that than what he was about to have to do.

 

This mission would be next to impossible. Even if she managed to defy the odds as she had done previously, it would still kill her emotionally. She had just started making decent progress recovering from the mental demons she faced and now they would be brought to life in an even bigger and more dangerous way. How was he to protect her this time, when she herself might be her own biggest danger?

Edited March 7, 2013 by STSF_BluRox
fixed typo