Reassignment to Duty, Into the Crucible - Decent into Night pt 3

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

A Joint Log by Daise'Khre'Riov Var'lon tr'Vatrix and Khre'Riov L'haiy ira-Rexan t'Vatrix

 

The hour grew late and she began to worry about what had been so important that the Fvillah had need to consult with Var’lon at this time of night, that it could na wait until the next morning. Whatever it was, it must be of true import to have kept him this long. Still, she awaited his arrival and wanted to help relieve whatever tension it might have brought him this evening. They had planned to have a special evening together after the events of the last few days, and try to forget their problems for at least a few hours.

 

The hru’hfe, Nemeria had come to stoke the fire while L’haiy finished feeding Val’ron, and then took the child to put him to crib for the evening and keep watch over him. Nemeria too knew for the Daise’Khre’Riov to be gone so late, was never a menkha sign, and he would most likely be of ill temper when he returned. Better to have the child to sleep and let her master spend time with his bondmate to soothe his temper.

 

L’haiy nodded her thanks to the woman, and shut the door behind them. Wanting everything to be perfect for Var’lon’s arrival, she took down two of the crystal goblets from the mantle above the fireplace and set out a bottle of of his favorite wine in an ice bucket to pour for him when he arrived. She had also had the cook prepare his favorite dessert and leave a warming dish, so that she could have it waiting for him when he sat down. The whole incident with Morgana and N’Dak had been quite upsetting, and she needed this night with him as well, seeing once again, how easily io could be pulled from loved ones and life itself. She changed into a green silk shift that he had recently brought home for her, and planned to give him a relaxing backrub and make him forget all about his boring meeting.

 

The security device upon Var’lon’s desk chimed, letting her know that a flitter that registered with their family identification was on approach to the residence and had requested clearance to land. She knew that this had to be her bondmate, which brought a smile to her face, as she prepared to greet him home. She crossed the room and quickly took the poker to the fire, adjusting the burning wood so that the embers blazed anew. Satisfied that she had stoked the fire accordingly, she then walked over to the bedside table and poured him a glass of the wine, and cut a slice of the warm berry pie, placing both an a tray besides the bed. As all was in readiness, she took a seat rhae the center of the large comfortable bed, having promised him that she’d have the sheets warm for his return. Now she just had to patiently wait until he joined her in their chambers.

 

It was nearly half an hour later before she finally heard the door to their home open and shut. For him to have waited this long to come inside was unusual. The Fvillah must have said something that upset her husband greatly for him to stall like this, that or he had taken another communication before exiting the flitter. Sounds of him moving around downstairs could be heard in the bedroom, as the clicking of his boot heels echoed through the manor as he paced to and fro. After a few more siuren, L’haiy decided that she should go down and find out what was so wrong that he did na come up when he knew she was waiting for him. She grabbed the robe that hung beside the bed, quickly wrapped it around herself and made her way to the staircase, where she peered down first to ensure that he was alone and not hosting other guests. When she saw that it was just him that paced the floor, she quietly made her way down the stairs and stood at the bottom of the landing. “Var’lon, is everything alright E’lev?”

 

He glanced up quickly as if he was surprised by her approach. “Na. It is not. It’s not, and I don’t know where to start.”

 

She walked over to him and placed a hand on his arm to reassure him. “I’m sure it can’t be all that bad E’lev. Why don’t we sit and au tell me what the problem is? If au are allowed to that is. I would na want au breaking oaths to the Fvillah by telling me classified things that would get you into trouble with him.”

 

“There is something I have to do that I am going to hate myself for doing and I don’t even know how to go about doing so.” He sighed and held onto her tightly, almost scared to let her go.

 

She enjoyed being wrapped up into his embrace, the intensity of it making it all the better, but shortly, she knew something was na right and was truly bothering him when he just stood there and didn’t let go or start to tease her about her day. “E’lev, au have had a long day, why don’t we go upstairs? I have your favorite wine poured, a warm piece of berry pie and, as I told au I would, the sheets are warmed. I’m sure whatever it is, can wait until morning. Perhaps it will na look so bad with the daybreak?”

 

“As much as I would love to do that, I cannot. What the Fvillah wanted happens to involve au too, despite my trying to keep it from happening.”

 

Leaning her head back to look up at him, “I do na understand, how could it have involved me? I’m retired, or at the vriha least, I am listed as being on an extended leave of absence while we discuss retirement. Besides, I’ve just had a child; I am in no means ready to return to any sort of a duty station, even desk work just yet. Whatever it happens to be, au will have to tell him that it must wait a while. Besides, did I na just tell au earlier today, how much au were right, that the decision to give up space was the right one for me? That I’m actually looking forward to just staying home fahd with au and our son? When would au ever have thought to have heard me say something like that?” as she smiled up at him.

 

“Ie... you did. And I shared those very concerns with the Fvillah. However he was most insistent as to how he wanted this to occur.” He finally released his embrace and stepped away from her, as he headed right towards the bar. They were both going to need a strong drink before the night was over. Most likely more than just one. Carefully he poured two glasses, drowning the first one himself before he refilled it again before returning to her side.

 

She frowned when he let go of her, having enjoyed the warmth and strength of his arms about her, and as she watched his actions at the bar, she knew now that there was trouble. Rarely had she seen him attack his drinks such, as she watched him down a full glass and pour another. As he handed her a glass as well, she noted that he had brought back something much stronger than the wine he preferred. A wine, that she had already poured for them upstairs, but had a feeling that they would na get to for some time, if at all.

 

“Ok, au are losing me here. What is it that he wishes of me? Or more precisely, what does he want to occur? And how whatever it is, must occur? If it’s more medical testing by Galae, tell him no, I’ve been stuck with enough needles and probes, I’ve been cleared already, as has our son. I’d be more than happy to sit and discuss it with them however. They will absolutely na, and I repeat, na be testing our son any more than already has been done. I am quite insistent upon that.”

 

Var’lon walked her over to the couch, and asked her to take a seat. There, he recounted the events that transpired that evening, leaving out no detail. Of how the Fvillah was being manipulated to have made him turn against tr’Vatrix, of how Var’lon’s loyalty was questioned, and of the plan to have him prove his loyalty to Fvillah and Empire. As he told her, he watched as her face paled with the implications he was citing.

 

“This is a joke, right? Au are playing a joke on me? I do na find it amusing one bit Var’lon. Fhaen, fhaen just stop, and let’s go upstairs. Au are starting to scare me with this talk.” She looked at the seriousness rhae his face. “Var’lon?” Oh na she thought, “Var’lon?” Oh say this was na happening she told herself. “Elements! Au are na joking, are au?!” She began to tremble with fear that she had na control of her life once again. She reached over grabbing the sash across his chest and pulled him towards her. “Na Var’lon, this is a cruel jest. Surely this can na be happening.”

 

“I wish it were. And I don’t think either of us is going to get any sleep tonight. The Fvillah expects this mission to begin first thing in the morning.”

 

“Wait!” she said with alarm, “Au are being serious with me? Tell him na, tell him I can na go, I have a son to look after, a husband who’s household I must tend to. Surely he can na mean this. Surely he can na make me hna!”

 

Var’lon ran his fingers through his hair. His heart broke into pieces listening to his wife’s voice become more and more distraught. Despite being one of the most powerful and influential men in the Empire, here he was trapped into doing something that would likely destroy his family and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

 

“Why can’t he send someone else!? There are others more capable, I’ve na even been on the ship for over a year now! If N’Dak survives, surely he could take Talon rhae this mission, or au could send Teronix, ie? Your crew can handle this mission, and we can both remain fahd.”

 

“The Fvillah has someone whispering untrue things to him. He believes....” Var'lon paused a siuren, having difficulty himself believing the fabrication that threatened to destroy them.

 

“Let me guess, that I’m a clone, that I’m distracting au, that I’m manipulating au? We’ve heard all of this before, and I told au how it was whispered while au were off rhae the last mission. Var’lon, I swear to au, I’ve stayed as far away from au business as I could these last months. There is na way others can believe I’m manipulating au!! Tell them na. Au are Daise’Khre’Riov, au have command of the fleet, au make final decision rhae personnel. Is it na your place to assign who or who does na go rhae the missions? Surely he can na mean this. Surely he can na make me hna!””

 

“I understand that and even shared your plans to retire so you could help raise our son. He has decided to make this a test of my loyalty....”

 

“Var’lon, I’ve made the commitment to remain fahd with au, I’ve given up space to raise our son. Tell him that in 10-20 years, I would be more than happy to serve again, but I’ve just given birth, na two months ago!! Au can na really be thinking of sending me on this mission, can au?” She looked at him, wanting to plead for him na to do it.

 

Fear began to creep into her voice and he could hear the tremble upon her words. “The Fvillah is not willing to wait that long. Despite my strong objections, he feels you are the best person for the mission given your experience with the nanogenes. His thought...”

 

“So if I do na go, au fail his test? Then what happens to au? Fvaht, I knew something like this would happen! Somehow... someday... that I would end up hurting au. Au should have yy’a me that day when I was brought before au on Teronix and been done with me.” Tears had begun to stream down her face by this point, distraught by what was being done to them. “Na, I will na let them do this to au my jol.”

 

“It is not me that I’m worried about. No matter what happened, I can handle whatever they would decide to do with me. It’s what they intend to do to you and to Val’ron that has me scared.” He closed his eyes a moment. Going back with his disruptor might have been the easiest way of dealing with this.

 

“Var’lon, I don’t know if I can do this. How can I leave Val’ron so soon? How can I leave au?” as she grabbed his hands and clenched them tightly.

 

“If we don’t, the Fvillah says I will be removed hrrau disgrace and imprisoned; you would be sent anyway, and as that Val’ron will be without parents... that he’ll.... he’ll... be given to Galae Medical for them to...” His voice trailed unable to speak the words.

 

“Na!!” She dropped her grasp upon his hands as she was absolutely horrified by the suggestion of their son being made some sort of test subject. “He can na do that!! How could he think to do this to us? We’ve always been loyal to him, and given all we have to serve him? Who could have poisoned him against us to this extent?”

 

“I do not know yet, but I have some ideas. It’s something I’ll be dealing with shortly. They’ll pay for what they’ve done too. Before I let them die... they will suffer in the most painful way I can think of.”

 

L’haiy, weak with fear of what they would do to Val’ron, dropped to her knees, sat back upon her heels and buried her face in her hands. Her breath racked with sobs as the tears streamed between her fingers. ‘It is na right, it is na just, to threaten our child like this! The coward!!” She leaned forward dropping her head to the floor. “I do na know how they can expect this of us!”

 

“I know... it’s not right.” He put himself on the floor next to her and wrapped his arms around her. “And the person or people responsible for this will pay with their lives for it. I swear it. First we have to keep Val’ron safe. Then we can seek our vengeance.”

 

She drew in a deep breath as she sat back up on her knees, looked at him with a tear streaked face and suddenly gave him a crisp salute. “I understand Rekkhai. I will do my duty and will report to the ship as ordered by my commanding officer and the Fvillah.” This time, she had na called him Rekkhai in the teasing lilt that she had been using towards him hrrau jest for the last year. Na, this was a full out, duty bound authen to her superior and swore her Galae oath to him, her voice suddenly cold, and filled with anger.

 

Var’lon cringed at the response. The emotional damage was being done already and despite all of his efforts to stop the pain, and ruining all the progress they had made, here he was, being made to be the io inflicting it upon her once again.

 

Slowly she moved to regain her feet and stood before him, “Fortunately, I had just retrieved my duty bags from the Talon and they are still packed and ready to depart. I am ready to report upon au orders Rekkhai. Shall I have them transferred at this time?”

 

He returned to his feet as well, pulling her to him once again. “I’m so sorry E’lev. I tried so hard to make this not happen, but I failed. I am so sorry; I have failed both au and Val’ron.”

 

“It was never au failure Rekkhai, it was mine, for involving au with my miserable life. Au should have let me yy’a long ago. All I have ever done is to hurt those I care about, and now, I’ve hurt au more than I can ever forgive myself for.”

 

“Hey now!” he replied grasping her more tightly than before. “Quit that right now. I never want to hear you talk like that again. This is not your fault. There was nothing you’ve done wrong in this entire situation. It’s others who are envious of my name and position that have caused this. It’s my responsibility to deal with it and to keep my family safe.”

 

“And again, they would na have had the means to attack au, had I na been present,” she cooly replied.

 

“They would have found something... anything. They would not stop until they did, even if it was something they had to fabricate. Like this....,” he trailed off.

 

“Be that as it may, I am still to report, and become,” she said with a bit of a snarl, “The Fvillah’s bait.” The last word uttered with scorn and discontent. “If I am to yy’a for the Empire, I just hope it will be for good cause. However, I will do what I must, for au and for the safety of our son. At least au now have an heir, and by my taking my leave of au both it will ensure his safety, there is na else I can do but follow this course of action. I only wish that I would have been able to see him grow into the man au are, but I know au will raise him to be a credit to au house.”

 

“Do na talk like that! You will see him grow up. You will continue to be a part of both of our lives,” Var’lon’s voice trembled and cracked as he too had grown emotional and angry.

 

“Be honest Var’lon, even au said au told the Fvillah that this was a suicide mission. Remember, au told me all the details,” her voice again cold and distant.

 

“And how many missions have au been on, that have been one of those? When au set your mind to something, au move the Elements themselves to make it happen,” he said as he brushed the back of his hand across her cheek to wipe away the drying tears.

 

“Au ordered me onto quite a few if I recall, Rekkhai.” At this point, she stood before him in a night robe, standing at parade rest, as if awaiting further orders. How fast it all came back to her.

 

“So apparently it’s just like old times then?” He swatted her backside and grinned trying to make the moment a little easier. They both needed a reason to smile if at least for a moment.

 

She knew he was trying to make light of the situation, but found it made her stomach churn. She picked up the drink that he had brought her, and swiftly downed it in one gulp, the warm liquid burning her throat as it went down.

 

“Rekkhai, I swear to au, that I will attempt to perform to the best of my abilities and settle this matter, so that I may return to au and our son. Nothing will keep me from returning to au arms. Na the Othan, na the Tal Shiar, na the Fvillah himself. I would fight the Elements themselves if need be, but I will do all that is within my power na to fail au further. And if I ever find out who was behind this, I swear I will have their heads.” She held out the glass to him hoping he’d refill it along with his.

 

He accepted the glass and smiled a siuren at her, before heading over to the bar to refill the glasses for the next round.

 

“Au know, they will na be happy until they see me yy’a? But I hope that I can at least take out a few of them with me on the way to Vorta Vor. Then again, the way it seems the Elements have cursed me I would probably na even be able to enter there.”

 

Var’lon noted the fire burning hrrau her eyes, like that again of when he could na get her to stop fighting after what had happened during their bonding. It was almost a crazed anger, an anger that if she did na get under control, might consume her and cause her to be reckless in the decisions she would have to make. It was this reaction that he had feared most, that would be re-kindled within her.

 

“Then I suppose they’ll never be happy then. I may have had to agree to allow this plan, but it does not mean I have to let it play out exactly as they planned it. I have a few tricks up my sleeve they don’t necessarily know about yet.”

 

She downed the drink, squinting a bit as the warm liquid bit on the way down, and looked over at Var’lon, “What do au have planned, Rekkhai? If I may be allowed to know?”

 

“The Fvillah has concerns about the Empire’s resources being managed more efficiently. He never said there could not be assistance from third party organizations or from private citizens. There are a number of people whom I can count on for a favor if needed.” He had not started the ball in motion yet, but Var’lon was certain he would be able to pull the necessary strings to have additional support available.

 

“I have a request to make of au Rekkhai. If I am being made to serve rhae this ill-fated mission, then I have a few demands of my own. And trust me, the Elements themselves will na know the depths of my fury. To tear me from au embrace, to tear me from my newborn child, and to threaten both that I jol so deeply, these cowards will one day have to face me hrrau the night. I will have my vengeance. If anything were to happen to either of au, I would na stop until I saw all involved yy’a to my blade. But to do this mission, I find I have a few requirements myself. First and foremost, is my choice of crew? As I do na have time to request a fresh crew and screen who is acceptable and na, I will have to keep the fvai on the Talon, as they are already a known issue, I request that they serve intact; besides, some of them care for the Daise Maenak, and would be willing to assist in the search for her.”

 

“Done,” was his only reply. This request was simple enough and required no special work on his part.

 

“Second and more importantly, is that I require ‘the engineer t’Temarr’. “

 

His eyes squinted hearing the name. How could he trust the person who had tried to kill his wife once already? She was lucky L’haiy had interceded on her behalf earlier or she would already have suffered the same fate as the ill-begotten science officer had, and would have been yy’a to his blade. “On one condition...” he began as he raised his glass to his lips and drown the remaining liquid down his throat. “Maec tr’Aieme has to go with au to keep an eye upon her and make sure that she is na a danger to au or the rest of the crew. Au know I don’t trust that engineer, and I am na happy about this, but as au request it of me, I will allow it.”

 

“Fine, the Kheinsa may come along. Besides, if we find t’Ksa, she will probably need him anyway, both professionally and personally. As for t’Temarr, agreed, it will be menkha to have him along for her as well.”

 

“Done.” He did na say that he felt it would be menkha for her as well, as he knew this was going to destroy her emotionally. All the work they had done, undone by these cowards. Ie, he would see that they pay for this.

 

“Third, that she will serve in the capacity that I need her in as well, na complaints, na argument. As both N’Dak and t’Ksa are na available, she will serve me in the capacity of acting Executive Officer. Until such time as N’Dak is able to return, and t’Ksa is returned to duty.”

 

“Na L’haiy! There are much better qualified people available than she." He did na want that woman so close to L'haiy again. "I can have the Teronix’s XO available immediately to assist you. He has served me well for many years, and I trust him implicitly.”

 

“Na, I want him fahd to see to your well being, and au will need him if au ship is ever able to come to my aid. As it is, I have to leave au here, with only au personal guard to look over au. I would rather be watching au back at this time. Fhaen, keep au guard with au at all times. As for the engineer, at least we know she can handle a blade if needed.” This actually brought a thin, wry smile to her face, almost a demented grin if anyone were to try to describe it.

 

Var’lon glared at her for a moment to show his displeasure at her last comment, but secretly was pleased she was holding up as well as she was. At least she still had her sense of humor.

 

“Fine. You may have her as your Executive Officer, for now. However Daise’Erei’Riov tr’Shalor will also accompany you as well then, to serve as au personal guard now that Jastus is gone.”

 

“That is acceptable, Rekkhai,” she said with a salute acknowledging his give and take on her demands, and inclining her head to him in deference and respect due his rank.

 

“This may be talk about work, but cut the Rekkhai... we’re at home.” He pulled her to him into a tight embrace and ran his fingers through the hair just above her delicately pointed ear. This was going to be difficult for both of them.

 

“I have io last condition then, Rekk.. Var’lon... Nhaih. Ie, that is perfect. I’ve been searching for what I should call au, and that seems to fit au best. Nhaih. Au are my rock. Au are strong and solid, but cold and hard when au have to be, but au are constant and can weather the worst storms and still show little effect. I know hrrau my heart that au will weather this storm,” as she leaned her head against his strong chest. “E’lev, as I was saying, I have io last condition, as this may be the last time we may ever be together hrrau this life, and I still have time before I have to retrieve the engineer. I would ask io thing of au this night. If we could but spend io last night hrrau each other’s arms? So I at least have this last memory of au to take with me when I am sent away.”

 

He did not reply. Instead he just squeezed her tighter and put his head on her shoulder. After a siuren, he turned and headed towards their bedroom, pulling her along by her hand. He strode with purpose hrrau each step as they ascended the stairway.

 

She followed him up the stairs, but deep hrrau her heart, something told her that she might never return to him again, and was it fair to ask this of him? To do this and make his last thought be of the same. It might be easier for him to find someone else later hrrau life, if she did na ask this of him and leave him with this memory. “Var’lon, we do na have to do this, I know au are upset. Perhaps I should just report to the Talon h’nah?”

 

“Shush... I won’t hear of any of the like.” He grinned and closed the door behind them as he pulled her towards him, for what may well be their last night together. He would ensure, that it would be io that both they and the Elements would remember.

Edited March 7, 2013 by STSF_BluRox
typo fixed