t'Prin Bites Back, Part 2

[m_k_tksa 0]

t'Prin Bites Back, Part 2

 

 

Status reports, communiques, personnel directives - Alura t’Prin was na found of the administrative documentation of a mission. She much preferred plotting and directing to research and logistics. Even so, with this new assignment came plenty of data to review. Complicated data that left the Major distracted with her ISD as she entered her personal quarters. Walking directly to the replicator and placing the order, she did na bother to address the woman reclining on the suite’s sofa until Alura placed the tea set, complete with re cups of tea down in front of them.

 

“What? Did au expect to surprise me? I knew au were here.” Alura asked, na bothering to hide her amusement at her Dark Rinam. Any other officer, Tal Shair or na, would have been y’ya’d on sight for even attempting to invade t’Prin’s personal quarters, let alone allowed to lounge causally across to the sofa as if io owned it. t’Sahen was the lone exception to this rule. The dark ‘sisters’ had been working together since time began, or so it seemed. How they were connected to one another, not a soul but the two women knew. They kept it that way.

 

Kal t’Sahen said nothing, leaned forward and poured tea for both woman. Whether she was perturbed or na about t’Prin’s smug satisfaction, she did na show it.

 

“That was a 16-byte double redundancy code with self-sealing tamper proof stem-bolt hardware on that door.” t’Prin flicked a wrist dismissively at the offending object. “What did it take au? Three, four suiren?” t’Prin accepted the cup of tea and sat back.

 

“Io suiren, 39 seconds.”

 

“tr’Jomar is losing his touch. A pity.” She sipped her tea.

 

“He is na the only problem au have.” Kal answered, cradling the tea cup between her re hands. When t’Prin’s eyebrow arched, Kal continued. “Au should have never accepted this mission. Au know that anything that Savu N’Dak touches is....trouble. The woman can na even complete a simple assassination properly. And au think that attaching auself to this mission is wise?”

 

t’Prin grinned at Kal’s understatement. “Trouble indeed. But au know how I like a challenge.”

 

“If au think this will redeem au for the Aegis incident--” Kal watched t’Prin’s good humor evaporate. “--I would suggest au rethink au’s position. Their plans are poison, and au will soon be infected if au are na more vigilant.”

 

“And what would au suggest I do?”

 

“Remove t’Kayton.” t’Prin scoffed, but Kal continued. “I do na care if whose pet she is, she’s too heavy handed with the Maenak. t’Ksa all ready knows in whose custody she’s in, therefore she will--”

 

“What?” t’Prin sat up. “Who told her.”

 

“t’Kayton,” Kal answered flatly, producing io of the re data chips with the interview recording on it. The second Kal personally kept for future use. “Right after the Maenak bit her.” Alura snatched the chip from hand, stalked to the desk and inserted it into the etrehh. Kal followed as she continued her explanation. “Granted, it wasn’t the maenak’s fault. t’Kayton’s fingers got in the way t’Ksa’s mouth as she was speaking.”

 

“Taking t’Ksa’s side?”

 

“It amuses me,” Kal smiled slyly, watching the video playback of the entire episode. It was after the unintended offense that t’Kayton’s wrath was directed at t’Ksa in the form of a fierce beating, in the process she revealed t’Prin’s name. When the scene finished and the battered maenak was dragged off-screen, Kal glanced at t’Prin who was visibly fuming. After listening t’Prin colorfully cursing t’Kayton’s heritage, Kal offered, “I can have her removed. Take out the garbage when I leave.”

 

“Au are leaving?” t’Prin cast a sideways glance at t’Sahen, her ire towards t’Kayton momentarily forgotten.

 

“Ie,” t’Sahen examined her nails, “The director has a new assignment for me.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“ch’Rihan. Hospital duty.”

 

“Elimination?”

 

“Na, observation only.....for now.” t’Sahen broke out into a scary looking grin. “And I get shiny new toys.”

 

t’Prin turned pensive, drummed her index finger against her front teeth. “Hmmm, very useful indeed.”

 

“I know that look, lhhei. Au are plotting.”

 

t’Prin flashed a brilliant grin, “Of course, a’rhea. Don’t I always?” She cupped Ka’ls cheeks then patted them gently. “This could indeed work to our advantage. Keep in touch. I may have an additional order.....or two.”

 

Kal knew better than to question what t’Prin had in mind. All would be revealed to her by her dark rinam in good time. She did, however still wonder what to do with the overzealous Tal Shiar agent currently failing to garner the information t’Prin needed. “And t’Kayton? Do au wish me to dispose of her?”

 

“Na, she too may provide useful... in the end.” t’Prin glanced up. “I will deal with her on my own, for now.”

 

“As au wish,” Kal gave a brief salute. To others it would have na been the same sign of respect as she had meant for her dark rinam. “I’ll be in touch, menkha luck, Alura.”

 

“Ie, menkha luck to au as well,” All ready lost to her plotting, Alura answered quietly as her rinam slipped out of the room. “Menkha luck indeed.”