Of Life and Death

[Chirakis 1]

Of Life and Death

 

He was known by many names, but Chirakis Kirel knew him as Ka’aroth, a name buried in antiquity that meant destroyer. Ka’aroth was a merciless leader who balanced his rule with rich reward and terror. For the obedient came incalculable wealth and pleasure. And for the disobedient let us say that Ka’aroth’s greatest entertainment was unimaginable torture to the point of death and back - several times. The worst was saved for the disobedient, the next for his adversaries, and the least for his hapless prisoners, but all done with vicious cruelty.

 

Best known for trafficking in weapons, humanoids, drugs, and anything else that would turn a profit while making the Federation and its allies squirm, he was sought by many on both sides of the law. He had put a high price on Kirel - to be taken alive - after she killed his chief lieutenant nearly a year before she became second in command of Sky Harbor Aegis. That particular encounter should have been with Ka’aroth, but for some reason he had sent his lieutenant in his behalf - a dire mistake on his part.

 

The encounter was not without consequence, however. Sudden uncontrollable twinges of pain that shot through her extremities were a constant reminder of her adversary’s last effort, a swift slice with his razor sword down the edge of her spinal column before she sent him over the cliff minus his head.

 

Since then, thoughts of how she would deal with Ka’aroth if he should surface had been lurking in the recesses of her mind.

 

And he had surfaced, working with the Romulan renegades on Mist Station 3. She had him - or Roberts did, aboard Revenge. Standing before the myriad of weapons displayed on one wall of her office, she wondered just how she would appropriately dispatch the legend, but the answer eluded her....

 

“Captain?”

 

Kirel’s arms dropped suddenly as she gave a sharp turn, her eyes deep with vengeance.

 

“I apologize if this is not a good time, Captain.” Counselor Amanda Davis stood just inside the door to Kirel’s office and hesitated at the captain’s sharp look. “I thought I heard you say come in, but I may have been mistaken. Perhaps I should come back later.”

 

“Counselor,” Kirel stopped Amanda as she turned to leave, “please. Come in.”

 

“Are you sure?” Amanda waited, then approached cautiously, still at odds with the situation.

 

“Of course. Please. Sit.” Kirel waved her into a chair, then sat opposite before offering tea, which Amanda politely declined, as though she had deep emotions of her own.

 

When she began her voice faltered, recounting the departure of so many Rihan children to adoptive families, finally settling on her ‘misgivings’ about Annisha.

 

“Misgivings,” said Kirel. “Explain.”

 

“That’s the problem, captain. I really cannot explain. It’s more of a feeling I have. It’s like they aren’t quite who they seem to be, if you know what I mean. I wish I could give you more. I wish I had more. And Annisha....” She left off, her face betraying conflicting emotions.

 

“What about Annisha?”

 

“She’s such a beautiful child. And brilliant. We would call her a savant.”

 

“A... savant.”

 

“Yes. Someone who is exceptionally gifted in many ways, especially intellectually.”

 

“I had noticed. Go on.”

 

“Well, Captain. Even Annisha seemed to be reluctant to go with them. And...” she held up a hand, “... I know what you are going to say: that it’s a matter of adjustment to a new situation. But Annisha isn’t like that. She’s very adaptable. It’s as though she could sense something about them, that something was very wrong.”

 

Captain Chirakis settled back in her chair, considering. “And you want me to investigate this couple, at the risk of endangering our relations with, and the directives of, the Romulan High Council?”

 

Amanda dropped her gaze to her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. After a few minutes of hesitation she looked up and said firmly, “Yes. I want you to personally, thoroughly investigate this couple and whatever other couple that wants take our children away... unless, of course, they are family. I fear something else playing out here, Captain, and I believe that it is our duty to protect the innocent lives we've been entrusted with, regardless of cost.”

 

“Our children.”

 

“Yes, Captain. Our children. They are ours until they leave this station, and we have an obligation to protect them.”

 

Kirel regarded her for a moment. “Very well, Counselor. I will give it every consideration.”

 

“Thank you, Captain,” said Amanda on an exhale, then added, “I do hope you mean that... with all your heart.”

 

“Counselor, I believe you have forgotten something.”

 

Amanda was at a loss, trying to remember.

 

“You have forgotten that I am an orphan.”