Resigned to Negotiate

[tr'Jeth Dabi 0]

Torate sent a message to Mimi’s console, hoping she’d read it when she got out of the meeting he felt was stupid. The message spoken was saved for her review.

 

“e’Lev, temar (night) awaits. COM me when au are eliu (finished or complete),

hilai (get somewhere, get to) docking ring,”

 

He took typical long strides and got out of the Aegis quarters that were alien to him now aboard this new Sky Harbor Aegis and headed back to his ship, the Ha’feh, a Rihannsu Star Empire warship.

 

Once Torate was on board the Ha’feh, he gave orders to the minimal compliment of crew to stand down, but stay aboard, yet stay out of his way. He commandeered a few of the different rooms aboard to be able to take Mimi around in peace. After preparing his stateroom for her visit, he started checking the time every ten minutes, while pacing back and forth on the Oira (bridge), waiting for his wife to get out of the meeting. The few officers left on duty didn’t say much except standard minimal power comments, as necessary, but they all knew their Riov (commander - Romulan) was on edge, and weren’t informed who was coming aboard, except the two Dheno (security) officers told to meet her.

 

Aegis’ meeting took forever. The night got shorter and Torate felt starved. He kept going into the confession room, much like Federation conference room off the side of the bridge, to devour much of the food that was laid out for their dining pleasure. Torate, of course, took full advantage while digging up a handful of various foods each time he went into the room, and had his fingers and palm nearly clean before he returned from his loop around the room.

 

- - - -

 

Eventually, Mimi was finished with the meeting, so she made her way back to her quarters to grab her overnight bag and checked her messages. She noted the message from Torate. “Torate I’m on my way to the docking ring.”

 

The assigned Dheno officers greeted Mimi at the docking ring in respectful tones. “Jolan tru, Daise Maenek tr’Jeth Dabi. We are to take au right to the i'ulhao'edh.” (confession room)

 

“Jolan Tru. Alright,” Mimi passed between the two security officers and entered onto the Ha’feh, then stood aside, “lead the way.”

 

They ushered her quietly through the ship until the group reached the entrance. When the doors parted open, the group stepped in only a few steps, then Mimi stepped in the rest of the way alone; the Dheno had backed out allowing the doors to shut behind her.

 

The room was dull and grey. The RSE symbol hung on the back wall. Nowhere in this room where there the pleasantries of Sky Harbor Aegis or any other Federation-like ship. If one looked closer at the entrance to this room, the oxygenated, dried, green blood stains would still be visible. Dried meant most of the smell was gone, and with so much food covering the concave table, it filled the room with wonderful Rihannsu aromas.

 

Mimi looked at Torate at the far end of the room, where he sat with both feet up on the concave i'ulhao'edh (confession) room table, ankles crossed one over the other, tilting on the back legs of the chair. With a d’anhae on his lap (a large dinner plate, albeit larger and heavier than standard Terran plates), he was chowing down with both hands. There was no need for utensils when he was this hungry.

 

Torate spoke first, in his firm voice through his partially stuffed jaw, “Jolan tru. If au have dinglha'le (hunger), agollh (nourish oneself).” He swung one fist around, pointing at the array of food, most of which was now cold. He did not realize just how his language had been void of the Federation standard and forgot his manners with the mouth full of food.

 

She smiled and replied, “Hello. No, I’m not hungry, I had something to eat at the meeting,” Mimi paused for a moment, “food from every ally, Romulus included.”

 

“ch’Rihan, we agollhs (nourish) with many delights” he said boldly. “It’s lhao (cold) at this point. We have khlenai (replicator) aboard if au decide to have drinks or something else.” Torate got up and started to walk through the shadows towards her, after wiping his hands first on the napkin, then making a final wipe on the sides of his pants, he got up close enough to kiss her, though it was only on her forehead.

 

As she groaned, “I didn’t understand most of what you said, because of it being in Rihan and my universal translator doesn’t work here. Plus, I’m not really thirsty either, my husband,” Mimi replied.

 

His home-tongue was heavy now, having used it completely for so long as of late. He took her hand, pulled it along the confession room by the viewport and guided her into a chair next to where he stood, looking out into the stars. “Do au know that ch’Rihan was mrei (nearly, unexpected, surprised) by that weapon?” he said in a softer voice, clearly showing that it pained him to discuss it.

 

“Ambassador Spock was only trying to help, Aelabi,” Mimi replied.

 

He inhaled slowly, then continued, “ch’Havran’s dark side was na’taortuu (not decimated), yet remains to continue mining… at least part of it. I suppose the enemy thought they could raid our resources. But the Rihannsu are very resourceful!”

 

“The enemy, you mean the Federation,” Mimi retorted, “that’s impossible, you know that the Federation wants to help.”

 

He wouldn’t share his thoughts; though at the moment he wasn’t trying to woo her, clearly, the comments from him clearly sounded more like a Romulan political rally than a romantic interlude. “Do they? Their help is na felt on the light side of ch’Havran. The moons are nearly dim with dust and debris.” He hesitated; he found himself in a cultural dismiss of her opinion. “Its of na matter, e’lev,” he tried to soften the conversation wanting to keep her for himself, “but we are still nhrai’anna (bonded, married) in this e’lev (love) affair.”

 

“I know they are still rather rough on Romulus and I still love you despite that. I want to be there to support you, no matter what,” Mimi told him. “I just want you to know that you don’t have to do this alone and that there is always someone there behind you.”

 

He thought to himself, Do I ask her now? Just blurt out ‘Come with me, join me as I serve the RSE, be at my side.’ or should I just wait. She’s almost said she’ll be at my side, could I ask for more confirmation before I take her with me?

 

He realized the dead silence in the room. He moved to the chair next to her, after turning it with a half spin to face her. His long arms reached all the way around her body, almost a threatening position if one didn’t know they were in love. He tried to use all Fed standard, so she understood “The time is come, Mimi. I need au baby. A first child for us.” He was now staring deeply into her eyes.

 

“I know,” as she sat down, “the question is: if I’m even pregnant now? To answer that question, the answer is: I’m not sure.”

 

“Au are na a maenek, how do au not know? Na Rihannsu females have this question!” He was more than curious about this process, because all of the other women that were bearing the new race of little angry Rihan’s didn’t have any question when they carried his child.

 

“I know I’m a doctor, but you have to remember, I have a different anatomy than a Rihan woman. Plus, being human, it does take a little bit to even know if one is pregnant,” Mimi told him.

 

Torate listened quietly while he thought about what his Rekkai had said. The words rang true and clear:

 

‘Au will have a Rihan child with the Lloann’nae or we will remove that distraction.

Au have na other decisions, ch’Havran and the Rihannsu race is counting on every male to increase our numbers 10-fold with each wife!’

 

Eventually he changed his facial expression to lighten the form in his ridge. Torate took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Come see my Oira, e’lev.” He knew all of the paranoid crew would frown on this, but he hoped she could see through to the political demeanor of the Man-in-Charge he’d become.

 

“Of course, I would like to see the bridge of this ship,” Mimi replied.

 

He was proud as he walked her onto the bridge, though no longer holding her hand. He walked before her, turning back towards her to show her a station or say something to her only. Torate didn’t address any of the staff and certainly didn’t give into any of their paranoid expressions.

 

As Mimi walked with Torate around the bridge, she smiled politely to the crew on the bridge, acknowledging their presence.

 

Torate pointed out inanimate positions, instead of crew members, until he got to his chair. “Riov… commander of the ship, gives orders from this chair.” He leaned down to whisper near her ear, “and if au wish, aur chair could be there,” he nodded to the empty space near his command chair, “next to mine.”

 

Mimi just looked at him with a rather confused look on her face.

 

As he passed each one of the three remaining staff on the bridge, they would nod and say, “Riov,” and after nod their head down or at least their eyes momentarily. He didn’t want to chat with her in front of any of them, until she understood her position within his crew. This was a Rihan ship, not a LLoann’nae vessel; he thought, she would have to be taught, in time.

 

To avoid bridge conversation, he put his arm around behind her, and ushered her onto the turbolift in a rather friendly way. He knew the crew would see this, and know she was his and they were to be hands-off around her.

 

His crew’s eyes shifted around, meeting each other’s gaze, wondering who knew the woman. Most of them figured he was taking on a lloann’nae female for a consort, but it never crossed their minds that they were married.

 

Once aboard the turbolift, he pulled her up the wall to his height and began kissing her passionately.

 

Mimi kissed Torate back, knowing it had been a long time since they have been alone, even though they had lunch earlier that day. But it was the first passionate thing he’s done since returning.

 

Eventually, turbolift came to a halt, so Torate took Mimi’s hand and walked her down through the metallic and shadowed hallway. He stepped near the door which opened to his stateroom. Across from that door was another, but he didn't mention who normally stayed there, but it was set up often for Loxil.

 

Mimi looked around the area and saw the quarters across and didn’t give it a second thought.

 

The stateroom was huge, but also rather gray and dark. The walls bare, except for the mark of the RSE which was just about everywhere on this ship. In a semi-lightened area, there was one end-table with one picture and recessed lighting focused on it, containing a picture of them on their wedding day.

 

Mimi entered the stateroom and looked around and noticed how bare it was, with the exception of their wedding photo. “Very… spacious, much like our quarters on the station. You are very fortunate. You should know that you did not have to show me around to impress me. I’m proud of you no matter what and proud to be your wife, regardless of what people say,” Mimi looked at him somewhat sternly, “I do not care what other people think of me, except what you think. Our duties may keep us apart from one another, but we should be proud of each other, no matter what.”

 

He held her close, and tilted his head down to whisper into her ear, “I know this deep inside my hachae (soul).”

 

“That’s why I married you, Aelabi.” She used the private first name reserved for Rihannsu people to share only between parents with their child, so they know it, and the adult with his beloved. “You are mine and I am yours. Would you like some decorations or other objects for your stateroom. Maybe a few items from your crate that I have in our closet. Speaking of which can I put any of those items up around our quarters with your approval, of course.”

 

He pulled her close and planted a light kiss on her lips. He pulled back and looked seriously, “e’lev. Leave this lloann’nae world. Come with me, be at my side. Na leave, ever again, my e’lev.” His expression was serious, and his plea was firm. He held her there, waiting for her response. He couldn’t wait to whisk her off and keep her to himself.

 

She looked at him, “I can’t leave. My duty is here on Aegis. But if I had the chance, I would in a heartbeat.” Mimi was growing suspicious of what he was talking about.

 

He held her even tighter, as if it would make a difference in his sincerity, “Forget the Aegis… I need au at my side, be my Daise’Maenek, be here with aur husband.”

 

Mimi just looked at him. “I can’t leave. I haven’t been Chief that long. Why would you suggest that I leave my post? Aren’t you proud of me?

 

He was growing upset and started releasing his grip around her; couldn’t she see what he was offering her? “Mimi, au career, versed au husband? Reality?” His expression said it all, he was stunned that she felt more responsibility to her own career, than to their bonded unit.

 

She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, “I guess it’s habit that I focus on my career. Kind of a family habit and tradition. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, my husband. Please forgive me?”

 

He could feel the distance growing between them, even though they had hardly moved. He spoke firmly, “I am NA offended.”

 

Slowly he did move. He then stood next to her, released his arms from her and spoke firmly, concisely, but in a LOT of Rihan, “With my ih'æfauev d’kraep'le (abundantly great sadness, a most intense feeling while in mourning), I release my heis’he (my love) and ailhun (first wife) to her selection in the abyss.”

 

Mimi looked at him, in a state of shock, “What are you talking about?” She started crying not sure of what was happening.

 

“There, au are free to au career. Ay abyss awaits au.” He stood there like an unfeeling rock.

 

Mimi just stared at him, “Are you suggesting that we get a divorce, Torate? I may want to keep my career, but I don’t want to lose you to it.”

 

Torate shook his head, “LLoannae… there is na divorce for Rihans.” He looked down at her, still pretty expressionless, “Au have na obligation to me to have children, au may go about to aur career. Au can even take another husband, but I will always be the first, and au will always be mine.” He had a slight sad tinge across his brow, never having seen a woman push away such a grand offer. He didn’t understand her and possibly in time he would change her mind… or she his.

 

Mimi stood there in silence, thinking; for a moment, “We may not have children right at the moment, but doesn’t mean I don’t want children, because I do. And I want to have children with you. But considering how things are going, right now might not be the best time. I don’t want another husband. It doesn’t mean I can’t come visit you on Romulus to spend time with you and try to have a child. Does that make any sense to you, Torate?”

 

She was going on and on, and he was only half-listening, but he heard his queue and responded accordingly, “Ie. I hear au words. Au have the typical lloann’nae female clause - au want aur bake and eat it too.” He smirked. He let those words savor for a moment, then said, “Mimi, I have na great responsibility on Aegis in a long time. The RSE is proud to have my ability back in camp. We have much work to do to rebuild. I cannot put my arms over both camp and hope to hold on. I must serve.”

 

“I know, you have your duties and I have mine. Isn’t there some way that we can make this marriage work without either one of us having to sacrifice our careers? I know I still belong to your house, clearly,” as she showed him the heirloom ring he gave her, “There’s gotta be something more I can do. I know I’m doing my bit for the Romulan Homeworld by looking after the orphaned children. But what can I do for the family, other than having your children. Can I help with business? I have enough leave to come our home on Romulus to help, if needed. Oh, we need to talk about what happened to me at lunch.”

 

“Slow down, my wife. Let me talk to my Rekkhai. He will tell me what I can have au do. Aur wet in both courts, so au cannot be a judge. When I return, we will discuss it.” He did not even what could have happened to her at lunch, only that he was done discussing it.

 

Torate walked Mimi to the docking ring himself this time, excusing the Dheno along the route. He gave her one last long kiss before he released her to her career, for now.

 

- - - - - -

 

After she left his ship, he considered the last few things to do while planning to leave.

 

He sent one last message to a couple security on Aegis, not encrypted. Harada, Rutian and Elder would receive Torate’s personal greeting, along with his recommendation because of their skills during his time as Daise. He also offered to ‘put them up’, or as he actually recorded, “roof au, if au pass near the Ha’feh.”

 

Another message was sent to Mr. Roberts, informing Aegis of his formal resignation.

 

Right before he disembarked the Ha’feh from the Aegis’ docking ring, he sent one last encrypted transmission to Captain Chirakis:

 

“My designation to the RSE aerhii (requires) that I serve ifryylhedh (resignation)

towards Sky Harbor Aegis. I khlinae (honor) my grukhaii (deeds) to au, who has d’mnhei’sahe (great ruling passion).

 

“If au ever need my upper hand, I can get to your back for this help. I have a little warship in my command now.”

 

Riov’ Torate tr'Jeth Dabi

 

RSE Warship, Ha’feh