Romulan Empire Log | The Meeting | Senator tr'Verelan

Posted on 241508.18 @ 8:10am by Praetor Arrenhe t'Ahaefvthe

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Location: Romulus, Vreenak Estate

[Romulus]

Bright lights penetrated the growing darkness as silhouetted tree tops began wavering unnaturally. Soon the mechanical drone of approaching flitter engines filtered through the dark navy sky and down towards the large wilderness ringed estate. In the courtyard servants and guards scrambled to find their positions as a convoy of three crafts finally appeared above the treetops and circled once before slowly descending towards the marble landing pads in front of the ancient castle. Guards exited the front and rear flitters simultaneously while an aid exited the front passenger side of the center craft. The aid carefully made his way to the rear passenger door and opened it before stepping back.

Argelian slowly pulled himself out of the flitter and took a moment to gaze at the stonework in front of him. Illuminated statues of long dead Zorek leaders lined the walkway of marbled pavers that led to the front of the castle. Floodlights illuminated the facing wall where half a dozen banners drifted lazily with the calm breeze. The Senator tightened his tunic’s pull rope and stepped away from the flitter. A bevy of servants rushed towards him throwing their heads into steep bows.

“Welcome to the Vreenak estate Senator. I am Erill tr’Korlek hru’hfe of S’Vreenak. Lord Vreenak has been informed of your arrival. He has asked us to help you settle into the dining room while he finishes attending to some business.”

A dismissive hand wave was Argelian’s only response to the head servant. He tilted his head to face the chief of his personal security “remain here until I am finished. If I need anything I will have tr’Rhessan fetch you.” He threw a glance towards his aid for a short second to convey the order and then followed the Vreenak servants into the estate.

Inside torchlight lit the ancient corridors. Not the electric light that so many preferred but actual firelight that smelt of sweet incense. Large murals were painted onto the hallway walls and gave the stifling area an open ambiance. Argelian had to appreciate the artistry if not the sheer gaudiness. After being led through the stone maze work they finally arrived in the dining area. The massive room was lit by a large crystalline chandelier that centered over an equally impressive marble dining table that nearly encompassed the entire length of the room. Along the tall windows crimson drapes were pulled back and tethered away using glimmering golden cables. The windows framed a spectacular view of the surrounding forest where the leaves seemed to be painted pale beige by the glowing arch of Ch’Havran (Remus) as it slowly pulled above the horizon.

“You can sit with the other attendants.” Tr’Korlek spoke quietly to the Senator’s aid at the far end of the room as another servant seated Argelian near the head of the table. A cart of tea was quickly produced from another entrance and a steaming glass of spice tea, based on the aroma, was set in front of him. From the far end of the room Tr’Rhessan looked towards the Senator for direction and Argelian gave the young aid a nod allowing him to be escorted away.

Once everything was prepared all of the servants save the hru’hfe vacated the room leaving the Senator to his thoughts and the spectacular view. Waiting was always a game of power. Allow your guest to wait long enough to feel your authority but not too long as to cause offense. It was a meticulous game that only the most honed of politicians played. Causing offense could always be a fatal affair if one did not have enough influence to offset such things. Argelian smiled and sipped the tea cautiously while he waited.

Vreenak’s arrival was finally announced by the hru’hfe who spoke the elderly Praetor’s full title before the massive doors of the dining room were pulled apart by a pair of servants. Argelian stood and inclined his head in a slight bow as the Zorek Praetor entered led by a servant to the seat at the head of the table. Vreenak looked towards Argelian with those abominable eyes snowed over by cataracts and returned the nod in a barely perceptible movement before taking his seat. “Welcome to my estate Argelian. I hope you are well? And your sister, I presume the High Praetor’s trip to Earth is going well?”

“I am decent.” Argelian said as a half dozen servants rushed in with an assortment plates and saucers setting different dishes along the table. “As for my sister’s trip to Earth I believe they have yet to arrive though I am sure it will go as expected.”

“I would hope so.” Vreenak smiled and Argelian felt a sudden chill emanate from that expression “I hope you enjoy hlai.” The old man waved his hand towards a large tray carrying a roasted hali that had just been set on the table. The steaming roast was surrounded by an array of vegetables and herbs whose combined aroma was quickly overtaking the torched incense “freshly hunted by one of the younger servants.”

“It looks well done.” Argelian noted playfully wondering if the elderly Praetor would see into his words. The hru’hfe began carefully carving at the meat. “I appreciate being treated to dinner but the primary purpose of my visit is…business.”

The Praetor lifted his hand and grunted “you are young Argelian. Patience is important. We should enjoy our meal. Fill our stomachs- and then be ready to discuss matters when the atmosphere has been lifted of tension.” Vreenak held that offsetting smile as tr’Korlek set a large slice of meat and fat onto the Praetor’s plate where it was jabbed gently with a fork causing the roast’s juices to bleed out “you have been busy lately opposing your sister in certain matters. Your son being sent to that lloann'mhrahel vessel perhaps?”

Frost seemed to set over the table as Argelian glared at the Praetor. Bringing up such personal business was quite bold and certainly counter to the lifting of tensions that Vreenak had just referenced. No doubt the question was borderline impertinent and spoken to unhinge Argelian. He would be offended but not baited. Part of him also wondered if the half-blind Praetor could even see the frigid expression though he probably could feel the piercing animosity that was resonating out towards him. The servants rushed their business and quickly vacated the room. Argelian let the question remain open as he sliced a small morsel away from his serving of roasted hlai and placed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly and savored the flavor. It was good, quite good. “Give my regards to your cook.” He finally spoke “the hlai is quite well done.”

“My cook is one of the best on ch-”

“As for your question Praetor.” Argelian interrupted Vreenak causing the old Praetor’s smile to be absorbed by a scowl. “There have been some differences in ideology between my sister and I, though, do not allow that to lead you to the conclusion that S’AAnikh is divided. Our coalition is strong. Also, my son serves as an exchange officer aboard the Enterprise to increase his knowledge of the lloann'mhrahel. They are a difficult people to gauge and serving aboard that ship will offer him valuable insight.”

“Knowledge is power among our people Argelian. I commend you for such forward thinking. Educating your children in the ways of our enemy can prove valuable…” his speech dragged onto into a mutter that Argelian could barely discern as ‘or fatal’ though he wasn’t certain enough to call Vreenak on the insult. “Though I am curious about one thing Senator. While the Klingons attack our border worlds and kill our people…why is the High Praetor so keen on running towards Earth to talk about peace? I will not begrudge the idea of peace but I have doubt about whether the timing of this summit is appropriate considering the situation with our border worlds.”

“Peace?” Argelian looked across the table at the Praetor “Arrenhe is not going to Earth to negotiate a new peace initiative.” He sighed “certainly there are aspects and ideas that they will discuss but only a fool would believe that one mere summit can bridge the distance between our two worlds. That is the problem with Zorek partisans. They become to entranced by themes and allow themselves to be embedded into positions without actually considering events. Do you honestly think that her purpose is to declare some new age of peace with the Federation? No. That will not happen and that has never been her purpose for this meeting. She is going to Earth to get assurance.”

Vreenak was silent. It was easy to see the old man was deep in his thoughts as his knife remained stabbed in the hlai meat. Finally he swiveled his head and seemed to look out of the window into the night sky- though unlikely with his blindness. “Clever. She is going to Earth to ensure that the Federation will not involve themselves with a conflict involving the Klingons…?”

“You finally…” Argelian almost said ‘see’ but corrected himself in time “understand the true nature of the meeting.”

“Clever. Clever. Clever. I must admit I am surprised but pleasantly so.” Vreenak released his grip on the knife and clapped his hands together in meek applause “very well done. So while the Senate and Praetorate clamor about her indifference her eyes have always been on the Klingons. They will look onto the summit with scorn while not understanding its true nature. I have underestimated the High Praetor...”

[An hour later…]

Vreenak stood on the veranda overlooking the castle front as the Senator’s flitter convoy slowly lifted into the night sky and set off over the forest towards the large dominant orb of ch’Havran (Remus) hanging above the horizon. He supported his old legs by pressing his palms into the balustrade and leaning into marble rail. Next to him Vriha was murmuring to herself. “Speak clearly child.” He snapped at her.

“So they are going to bring us to war with the Klingons? Who would have expected that? Though, it will be a difficult matter. Our forces are scattered. Once the Klingons know our intentions they will flood our border systems before we have a chance to counter. It will become an abysmal failure on the Praetor’s part. Are you still going to continue your plan?”

A deep sigh left the old Praetor lips and if he wasn’t focusing his energy on keeping his balance he would have smacked Vriha with his cane “this changes little but complicates a lot. The Praetor must die. That much is certain. As for other matters. We will simply have to handle them as they come…”

[To be continued…]