Romulan Empire Log | Turmoil | EnRiov Shiarrael t'Rehu

Posted on 241509.09 @ 7:50am by Praetor Arrenhe t'Ahaefvthe

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Location: IRW Hhveir Ri'hwathech
Timeline: Current

IRW Hhveir Ri'hwathech]

Sleep. The notion was a distant thought as Shiarrael sat in front of the window gazing out at the Terran stars. At one point during her exile she had wondered if this would be her home- this place whose constellations were as foreign to her as the tongues they spoke in. But that was a long time ago- now she was returning but as an escort and an enemy. Lamont was right- at least in part. Her loyalties had swayed easily, but when it came to family who wouldn’t be swayed? In her hands a tall glass of Rhennish swirled and sparkled against the brightness of Sol. In three hours they would reach Earth. In twelve hours she would likely destroy any chance at an accord between her people and the Federation. The price was severe- it always seemed to be but she knew it was necessary in the greater scheme of things.

The sound of the chime echoed in her lavish quarters and the interruption irritated her. She set the glass down and stood up making her way to the door “who is it?” She called and was startled by the soft but heavy voice that answered.

“Takaram.” She recognized the Galae’EnRiov’s voice but it seemed languid- tired. “I must speak with you. It is urgent.”

The door split open and the corridor lighting flooded in. She shielded her eyes and stepped away from the door as the dark silhouette of the Galae’EnRiov entered. Behind him the door slid shut sealing away the brightness. “The Klingons have begun attacking the frontier borders towards the eastern front.”

Rubbing the burn out of her eyes Shiarrael stopped and looked at the Galae’EnRiov. “What do you mean, Rekkhai?” The eastern front generally wasn’t valuable- it mainly consisted of inhospitable worlds and unstable space. “How badly?”

“They have destroyed several of our listening and monitoring posts so we are unable to confirm the extent of their occupation.” Takaram frowned his eyes glistening against the starlight. In that moment she could see her grandfather in him beyond the aged lines that creased from the edges of his eyes and lips. He wore that same expression her grandfather did whenever he found out something had gone awry with the family business. “The Senate is convening an emergency session to discuss the matter.”

Shiarrael sneered at that. “What will they do? Fools. All of them. They will spin around like a flock of hlai who spotted a roaming thrai. Panicked but unsure of what to do.” She sighed. “In half a day the issue will no longer matter. Instead of heating the Senate with their hot air they would do better to sit and wait.” What were the Klingons thinking? “Why do we have so few details? What is the Tal’Diann doing with their time? This is the second time we have been surprised by a Klingon advance.”

“They are doing as well as they can. Much of their resources were focused on the Tholians and it has left them haggard with the Klingon attacks.” Takaram shook his head “our ships were not in a position to defend the area. We never expected the Klingons would attack there.”

“No.” Shiarrael admitted, even she was a bit surprised by this move. Was this some type of maneuver on their part? Or was it something else? “I will look through the intelligence dispatches once the Tal’Diann crawl off their asses and find out something useful.” For now though they would have to just wait. “Will you be joining the Praetor on Earth?”

“Yes, she has also asked that you join the banquet. Since you are familiar with these…people.”

“Familiar.” Shiarrael smiled bitterly as she remembered her recent encounter with Lamont “yes, I am familiar with them- though I doubt I will be a welcome sight. Many of them loath me. Perhaps it would be best if I remained ab-”

“It is the Praetor’s request.”

Authority resonated in the tone and Shiarrael simply nodded her head knowing better then to argue with Takaram tr’Thrai. “I will join the party.”

“I will see you in three hours.” The Galae’EnRiov turned and opened the door. The brightness outside absorbed his dark silhouette before the door hissed close leaving Shiarrael alone again.

Returning to the table Shiarrael lifted the glass to her lips and drained its contents. A slow burn coursed down her throat as the subtle fire of the liquid ebbed away. Looking at the window she frowned at her dim reflection “you have become quite rapacious Ch’Tan. It seems I have underestimated you- but soon your old teacher will give you a lesson to remember.” She slammed the empty glass against the table with such force that it cracked.

[To be continued]