Ancestral Aid

Posted on Wed Sep 12th, 2018 @ 12:54pm by Telhas thu'S'Terion Sa-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor

745 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: The Return to Faltan
Location: ISV Kaiell, in Orbit of Faltan
Timeline: MD07 - 1800

Telhas would have loved to fire a torpedo into Faltan City just to obtain a reaction. He would have loved to start a war. But this would risk Nevala's life, a risk he would not take. The diplomatic trouble of such an action, however, did not concern him much. But he could not just sit there and wait. He had to do something. He needed some advice, but there was nobody to ask. There were no equals on board. He was the head of his clan, he alone. Then it came to his mind that he was not that alone. He had the katra of Tellus, his ancestor, who was one of those who led the Vulcans who opposed Surak to Romulus.

He walked to the shelf where the bust of his ancestor rested. Inside this bust was the katra, which some of those who did not know better considered something like the soul. This was neither right nor wrong. At least it was everything the person was, and knew. Telhas took the bust and placed it on the table in his living room. He sat right in front of it and touched the bust with both hands. "Tellus, here I am again, asking for your help," he murmured and closed his eyes.

What do you want, Telhas? The face of the old warrior in Telhas' mind's eye always had something threatening, but Telhas was not afraid. It was not the man, just the katra talking to him.

Advice. Telhas replied.

You want to learn more about nashinahr?

No. Not today. You started wars, you retaliated, you crushed your enemies. What did you do to protect your beloved ones?

Your wife is abducted, held prisoner, the katra of Tellus stated with disgust, what a disgrace. Now you cannot act. You have to negotiate. Action that would have her killed in response would make you a monster. Although your enemies might fear you more then. Yet it would weaken the loyalty of your allies. Keep her safe. Negotiate. And retaliate only where you can afford it. There, however, be cruel. Inspire fear.

Telhas thought about this advice for a while. Should I enforce those I meet to bow before me?

Telhas! You start thinking like Sudoc! There was fear in the katra's voice. I admired this man, but he became so possessed of his power that he started to rely solely on his telepathy. Do not become driven by hatred and power like him. I was his loyal commander till the end, but I feared him. We all did. He had no friends, only those who wanted to be like him, or even better. You have more of him than good for you. I should not have married his daughter, it is her genes which are talking through you. There are more gods than Ket-Cheleb!

Telhas was not sure if he should continue this session. But for the first time ever, Tellus shared some information about Sudoc with him. But the King of Jaleyl almost united Vulcan. He was blessed by Ket-Cheleb.

And he died of an embolism, during a mind meld session with his generals. An unworthy death! The psychic shock killed many in meld with him, and drove many mad. I have survived, both physically and mentally, but it was a painful experience. If he would have acted different, with true loyalties, his empire would have survived! Do not tell me anything about Sudoc's success! Ket-Cheleb burns those who are too close to him to ashes!

Telhas considered what he had learned for a moment. What is your advice?

Rely on your friends and allies. Gather information. Do whatever it takes to free your wife. Once she is safe, you can break whatever word you gave. Get those who are responsible. Punish them. Or, if they are useful, obligate them. You need to get back in control. You are in control once your wife is back. There was harshness in the katra's voice.

I thank you, Lord Tellus. With these words he stopped the mind meld with the katra. Of course, the katra would not remember their talk, but he felt he had to be polite anyway. After all, it was his ancestor, a Vulcan duke, and a founding father of the Romulan Empire.

 

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