Guess who?

Posted on Mon Feb 22nd, 2021 @ 6:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Aeryn Jameson & Telhas thu'S'Terion Sa-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor

1,466 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: History Speaks
Location: Ambassadorial Suite

OOC: 1 week prior to the Anbassadorial gathering

{ON}

Aeryn headed for the Ambassadorial suite with plans to speak with Telhas. He’d said he had information about her father, something she never thought she’d ever want to know. Yet here she was wanting to know. As she arrived she pressed the door chime and waited for a response.

Timarik opened the door. The young half Reman / half Romulan guard of Telhas. She scanned Aeryn's mind quickly and gestured her to enter. 'Lord Telhas expects you. He waits in the living room,' she communicated telepathically.

Aeryn nodded. “Thank you” She stepped inside and headed for the living room.

When Aeryn entered, Telhas signaled her to take a seat. "Welcome, Aeryn. Can I offer you tea?"

“Oh no, thank you. I think I’m all done on drinks for now afte that Ambassadorial function.” She grinned. “You said you had news for me ... about my father.”

Telhas nodded. "Yes. I had to ask an old friend for a favour. We are sure that we know who your father is. A powerful man. No ally of mine, and no foe. Nonetheless, a powerful man. Honestly, he would be a match even for me. So, what would you do with this information?"

“To be honest ... I’m not sure” Aeryn sighed. “I want to know who he is, I don’t plan on causing trouble if that’s what you’re worried about? Do you think he’d want to know me?”

Telhas shrugged. "I do not know. Usually, I would say that every father would want to know his children. But he has a family, a wife, children... And you are no... well, we Romulans have a tendency to be racist when it comes to non-Vulcanoid species." He smiled excusingly. "You would be his weak spot. He has powerful enemies. Every person of his power has. I am not sure if he would want you to disappear. Or if he would protect you. Or could protect you. I am not even sure if I could protect you. All I can say is that if I would have such a fine person as my daughter, I would want to know. And I would want to meet her. But then again, I am not the typical Romulan. This may be less helpful an advice that you may have wanted, I guess. My apologies."

Aeryn nodded understandingly. “I still want to know Telhas, who is he? What does he do? I want to know everything about him and my siblings.”

Telhas nodded thoughtfully. Now he had to make a decision that could have a major effect on Romulan politics. The power of factions in the Senate could change, should it go wrong. It was also risky for himself. Finally, he made his decision. He took an isolinear chip out of a hidden pocket in his robes and placed it on the table in front of him and pushed it across the table to her. He kept his fingers on the chip and looked directly into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts.

Aeryn could feel Telhas trying to get a read on her, she showed trust letting him in. All he’d find was a gigantic sense of excitement and yet fear as well, she was uncertain exactly what to do next. “Do you trust me?” She looked up at Telhas.

Telhas nodded. "Yes I do. But you have doubts?"

Aeryn nodded. “I don’t know ... what to do next. How would I even go about contacting this man? It’s not like a call from a Starfleet Officer would be accepted. I couldn’t say who I was, not without causing gigantic problems!” She sighed.

"Probably not." Telhas removed his fingers from the chip, allowing Aeryn to take it. "Things would be easier if we could get you inside the Romulan Star Empire. Maybe you could ask for a temporary transfer to the Federation Embassy on Rator III? Or be part of a diplomatic mission? Although I am not aware of any mission in the near future." He leaned back.

“I can’t do that” Aeryn shook her head. “What about you? What if I accompanied you simply as a half Romulan looking to discover her heritage?”

"Maybe... well, we could get you an identity from the frontier worlds. Those in the Raeyan Transit Corridor, which are ceded to the Federation. People will not ask too many questions in that case." Telhas thought about his idea for a moment before he confirmed "Yes, this could work. We have to make sure that nobody can consider you a spy, just in case that things go wrong. Of course, I could call in a favour from a certain person, but I do not want to be in her debt. So let us just make sure that we get a sufficient cover for you."

Aeryn nodded. “Thank you Telhas, you’ve done so much for me already. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do this, you barely know me!”

Telhas grinned as he shook his head slowly. "Do not worry, you are not the one who could make me feel like having to do anything for anyone. You know very little about me. Perhaps I should give you a hint. Romulans have a strong belief that they are the superior race in this universe. And every Romulan leader feels a strong obligation to improve the lifes of his fellow Romulans. I guess we agree that I am a leader, and that you are half Romulan. Do we?"

“We do” Aeryn nodded and smiled. “I will be honoured to join you. The funny thing is, I managed to convince myself I wasn’t interested in finding out who my father was, and that I didn’t care about my heritage. You’ve proved me wrong on both counts.”

Telhas bowed his head. "I just did what was necessary. Everybody should know his or her heritage. It helps to understand your roots. Understanding your roots is the key to become a better person. Of course, sometimes one needs to get back the entire bloodlines until you find the origin." He shrugged. "I did this, but I am not sure if I became a better person. My origins are in the merciless deserts of Vulcan, in the merciless wars of ancient Vulcan, with a family of warlords, dukes and even kings. I accept my heritage, and I hope to be an acceptable heir to my ancestors. And maybe I can show Romulan society their roots. Yet, a society is a sum of individuals. And here you are, an individual who is only half complete. You deserve to meet your Romulan half. What you do with it is not my business." Smiling, he added, "I hope that you forgive me should you find out that your Romulan half is not too encouraging. Personally, I am not the greatest fan of our society as it is today. Too restrictive, without greatness. We should have kept the ancient Vulcan spirit. Free people, proud, and willing to fight for their beliefs, rights, freedom, or whatever was worth fighting for. But we should not become as war-hungry as ancient Vulcans have been. Well, it is a dream. Maybe I will succeed, maybe not. It is worth trying."

“It sounds like a worthy cause, there’s lots to be said for freedom, of being proud and able to fight for what you believe in. If you need an ally in that fight you can count on me” Aeryn offered a smile. “You’ve done so much for me already Telhas, it’s the least I can do in return.”

"Be careful with your promises." It was all Telhas replied, but he showed a predatory grin.

“I’d watch that grin” Aeryn smiled a wry smile. “It makes you look very untrustworthy. Not that you’d scare me away now.”

"Ever thought I might be less trustworthy than it seems?" Telhas looked dead serious for a moment, but then he shook his head. "I guess you know me too well already. Damn telepath."

Aeryn grinned. “Well ... I wouldn’t say too well I’d say well enough.”

"Well, Aeryn, take care of that chip with the information about your father. It can be a weapon when it is in the wrong hands." Telhas continued telepathically. 'The password for its protection is your mother's name, her birthday, and the first ten base pairs of your DNA. Do not talk to anyone about this. Neither the information, nor the reason for our meeting.'

Aeryn nodded. “I will protect it with my life” With that she tucked it safely away. “Thank you for everything.”

{OFF}

 

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