A Change of Plans

Posted on Sun Jul 2nd, 2023 @ 1:53pm by Telhas thu'S'Terion Sa-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor

1,132 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 4 - Like a Thunderbolt
Location: S'Terion Estate, Varanmar Mountains, Rator III
Timeline: MD02 - 1600

Telhas had thought about how to find Aeryn and liberate her for a while after his talk with T'Eleijha. He had promised her that he would only need three days for a search-and-rescue mission. He did so because he was sure that she was on Rator III. What if he was wrong? 'No doubts, Telhas!' he thought to himself. He had to be successful. There was no second chance. "Tel-Apep, guide me!" he prayed. He needed a plan, better than any of his previous intelligence operations.

The first one he needed for his plan was his old friend Korak, a Tal Shiar Colonel in the psionic warfare group. He sent him an encrypted message.

Korak, we have a problem. Someone intercepted your search for Aeryn Jameson's DNA match. She has been abducted and her father is blackmailed. There must be a mole in the Tal Shiar. Find the mole, get him or her arrested and get all information out of the traitor. You have a maximum of two days. Do not kill the traitor. He or she will be training material for your recruits. The mission will be classified Gal'Ruta Tru. Use the third key of the fifth column, activation Starbird. Jolan true! Telhas

He regretted that he would not be able to hunt the traitor personally. But he knew Korak would be a merciless hunter.

Telhas was sure that his friend would find the traitor, but he would also need a well-trained rescue team. It did not take him long to select the first name. Another old friend, also from his time in the psionic warfare group. Although this friend was the only one he knew who had been thrown out of the Tal Shiar for misconduct. He opened a channel.

A young woman appeared on the screen. "Jolan Tru, Sir. Welcome to D'Tliss Security. How may we assist you?"

"Jethor tr'Vir is still CEO of D'Tliss Security?" Telhas asked.

"Yes he is. You can see it in the public register, by the way. Why do you ask, Sir?" the woman asked.

"Please tell Jethor that Lord Telhas thu'S'Terion has a job for him," he replied and sent a code. "This is one half of a key. If Jethor is interested, I expect the second half within one hour from now. Jolan Tru." He terminated the connection and leaned back in his chair.

It took less than one hour to get an incoming message. It was the second half of his key. He ran the full key through an old computer code he had written with Jethor when they both still were Tal Shiar agents. It took a moment, but then the face of an athletic Romulan man of Telhas' age appeared on the screen.

Jethor smiled. "Val... Telhas! You know that I will never get used to that Vulcan name you are using now, don't you? Damn the elements, my friend, it is far too long ago we talked to each other! How are you? A senator, huh? Ambassador to some piece of dirt in the middle of nowhere? Do you have power now or don't you have anything to say anymore?"

Telhas showed no emotion. "Powerful or not, you should show some more respect towards a senator."

Jethor bowed. "Oh, I'm so sorry, your Lordship!"

"Jethor, really, I wonder how they did not dismiss you for misconduct at the same day you entered the Shiar." Telhas grinned. "You stupid bastard."

"My friend, didn't you marry the Tal Shiar chairwoman's cousin? So tell me who's stupid." Jethor grinned as well.

"Nevala is beautiful and kind," Telhas replied sincerely, "And our marriage eased tension with General T'Daran."

Jethor tilted his head. "So it's just a political marriage?"

"In the beginning, yes," Telhas admitted, "But we fell in love soon. She is the one, Jethor."

Jethor rolled his eyes. "Now you're totally messed up. She turned you into a romantic guy. Can we still save you?" He laughed.

"What about you, Jethor?" Telhas asked.

"I have a girlfriend from time to time. And some children... I know three, but there may be more. Not all from the same girl, you know?" Jethor shrugged. "Misconduct seems to be my lifestyle. But I'm a investigator... and mercenary. My business runs well."

"And your business is what I need," Telhas replied. "I need to find Aeryn Jameson. Starfleet officer, daughter of a Romulan senator and an imprisoned Starfleet officer. Honestly, there is a plot against her father behind it. To keep it short, I will duel her father in three days. He will die. Until then, I will have the necessary information regarding her location, but I am lacking the forces to rescue her."

Jethor's eyes widened. "I ask this as your friend: Are you insane? Really, my friend. Three days! For planning a rescue mission? Without knowing the place? Reconsider, please! It's impossible!"

Telhas wanted to reply that one had to make it possible, but his friend was right. He knew it, he just did not want to accept it. It took a while before he gave a reply. "So what do you suggest?"

"What do they want from the senator?" Jethor inquired.

"Retirement. And to verify that he has a daughter from an affair with a prisoner under his control. Simply said, the total distruction of his mnhei'sahe."

"Now I understand the duel thing," Jethor nodded slowly, "You want to save his mnhei'sahe. Forget about it. You want him to be in your debt, but this will not work. In the end, you will not get out of it undamaged either. Here's my idea: Allow him to retire. Allow him to fall. Use your resources to find this Aeryn Jameson and lead her rescue personally. You can have my troops, but you should get more. Your personal troops, and maybe some help from Starfleet. What do you think?"

Telhas rubbed his forehead. He knew that his friend was right. Of course he was right, his had always been good in strategy. "Agreed," he finally stated. He would inform the Senator Maec tr'Barel's daughter T'Eleijha of the change of plans. It would buy him time. "I will contact you when I have more information. This is all top secret, understood?"

"Of course it is. Take care, Telhas." Jethor terminated the transmission.

Telhas thought if he should have thanked his old friend. Possibly he should. He had ceased to thank people since he had become a senator. He took it all for granted. But it took a friend to question his strategy and suppose something new. And friends were never granted.

Noetheless, for now he sent a message to T'Eleijha, which informed her of his change of plans, including an apology for the damage it would do to her family.

 

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