Easing the Tension

Posted on Mon Sep 3rd, 2018 @ 2:54pm by Commander Abigail Prescott & Telhas thu'S'Terion Sa-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor
Edited on on Mon Sep 3rd, 2018 @ 3:11pm

2,430 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: The Return to Faltan
Location: ISV Kaiell, in Orbit of Faltan
Timeline: MD05 - 1345

"Present arms!" Maiek tr'Sahen, the 83-year-old designated head of security of the future Romulan embassy ordered just when the transporter was activated. The two guards at the doors immediately followed the order. After all, he had been ordered to treat Mint with the respect she deserved as acting commanding officer of Faltan Station.

"Commander Prescott, I am Knight Commander Maiek tr'Sahen, Kae'raktar Regiment of the Duke's Guards. Welcome aboard the Kaiell."

As she materialized on the transporter pad, Mint thought she heard an order given. Once she was fully there she noted the guards standing by the door and the older fellow before them. 'Must have been bringing them to attention, or at least I hope he was,' she thought before giving the Knight Commander a smile as he introduced himself and welcomed her. "Thank you, Knight Commander."

Mint looked around the transporter room curiously. She'd never been on a Romulan ship before. Other than aesthetic differences, it was similar to Federation transporter rooms. Not much within the room aside from the pad and a console at which transport specialists worked.

Without returning the smile Maiek gestured to the doors. "Commander, please follow me. The Duke is waiting in the conference room." While passing the door he said quietly "Stand at ease," which was sufficient for the guards to change to a more comfortable stand.

Mint nodded and followed the man into the corridor and toward the conference room. Her heart thudded in her chest faster and faster with every step. All she could do was focus on putting one foot in front of the other and hope she didn't pass out. There were many questions she wanted to ask, words she wanted to say, but her guide's stoicism kept her mouth glued shut.

When they walked through the corridor every crew member on their way stood to attention as soon as they noticed their guest.

Eventually, rational thought overrode the fear in her heart and Mint's pulse evened out. She began to notice the Romulan crew coming to attention as they neared and wondered if this always happened when the Knight Commander walked through, or if it was all for her. 'Focus Mint,' she mentally chastised herself. 'You're about to meet with an angry and heartbroken Romulan Ambassador about his wife's disappearance and possible death. Get your head on straight girl!'

They reached the doors of the conference room. Before they entered Maiek spoke to Mint. "Commander, I have protected the Duke when he was a child. I have protected him whenever he was at leave from his service in the armed forces and ever since he became a diplomat. This man is like a family member for me. He is extremely hurt. He respects you. Think twice what you say. I do not want to become your foe."

Mint nodded. "I will," she said softly, "I do not wish to make anyone my foe, most especially the Senator." Worry and tiredness still etched her features despite the air of confidence she tried to put on. The past 24 hours had felt like a lifetime and more kept happening.

The doors opened and they entered. Telhas was in his House Guards' uniform, in blue with golden piping and white gloves. He did not look like a diplomat any more, but like a general preparing for battle - or maybe more like a warlord.

"Your Highness, Commander Prescott of Faltan Station," Maiek said, bowed and left the room.

Telhas looked at Mint for a while without saying a single word. She was unarmed and looked not much different than the last time they met. He thought of simply reading her thoughts, but he decided not to. It would be rude and unnecessary. So he went to the chair with the highest back and settled, his left hand resting on Cheleb-Mor's grip. With his right hand he gestured her to take a seat.

Mint gave Telhas a small bow before moving to one of the chairs. "Ambassador thu'S'Terion," she started, but stopped unsure of what to say. "I'm sorry," she said finally, dropping her head in utter weariness. She didn't even fully understand what was going on, but she knew Telhas faced a great loss.

He was not sure what to say, where to start. So many things did not match, so many open questions. "Do you know that Governor Tizd has been killed? Shot by a Starfleet phaser?" He sounded weary despite the harshness he had in his voice.

"Yes," Mint shook her head. "I don't know where that phaser came from. My investigator is looking to see if it came from our armory, but I know my people did not do this," she looked up at him, certainty blazing in her eyes. "That Deputy Governor had the audacity to accuse me of having Captain Refelian shot just so we could assassinate their Governor," she fumed. "To be quite frank, if we'd wanted their Governor assassinated, we wouldn't have gone to such drawn out measures. And why would we use one of our own phasers? We know the burn pattern and compounds can be traced to us! Let alone leaving the thing behind to be found so easily..." she trailed off, the fire in her eyes died out. "I'm sorry, Senator. I'm just so frustrated with this situation and angry at being accused of nefarious plotting. I just don't understand what is going on. Nothing makes sense."

It were exactly the same thoughts Telhas had when he talked to the now Governor Taga, but he did not reveal his thoughts to Mint. Instead he showed no emotion at all when he continued. "My investigations team also found decay patterns of beam weapons at the embassy's site. Starfleet phasers." And then, without warning, he exploded and hammered his fist on the table. "What in the Gods' names is going on here?" he shouted angrily. In his anger he forgot to control his telepathy so that his shouting echoed in Mint's head.

Mint grabbed the sides of her head and cried out in momentary pain and shock as Telhas's words rattled around her brain. When the sound faded, she gasped for breath, not realizing that she'd been holding her breath during the unintentional assault. Shaking, she turned to Telhas, tears streaming down her face, emotions finally getting the better of her. Words failed her, though her mouth tried to form them.

Telhas sank into his chair. A tear could be seen forming in the corner of his eye. He closed his eyes and whispered "Nevala", allowing the tear to run down his face.

Finally collecting herself, Mint wiped her face with her hands. "I'm sorry," she whispered to him. "I will do everything in my power to assist your investigation. But I promise you, Starfleet had nothing to do with this attack on you, or your wife," she leaned back in her chair, not sure how much of her working she should reveal to the man but knew now that hiding things would only make the telepathic man suspicious. "I have my Chief Intelligence Officer investigating the shooting of Captain Refelian, among other things. She is undercover in Faltan City, and has a small team with her assisting." She let that information hang in the air.

Telhas nodded. "I appreciate your help. And I hope... please forgive me my outburst. I... Nevala is the best that ever happened to me. She... she brought out the best in me." His voice was low, but at least a dreamy smile formed for a moment. "Our marriage was political, but soon we fell in love. Do you believe in gods, Abigail?"

Mint thought long and hard about his question. Did she believe in gods? Eventually she nodded. "Yes," she said aloud, in case Telhas wasn't looking toward her. "I believe in gods, though I'm continually questioning my belief in them and who I believe in, but I do believe there are higher powers out there."

"I believed in some of the gods of ancient Vulcan," Telhas told, "but never in Valdena, the goddess of love and joy. Nevala had changed this. But now, Ket-Cheleb guides me. I am His sword-bearer, and He does not like weakness, especially not in the one who carries His sword. He is unforgiving, and so am I." There was a cold fire blazing in his eyes. "Help me to find those who killed my wife, and I will help you finding those who shot Captain Refelian. I will share all data I have and all data I will obtain about whatever is happening on this planet. Your security will furthermore have full access on my embassy's ground for their investigations. Those Faltan bastards are hiding something, and we will find out what it is."

"I wish I could have met her, she sounds like a wonderful woman," Mint hung her head again, whispering a prayer that the reports were wrong, that Nevala wasn't dead. "Thank you, Telhas, I promise you that we will share our findings with you. There is so much to investigate. The previous administrative team disappearing, the shooting of Captain Refelian, the assassination of the Governor, and now the attack on your embassy and wife. But I swear on my life that we will find the answers, together."

"I should also inform you that I have requested some support," Telhas said, "which means that a Tal Shiar warbird will be sent. The D'Tarex is only a few days away and will support us with their equipment. This will also increase pressure on the Faltans. Nobody wants the Tal Shiar in their front garden. Even less if they come with a Valdore-Norexan. In addition, my personal warbird, the Ket-Cheleb, will arrive in a few weeks. We will see how the Faltans react to this. Maybe we can flush some birds."

Mint was surprised that the Tal Shiar would be arriving, but didn't question him regarding it. "I have reason to believe these Faltans know nothing of the universal state of affairs. They believe they will be left alone simply because they wish to be left alone. I don't think they realize the danger they face should the Sovereignty of Kahless decide to take this region, nor if the more questionable Romulan sects decide that this is prime space for them. They are naive and, in my opinion, need to be taught a lesson in politics."

"I could teach them a lesson they would never forget," Telhas said sternly, "and if I find out that they are behind the attack on my embassy, nobody can stop me from doing this. But currently, I have warned them that I will open fire immediately if they try something imprudent. They better not contest my resoluteness. Besides that, if they continue to refuse any cooperation with my investigators, I will need to increase pressure. In this case I would inform you well in advance to avoid any bad blood between the Federation and the Star Empire."

Mint nodded solemnly. "Do what you must," she said after a moment, "but please take into consideration innocent civilians and the station. I do not want to have to be the person who has to deliver cease and desist orders from Starfleet. I trust you, and I have every faith that you will do only what is necessary, but I still need to warn you that while the Federation does not have eyes on these people, it will protect them from unnecessary harm."

"I cannot go for full-scale action without the Senate's consent anyway," Telhas replied, "And I am very sure that I would besmirch Nevala's memento if I would harm civilians. Of course, I cannot guarantee that no collateral damage will occur, but at least I can minimize it. But probably we are in the what-ifs now. First we have to wait for the results of our investigations. Without facts I cannot decide."

"Very true," Mint agreed. Facts would be nice in this case. So far all they had was speculation. "I appreciate your openness, and hope that it doesn't come down to an attack on the planet. I believe this sector has seen enough strife as is. However, I believe the Faltans are deciding their own fate with only half the book written."

Telhas pondered his next words for while before he spoke. "I value your opinion and your help, Abigail. If you do not mind, I would like to meet with you and Knight Commander Maiek each evening, starting from today, to share and discuss results of our investigations and debate how I will proceed diplomatically. It should be an off-duty meeting, without any formalities. The only rule is that all participants say their opinion open. Without the advice of my wife I feel a little lost. I do not want to do anything stupid."

Mint was taken aback slightly, not because he was lost without his wife, but because he valued her opinion. That was a rare thing, especially give both of their heritages. "I will do my best to meet with you," she bowed her head slightly. "I have a new Chief Engineer coming, so that will take one thing off my plate to make room for another. I cannot guarantee that I can make it every evening though, but I promise I will try."

Telhas nodded. "Thank you. Oh, and please understand that although I regret it, I have to withdraw my engineers from assisting you in re-building the station. They are needed on my ship, just in case the Faltans start hostilities." He rose to his feet. "I wish things would be different. Thank you for visiting." He smiled, although it was not a true smile. "And again, sorry for my outburst. I should be better in control of my... well, you know what I mean."

"It's alright," Mint stood as well. "I know this is a difficult time for you, it is hard to control ones emotions and... abilities... when in this situation." She held out her hand to shake his and gave him a half hearted smiled. Not because she didn't like being there, but because she hated the circumstances. "Until next we meet," she said looking him in the eye, "keep her in your heart, but a fire in your veins."

Telhas took her hand. "Until we meet next." Then he opened the doors and signaled Mint to leave. Knight Commander Maiek had been waiting and he ensured that she was treated with all military honours.

 

RSS Feed