Reversing the Pendulum, Shiarrael

Part I "The Thrai of Tomika

15 years ago, Tomika System

[IRW Saeihr’llaiir]

Shiarraels nail’s dug into the soft leather pads that rested on the top of her armrests. On the view screen several smaller Romulan warbirds were chasing down a larger Galaxy class ship “target their warp drive!” She shouted, her violet irises intently studying the view screen. Like a pack of wolves the smaller Romulan ships soon overtook the larger galaxy class. She watched silently as several explosions rippled through the ship’s hull until only the molten framework was visible. “Pull back and rejoin the rest of the wing.” She let the tension leave her muscles and eased her clawing grip on the armrests.

Her new RS (XO), tr’Shiarkek, smiled smugly at the molten smattering displayed on the view screen “they were easily defeated. It was wise for the Khre’Riov to heed your advice. I am honored to serve under such a wise Riov.” In the corner of her vision Shiarrael could see him dip his head in a half bow but she ignored it and pretended to keep her focus on the view screen.

“Too easy.” Shiarrael stated bluntly “they were no match for us. The bulk of the Federation fleet consists of large ships created mainly for long scientific deployment. Their ships may have teeth but they are the teeth of a baby thrai- brittle and only dangerous to those who do not know how to handle them.” There was no glory in this fight. I might as well have suffocated an infant. “And smaller ships can easily pick at them until they’re dead.”

“Even so, because of your strategy we were able to easily route the Federation forces. The Khre’Riov will be pleased at this result.” Shiarkek bowed again. If he wasn’t so damn useful at organization she would have had him tossed out an airlock. Why don’t you just staple your lips to my ass? She shook her head.

“We are receiving a message from the Khre’Riov.” The communications officer announced and Shiarrael ordered it onscreen immediately.

Khre’Riov tr’Faikaru was tall and boney. His chin was square, his nose ridge thin, and slicing across his forehead was the classic V shaped ridge of the mongrel breeds. He was known as a tough disciplinarian and that was the only trait that Shiarrael respected. Otherwise he was overly arrogant and a self divined idiot. That he had actually listened to her plan was a shock, though now he probably would claim credit for it entirely. She didn’t mind though. Let fools drink a fool’s drink. His eyes set on her and she stood up and bowed her head at him “Khre’Riov.”

“Riov.” Faikaru spoke and she could almost feel the spittle fly through the screen “it seems our plan has worked perfectly.” Our? That’s a surprise. At least he saw fit to give me some credit. “The Federation forces are in full retreat and the Gai’Shian have captured Starbase 220, well, most of it anyways.” His last words seemed to linger in the air as he paused for a moment. “After speaking to Ael’Riov t’Loen I have decided to hold our pursuit for the moment so we can reorganize our lines.”

What? She wanted to shout at the image of the Khre’Riov but she knew it would be useless and that she would likely end up in jail somewhere for insubordination. The Federation was much more disorganized then they were. The best tactic would be to keep up the pursuit and crush the remnants of the Federation fleet assigned to this sector. Letting them get away would only give the Federation an estimate on the Romulan vessel count and likely render her original strategy obsolete. Instead of telling him that however she knew her place and just nodded her head. He was doing her a favor anyways by informing her of this impending blunder “thank you Khre’Riov.” It took a great deal of effort for her to smile. I will bear witness when they slit your throat for our future failure.

“Jolan’tru.” The image abruptly cut out and was replaced by the Romulan eagle. Next to her Shiarkek muttered something under his breath.

“Do you have something to say?” Shiarrael asked him.

“No, it was just a thought. I should not have spoken out loud. Forgiv-” He started to bow his head but Shiarrael reached up and grabbed a fist full of his hair and jerked his head up.

“I am tiring of your fawning. Speak your mind or I’ll have your tongue cut out since you obviously have no use for it.” Shiarrael glared at Shiarkek who pulled himself out of her grasp and readjusted the collar of his uniform. The stupid expression on his face soured into a more rigid look. At least you don’t look like a fool now.

“Very well Riov. I do not understand why we will not continue our pursuit. The Federation lines are in shambles. Their strategic infrastructure in this region was devastated the instant we took Starbase 220. If we wait here they will undoubtedly reorganize, at least enough to stop our advance.”

Perhaps you are not as useless as I originally thought. “It is not your place to wonder it is only your place to follow the Khre’Riov’s orders.” Shiarrael pretended to dismiss his comments absently and returned her attention to the view screen. Sliding back into her command throne she quietly watched the scene. They were coming up on Starbase 220 and over a hundred warbirds were now moving into range of the massive facility. Broken bits of starships tumbled past the view. Shiarrael held a sigh. Surprise, mobility, audacity, and timing win wars. She thought of the ancient Rihannsu General tr’Naga whose writings on war and combat she cherished. We have lost all four.

Part II "Keretat the Fool"

13 years ago…

[Ch’Rihan, I’Ramnau]

Shiarrael sat quietly in the waiting room outside of Khre’Riov tr’Keretat’s office. The large windows offered a perfect view of the massive space port that sat adjacent to the fleet command buildings. From her seat she could see dozens of small vessels leaving and landing in the heart of the Romulan capital. Aside from the view however there was very little to look at inside the waiting area. Most of the lounge was carefully furnished using jyrali wood from the Khre’Riov’s home region and while sturdy it lacked the elegance of the lacquer carvings one could obtain elsewhere. “How dull” she commented dryly. Next to her a young officer glanced at her for a short moment with a look of agreement in their eyes. That caused Shiarrael to smile.

Finally the large doors parted and another Galae officer stepped out holding a small computer unit “Riov Rehu, the Khre’Riov will speak with you now.” The woman never even bothered to look up. How rude, Shiarrael thought. Certainly the Khre’Riov trained his people to have enough manners to actually look at the person they are addressing.

“Look at me when you speak to me erie’Arrain.” Shiarrael commented testily as she stood up. Walking up to the erie’Arrain she ripped the computer unit from the rude officer’s hand and dropped it to the floor. With an irritated scowl she crushed the small device under her boot and then proceeded to grind the bits into the polished flooring “now, since you are no longer distracted, lead me to the Khre’Riov’s office.”

“Of- Of course.” The erie’Arrain quickly bowed her head and gestured for Shiarrael to follow.

There were several hallways between the waiting room and the Khre’Riov’s office. It was the normal design of a fleet official’s office since it offered added protection in the event of an assault- of course such brazen attacks were a rarity. Most Romulans preferred the subtleness of poisons or flitter bombs. In any case it was a long walk and Shiarrael wondered if it was even necessary. Until a few days ago she had never even heard of Khre’Riov Nadul tr’Keratet.

“We are here.” The officer announced and pressed a button on a small exterior intercom “Khre’Riov, Shiarrael t’Rehu is here to see you.”

“Yes, I know, send her in.”

“Understood Khre’Riov.” The erie’Arrain slid open a small side panel and inserted a short code. Abruptly the office door slid open and Shiarrael took her cue to walk inside. To her surprise the office was much more decorated then the waiting room. Several silver book cases lined both sides of the large office and a large ivory couch sat the middle facing the Khre’Riov’s desk. Instead of drapes the office windows were covered by banners bearing the emblem of the Galae’Rhi (5th Fleet). Behind the desk was a slightly stout Romulan. His face wore a serious look and his amber eyes hinted at danger. His brows were gray and his hair peppered with iron and snow. When Shiarrael entered he stood up and she visually measured him to be about six feet tall.

“Welcome Riov. Please sit.” Tr’Keretat spoke with a deep voice. He gestured at the couch and reached into his desk pulling out a bottle of bright blue liquid and two glasses “I have been saving this ale for several years now. My son acquired it from Speaker tr’AAnikh’s estate. They say it is some of the finest ale made on ch’Havran. Please share a glass with me.” He twisted the cap off the bottle and poured generous portions into both glasses. When he finished he held one out for Shiarrael.

“Hann’yyo.” Shiarrael thanked him for the hospitality and graciously accepted the glass as she sat down. Of course it was all just a show. Sincerity was always an abstract thing for her people and Shiarrael had that act down pat “I was surprised when I received your invitation to this meeting. Certainly someone of your position has better things to do then meet with a mere patrol vessel Riov?” She waited until he sipped his own glass of ale before she did likewise. Outside observers might think she believed the drink to be poisoned, but of course that wasn’t the case. It would be considered extremely rude to poison a guest during an official meeting. No, Shiarrael merely showed him respect by allowing him to be the first to drink. Whether he deserved it or not she was still uncertain.

“Events in the galaxy are spinning faster then perhaps even the elements can fathom.” Tr’Keretat took in heavy sips of ale between sentences “it seems our recent conflict with the Klingons was caused by the Federation. There is a great uproar in both the Senate and those dogs’ High Council.” He smirked and held up his glass of ale apparently admiring it in the sunlight that filtered through the cracks between banners “from what I have heard my peers speak highly of you. They call you the conqueror of Tomika but I find your crews’ name for you more interesting- they call you, Riov Yhisu? Or am I mistaken?”

Shiarrael hid her smirk. Riov Yhisu literally meant ‘Captain Dread’ and while her crew named her that as an insult she actually found the title endearing and quietly built upon that reputation by using extreme disciplinary measures such as crushing the erie’Arrain’s computer unit earlier “so I have heard. The victory at Tomika was not my doing; it was the accomplishment of all our soldiers. I only take credit for witnessing it.”

“You are humble but you should accept credit when it is bestowed upon you.” Tr’Keretat finished his glass of ale and quickly refilled it. Shiarrael was quickly losing respect for the man simply by observing his drinking habits. To drink so heavily during an important meeting was incredulous but she kept her soft expression and calm demeanor as he continued to speak “I have been tasked with forming a preliminary invasion force and I need someone to lead the wing that will guard our left flank. There is no other suited for the position so I am promoting you to Ael’Riov and giving you command of the left wing.”

It took a bit of effort to hide her scowl. Shiarrael wasn’t interested in a promotion and now she needed to find an excuse to reject it without insulting the Khre’Riov too much “who will be commanding the right wing?” She asked him.

“Vaek’Riov t’Loen.”

The same fool who cost us a victory over the federation three years ago? Shiarrael didn’t expect him to name t’Loen but she knew she shouldn’t be surprised considering tr’Keretat was beginning to look more and more like a simple old drunk. “I see. I must kindly refuse this promotion.” Shiarrael stood up and took another small sip of her ale “while I am deeply honored by your consideration I cannot accept this promotion nor can I command your left wing when it is almost certain your right wing will not hold.”

“They said you would not.” Tr’Keretat slurred his mumble at her “t’Loen is an honorable commander! I will not allow you to insult her in my presence Riov!”

So, this is your true face old man? “There is no insult where there is truth. It is well known she advised tr’Faikaru to stop his advancement into Federation territory. After their forces regrouped our advancing fleet was routed and sent back to Tomika in tatters. She is the reason Faikaru was forced by tr’Paya to slit his gut and commit honorable death- he would have been wise to request it of her so that poison could have been bled out of this fleet.” Shiarrael’s soft expression turned into a smirk “perhaps if you finish that bottle you might honestly believe she is actually worth a fvai’s manure in her post.”

“Get out!” Tr’Keretat shouted and balled his fists slamming them onto his desk “I will make sure you never see beyond the cage of that patrol ship Shiarrael Rehu! Mark these words! You will never be more then a patrol vessel commander! Never!”

Shiarrael shrugged and left his office smiling. You do me pleasure fool. There is nothing more I would rather be then commander of my patrol ship. At least I will not be at the whim of drunken fools such as you!