First Steps Part I
2342
~Nn’Verih, Ch’Rihan~
Thunder shook the stone walls as flashes of lightning illuminated the interior of the dimly lit room. Two nurses and a doctor hovered over a woman who gasped deeply. Just beyond the door arch several figured lingered, pacing, and glancing into the room as the woman struggled. Veins laced across her forehead as she gritted down on her teeth at the encouragement of the doctor “push!” she shouted at her.
“Susse-thrai, I am pushing!” The woman reached out and shoved the doctor into one of the trays of hot water “where is that fool Nezak!”
“Please calm down lady. You must push.” One of the nurses said but wisely kept her distance.
“Do not tell me to calm dow- Ah!” She grabbed her extended belly and pulled up “where is Nezak!” She screamed again.
“Calm yourself lady Rehu!” Nezak entered and approached his wife “you must do as the doctor says.”
“Do not patronize me! I will rip your genitals from your person for what you have done to me!” She reached out but Nezak stepped back- just barely to escape her vice-like grip.
“You are being irrational.” He said calmly but kept his distance from his wife.
Lady Nhasaen t’Rehu let out a blood curdling scream and flung her back into the bed. She gripped the covers and pushed while screaming for the next fifteen minutes. Finally the doctor announced “its coming” and asked for more water and a scalpel. The screams subsided and a small cry escaped from the room.
Nezak exited and smiled at those gathered “it is a girl- Shiarrael t’Rehu, the heir to S’Rehu has been born.”
~Three months later…~
Jamor tr’Sahen exited his flitter, behind him a young Rihannsu boy slid out. The massive Rehu estate loomed in front of them. The style and architecture was almost as old as Rihannsu civilization and unlike other landmarks S’Rehu had enough wealth through generations to keep their primary estate well maintained. It was one of the reasons Jamor was pleased by the alliance formed between S’Sahen and S’Rehu by the marriage between Nhasaen and Nezak. Jamor waited patiently as a contingent of servants made their way down to the duo. The boy however hid in the old man’s shadow.
The group of servants stopped and one approached them “Jolan’tru lord Sahen. I am tr’Volrok, hru'hfe of the Rehu estate. Let me formally welcome such an honored guest.” He bowed his head and the other servants followed suit. When he finally looked up again he gestured for them to follow “Lady Rehu is waiting for you.”
Jamor followed and the boy continued to linger just behind him. They were lead into the main hall of the Rehu estate. It was a massive and seemingly endless cavern. Dozens of portraits and finely carved statues lined the walls. One of the paintings caught his eye- it was familiar piece, old, but not worn. It depicted the ruling queen, perched atop the governing council like a wicked hawk while S’Tasks bled to death beneath her. It was an exquisite piece of infamy that survived Rehu’s downfall.
Finally they reached the end of the chamber. The servant motioned to the door and then quietly backed away allowing them to enter. Jamor stepped through the stone frame followed by the boy. Inside they found Lady Rehu sitting in a large chair with several blankets carefully folded over her and the infant wrapped in her lap. She looked up at the old man and smirked “you have taken your time Lord Sahen.”
“I have been busy with matters.” Sahen said, gently, not to scare the infant “I have brought Itsak to greet his cousin.” He turned around and looked at the boy “go now.”
The boy stepped forward, carefully; he looked at Rehu who transformed her smirk into a soft smile “are you afraid of your cousin?” She asked. The boy shook his head and approached. Stopping at her lap he looked down at the baby. It looked so innocent- he carefully leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
“Jolan’tru Shiarrael.” Itsak said quietly.
Lady Rehu grinned and gently rubbed her hand through the boy’s hair “you are good child.” She looked past him “Volrok!”
The servant stepped into the archway and bowed his head “you called my lady?”
“Yes.” She put her hand on Itsak’s shoulder “will you be a good friend to Shiarrael?”
The boy nodded “I will.”
“Good.” She smiled and nodded to Volrok “take him to the kitchen and have one of the cooks make him something sweet. He has been a good child today.”
“Yes my lady. Come.” He beckoned Itsak to follow.
The boy smiled but when he turned around and noticed the hardened expression on his grandfather’s face the smile quickly evaporated. He slowly followed Volrok into the great hall.
“I wish you did not spoil him.” Jamor said.
“It is my house and I do as I please.” She snapped at the old man- her fury well regarded. “Is it true, the rumors?”
“I did not know you were keen to listen to such things.” Jamor answered.
“It is hard not to hear some. The Vulcan Somok has returned to the Federation leaving your daughter without a bond-mate and Itsak without a father.” Rehu sneered “disgusting- how could she have ever bedded such a creature?”
Jamor grimaced “she was foolish and ignored my warnings. There is another reason I am here.”
Rehu looked at him with a suspicious glare “I expected so.”
“I need you to watch the boy. Teelis refuses to leave her room since Somok’s departure.”
“Foolish woman.” Rehu sighed and then glared at him “but I’m not blind to your lies Jamor. The reason you bring the boy here is because you cannot stomach a half-blooded bastard in your midst.” He started to speak but she lifted her hand “leave him here. I will ensure he receives education and training to join the Rei’Krannsu when he is of age.”
“He will not join the Rei’Krannsu. It is enough shame that he carries my name.” Jamor turned around and left.
First Steps Part II
2350
~Nn’Verih, Ch’Rihan~
Eisn burned brightly in the Rihan sky. In a large field adjacent to a massive estate two children were practicing sword play. Kneeling slightly away from the pair was an elderly Rihannsu, he wore a large head covering to protect himself from the bright sun, and casually dug into the earth with a hand held plough. Glancing up for a moment he grunted “this is training time Shiarrael. Are you just going to stand there?”
Standing erect with a wooden blade Shiarrael glared at her opponent “this is boring!” She swung the annoying thing haphazardly at a pile of flowers knocking several petals astray. A gust of wind grabbed the loose petals and pulled them down the small hill into her opponent who grimaced. She laughed “sorry.”
“Enough.” Itsak scowled at his young cousin “if you want to play games Shiarrael, fine.” He lifted his blade and charged her. The elderly Rihannsu stood up but said nothing. Stunned by the sudden movement Shiarrael squealed and jumped away from the falling sword. However, Itsak didn’t let up; he was intent on punishing his cousin today. He continued his onslaught swinging at the girl. She did a decent job dodging the hits but her footing was awkward and she slipped and rolled down the hill. Jumping down the hill Itsak lifted his wooden sword and bopped Shiarrael on the head with it.
“Owww! That hurt Itsak!” Shiarrael stood up rubbing her head.
“Maybe you’ll take training more seriously next time.” He sneered at her and bopped her on the head again.
“Oww! Lhiu Itsak! Hwi wort!” Shiarrael shouted and then kicked Itsak in knee. Her older cousin grabbed his knee and fell over. While he writhed on the ground she kicked him again in a more sensitive spot causing him to groan in pain. She started chuckling at her mastery but quickly stopped when a hand reached over and popped her on the rear. When she turned around she found her grandfather glaring at her.
“Where did you learn to speak that way?” He kneeled down and dug his hand into the soil “you should not speak of your family that way. Understand?” Shiarrael nodded as her grandfather held up a handful of soil “if you want a dirty mouth then you can one. Open.” At first she resisted but knowing that it was futile she finally opened her mouth. Her grandfather smeared the dirt into it. “There, now apologize to Itsak.” He stood up.
Shiarrael spit out the dirt and waddled over to her cousin who was still lying on the ground. “Usae Itsak.” She bowed her head.
Itsak stood up, dusted himself off, and then smiled “it’s okay Shiarrael but you should take this training a bit more seriously” He looked at her grandfather and bowed his head.
“Itsak take Shiarrael to wash out her mouth.” The elderly Rihannsu grunted and returned to what he was doing.
Grabbing Shiarrael’s hand Itsak pulled her towards the estate “why do you always refuse to listen?” He looked at her, tears were now staining her cheeks and her mouth was covered in dirt. He chuckled “you look quite pathetic.”
“Shut up!” She grimaced and tried to wipe away some of the dirt with her free hand.
They made their way to one of the fountains. When they reached it Shiarrael pulled away from Itsak’s grip and splashed her face with water until all the dirt was gone and she began rinsing out her mouth. As she rinsed the dirt away she heard shouting coming from the estate.
“What do you mean you have sponsored him to attend the war college?!”
“Do not raise your voice to me- you left the child under my care. If I sponsor him it is my choice.”
“Without consulting me?!”
“There was no reason to do so.”
“How dare you! That child is my daughter’s son- he is a mere bastard! The shame he brings is only fitting for the Gai’Shian, I will not allow this!”
Shiarrael recognized the voices. One was her mother and the other was her father’s father, Jamor tr’Sahen, Itsak’s grandfather. She looked at her cousin who was silent and staring at the ground. At his sides his hands were balled into fists as the shouting continued. Grabbing his hand she literally pulled him towards the estate.
“Stop Shiarrael.” Itsak said pulling her hand off his.
“You’re just going to let him say that about you?!” Shiarrael pressed her knuckles against her hips “go tell him to eat manure!”
“No, he’s right. I’m a bastard and I do not deserve to be part of the Galae.” He sighed and started to wander off. However, Shiarrael simply grabbed his hand again and pulled him into the great hallway. As they both made their way to the antechamber the shouting grew louder. However, when they reached the massive arching entrance they found an imposing figure standing in their way. Shiarrael’s grandfather looked at the pair and then walked into the antechamber.
“What is the meaning of this?” Her grandfather said bringing the commotion to a standstill. He slowly removed the head cover revealing his sun worn skin and ivory hair. He was a tall and imposing figure; hard lines carved their way through his face- old scars from many battles. A former Galae En’Riov he preferred the life of a Galae officer over that of the Rei’Krannsu but never allowed the latter to hold that fact against him.
“Forgive us father.” Shiarrael’s mom said standing up “we seem to be having a disagreement.”
Jamor shot him a sour look “how dare your daughter sponsor Istak for the war college without my consent Verol!”
“You abandoned him here- what gives you the belief that your opinion holds weight in this matter Jamor?” Jamor began protesting vehemently but her grandfather continued over the protests “you put that child in our house because you are too ashamed of him. So be it- you have not acknowledged him since, why do so now? You are honorable Jamor but you wear your honor with disgrace. You have not earned the right to be rude in this house. Itsak will join the Galae- now leave. It is none of your concern.”
Jamor, stunned by the words, walked out of the room in a stupor failing to notice Shiarrael or Itsak who were gawking at the entire scene from the edge of the archway. Her grandfather called them both in “Shiarrael, Itsak, come here.” They both entered the room.
Shiarrael’s mother grinned “how long have you two been watching?”
“Grandfather! You put him in his place!” Shiarrael cheered but the old man scowled.
“I simply spoke truth. Itsak if you wish to join the Galae I will be your sponsor- is it is your wish child? Do not mind the words of your grandfather, he is an old fool too concerned with his own pride. One day he will see you as a grandson.”
Itsak wasn’t sure about the last part, but he was sure about one thing “yes, I want to join the Galae.”
Garbage Day
2409
~IRW Endless Sky~
“Disruptor residue.” Tr’Huljan shook his head “certainly one of them was responsible for this mess but which one? Impossible to tell. It could have been anyone. The station was holding Federation prisoners afterall.”
Vaek’Riov Itsak tr’Sahen brooded from his raised throne on the bridge of the Endless Sky. He gave his RS (XO) a knowing look- one that told everyone he was irritated and had a suspicion about the culprit “Ulhri” he finally said the words and his RS immediately frowned.
“There is no evidence that he is the culprit Rekkhai.” Tr’Huljan cautioned. The political intricacies of such accusations were often dangerous “we should wait until we have evidence to present to the senate.”
“He is the only blood sucking fiend in this entire sector.” Tr’Sahen grumbled curses as his crew cringed at the colorful language coming from their Leih’s mouth. When he finished he looked at tr’Huljan “order the IRW Hiren into this region. Riov t’Gonash reported of rumors that Galae ships were demanding payment to cross this space.”
“Bait Rekkhai?” Huljan smirked.
Sahen said nothing. He simply watched the view screen but in his mind he was hoped those petty criminals who wore the honored uniform of the Galae would fall for the trap. The Hiren was a small patrol ship- a very tantalizing morsel when alone.
~Some time later, IRW Hiren~
“Rekkhai, vessel decloaking to port.”
“Who is it?” t’Gonash stood up and focused her attention on the distorting area of space. When it finished she didn’t need her tactical officer’s report of ‘D’Deridex’ to tell her what that massive, outdated, beast was. “Hail them.” She ordered. A second later the viewscreen lit up and a rather filthy rihannsu in old Galae rags was staring at her. “Unknown vessel, identify your purpose.”
The man grinned and laughed. He turned around and his entire bridge crew laughed mockingly “you’re not in a position to make demands Riov. By order of this sector government you are to pay passage fee to pass through this sector.”
Gonash grimaced “sector fees are illegal, especially when it concerns vessels of the Galae. If you leave I will overlook this illegal action.”
The man burst into laughter “if we destroy your ship who will know?”
“I will know.” Stepping out from the shadows of the Hiren’s bridge tr’Sahen glared at the filthy thing on the other side of the view screen. Just as his face hit the light six warbirds decloaked surrounding the D’Deridex. Among them, the D’Dherex class IRW Endless Sky, equaled in size to the D’Deredix but eclipsing them entirely in terms of firepower. “Acts of piracy have only one punishment- death. However, if you tell me who your master is I will forgive you this once.”
The man hesitated but then he sneered at tr’Sahen “you do not have power here!”
Sahen sighed “destroy that ship. I am in no mood for games.”
“Ie, Rekkhai.” Gonash bowed her head at the Vaek’Riov and then issued the order to power up weapons. The other six ships did the same.
“Forgive me- I had a slip of the tongue. Let us talk!”
“Soon you will have no tongue.” Sahen said as he walked to the lift. His back flashed as the ships pummeled the D’Deridex until it ruptured into thousands of fiery bits. He didn’t care. He would get rid of these petty fools, all of them.
Hour of Truth Part I
2409
~IRW Knvuk~
“The final life sign has ceased.”
Terrh grimaced “how long was that?” His eyes focused on the view screen his irritation threatening to boil over. Still no sign of Charon or the ships he sent after her. Whispers on the bridge of the Nebula having swallowed all of them were also trying his patience. Terrh was disappointed in his people- ‘how can they be so ignorant’ he wondered. When the Memento Mori was finally complete he promised himself that all of these pathetic fools would be removed from their petty existences.
“Four hours and fifty two minutes from dispersion.”
“Four hours?” Terrh’s teeth grinded heavily. It was too long. His bosses wouldn’t be pleased. Even though it had been vastly improved since the initial test phases six years ago four hours still presented a great deal of problems. It wasn’t deadly enough. “Failure” he hissed under his breath. A shrill alarm broke his mental cursing “what is that?!”
“Warbird decloaking!”
No! No! Terrh stood up, blood dripped from the edges of his mouth as he bit down heavily on his tongue. So close! “Destroy them!”
The young tactical officer looked afraid “that is a D’Dherex class dreadnaught! We don’t stand a chance against them!”
“They are hailing us!”
“Stall them.” Terrh turned and made his way towards the turbo lift “should you fail” he pulled a vial out of his pocket “you will share in the planet’s fate.” When the lift arrived he stepped into it and disappeared into the gut of the Knvuk.
~IRW Endless Sky~
“Why are they slow?” Itsak’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the old D’Deridex staining his viewscreen. “Hail them again- tell them if they continue to insult us without answering that we will let them join the element of fire in the pits of areinnye.”
“Ie Rekkhai.”
“The planet appears to be devoid of life.” Tr’Huljan said, looking at the science readings over the shoulder of the science officer “but there is biological residue in the stratosphere. It appears to be some sort of weapon.”
“Was the planet inhabited?”
Tr’Huljan nodded looking up at his Leih “Apparently- there are several large settlements but no life signs. Also we detect weapons residue in upper orbit. Disruptor mainly- but one Starfleet signature and debris that correspond to a Federation starship. Isn’t that interesting rekkhai?”
“Shiarrael.” Itsak breathed “that ship- Charon is nearby is it not?”
Tr'Huljan smirked “how long has it been since you’ve seen your cousin?”
“Not long enough.” Itsak spat “certainly not a Federation Leih.”
“They have finally responded to our hails.” One of the officers’s announced. All eyes focused on the viewscreen. They were greeted by a young Arrain sitting in the command chair. Itsak was incensed and stood up “who are you? Where is tr’Zadul?!”
“The Riov is currently indisposed. I have been granted authority to speak on his behalf. I am Arrain Jae t’Neva.” Her black eyes stared through the screen “we seem to have a communication issue. Forgive us for the delay in responding to your hails.”
Itsak wasn’t born sucking a thrai’s tit. He knew he was being had “bring Zadul before me now. What happened on the planet- we detect bioweapon residue. Did you have something to do with that? Also where is the Federation ship? Do not snipe your tongue at me child!”
The Arrain looked around studying the other bridge crew. They appeared anxious “I…” she stuttered “I cannot answer that question. We do not know what-” Her comment was interrupted by one of the tactical alarms on the Endless Sky’s bridge.
“Rekkhai- they have launched a bomber!”
“What is that?” Itsak asked “get a tractor beam on them!” He barely finished his sentence when the view screen erupted in bright hot light. He took a step back and fell into his command chair. The viewscreen image automatically switched to an external view of the Knvuk just into time to watch the ship begin to sheer apart from internal explosions and then explode in a magnificent ball of fire. The Endless Sky rocked from the shock wave but remained otherwise un-phased by the explosions. “What happened?! Where is the bomber?”
“They apparently self destructed.” Tr’Huljan said “and the bomber is gone.”
“Ridiculous.” Itsak cursed “I do not enjoy mysteries Huljan.”
“Rekkhai- ship decloaking ahead of us!”
“Is it the bomber?” Itsak asked sitting up.
“No… registry is…the Fvullhajun Ra'Dhuil!”
Hour of Truth Part II
~USS Quantum Fury, Sickbay~
As the curtains were drawn around the examination bed Khiy slipped off his uniform jacket and undershirt. Now bare-chested he climbed atop the biobed and lied down as instructed. He twitched as a cold soft hand touched the bottom tip of his right breast and then moved down slowly. Above him he could see the fluttering red hair of his chief medical officer. The young woman smiled at him “stay still please Captain. I am analyzing your bone density.” A crack sound broke her smile and Khiy could feel one of ribs jerk awkwardly. He tried to sit up but the quick doctor tapped on the control console next to the bed instantly restraining him beneath a force field “stay still, I need to heal your broken rib.” she emphasized to his dismay.
He waited silently and she worked her magic. When she finished she said nothing save for the simple gesture of deactivating the force-field. Khiy sat up, slightly muddled, but he looked at the doctor “thank you Lieutenant.”
“Don’t thank me. When you get back to Versailles Kelcy is going to KILL you. I just saved you for her- if I had let you fall to pieces here then I would have been at the end of her quite infamous wrath. I don’t think I need to tell you how stupid you are- but since I enjoy it so much and you seemed to be deaf towards my advice, EVEN with those ears of yours, I will repeat myself. Captain, your bone structure is porous. Without your treatment you have to be cautious. If you had fallen a little further I might be mending your entire rib cage- and god knows what else. You need to be careful!” Savannah McCoy was a talented doctor, Khiy appreciated that, but she seemed to enjoy the art of nagging.
“I will keep that in mind.” Khiy said. Savannah started to speak but the chirp of his commbadge silenced her. He tapped the device slightly grateful for the interruption “Kanryth here, what is it?”
“Captain-” It was Kaen’s voice but he sounded strained “another warbird has decloaked out here, it’s a bit more modern and bit bigger then that D’Deridex. They seem to be having a heated discussion. Perhaps you should head up to the bridge?”
Khiy glanced at Savannah. The doctor pouted, rolled her eyes, and then turned pushing her way through the curtains. He knew that meant he could go for now- but she had a lot more to say to him and he would hear from her later. He pressed his commbadge “on my way.” Sliding on his shirt he made his way out of sickbay carrying his uniform jacket under his right arm.
~USS Quantum Fury, Bridge~
When the lift doors opened Khiy had just fastened his last button. As he stepped out a blinding flash from the view screen greeted him. Nik Nok was shouting from the tactical console “they have self-destructed and the bomber we detected earlier is now gone.”
“Report.” Khiy ordered immediately as he watched the final embers of the D’Deridex’s exploding structure fizzle into oblivion. Kaen stood up and switched to the executive officer’s chair allowing Khiy to take his seat. The view screen refocused on the monster that had arrived only moments earlier and Khiy easily recognized the giant D’Dherex class. It was both more modern and more deadly the old D’Deridex- just seeing it on his view screen brought a chill to his bones.
“We’re not sure.” Kaen said “when they arrived they demanded an explanation from the D’Deridex. They were arguing and then we detected a Romulan bomber being launched from the D’Deridex- a few seconds later, well you saw what happened. Now the bomber is gone and apparently that big thing is the flagship of a Romulan fleet commander.”
“A fleet commander?” Khiy swallowed. The Charon was missing somewhere in the nebula. If the Fury went after them no doubt they would be seen. Unlike the decrepit D’Deridex they were no match for a D’Derex class dreadnaught and with its newer sensor systems they might even be able to detect the Quantum Fury through its cloak. A heavy sigh slipped through Khiy’s lips “Decloak and hail them.”
“Captain?!” Kaen’s eyes widened “that ship is a mons-”
“We don’t have a choice. We have to go after the Charon- if they are still out there we cannot abandoned them.” His tone was ridged and his expression cold. “Hail them!” Khiy didn’t need his tactical officer to tell him that they had decloaked. The D’Dherex’s beak turned towards them, the massive disruptor ports at its tip glowing hot.
“They have accepted our hail-” The view screen switched from the monstrous ship to a bridge which seemed comparatively too small for such a behemoth. Several Romulans gazed at them- their eyes showed uncertainty but their expressions hinted at disgust. The Vaek’Riov, Khiy recognized his rank insignia, stood up and approached his view screen “for such a little ship you are quite far from home” a wicked smirk creased through his lips “explain your presence.”
“This is the Federation Starship Quantum Fury. We detected a distress signal and came to investigate. When we arrived our sensors detected a biological agent at work in the planet’s atmosphere and a lone D’Deridex in orbit.” Khiy remained rigid as he spoke.
“You lie.” The Vaek’Riov returned to his seat the smirk still clearly expressed on his face “there were other ships- a Federation ship among them. We detected the debris and weapons residue in the planet’s upper orbit. Our sensors followed their path from orbit into the nebula.” His eyes narrowed- a dangerous sign “what happened here?”
“When we arrived the Charon was already gone.” Khiy said “and as a guest of the Romulan Star Empire you are required to assist them. Unless you rule from a perch with no honor.”
The smirk disappeared immediately. The Vaek’Riov now scowled “I see- you are not a Vulcan as I originally suspected. A Vulcan would have certainly been wise enough not to mock me.” He twisted his head around “tr’Huljan is what he speaks true? We must assist the Charon?”
“It would appear so Rekkhai.” A voice from off-screen answered. A few specks of laughter echoed through the small cavern of a Romulan bridge.
“I will allow your insolence slide this once.” The Vaek’Riov said “go look for your ship and we will search for ours.” The screen immediately switched back to the view of the D’Dherex. The massive thing twisted slowly until it faced the nebula and moved towards it. Khiy looked at his helmsman, Alia, “take is into the nebula- T’Ern, Three, do all you can to find the Charon.”