[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242105.22 -[Backlog] Past Imperfect Pt 2 - Shiarrael t'Rehu

A Mission Post by Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: Various
Timeline: 15 Years Ago

[Romulus, s'Rehu estate, Nn'Verih]

The sound of the communication unit on her wall buzzing like an angry hnoiyoka startled Shiarrael. She sat up in her bed staring at the blaring wall unit before finding the energy to leave the comfort of her bed and slam her palm into the device.
"What is it?" She said.
"Sorry to disturb you at this hour Rekkhai." Not likely Shiarrael thought- she was certain some of the more junior officers found pleasure in protocol whenever it dictated interrupting a superior's rest. She hoped for the sake of the officer on the other side of the communication that this matter did dictate that interruption.
"We just received word that Khre'Riov tr'Shiarkek's fleet has withdrawn from the battle against the Klingons. They are regrouping in the Otha Prime system."
"Withdrawn?" Shiarrael let out a sigh. That was a rather considerate way of describing a retreat. "How bad did they fare? Do we have battle telemetry from the engagement?" Sleep was now a distant memory as she grabbed her wrist communicator off the nightstand and transferred the transmission to it. Making her way out of the bedroom she walked down the large hallway that led to her personal library and office. As she walked a light in one of the rooms behind her switch on creating a bright column of light that ran across the floor and partially up the stone wall adjacent to the doorway. She stopped and turned around to see a long shadow coalesce into the shape of a little Romulan.
"Nnoil" Shiarrael said looking at her son "what are you doing up? You should be in bed." She walked over to him and knelt down to get to eye level "did my communication alarm wake you?"
He nodded his head slightly, she could tell he was very drowsy. "I thought the wretched Ferengi were coming to get us!"
"Ferengi?" Shiarrael chuckled "why in the elements would you think the Ferengi are coming to get you? You don't have any change to spare child. They have no use of you." She said standing up and pressing her palm into the boy's back gently urging him back into the bedroom. As he begrudgingly started to move one of the servants appeared from the shadows and dipped their head at her.
"I'm sorry m'lady. I know you have important business to tend to. I heard the alarm. I will see to it that little Nnoil gets back into bed." When the servant stepped into the doorway's light Shiarrael immediately recognized it was Yalessa, her childrens' tutor and caregiver.
"That's fine." Shiarrael said "but no more Ferengi stories. You've got the boy thinking we are being attacked by Ferengi." She laughed and then added "thank you" as Yalenna stepped behind the boy and continued nudging him into the bedroom. Turning around she made her way to her personal office.
"The battle telemetry data." Shiarrael spoke into her wrist communicator as she moved behind her desk. "Send what you have to the secure communication panel at my estate."
"Sorry, Rekkhai. We only have bits and pieces of data. I will send you what we do have. Also, Khre'Riov t'Knei has requested to speak with you urgently. Apparently, you are going to be summoned to the Senate for an emergency meeting."
Shiarrael frowned remembering the last thing Argelian had said to her before he left her office. "You may put the Khre'Riov through." She said as she recalled his words: "Shiarrael, I will tell you this now in confidence, but if tr'Shiarkek fails to push the Klingons from Derex we will need a new candidate to be Galae'EnRiov. After talking to the Praetor, our coalition is leaning on your appointment. Certainly, your history will give many in the Senate pause but there are few others with your skill and resourcefulness. I hope you will give the possibility serious consideration."
"Shiarreal." T'Knei said "I wanted to reach you as soon as possible. I don't have all the information and a lot of what we do have I haven't been able to entirely confirm but none of it is good. Apparently, we lost a third of our forces at the battle of Derex."
"A thir-?" Shiarrael could barely speak for a moment. A third of the forces that tr'Shiarkek had would have meant hundreds of ships?! How could he have failed so dismally?! How many had died? Many, the number would be many over. What a disaster. This outcome was much worse than she could have imagined. With a deep breath she slid into her office's chair. "Gwiu, they are summoning me to the Senate." She said as another light on her wrist communicator illuminated.
"The ruling coalition is clamoring for you as Galae'EnRiov Shiarrael. The entire Senate is incensed by this defeat to the Klingons. Will you accept?"
Will I accept? Shiarrael had wondered that all evening since speaking with Argelian. She had hoped the question would be irrelevant and fleeting. Unfortunately, that would not be the case now. Will I accept it? She stood up. "If I do. It will be on my terms."

[Romulus, Ra'tleihfi, Senate Complex]

"This is an outrage!"
Shiarrael slid into her seat on the third-floor gallery along with other members of the upper senate. Next to her Gwiu t'Knei, commander of the Tal'Diann sat. Beneath them, the body of the lower Senate was roaring loudly in anger and dissension drowning out the current speaker on the main floor. "This is quite the spectacle. Who is that fool?" Shiarrael gestured at the stout Romulan trying to speak but finding the effort futile.
"I believe that is Vadaen tr'Merrok. He is part of the ruling coalition but one of their more obscure members." Gwiu said "not the most impressive orator and altogether quite ineffective. I've heard he likes to spend a lot of the time in the illicit gambling parlors in I'Ramnau."
"I see." Shiarrael said finding that last tidbit a bit interesting. She too had been to the illicit gambling parlors. They were dingy cesspools but the local government had turned a blind eye to them. A lot of powerful or, in the case of Vadaen there, not so powerful people liked to clandestinely frequent them.
Finally seeming to give up tr'Merrok sauntered off the main floor and was replaced by the more familiar figure of the Proconsul. The raucous commotion mostly subsided as Argelian took his place behind the holographic lectern "enough of this squabbling." A thin smattering of jeers from the opposing coalitions met his statement but the Proconsul didn't appear phased "the Klingon matter must be dealt with urgently. We can no longer downplay the seriousness of the Klingon incursion. Full mobilization of our forces may be required to deal with the matter after the latest failure." His eyes rose towards the gallery above until the gaze fell upon Shiarrael "the Galae needs strong leadership. Someone who will route our foes and show the quadrant why the Star Empire has always been a fearsome adversary." He raised his hand and pointed at her "with the approval of the Praetor we will move to appoint Shiarrael i-Nn'Verih t'Rehu as Galae'EnRiov."
The entire body of the Senate erupted in cheering and jeering simultaneously. The roar was near deafening as Shiarrael stood up, a smirk slowly growing on her face. "Proconsul." She said, nearly drowned out by the raucousness. Realizing she was attempting to speak the Senate mostly quieted "I am honored by your selection. However, I must refuse." She stepped forward and pressed her arms into the balustrade and looked over the entire body "if I cannot have full control of the Galae I cannot be Galae'EnRiov. I will not compete with Senators nor Praetors for loyalty and influence in the Galae. If you truly wish for me to be Galae'EnRiov then I must be given full control. The tendrils and whims of house and clan alike will no longer hold sway over the Galae if I am to be Galae'EnRiov. Only experience, honor, and merit. For the glory of Empire." She pushed herself back, turned, and walked out. Behind her, several Galae admirals stood and followed her.

[To be continued…]

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