[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - [IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242301.10 - [Backlog] Past Imperfect Pt 12 - Shiarrael

A Mission Post by Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: IRW Hhveir Ri'hwathech
Timeline: 15 Years Previous

[IRW Hhveir Ri'hwathech]

Shiarrael could hear the rustle of footsteps as the silence of oblivion finally broke, but the darkness remained as her consciousness drifted. The next thing she recognized was the mechanical sound of whirling and beeping. Where am I? The thought permeated her tired mind, but she was too exhausted to explore it. When the light finally pierced through the darkness like a deep glowing fog, she could hear the utterings of conversations around her.

"Surgeon! Her eyes, they're opening!"

More rustling. Shiarrael felt annoyed as the blurs slowly began to coalesce into blobs of color- but unremarkable blobs none the less. She had an inkling of where she was now. Her mind's fog was giving way to a hammer, one that seemed to be beating relentlessly against her brain.

"Waking up already you fool?" She recognized Imin's voice. She could sense the anger tinged in the surgeon's voice. She tried to open her mouth but simply felt her lips quiver. "Calm yourself Galae'EnRiov, you will have time to speak later. For now, you should rest." She heard a hiss and suddenly the hammering in her mind ceased and the darkness returned.

Shiarrael's eyes split open as if she had awoken from a nightmare. She tried to sit up but heard a sizzle as a green forcefield illuminated across her chest. "What is this?" She growled as she tried to push against it. The light in the room suddenly illuminated and she forced her eyes closed at the blinding brightness.

"It's a restraint." Imin snorted as he walked into the room. Shiarrael slowly opened her eyes allowing her vision to adjust to the brightness. The ship's surgeon walked over to a wall screen and studied the redouts. "It seems you are healing well. Fortunate as you are to be alive." He looked at her "much more fortunate than poor Shiarkek." He sighed "what do you remember Shiarrael?"

Remember? She searched her brain and winced as the beating hammer seemed to return "the Klingon champion killed Shiarkek…" her voice trailed as she remember the brutality and violence of it. She felt anger again. She had stepped into the arena and challenged the Klingon. "Then I killed the champion…"

"Barely!" Imin yelled "do you care as little for yourself as you do your soldiers?!" Tension rippled through his brow. "You were an inch away from your grave Shiarrael. Fortunately, a young Riov was quick enough to staunch your blood loss long enough to you to get to me. If it was not for tr'Neyl you would be dead! Not to mention the Klingons-"

"The Kingons!" Shiarrael shouted and tried to sit up again causing the forcefield to fizzle wildly against her "what of the Klingons? Did we engage them? What happened? Let me loose!"

"Calm yourself!" Imin flared and tapped a panel near the bed. The fizzling stopped and Shiarrael shot up, but as soon as she was sitting upright, she felt suddenly dizzy and fell back onto the pillow. "The Klingons have left our space as agreed." He spoke. "t'Hnea is handling the relief effort on ch'Dherex and the fortification of the Klingon border. You need not worry yourself Shiarrael. We are enroute back to Romulus."

"Good." Shiarrael managed to reply. She slowly sat up this time and looked at her left arm where a large cylindrical device buzzed quietly. "What is this?"

"I was able to reattach your arm and nerve endings. It is a device to ensure that not only do you not move your limb before it is fully healed- but it will also aid the regrowing of bone and nerve tissue. So, it goes without saying that you should take it easy for a while- or you may end up with a limb that is shorter than the other."

"How long have I been unconscious?" she asked, finally realizing that she must have been out for a bit if the Klingon's had already retreated across the border.

"Nine days."

Nine…Nine days?! "Imin, where is Raha?!"

[IRW Hhveir Ri'hwathech, Command Lounge]

When Shiarrael stepped inside the ship's command lounge she found it dim, only lit by the glowing visage of Ch'Rihan [Romulus] filtering light through the large windows that lined the far wall. All the furniture had been removed. Only a transparent tube sat in the room's center. Sitting in the chair in front of it was Raha. Imin had told her Raha had not left Shiarkek's side since his casket was placed in the lounge. Shiarrael slowly approached and stood next to Raha. Her eyes glancing at Shiarkek's body which looked nothing of the mess it had been when he was killed. Imin had done a wonderful job of making him presentable in death, though that image of the Klingon slicing through him would remain with her forever.

"It is a shame-"

"Shame?" The violence in Raha's voice startled Shiarrael. "Yes, Shiarkek's life is a shame, an endless failure. Do you know how much he admired you?" Raha stood up, her pale olive skin seeming to glow blue in the planet light "but he could never surpass the shadow of the great Shiarrael t'Rehu. Even in death he will look like the fool who was killed by the Klingons. While you will forever be the great hero of Dherex who slayed the beast!"

"Raha I don't…" Shiarrael's voice trailed off as the words were not there.

"Do not worry Shiarrael. I do not blame you. No, I know he is the one who volunteered. I don't blame you but right now I cannot stand to look at you. For as much as I tell myself it is not your doing, my heart still holds anger." Raha grabbed her chest "at him and you." A slow trickle of tears began to make their way down her cheek. "Angry our child will never know a father. Only that he died trying to overcome your shadow Shiarrael."

Child? Shiarrael felt her legs weaken. "You are with Shiarkek's child, Raha? How long?"

"Seven weeks." Raha said. "I have already spoken to Shiarkek's house. When we have his final ceremony we ask that you do not come. It is not that they also blame you- but it would be a shame if you eclipse him even in his final moments." She wiped her face on her sleeve "I'm sorry Shiarrael, but please leave us."

Reaching out Shiarrael touched the glass case and shook her head. "Forgive me." She whispered before turning around and walking out.

[End]

This is an automated email, please don't reply to this message.