[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242301.07 -[Backlog] Past Imperfect Pt 10 - Shiarrael t'Rehu

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

"If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death." – Sun Tzu

[IRW Hhveir Ri'hwathech]

It didn't happen suddenly. It was a trickle. The Command Bridge buzzed with activity as a pattern began to slowly emerge amongst a frantic flurry of communications from Klingon space. Klingon vessel numbers were slowly whittling down. At first it was hard to discern the occurrence amongst the Klingon's cloaking and decloaking fleet, but the neutrino concentration around Dherex was slowly decreasing, showing that the Klingon presence was likely following suit. Why? Probably the panicked distress signals flooding in from Klingon outposts and stations in the Narendra and Khitomer systems that had been obliterated by a large Romulan fleet. A full-scale invasion, or so they thought, towards the heart of the Klingon Empire, Qo'nos. Shiarrael was certainly bold, but an invasion of the Klingon home world? She wasn't foolish. The price in blood would have been too high. But would the Klingon's think that? Apparently not. While her fleets were now safely sneaking back across their mutual border towards the Tomika system the Klingons were in full panic mode.

"We have received a message from EnRiov t'Hnea." The young communications officer spoke up from her station. Raha nodded at the officer from the Command throne "on the viewer."

"Galae'EnRiov t'Rehu." T'Hnea said as soon as her visage appeared on the massive screen. Shiarrael slowly made her way down from the strategic command center at the rear of the bridge and nodded her head at t'Hnea to continue. "We have completed our pacification of the Klingon fleet facility in Cordensia and have been proceeding with haste to ch'Dherex. Approximate ETA is thirty minutes."

"Wonderful as always EnRiov." Shiarrael smiled. "You may have your fleet decloak and reveal your presence to the Klingons." Let them see what will soon come for them. With t'Hnea's force they will outnumber the Klingons almost 3-1, possibly more with the dwindling Klingon numbers. Though she knew Klingon's did not do well with defeat. They would try to find glory in killing themselves by taking many of her precious ships with them. She sighed. "We will speak more aboard the Hhveir Ri'hwathech after we route our enemies."

"Indeed Galae'EnRiov. Glory to the Romulan Empire. Bedah."

With that the signal ended and Shiarrael turned her attention to Shiarkek. "Prepare the fleet for battle. We will-"

"Sorry Galae'EnRiov." The young communications officer interrupted her and looked at Raha "Riov…" her voice trailed slightly "one of the Klingon vessels is hailing us…"

Raha stood up and looked at Shiarrael "they see t'Hnea's force. Should we ignore them?"

"No, no." Shiarrael smirked "let us see what they want." It was not likely they would surrender. Would they declare that they will die in glory? Klingons were so dramatic. Shiarrael wasn't surprised they had a strange love of theater. The viewscreen image filled with the broad figure of a familiar Klingon.

"Shiarrael!" He huffed "you seem to have done well since we last met! Galae'EnRiov, who would have thought a traitorous wench would achieve such greatness" letting out a bellicose laugh with a healthy dose of spittle he slapped his chest "it seems our forces are at an impasse."

"Kemeran." Shiarrael's surprise was hinted at by an ineloquent and almost Vulcan-like brow raise. She corrected herself with a neutral and even tone "and you are still fat." The Klingon recoiled slightly from the jab but kept his grin "impasse?" She said "you seem to be minimizing your predicament. Within the next hour we soon burn your fleet and soldiers from Dherex like a flame burns through paper."

"Hrm." He grunted and scratched the ridges on his head "or perhaps another option?" A toothy grin filled his face "while we would not shy from battle- there is a more entertaining option." The screen panned out revealing a giant Klingon next to Kemeran. He was as wide as the Klingon general, but where Kemeran was all fat, this beast of a Klingon was pure muscle. He also stood about a foot and half above Kemeran "If one of your men can defeat my champion Hoqang, our ships and soldiers will leave the planet."

Shiarrael winced. No doubt there were talented fighters in her fleet- but that Klingon champion had the looks of a monster. Defeating him would be no small order. It would take time to find and assess someone to match that Klingon. "We will consi…"

"I will fight him." Shiarkek said from next to Shiarrael interrupting her. She turned to look at her Chief of Fleet Operations surprised by his sudden presence next to her.

"What?" Raha spoke up "you fool. Shiarrael he cannot…"

"Ah! It seems you have your warrior." Kemeran eyed Shiarkek and then smirked at Shiarrael "we will send you the coordinates in two hours' time." The image of the Klingon pair fizzled off the screen.

"Shiarrael" Raha implored and stared daggers at Shiarkek "he is not skilled enough to fight a Klingon champion! You will get yourself killed!"

"Shiarkek." Shiarrael said, her tone cold "do you know what you are doing? Klingon champions are not an opponent to be trifled with. They train to kill before they even learn to walk. Do you understand the position you have put yourself in?"

"He is big. He will be slow. I know I can best him Shiarrael." He looked at Raha "I will bring us glory."

Shiarrael wasn't so sure, but she nodded her head at him. "You have made your choice." She looked at Raha who turned on her heels and stormed off the bridge. Should she try harder to talk him out of it? Should she order him not to fight? She had a terrible feeling in her stomach about this, but she also couldn't bring that shame of forcing him to concede the match after he already agreed in front Kemeran Sa' and the entire bridge crew. What a mess.

[To be Continued]

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