[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242301.25 - [Backlog] Command Conspiracy Pt1 - Shiarrael

A Mission Post by Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: Multiple
Timeline: 15 Years - 3 Months Previous

[Ch'Rihan, Chief Praetor's Residence]

The convoy of armored flitters pulled down towards the large palatial estate of the Chief Praetor, the ornate emerald tiles and golden trim glimmered against the brightness of Eisn burning in the noon-day sky. Shiarrael looked out the window from her flitter, gazing at the army of gardeners and servants milling about the estates' well-manicured grounds. She was jostled slightly in her seat by the bump of the flitter setting down in front of the estate's main entrance, right next to the large fountain that adorned the greying pavers of the stone courtyard.

Stepping out of the flitter followed by her retinue of guards, she was immediately met by a cadre of servants pouring out of the large wooden doorway of the estate. The lead, an older Rihannsu gentleman, bowed his head at her. "Greetings Galae'EnRiov Shiarrael t'Rehu. I am head of household tr'Vaeloran, the Chief Praetor wishes me to escort you to her primary receiving room. However," he glanced at the arm guards around her "we will have to find other accommodations for your friends. Perhaps refreshments while you meet with the Praetor?"

She glanced at her men and gave them a nod to relax a bit "whatever your hospitality sees fit to offer, I am sure they will be grateful." He nodded in response and motioned to the other servants who came forwards and ushered her men to follow them. When they had disappeared through the doorway, he finally nodded at Shiarrael and she followed him. The interior of the estate was massive. Polished marble columns climbed over two dozen feet into the air and stopped on the outer edges of the arched ceilings. Portraits of former Praetors and Senators of renown lined the marble walls. Shiarrael was led through a massive hall until she was ushered into a side room by the servant.

"Ah, Shiarrael." The Chief Praetor, Arrenhe t'Ahaefvthe, stood up from where she had been sitting next to her brother, Senate Speaker Argelian tr'Verelan, and gestured at the empty seat across from them. "I must say, your exploits continue to surprise even me. That fight with the Klingon?" She pointed at the holographic viewer on the room's far wall which showed a frozen image of a Shiarrael impaling the Klingon through his head "truly marvelous. Your legend continues to grow."

Shiarrael eyed the screen somewhat surprised but kept her composure. She hadn't yet revisited the battle and didn't feel too eager at the moment to do so. "So, I've been told." She said as she accepted the Praetor's offer and sat down. In front of her Argelian slid an empty glass chalice, lifted a bottle to its shimmering lip, and poured a vibrant violet liquid into it.

"Rhennish, from tr'AAnikh's former orchards. 2395." Argelian said glancing over at his sister before turning his attention back to Shiarrael "the Senate will honor your requests and will leave the Galae in your hands. You will have the right to select your staff and restructure- within limits. I must remind you that we are a body of politics. Clans and traditional structure must be honored- at least in part. However, the majority of the Senate has come around to your appointment. Even the Zorek have no qualms, a miracle, truly. Though I doubt the Jorani will ever be content with you Shiarrael, but that is of your own making."

"Indeed." Shiarrael lifted the glass of rhennish and took a hearty swig "to the Jorani" she said mirthfully imaging the fool tr'Jeiai floating off into space. She was not short of enemies. No doubt the Jorani would be on that list for quite sometime "I did not expect the Senate or Praetorate to relinquish complete control of the Galae- but I can work with what I have been given as long the interference is kept to a minimum."

"You have earned our trust." Arrenhe said, and slapped a hand on the tabletop "you have become a folk hero Shiarrael. Many now see you as dangerous. You are a weapon that many want to wield or if they cannot, to destroy. Remember that. Remember it well."

Shiarrael looked at the Praetor "and how do you see me Chief Praetor?"

"An ally. A weapon. A double-edged sword. We" she looked at her brother "are putting a great deal of trust in you. As much as tr'AAnikh did Argelian and me. Do not disappoint us."

15 years later…

[IRW Aylhr, Romulan Developmental Fleet Facility, Jezerek]

"Galae'EnRiov…"

The voice was like an echo in the periphery of her thoughts as she walked. In Shiarrael's hand was an ISD that contained the names of forty-five candidates to command the Aylhr that she had just received. All of them seemed noteworthy in some way or another, though very few stood out to her. Many were from notable houses and clans. Typically the Galae Command Council would appoint the vessel commander, a neutral body that she had established to ensure that merit played a greater role in appointments, but the Aylhr had too much history so she decided she would handle the appointment herself. So the council sent her a list of names from the initial selection. Bad idea. She was way too busy to deal with this hlai shit pile she got herself in. Reaching the last name on the list she stopped and stared at the familiarity "erie'Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl…" Why was that so familiar? Was he related to the late Ameh'ah t'Neyl? The she-who-must-not-be-named former Galae'EnRiov traitress? Wait. She pressed a finger against her temple suddenly remembering a young erie'Riov disobeying tr'Jeiai during the second battle of Dherex. "Is th-"

"Galae'EnRiov."

"Galae'EnRiov."

"YES?" Shiarrael unintentionally snapped finding her thoughts drowned out by tr'Maerk's incessant prattle. Calming her temper she slid the ISD into her pocket "what a wonderful vessel tr'Maerk."

The engineer nodded in agreement "indeed. This is a wonderful specimen. We took a lot of your thoughts into account. Especially about upgrading crew accommodation and using space more constructively towards that goal." He stepped out in front of her and gestured to the massive space they were walking into "let me introduce you to the improved garden facilities of the D'Dherex redevelopment. Comprising twelve decks- the gardens are state of the art. Centered with a waterwall and parade grounds. The ship's crew will find no finer recreation area aboard any starship within the fleet."

Tr'Maerk's ego was legendary but as she gazed in awe at the garden complex she couldn't help but agree with his assessment. "You have outdone yourself." She said to a bow from the engineer in acknowledgement of the compliment. As he started to talk about the more technical aspects of the gardens Shiarrael slipped the ISD back out of her pocket and glanced at the list of names. She started to mindlessly follow tr'Maerk but suddenly noticed the list of names had dropped to 44. Scrolling through the list she realized the last name had fallen off- tr'Neyl was no longer listed. "What is this?" She blurted out.

"What is what?" tr'Maerk stopped and looked at her concerned.

[To be continued...]

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