[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242302.28 - [Backlog] Command Conspiracy Pt 3 - Shiarrael t'Rehu

A Mission Post by Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: Ch'Rihan, Pardek Estate
Timeline: 2 Months Previous

[Ch'Rihan, Pardek Estate Orchards]

Shiarrael materialized on the hilltop edge of a large orchard, she was flanked by two naval security officers who were armed with holstered disruptors. Eisn's brightness burned overhead causing Shiarrael to raise her hand and shield her eyes in slight shadow as she scanned the area ahead. In the distance she could see a small table with three robed figures seated around it. Against a tree a small ladder was placed with another robed figure on the middle step appearing to prune some of the tree's leaves. She slowly made her way down the hillside towards the group followed by her small security entourage. When she finally arrived at the table all three figures were staring at her, she recognized all of them as Senators. She gave them a slight nod "I am Galae'EnRiov Shiarrael t'Rehu."

"And who would miss that?" A terse voice said, partially hidden by a large leaf filled branch they were pruning in the tree. They pulled the branch downward and peered over it at Shiarrael "and with her she brings two armed escorts. Do you feel in danger here Galae'EnRiov? Intimidated by three Senators and this elderly woman? Not something I would think of when considering the great Shiarrael t'Rehu."

As biting as always, Shiarrael winced at Jhu t'Pardek. "Unfortunately, they have been tethered to me by t'Hnea. So, I have little choice in the matter." Though that wasn't entirely true, she could have simply ordered them away, but then she would have to deal with a lecture about protocol from her Fleet Staff. A sigh escaped her lips and she looked at her escorts and waved them away. The pair looked at each other and then simply meandered off into the orchard. "I wish to discuss a matter with you."

"Indeed." Jhu said. She released the branch and it flipped upward causing several leaves to break off and flow away caught in a slight breeze. "It seems the Galae'EnRiov has an important matter she wishes to discuss. Please return to the estate, I will be along shortly, and we can enjoy some fruit pies." The three Senators stood up and thanked her before making their way towards the large stone estate in the distance. Once they transformed into tiny specs in the distance Jhu finally spoke again "and what is it you wish to discuss?"

"The matter of Rhae'go tr'Neyl." Shiarrael said.

"And?" Jhu replied, her fingers moving through the leaves with a pair of sheers cutting away some dead bulbs from the branches. "What does the matter of Rhae'go tr'Neyl have to do with me?"

"I believe you used your influence as Chairman of the Continuing Committee to stymie his promotions and advancement." Shiarrael stated plainly, she moved closer to ladder and looked up at the woman "a clear violation of the agreement between the Galae and the Senate."

"I see." Jhu set the sheers down on the top rung of the ladder and slowly made her way down. Once on the ground she was about half a foot shorter than Shiarrael but her sheer presence was intimidating even to this highly decorated Galae'EnRiov. "I will not deny I have made inquiries into Rhae'go t''Neyl, but that does not go against the agreement."

"So, you deny trying to influence the Galae Command Council's decision making?" Shiarrael studied the woman who remained completely stoic, as she watched the woman a memory struck her. shadow the memory struck her. The tall unobtrusive form of her grandfather standing before her on the bridge of the Saeihr'llaiir- even when he was so frail he could not walk unaided the old warhorse still had that intensely assertive presence much like the woman in front of her.

"What would I care of their decision making?" Jhu frowned "did you come here to simply accuse me of nonsense Shiarrael?" She moved to the table and sat down on one of the chairs. Her hand waved at an empty one across from her, not so much a request as it was an order. Shiarrael made her way around the table and sat down across from the woman. "Argelian always gave the impression that you were a clever woman. One cannot deny you are a crafty general. You have laid waste to many before you. So you can imagine my surprise to find someone so terribly dim and misguided in front of me." She grabbed a piece of fruit out of the bowl at the tables center and bit into it, a thin stream of bluish liquid gushed down her chin.

Shiarrael frowned "then perhaps you will enlighten me to your involvement."

"Why should I?" Jhu asked "what is it you think I have done that made you come all the way out here to confront me? Did you think I was putting my fingers into your pawns and moving them around at my whim? That I was trying to usurp your control of the Galae?" She scoffed "so silly and petulant t'Rehu." She finished eating the fruit and used her sleeve to dabbed away the liquid stains on her chin "no. I have no interest in your Galae. However, I do have an interest in my grandson."

Grandson? Shiarrael hid her surprise. She had thoroughly reviewed the file on tr'Neyl and hadn't seen any mention of Jhu t'Pardek. Though that didn't mean the file wasn't altered to protect other family members from the shame of a traitorous house. You fool Shiarrael, she thought annoyed. She should have researched the matter more thoroughly before coming here. Reaching into the bowl she grabbed a piece of fruit and bit into it. There a slight bitterness but the sweetness quickly overcame it "and what do you think of his promotion?"

"Foolish." Jhu said tersely. "Many have waved off his mother's death as the result of treachery. Thrice written and thrice burned is the house Neyl. Now you have brought the last member of that tarnished house back to Ch'Rihan and into the thrai's den. Many would love to see a knife in his back, many who would like the truth to remain hidden beneath shadow. You have done him no favors Shiarrael."

"The truth?" Shiarrael asked "are you saying that Ameh'ah t'Neyl is not a traitor?"

"Ameh'ah t'Neyl had no love of the Zorek. That is true. I was not a fan of her bonding to my son. However, she came to me to arrange that celebration for Rhae'go's promotion. She wanted to introduce him to many who could grow his aspirations in the Galae. Rhae'go would have been there during the explosion if he had not volunteered to go to the markets. She would have never endangered her son." Jhu said "it was simply a ruse to deal with the matter swiftly during a complicated time. The true culprit is still unknown, which means you have put my grandson in danger."

"If that is true, then perhaps I have. However, your grandson is a Galae officer. He is more than capable of defending himself." Shiarrael said, though her mind went back to the details of the explosion at the Neyl estate and the death of several Zorek officials and admirals that caused Ameh'ah t'Neyl to be branded a traitor. She had taken the information at face value but now she would need to investigate it more thoroughly. Standing up she bowed her head at the Chairwoman of the Continuing committee "thank you for speaking with me Chairwoman."

Jhu also stood up and returned the bow with a light nod "I enjoyed our conversation Shiarrael. It reminded me of my days in the war college dealing with young and shortsighted students. I hope you have learned something today." She turned and walked away heading towards the estate.

Shiarrael couldn't help but smile at that last bit. Jhu t'Pardek was certainly a character. She did, however, learn a lot more than she expected to, but also found more questions that needed to be answered. With a sigh she whistled, and the two naval security officers appeared out of the orchard like a pair of loyal fvai-a returning to their master. "Let us return to Galae Command."

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