[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - SD242303.09 - [Leih's Log] Death and Senators - Riov Rhae'go tr'Neyl

A Mission Post by Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: Ch'Rihan, Galae Command
Timeline: 2 Weeks Previous

[Ch'Rihan, Galae Command Center]

Sunlight greeted Rhae'go as soon as he dematerialized on the central transporter pad of the massive lobby of the Galae command building. Tall arching glass ceilings covered the main lobby allowing the midday sun to filter in unimpeded. As he tried to get his bearings a throng of Gai'Shian soldiers marched by him and the transporter attendant urged him off. It had been almost two decades since he last stepped foot in this facility and A lot seemed to have changed. Seeing his confusion, the transporter attendant motioned to a large circular desk at the center of the lobby manned by several young-looking soldiers. Making his way to the help kiosk at the center of the lobby, he gave the soldier manning it his credentials. It took a minute for the young officer to look everything up, once they finished, they directed him to a lift on the opposite end of the lobby. Rhae'go made his way to the lift and was immediately greeted by two naval security officers with large disruptor rifles slung over broad shoulders.

"Can we help you?" One asked, trying very hard to look menacing as he studied Rhae'go. For his part Rhae'go simply held up the ISD the young officer at the kiosk had given him that granted him access to the command offices. The guards grunted at the device and parted allowing him to walk between them into the lift.

The lift stopped and opened to reveal a large oval shaped waiting room. An Arrain holding an ISD was waiting for him when he stepped out. She smiled, a forced expression judging by the tension tugging at her lips and directed him into a side conference room. "Riov Rhae'go tr'Neyl." She announced. Rhae'go stepped inside to find two admirals already seated on a long onyx couch. They both looked up at him at the same time.

"Please, take a seat." Galae'EnRiov t'Rehu gestured to the other large couch on the opposite end of a glass table "would you like something to drink? Or perhaps some food? I'm sure your journey has been long."

Rhae'go sat and shook his head "I appreciate your hospitality, but I am fine." The other admiral was familiar, but he couldn't quite place the name. Judging by the rank insignia they were a Khre'Riov and a fleet commander. Which fleet though? He didn't see anything emblazoned on their uniform and they were not currently wearing a fleet sash. He felt tense. It had been a long time since he had been in the presence of fleet commanders, let alone the Galae'EnRiov.

"Arrain t'Kethry, you can go." T'Rehu waved a dismissive hand and the young attendant disappeared behind the door as it shut with a light hiss. Once she was gone t'Rehu looked at the Khre'Riov next to her "so what do you think Raha?"

"He seems tense." She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward "the death of your mother. Do you believe she is a traitor? Did she murder the Zorek in cold blood?"

Is this a trap? Rhae'go felt his throat tighten a bit and reached up loosening his collar. He frowned and studied both. "My mother…" he wanted to say she was innocent. He wanted to shout at the tops of his lungs that she wasn't a traitor. That she had been framed. Instead, he cleared his throat "my mother was declared a traitor by the Empire. I do not speak her name." The shame. He gritted his teeth after he finished. The question angered him, the bait, the testing.

Sitting back in the couch the Khre'Riov sighed "he's not what I expected and certainly not how you described him Shiarrael." Her eyes met his "he's afraid."

Afraid? Rhae'go stared back intensely at that accusation, but he kept his composure. "Do not mistake my unwillingness to answer such a silly questions as fear. If the Galae had any doubt about my allegiance I would have long since joined my mother in Vorta'Vor. Nor would the Galae'EnRiov have named me as the commanding officer of the Aylhr." His eyes moved to the Galae'EnRiov "is that not correct Rekkhai?"

"Enough Raha." The Galae'EnRiov said and nodded her head at him "that is mostly correct. Your record speaks for itself, but it would be a mistake not to acknowledge the difficulties you history presents." She sighed "the Aylhr will be assigned to the Rhi'Galae, that is why I have asked Khre'Riov Raha t'Nanclus to be present today." He nodded her head at the Khre'Riov "normally a Leih would have a great deal of say in the makeup of their crew. Due to the complications of your past we had to make some concessions for your appointment."

"The Galae'EnRiov is far too respectful, but I am more direct. Your name is hlai shit." She tossed an ISD onto the glass table. It landed loudly and slid towards his edge of the table but stopped just short of falling off "I have already taken the liberty of selecting most of your command staff from the list of names given to me. They are all competent soldiers. I hope this doesn't displease you?"

Concessions? He stared at the ISD for a long moment before he picked it up. His eyes studied the names, many of them he wasn't too familiar with. Though one was familiar, and he looked at Shiarrael "Nniol tr'Rehu? Any relation Galae'EnRiov?"

"My son." She said with a sigh "recently promoted. His assignment is not my doing."

The Galae'EnRiov's son? Lovely. "It would seem that the difficulties are going both ways. Not having any say in a command staff will make for an interesting dynamic." His eyes perused the information on his new RS- T'Imina t'Verelan, former Tal'Diann. At least she wasn't Tal'Shiar, he thought wryly. "If this is what the elements presents me with, then I will work with it."

"Good. Since you're first official mission comes directly from the Praetor…" The Galae'EnRiov tapped on a small control panel on the edge of the table. The lights in the room dimmed and a holographic projection illuminated over the table. It was of a planet, a blue swirling orb, and on its periphery was the profile projection of a stern-faced figure. "Do you recognize this planet?"

Rhae'go nodded. Though he had never personally been it would be difficult not to remember the planet, Eternity. Starfleet and the Galae fought a massive battle in orbit of that planet decades ago "it is Eternity in the Alpha Eridani system."

"Indeed." The Galae'EnRiov confirmed. "Eternity was forced into neutrality after our war with the Federation and remains so to this day. The figure you see to your left is Senator Chavek tr'Parneas. Recently he went to visit the planet. His sons are buried there. However, he did not record his visit to the Senate nor to local Eridani authorities. So, it was a surprise to everyone to find out that he had been murdered on Eternity."

"Murdered?" Rhae'go frowned. He hadn't heard anything on the newsnets about a Senator's death. No doubt they were keeping this information quiet for now. The murder of a Senator on Eternity could certainly result in a diplomatic incident. "Do we know by who?"

"No, we do not. Unfortunately, the local authorities have not been very helpful with information about the situation to our diplomatic staff on Eternity. No doubt you understand that the death of a Senator on a planet such as Eternity could be problematic for the Empire? There are many in the Galae who would love for a reason to finally seize Eternity for the Empire and much the same is true about the hawks in the Federation. Nor will the Senate be placated by an incomplete report from the Eternity authorities into tr'Parneas' death." T'Rehu shook her head "therefore you will be charged with handling the investigation into his death. It will be two weeks before the pre-flight adjustments to Aylhr is complete, and the ship is ready to leave for Alpha Eridani. I suggest you take that time to get to know your new crew and begin your investigation. Do you have any questions Riov?"

"Will we be given all details of tr'Parneas death? Access to his family and his offices here on Ch'Rihan?" Rhae'go asked. He was too used to the Galae tying one hand behind his back whenever it came to, well, anything.

"You will access everything you need Riov. Find out who killed tr'Parneas and bring them to justice."

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