[IRW Aylhr] Penumbra - Controlled Chaos Pt 3

A Mission Post by erie'Arrain Nniol tr'Rehu & Riov Rhaego tr'Neyl
Mission: Penumbra
Location: IRW Aylhr
Timeline: 2 Weeks Previous

[ IRW Aylhr, Flight Deck ]

The Enarrain bowed deeply, the officers at his sides shifting uneasily. Their earlier smugness had vanished.

"Forgive me, Rekkhai. I wasn't aware." He lifted his head, his expression carefully neutral now, whatever indignation he'd worn before was gone. "The engineering team believed it would be more efficient to address all systems simultaneously."

"Really." Rhae'go's gaze narrowed, the word more accusation than question. He doubted efficiency had anything to do with it. No… this had the stink of obstructionism, of someone making a quiet protest about who had been chosen to command this ship. But he wouldn't dignify it by saying so aloud.

"Well," he said coolly, "they can explain that logic to Galae Command. If their justification proves inadequate, they'll face disciplinary action, followed by demotion and cuts to their service compensation." He let the words hang just long enough for the threat to land. The surrounding officers blanched.

"Now," he said, tone brisk, "I want the transporter systems online within the next hour. Several crew members are due to arrive shortly, and I will not tolerate further delays."

His eyes settled on the Enarrain. "Your name?"

"Jorev tr'Talhein," the man replied, the anxiety now creeping into his voice.

"Well then, Enarrain tr'Talhein, you will oversee this personally. If those systems aren't operating at full capacity within the hour, I will hold you responsible for that failure."

He paused for effect.

"But," Rhae'go added, letting a sliver of amusement slip into his tone, "if everything is in working order when I return, I may be inclined to forgive this little… inconvenience."

"Of course, Rekkhai." Tr'Talhein nodded quickly, his voice just a touch unsteady.

Nniol, meanwhile, had tuned out halfway through. The posturing, the threats, the subtle games of command were all so boring. He'd seen it a dozen times on a dozen ships. Frankly, he'd been hoping tr'Neyl would throw the man out an airlock. That would have made a proper statement and livened up the morning.

Instead, he'd drifted off toward the line of gleaming new fighters parked along the far end of the deck. They were two generations ahead of the old Talon he'd joyridden out of Ch'Rihan: sleek, hungry-looking things with lines like blades.

Tempting. Elements, so tempting.

He could climb into one now, fire her up, and streak into open space before anyone noticed. Maybe loop back and buzz the dorsal sensor rig just to see who'd flinch first. But no. Timing was everything. He'd learned that lesson well, growing up in the shadow of high expectations and powerful names. Poke the system too soon and it bites.

With a sigh, Nniol turned away from the fighters and strolled back toward the group, just in time to catch the end of Rhae'go's reprimand. Shame, he thought. That airlock still would've been more fun.

"Now get to work," Rhae'go said, his voice dismissive but not unkind. The command was clear, and the gathered officers quickly scattered. Without breaking stride, he turned toward the flight deck's lift, the crowd parting instinctively around him.

He noted the soft footfalls behind him and didn't need to look to know who followed. Nniol tr'Rehu fell into step with the casual familiarity of someone who'd never learned fear the way most officers did. "So, young tr'Rehu," Rhae'go said, eyes scanning the hangar as they walked, "what's your impression of the Aylhr so far?"

"It's a ship," Nniol replied, glancing back over his shoulder at the sleek line of new fighters. His voice was dry. "Full of pompous fools, same as the rest." He looked at Rhae'go then, a smirk playing at the edge of his mouth. "Forgive my bluntness. Though I suppose the more interesting question is… what do you think of them? Because from what I can tell, they don't seem terribly fond of you."

Rhae'go gave a low hum, half amusement, half something unreadable. "Living in your mother's shadow has made you very comfortable," he said, his tone cool but not biting. There was even the faintest trace of humor threading through the words.

He could see what Shiarrael's legacy had bought the young man: freedom to speak without fear, to challenge authority without consequence. The fleet had given him space to grow, yes, but not nearly enough shape. Talented, no doubt. But entitled. And Rhae'go had no intention of letting him drift unchecked. "Your honesty is noted," he added, pausing at the lift controls. "Let's see if it holds."

Nniol caught the ominous weight in the last remark just as the lift doors slid shut. He chose, wisely, not to comment on it. Instead, he shifted his attention forward, curiosity edging out mischief. "Now that we're aboard, Rekkhai," he said, "what do you plan to do?"

"Plan to do?" Rhae'go echoed, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. "I plan to learn my new ship. Don't you?" He glanced sideways at Nniol. "Did you think I didn't notice you staring at those fighters like a man admiring a lover?" Rhae'go shook his head slightly. "You'll have your chance to test them soon enough. But understand this. I won't be as indulgent as your previous commanders."

His gaze hardened, just a fraction. "Your mother may be Shiarrael t'Rehu," he continued evenly, "but she does not intimidate me." The lift hummed softly as it carried them upward, the words settling between them as it did.

[Aylhr Bridge]

The lift doors slid open onto the Aylhr's bridge.

At the fore sat the command well, the commander's throne anchoring the space, surrounded by the primary stations and framed by the broad main viewer. Behind it rose the strategic center, dominated by a large holographic table. At its heart hovered a rotating diagram of Ch'Rihan and Ch'Havran, the twin worlds slowly circling one another. Emerald glyphs pulsed around them: stations, dry docks, shipyards, and fleet facilities glittering in orbit.

Under normal circumstances, the bridge would have been alive with officers. Instead, it looked like a battlefield after the fighting had moved on. Nearly half the consoles were gutted, their panels removed and their internal wiring spilling across the deck in tangled skeins. Technicians moved between them, voices low, hands quick, stepping carefully over exposed components.

An older, broad-shouldered Rihannsu in an engineering uniform looked up from a murmured exchange with two technicians. He dismissed them with a sharp nod, then crossed the bridge toward the lift. His eyes went immediately to the insignia on Rhae'go's uniform, and he inclined his head with genuine respect.

"Welcome aboard the Aylhr, Rekkhai," he said. "Arrain Sirev tr'Khalin. I'm the lead engineer overseeing the ship's final preparations." He gestured broadly at the controlled chaos behind him. "As you can see, we have our work cut out for us."

"I can see that," Rhae'go replied, his gaze sweeping the bridge. "Do you believe your team can meet the deadline Command has assigned?"

Sirev snorted softly. "Only the elements know. We'll do what we can." He folded his arms. "I have two hundred additional engineers scheduled to beam aboard next shift to reinforce us. That will help. Still…" He shook his head. "The Aylhr shouldn't have left Jezerek yet. A quarter of her systems haven't even been fully tested." His mouth twisted into a scowl. "But Fleet never listens to engineers. Then they complain when a Starfleet ship outperforms them."

Rhae'go allowed himself a knowing smile. "Nevertheless, I trust you'll do good work." He paused, then looked back to Sirev. "Speaking of systems, why were all transporter arrays taken offline? That wasn't your call, I assume."

Another snort. "Hardly. We were troubleshooting two faulty units on the security deck. When I informed Enarrain tr'Talhein, he ordered every transporter shut down and repaired simultaneously." Sirev's jaw tightened. "Against my recommendation, I assure you. But I don't ignore a superior's orders, even when they are…" He paused, then finished carefully, "…not the approach I would have chosen."

Rhae'go nodded. He hadn't expected the fault lay with the engineers. Having once been one himself, he knew too well the frustration of being ignored by command and blamed for decisions made elsewhere. Enarrain tr'Talhein could be dealt with later. Ideally, the officer could be shaped into something useful. If not, Rhae'go had no hesitation about having him reassigned. He had little patience for those more interested in airing grievances than doing their work.

"I thought as much," Rhae'go said, offering Sirev a small, genuine smile. "Keep me informed of your progress. How are the crew accommodations? Have they been completed?"

The engineer shook his head. "Not entirely, unfortunately. All command and senior staff quarters are habitable, though. There are a few minor issues with the communications systems, but nothing that would prevent you from settling in. We'll notify you before any technicians arrive to perform additional work."

"Excellent," Rhae'go replied. He then turned slightly, gesturing toward Nniol. "This is Erie'Arrain tr'Rehu. He will be serving as the Aylhr's primary pilot."

Nniol had been only half-listening, watching the engineers move about the bridge while imagining himself at the controls of one of those sleek new fighters. He snapped back to attention at the sound of his name.

"If you require an extra set of hands while we remain in orbit," Rhae'go continued evenly, "I'm certain he can assist. In fact, I think it would benefit him to become intimately familiar with the ship. I'm placing him under your authority to help wherever needed."

"Oh. Me?" Nniol said, gesturing to himself, already working to keep the frown off his face. "I'm not sure how useful I'll be…"

"Rehu?" Sirev repeated, raising a brow as he studied him. Then he snorted. "Nonsense. We can always use another set of hands." His mouth curved into a knowing smile. "Most of what we're doing is reconnecting systems and running diagnostics. I'll be happy to put him to work."

Dammit, Nniol thought. He caught the engineer's smirk and felt his irritation flare. His previous commanders had largely left him alone. tr'Neyl, however, seemed entirely unimpressed by his lineage. Assigning him as an errand runner to the engineering crews was… bold. Annoying. And, elements help him, faintly admirable.

The fighters would have to wait. Nniol forced a smile and inclined his head. "Well," he said, a bit thinly, "that definitely sounds like fun."

"Yes," Rhae'go said, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth as he looked at the young erie'Arrain. "It does." If nothing else, this arrangement might keep tr'Rehu out of trouble for a time. Or at least keep his mischief contained.

"I suggest you get settled in your quarters," Rhae'go continued. "I'll do the same." He turned back to the engineer. "Keep me informed, Arrain tr'Khalin. Let me know if you require anything." He inclined his head, then stepped into the lift.

Nniol followed, his earlier amusement dulled into something closer to resignation. The doors slid shut behind them, sealing the space in a quiet hum.

Rhae'go glanced sideways at him, that same knowing smirk returning. This was only the opening move. And the chessboard had just been set.

[End]

Riov Rhae'go tr'Neyl
Commanding Officer
IRW Aylhr

Erie'Arrain Nniol tr'Rehu
Chief Helm & Pilot

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