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Blood, the color and thickness of mud coursed
through the commander of the Romulan war-bird.
She sat motionless looking out the view screen at a planet that
had yet to detect their presence.
Her short auburn hair squarely framed her face; which showed
the emotionless heart within. Commander
Ka’lin J’Way was tired of searching for the rebel base.
And she now sat above a planet that their operative had
indicated housed the manufacturing plant for the rebel ships.
Ships used against her empire.
It was going to be an honor for her to destroy the planet and
all who raised their hands against the empire she loved. She would be the first human Romulan hybrid to bring such
honor back to the Romulan Empire.
“I want their leader brought to me at once.”
She commanded. “Alive… Or forfeit your own lives.”
And with that command, five war-birds de-cloaked off her port.
Hundreds of troops transported to the surface at once.
It was over before it began and the last of the rebellion
seemed to have died. Any
human blood that survived would soon become mixed with the mighty
green of the Romulan Empire. Long
live the Empire and she proudly smiled to herself with this
thought.
They had chosen many years before not to kill off
human existence. Instead,
they incorporated the technology and the most skilled into their own
culture. The humans were
at the dawn of warp technology when the Romulan Empire descended upon
them, much the same as they took the last of the rebel bases.
The mixing of the species took years before acceptance came
with honor, and only when the red blood of the humans looked more like
the color of mud mixed with the green of the Romulans.
And it was this honor that allowed Ka’lin J’Way, a hybrid
and the first of her kind to sit in the command chair of this
war-bird, and at the head of the Romulan fleet.
“Commander.
First officer Verlon reports from planet side.”
She was informed.
“On screen.”
She commanded brusquely, her eyes moving to the screen.
“Commander.
We have succeeded.” Her
second in command reported as he forcibly held on to one of the human
rebels. Smoke and fire
masking what remained of the surface behind him.
“See that you destroy it all.” She spoke with malice.
“No!” Cried
the human Verlon held in his clutches.
He grabbed the face with his large hand and
squeezed, “Dare you speak!” He
spat then looked back at his commander.
“This one is their leader.
She is nothing more than a weak human female.”
“Weak and female are not synonymous, Verlon.
Bring her to me now.” Ka’lin
growled. The view screen she stared at went black before her.
Later, she thought to herself she would teach him that
weak and female were not one in the same.
His death would be not proud.
She cared not for anyone who thought less of her because she
was female, nor would she have that mindset aboard her ship.
It took only minutes before Verlon entered the
command deck with the female. He
flung her to the floor in front of his commander and stood over her.
Ka’lin silently sat starring at the body laying
face down before her. Waiting
to see if she would look up in defiance or remain as she was.
This one chose insolence, a pinch of warmth grew within
Ka’lin. She enjoyed
boldness in a woman. It
showed strength of character.
“You are?”
Ka’lin commanded her eyes taking in the face that finally
glared back at her now. She
saw the fire in the blue eyes. Ah
yes, the hatred burns within this one, she thought to herself.
“What is your name?” She
commanded one last time. But
instead of a verbal answer the young woman spit in her face.
Her second in command grabbed the blonde hair and rammed his
fist into the side of her face.
“Your name!”
He growled. “Or your life.”
She looked at him then with madness in her eyes
and a sneer, “Take my life you Romulan pig.”
She spat at him. He
yanked her hair harder and pulled back to hit her again.
“Verlon...let her go.”
Ka’lin commanded as she gripped down hard on her chair’s
armrest.
He looked at his commander in bewilderment.
The fury displayed on her face giving him pause.
He let go of the blonde hair.
“What is your name?”
Ka’lin then commanded evenly, “It would be much easier for
you if you told me. Less
so if I must extract it from you.”
Again the young woman looked at Ka’lin with the
same blazing blue eyes filled with hatred.
“I am Anik Hansen.” She
spoke, “Now you may kill me, because I will never…never serve the
Romulan Empire.”
Ka’lin nodded as if understanding, “Your
position on this…base?”
“Water.”
Anik spat, “I require water.”
“Your position then your water.” Ka’lin spoke pointedly.
“I…” Anik hesitated thinking about how much
she could share and exactly what she would not, “ I am the lead
engineer for this base.”
Ka’lin motioned, “Get her water.” And her order was carried out.
“This base?
There are others?” Ka’lin
inquired, but knew she would not get the answer right here, right now
as the young woman in front of her chose silence, her thirst quenched.
“Take her to the brig.”
Ka’lin ordered, “And
take us out of orbit!”
The commander of the Romulan fleet retired for
the evening. The day had
been long, but of great value. Verlon
had been eliminated and her new first officer, Belan Tor had been left
to the command deck. The
proud blonde human came to her mind as she prepared for bed.
She would get the information regarding other rebel bases one
way or another from this woman.
Without second thought she picked up her uniform jacket and put
it back on. Her thoughts of the young woman who sat in her brig brought a
question to her mind. Perhaps
it was all in the way she handled her.
Quickly, she left her quarters and made her way to the brig.
“Leave us alone.”
She roughly ordered, entering the brig, meeting no resistance
from the guard. They had
cleaned the young woman up and given her a change of clothing.
“You have been fed?”
Ka’lin asked with a soft even tone.
“They brought something fit for a goat.”
Anik spat in anger.
“I will give the chef your compliments.”
“Please do.”
The young woman sneered. “You
have come for my life?”
“I have come for the locations of the rebel
bases.” Ka’lin answered pointedly.
“I will never give you that.”
“Alright.”
Ka’lin replied. She
walked into the other woman’s personal space and stood inches from
her looking for something in the cold cerulean eyes and finding it.
“Then I suppose we will do this my way.”
“I will die with honor and the information that
will keep you from ever destroying the rebellion.”
“There will be no honor in your death.”
Ka’lin replied smiling. “Because there will be no death.”
She turned and walked away from the young woman.
Happy with what she knew she would do.
“You will kill me!”
Anik yelled after the smallish Romulan commander.
Ka’lin stopped as she reached the door and
looked back at the again infuriated woman.
“No… I will not kill you, Anik.”
She chuckled softly with huskiness in her voice as she looked
back at the beautiful young woman, “But I will… take your
humanity.” She exited
the brig without looking back, her mission for the evening having been
accomplished.
The sound for admittance woke her. She sat up from where she had been sleeping.
“Enter.” Commander
Ka’lin J’Way groused.
Belan Tor, her sub-commander entered, promptly
standing at attention. “Commander
J’Way, we have just received word from the Kiptut.
It will intercept us in less than one hour.”
This was not good news.
She thought her earlier message to the Romulan home world would
have forestalled this event. She
stood and adjusted the uniform she had slept in.
Her short auburn hair framed her impassive face.
“Make sure the prisoners are prepared.”
She ordered her sub commander, who had turned to leave, but
then turned back around.
“Does this include their female leader?”
Belan Tor asked.
“You serve me well, sub commander. No. It does not
include their leader. She
will remain aboard.” The
commander replied. With a
slight tip of her head, her sub commander turned and exited the
commander’s chambers. Ka’lin J’Way stood for a moment longer. She took in a deep breath and felt a surge within her.
The Romulan/Human blood coursed through her veins powerfully.
It warmed her and reminded her of what she was and where she
had come from. She would bring high honor to this world she knew and loved,
and to the house of J’Way.
“Chairman Pe’Krad.
What do I owe this honor?”
The head of the Romulan Fleet questioned stiffly, her face
inexpressive.
“Your prisoners require debriefing, which I am
sure Commander, you have already done.”
“Yes, but I am sure you and your people will do
a more thorough job of it than we.
You need not have come all this way for the handful that I have
on board, however.”
“You have one of their leaders. I wish to start there.”
The head of the Tal Shiar stated.
“Yes, I am sure you would, but I require her
assistance.” Commander
J’Way answered without moving a muscle.
“Why is that?”
Janlu Pe’Krad asked. Sensing
something more he stood from his seat and filled the view screen with
a frown on his face. “I
wish to speak with you in private.
Now, commander.”
“As you wish, Chairman.”
Ka’lin acknowledged and cut the communication immediately.
She had stood toe to toe with the chairman before and would do
so again today or any other day for that matter.
He would not have this particular prisoner.
He would not be allowed to break this one.
He would not be allowed to entertain her with the tortures of
the Tal Shiar. He would not be allowed the honor of taking her humanity.
No not this one. This one belonged to her.
A slight grin played across the commander’s face, but when
she turned to her sub commander it was not to be seen.
“You have command while I am aboard the Kiptut.”
This commander knew she would return the victor for she had
never lost a battle.
The Kiptut was the Romulan Tal Shiar’s flagship
for its chairman. His
mission was simple and assured. He
was to break the prisoners for any and all information regarding the
rebel cause. Then it was his job to rehabilitate, to raise the conscience
awareness of these downtrodden people and absorb them into the Romulan
Empire as if they had always been a part of it, if they served a
purpose. Commander
Ka’lin J’Way would not come between the chairman and his job, but
nor could she allow the woman in her brig to be taken away.
It all lived within this beautiful young woman, all the
coordinates, the planets, and the plans of her rebel cause.
Ka’lin knew this to be true.
And it was hers for the taking, just as the young woman had
been and always would be. She knew from the first moment she had laid eyes on her, from
the way the hatred burned in the clear blue eyes that this young woman
would become a part of the commander’s house and a part of her life.
She was sure of it.
“You cannot do this, Ka’lin! This is not the way to handle such matters.”
He hissed at her.
“Chairman, she has further knowledge to be
gained. I will extract
the information from her and act upon it immediately.”
“No, I will extract the information.”
“And my fleet will sit idly by waiting.
It is a waste of the Empire’s resources and time, which we
have little of. If there
are other rebel bases I want to act, not react as I have always done
in the past.” Ka’lin
hissed back.
“We have been chasing these demons around this
quadrant for years. What
is your hurry now?” He
questioned looking for the ulterior motive.
“Because we are almost done. In a few months I intend to be sitting on the balcony of my
home drinking hearty Romulan ale with my family.
I am tired, Chairman Pe’Krad.
I would like to feel the ground under my feet again. If only for a short time.”
“As am I, but we have our ways, Ka’lin, as we
always have had.”
“As have I.”
She granted him that.
“What is your guarantee that this one will give
you what you want?”
“Her humanity cannot withstand the ways of the
Romulan Empire, Chairman.”
“So sure are we that you would jeopardize your
future?” Janlu asked,
knowing he would take the same risk if need be.
“My future will be fine, Chairman. I assure you that.” Commander
Ka’lin J’Way stated evenly without malice.
“Then I will take my prisoners and leave you
with yours.” He stood
and raised his fist in a salute with the commander.
She exited his chambers and beamed back aboard her ship as his
prisoners were beamed aboard. Issuing
the command, her armada cloaked, and exited the shared coordinates.
There was no time to waste.
Anik Hansen wished her childhood could have been
like that of her ancestors. A
world where she had been allowed to play, have friends and grow up
with compassion for her fellow man.
But that had not been the case.
The Romulan Empire had invaded Earth centuries before and
methodically changed the history of a once great people, enslaving
them, stealing the technology of the time and tearing apart families
for the good of the empire. Many
of Earth’s people were able to hide from the Romulan guard, and it
was those people who, through time, became known as the rebels.
They slowly and quietly over time fought back against the
oppression, against the Romulan Empire hoping to one day take their
world back.
Her parents were members of the rebel cause.
They were scientists who worked every day of their lives to
insure that their cause was supported by the best technology.
They worked long countless hours away from their home when they
had one. They traveled
from rebel base to rebel base, and from planet to planet testing
theories, implementing and upgrading technology.
This is what Anik Hansen was born into.
She spent more time traveling in spaceships than living on
planets. Her parents had
schooled her. Friendships
rarely lasted beyond six months, which was the average time spent
anywhere. The rebel cause
moved constantly. It was
forever elusive to the empire. In
time and with age she began her training within the cause and by the
time she was 18 she was more than capable of handling life without her
parents. It was then she
was sent to Aurealus Prime to become an engineering apprentice. It was
also then that the Romulan Empire discovered the first of the rebel
bases.
She learned of the destruction as she worked on
the planetary cloaking device. The
regret she felt dwarfed her. Had
they been ready, had they had the cloaking device past the testing
phase, perhaps the massive destruction would not have occurred.
But it was the news she received hours later that moved her
further into the belly of the rebel cause.
She received news that her parents had been on the destroyed
planet. Their bodies were
not found among the dead. No,
of course not. The
Romulan Empire’s greatness was built on the backs and knowledge of
Earth’s greatest scientists. She
cried the tears of a daughter for her parents.
She cried the tears of a believer for those who had lost their
lives. She then spat the
vow of a rebel for her Earth.
On the Command Bridge, Anik had been placed on a
lower step at the foot of the Romulan commander.
Her back was to the hybrid allowing the steel toed of
J’Way’s black boots to dig into the small of the young woman’s
back. The commander sat
above her, unspeaking, unmoving merely watching the view screen in
front of her as space passed by them.
“Commander.
We will reach the coordinates in one half hour.”
Her sub commander informed from behind her position.
“Put it on screen.”
Commander Ka’lin J’Way commanded.
Then she turned her attention to the woman at her feet.
“I believe, Anik, you will find our mission most
interesting.” She
stated, knowing how devastating their mission was.
“There is nothing you could possibly show me
that I would find interesting.”
Anik spat. She did
not turn to face the woman above her, but she felt the boot in her
back. It was a not too
subtle reminder of her current position in life.
A planet came on the view screen as they rushed
toward it. And as it grew
in front of them the commander ordered her vessel to halt.
She spoke again to the woman below her.
“You are a beautiful woman, Anik.”
It was spoken evenly, softly to her as if it were for no one.
“It would please me not to have to put you through this, but
you have left me little choice.”
“I will leave you no choice as long as I am
alive.” Anik hissed
having turned to look up into the hybrid’s silver gray eyes.
She saw them deepen in color, almost a blue then quickly moved
back to gray, why? She
hated this woman. She
hated how she looked, recognizing the human in her face, but noting
the squareness of her build, the expressionless mask she wore was that
of a Romulan. The blood
that ran through this woman’s veins was the color of mud and she
hated it to the core of her being.
Yet she knew that somewhere in this woman’s past she was as
much human as herself, a history likely never known.
“Indeed?”
The commander answered relishing the thought, “We shall see, my,
Anik. Sub Commander Tor,
I want the leader brought to me at once.”
She commanded, “Alive! Or
you shall forfeit your own life.”
And it was with that command Anik watched five war-birds
de-cloak onto the view screen. What
she did not know was that hundreds of Romulan troops had already
transported to the surface of the planet.
What she could not see were the lives being taken from the
rebel cause. Any human
blood that was allowed to survive would soon be mixed with the honored
green of the Romulan Empire. It
was twenty minutes before the first reports started to come across the
lead war-bird’s communications center.
“Commander J’Way.
Sub commander Tor reports from planet side.” This
communication brought a smile to the commander’s face.
“On Screen.”
She commanded coldly digging her boot into the woman below her.
Causing the blonde to look up at the screen.
After all, it was all for her benefit.
The scream came from deep within her as she saw
what was happening on the planet below her. “No!”
Anik cried.
“Commander.
We have succeeded in this mission.”
Sub commander Tor reported.
In her hand she clutched a man whose eyes showed the fear he
held for his survival.
“Make sure that you destroy it all and leave no
one behind… alive.” The
commander spoke with malice.
“My wife!”
Cried the writhing human Belan hung on to.
She took her eyes away from those of her
commander and spoke to the man in low ominous voice, “She will
forfeit her life unless you tell us more.”
The man hung his head. She
turned back to her commander. “I
will transport the prisoners now.”
And the view screen went black.
“You murderous bitch!”
Anik screamed from the floor.
The fire of hatred rekindled in her eyes.
Ka’lin chuckled coolly, “Perhaps. Yet if that were true you would not have had the front row
seat I have provided you.”
“You would kill his wife?”
“That would be his decision.” The commander stood and looked down without expression, “Or
perhaps your decision. Guard!
Take her back to her cell.”
The Romulan guard stepped to her and moved to
help her up. Anik pulled
away from him and stood on her own looking into the hybrid
commander’s eyes. “I will never make that decision.” She hissed.
“Oh, but I’m afraid you shall, and soon Anik,
very soon.” Ka’lin
smiled at her, “Once he gives me what I want it will become your
decision as to whether I shall kill him and his wife.”
“What?”
She asked as if hearing incorrectly.
“It will be your decision.”
The commander repeated looking deep into the fiery eyes.
“You are cold-blooded.
You are a monster!” She
yelled at the back of the small robust woman as the guard moved her
toward the exit.
Commander Ka’lin J’Way turned to watch the
guard drag the young woman from her command deck.
And before the door shut behind them she reminded her beautiful
young prisoner, “And there will come a day, when your belief in
man’s humanity will turn it’s back on you.
You will see.”
The commander turned back to the view screen in
front of her. She sat
down in her command chair. “Take
us out of orbit, Sub Commander.”
She issued. And
the star field leaped into movement before her.
Yes, she thought to herself, there would come a day.
Captain William T. Riker of the rebel vessel
Pegasus knew he was only minutes from receiving his orders.
The Pegasus had been sitting at gold alert for a day, as was
the rest of the rebel fleet assigned to Earth’s sector.
He knew that the rebel ships had gone undetected stationed
around Earth for a week now, having
gone undetected many times before.
They had been patiently waiting for this very day.
The Romulan Star Empire knew the number of ships
required to protect its acquired planet was now at a minimum, it’s
strength having waned through time.
In the centuries the Romulans maintained their presence on
Earth, the planet had become little more than a place marker in the
alpha quadrant. It housed
a handful of the empire’s military unit mixed with a sprinkling of
citizens and scientists who had chosen to live off their home world.
There had been no rebel up-risings in well over a century, and
alien encounters had been minimal.
Romulan ground forces were scattered on various continents
across the planet’s massive surface and had grown complacent in
their patrol. Their
comings and goings from Earth were now routine, with the last supply
ship having left orbit weeks ago.
And so it was that Earth sat virtually defenseless.
The rebel command had been patient, monitoring
what had once been called home by their ancestors.
It had taken the early rebels a century to find and regroup the
remaining Terrans who survived the hostile Romulan take over.
Years more had passed before the rebel forces were able to
amass the knowledge, spirit and strength they once possessed as a
people, and even longer beyond that to become space born.
It took another century to build off-Earth colonies and to
build the command structure and government that now defined the Terran
rebel forces. Planetary
decoys had been strategically placed over time
across the alpha quadrant for the Romulans, and rebel agents
planted throughout the Romulan home world.
The rebel forces had grown strong and numerous.
They were prepared to show an Empire what being Terran was all
about…what it was to be human.
The twinkle in Will Riker’s eyes was no
indication of how he truly felt.
It would be his first large-scale battle, but he knew that it
would not be his last. Yet
knowing this did not quash the small amount of fear he carried with
him. Years of training
and planning were about to be put to the test.
His years of piloting smaller fighter ships and participating
in raids against solitary Romulan ships had prepared him for the seat
he now possessed. Having
to accept the disappearances of his comrades from rebel planets over
time had served to bolster his inner resolve.
And now the brilliant blue-eyed twinkle he possessed was an
outward sign that he truly believed the mighty Romulan Star Empire
would not know what hit them until it was too late.
It was to be a quiet battle, one to keep
casualties at a minimum on both sides.
They would retake the sector of space surrounding Earth first,
and then once all Romulan vessels were secured, the ground troops
would finish the Romulan evacuation with efficiency.
Transport vessels cloaked, light years away, would arrive
within hours bringing crews to set up Earths new protection grids,
which would be used to cloak the giant planet.
Romulan ships would be escorted out of Earth’s space and into
an area the rebel government had deemed as neutral.
These ships and their crews would be used as hostages in future
negotiations with the Empire. This
plan, if carried to completion, could lead to a swift repopulation of
the planet Earth within an extremely short amount of time.
A light on Riker’s command center flickered
from a pulsing gold to a solid green.
“Prepare for pre-planetary sequence.”
He announced. His hands moved to grip the arms of his seat.
He said a silent prayer for tomorrow as the cabin around him
jumped to life.
“Captain, there are eight Romulan vessels
stationed around the planet.” Stated
the young female Terran stationed directly behind him, “There are
only 507,000 life signs on the planet.”
Of course he knew this, but it was her job to check before he
gave the final order.
“Initiate Tactical plan Earth Alpha-3,”
commanded Captain William T. Riker.
With those fateful words, it all began.
“Commander.
We will arrive at your specified coordinates in five hours.”
The course lines of a frown appeared across the
commander’s face. Her
reply a growl, “Make it
three. I want to know when we are one hour from this destination.”
“Commander.”
The young pilot hesitated then continued, “To achieve your
coordinates in three hours will greatly stress this ship’s
engines.”
“Really.”
Commander Ka’lin J’Way replied her voice laced with
contempt. She turned to glare at her Sub Commander.
Hearing her commander’s tone, Belan Tor
straightened up from where she had been folded over her workstation. She recognized and understood the scornful command mask
J’Way wore. “I will
personally come get you in two hours time, Commander.”
Belan assured as their eyes met.
“See that you do.”
The commander replied pointedly as she entered the war-bird’s
turbo lift.
She strode purposefully into her brig with an
agenda. The tall blonde
standing in her cell, whose pale eyes followed the commander’s
moves, was ignored, for the moment.
J’Way stopped at the cell holding the man captured on the
last rebel planet. She
spoke to him as he stood behind the force field. “Your wife bleeds a beautiful red. I believe there are flowers that bare the same color on your
– Earth. Roses, are
they not?” As she
taunted him her face showed no emotion.
“Don’t you hurt her!” he yelled lunging at
her only to be thrown back by the force field.
“Might I suggest the same of you?” She
replied her voice even as she sized him up.
She had not moved a muscle.
“How many rebel bases are there?”
“I don’t know.”
The prisoner groaned painfully as he pulled himself up.
“I see.”
Ka’lin replied then looked toward the guard at the door. “Have her beaten again.
Tell her that her offspring will make wonderful children to an
honorable Romulan couple, and explain to her the unfortunate
circumstances of her husband’s death.
Then ask her one last time how many rebel bases there are.”
She shifted her gaze back toward the prisoner as he prepared to
lunge for her again. His
actions, halted in the wake of another voice’s warning.
“Stop! She
is lying!” The voice of
the blonde penetrated the air. “She
is manipulating you and she would say anything to get what she
wants!”
Their gazes met.
The steel gray of the commander’s hardened along with her
face. She hissed at the
blonde through clinched teeth. “Are
you so sure? Will you
risk this man’s wife because you hate me?
The cold blues held her gaze, measuring it as if
there were any chance to stop the Romulan commander.
The young blonde was determined to try.
“I loathe the Romulan Empire.
And I especially abhor those
within the empire whose heart can process the very blood that courses
through my own body and have forgotten who they truly are.”
Anik coldly informed J’Way, watching as she saw a spark
ignite in the gray eyes.
Ka’lin, however, smirked at the young
blonde’s statement, “I can’t say that I care much for you,
either. But regardless of
the color of my blood, I am a Romulan.”
“You are also Terran.
What of that? You
honor the Romulan, but what of your other heritage?”
“My Terran heritage is immaterial. But
this man’s wife… is she? How
many rebel bases?” The
commander’s eyes cut back to who she thought was a little man.
She could see in him a selfishness that would risk the needs of
the many.
“You make me sick.”
Anik spat having expected the commander to banter with her
longer – in fact, needing the commander to banter with her, not the
other prisoner. She drew
Ka’lin’s attention back by striking the force field.
And now not because the woman was asking for it,
but because she would waste no more of her precious time on the man
who held little respect for his cause, her steel gray eyes sought out
the cool blues. “I ask
you one last time.” The Romulan commander asserted, her voice as
steely as the mask she presented. “You will risk this man’s wife?
Of course you would, your arrogance defines you.
How many rebel bases are there?”
Anik studied the scared man standing in the cell
next to her, a simple engineer who had no doubt been born and raised
on one planet; a rebel by birthright only.
He had spoken the truth: he did not know and with that truth,
he would lose his wife and his family to the revoltingly aggressive
ways of a Romulan hybrid. If
she herself were to answer, Anik considered, perhaps she could spare
him the decision thereby absolving him of guilt he would carry the
rest of his life. “There
were 12 rebel bases.” She
answered without contrition.
“Were...” Ka’lin repeated, “Meaning there
are three left.” She
smiled as she realized the light at the end of her journey.
She stood inches from the blonde with only a
force field between them yet she could still feel the warmth pulse off
this human female. For a
moment she wondered if the warmth was purely hatred.
She rather enjoyed this feisty young Terran.
When she was finished today there would only be
two bases left and she would have their coordinates.
Once she brought the last of these down she would take her
command and her honor home to the house of J’Way.
She had grown tired of her years hunting the rebel bases.
She longed for the ground beneath her feet and the arms of a
woman. She looked at the young blonde through the force field and
pondered what it would be like to hold her or to be held by her.
The sudden snap of the force field brought her attention back
as she refocused on cool blue eyes.
The Terran’s hand a mere inches from the field.
“What is it that you think you’re doing?”
She demanded her command mask firmly in place once again.
“I do not know.”
Lied Anik. The
rebel woman had watched the hybrid lose herself for a short minute. In her mind she glimpsed something that she had not seen
there before.
Ka’lin narrowed her eyes in disbelief then
walked away. She stopped
at the door and turned to look at her prisoners.
In a little over an hour, “I will be sharing my view of the
next rebel base’s destruction with you, Anik,
“We both know how much you’ll enjoy that particular
scenario.” Then she
turned her piercing gaze on the man in the next cell, “Will the
woman you love be brave in her death?”
And with that she swept out of the brig hearing the
blood-curdling scream of a man who had simply told the truth.
“Commander Tapek, our communications system is
off-line.”
“Source?”
The commander asked.
“Unsure.”
Responded the communications officer as he continued to
investigate.
A shallow blast rocked their ship. “Commander! We’re
being fired on!”
“Put it on screen!”
Barked the Romulan commander, his eyes widening in surprise as
the view screen showed their assailant.
“Who are they?”
He demanded, his fist clutched as his eyes took in the hundreds
of other vessels.
“They have opened communications, commander.”
A voice deep and confident hailed them.
“I am Captain William T. Riker of the Rebel Fleet . . . Stand
down. You are out
numbered and out gunned.” With
a smile annoyingly self-assured, Riker suggested, “So do yourselves
a favor, surrender peacefully.”
His face was on all their view screens at once.
All their ships’ communications arrays had been disabled, all
of them had been fired upon and all ships were now surrounded.
Riker waited for the Romulan commander’s decision.
He knew that regardless of this decision it would all end the
same.
Tapek spoke up, not yet fully understanding or
believing. “We will not
surrender to you or anyone else.”
“Check your sensors, Commander. As I see it you have no choice.
There are twenty rebel ships to every one of yours.
Every one of my ships has as much fire power as yours, if not
more.” Riker urged
diplomatically.
Tapek motioned to his sub commander and within
seconds the rebel’s words were confirmed.
He swallowed visibly as his mind raced through hundreds of
tactical plans finding none to assuage their situation.
He took a deep breath. He
knew there would be no honor, just as there would be no mercy.
The house of Tapek would fall.
“Stand down.” It
was the hardest command he had ever given.
It was the last he would ever give.
Within seconds the sound of transporters filled
the air around him.
“Commander.
There is nothing here. It
is deserted.” Sub
commander Tor reported.
Ka’lin did not respond immediately.
She had sensed something was different the minute they dropped
into orbit around the small planet.
Something had changed and she could not put her finger on it.
She nudged the woman in front of her with her boot.
Not necessarily trying to cause pain, but more a subtle
reminder of her tenuous station on board the Romulan vessel.
“I will put your brig mate out of his misery for this.”
The commander hissed to Anik’s back then nodded at a guard
stationed by the turbo lift. Acknowledging
his assignment without question, he stepped into the turbo lift and
disappeared.
The rebel woman’s shoulders slumped, “I wish
it could be me.”
The commander laughed.
“Sub commander Tor. I
want a report as soon as you get back.”
As the view screen went dark she issued another
order. “Hail the Tal
Shiar.”
Her communications officer keyed in and hailed.
“I have the Tal Shiar, commander.”
“Commander Ka’lin.”
The deep robust voice of the Tal Shiar resounded as his face
appeared on her view screen.
“Chairman Pe’Krad.”
Ka’lin bowed her head toward the man out of respect, “Do
you have what I have asked for? She
questioned.
“I have.”
He replied impassively understanding well the method she was
about to employ.
“Put them on screen.”
And with that two Terrans appeared largely on the view screen.
The woman on the screen seemed startled and quickly gasped, “Anik.”
The younger woman at the end of Ka’lin’s boot
looked up in surprise as her name was uttered.
She also gasped crying out,
“Mother!”
Ka’lin leaned forward in her seat with a smile
having witnessed the display she had hoped for.
“Anik.” She
said silkily to the shaken young woman, “you will give me the
coordinates for the next base.”
The young blonde rebel sat in silence staring at
the screen. The Romulan
commander stood from her chair and bent down, putting her lips next to
the young woman’s ear. She
took a deep breath, smelling the fright.
How lovely the scent of this woman she thought.
Then she spoke evenly, more softly yet without emotion, “Anik...
you will give me the coordinates or I will take the life of your
mother. It is…your decision.
“No!” The
young woman cried out surging to her feet.
Standing she whipped around and unflinchingly looked at the
Romulan eye to eye, and she knew then exactly how it was the proud
Romulan would take her humanity.
Praetor
Johan walked expediently through the looming halls of the Empress's
palace, not stopping until he reached the guard standing before the
large ornate doors. "I wish to speak with the Empress on a
matter of utmost urgency." The
guard acknowledged the request then disappeared behind closed doors. He returned moments later directing the Praetor into the
opulent dining chambers.
"To
interrupt my evening repast, Praetor Johan, one has to wonder what the
nature of the urgency is." The
Empress, irritated, spoke slowly and the Praetor stopped at the far
end of her dining table.
"It
is a matter of grave importance, Empress," he answered seriously
looking at the floor. Even
in his position he would never be so presumptuous as to look at
the Empress directly without first having received permission.
She let
a moment pass as she finished chewing, then wiped her mouth and placed
the napkin across her half-finished plate.
"You may approach."
As he
walked toward her, she motioned to offer him an evening's meal.
"No. No thank
you, Empress. I have
brought a matter that requires your immediate attention."
"Suit
yourself, Johan. What is
it that brings you to my home at such a late hour?"
The Empress questioned as she sat back in her chair letting him
remain standing.
"The
Proconsul has just received word from the rebel government," he
began.
"The
rebel government?" She
feigned laughter, "What does that entail?"
"We
are unsure at present, Empress, but it would appear that they have a
means to govern themselves now, as well as a military to defend
themselves."
"How
is this possible, Johan? Have
we not destroyed their bases, taken their people?" She questioned the indignation colouring her tone.
"So
we believed. However, I
think we have been somehow led astray in this belief."
He answered knowing that the words he spoke would cost him his
position as Praetor. After
all, it had been his job to ensure that the rebels remained a minor
inconvenience.
"Speak
to me Johan! Tell me how
this could happen!" She
spat at him her voice showing her anger.
"I…
I do not know, Empress. I
am at a loss for an answer."
He replied his eyes falling to the floor in front of him.
"Is
this all that you have?" She
asked having changed the tone of her voice to one in which to elicit
comfort.
"No,
no it is not. The rebel
government is located on Earth. Their
military has retaken the planet."
"And
what of our people, our ships?"
She questioned.
"They
wish to negotiate with us. I
informed them that I would bring the matter to you with haste."
"As
you have. However, I am
not so inclined to readily believe that they have our people or our
ships, or even that they have recaptured Earth. How will I know any of this for certain?"
"Empress,
I have taken the liberty to dispatch a small contingent of scout
ships. We should have
word within time. I
instructed them not to engage in any hostile activities, but simply to
bring back substantiated word of the situation."
"Very
forward thinking on your behalf, Johan.
However, it will not save you from your errors if, in fact,
this proves to be true." The
Empress informed. She
loathed laziness in her government.
She had disagreed with the management of Earth, as it had not
been attended to as their other Romulan outposts.
The Praetor, the Senate, and the Proconsul had assured her that
all would remain well. Their
Old World beliefs were quickly being shown for what they truly were,
old. If in fact the
information the Praetor had brought to her was true, she would find it
necessary to replace certain members of her government - immediately.
Her
thoughts turned to the commander in charge of her fleet and the
possibilities and challenges that having an honored hybrid, as either
Praetor or Proconsul, would bring.
Their culture had changed remarkably with the introduction of a
certain amount of Terran blood. It
was a part of their existence now and had been, over time, well
managed as to not dilute their entire species.
Also, having opened their society to a controlled segment of
the Terran people, their technology and medical breakthroughs had been
astounding. It had for
the making of a more perfect civilization. A fact her father, the Emperor before her, would never
accept. He had been a
Romulan of the old ways. He
had ruled with archaic Romulan beliefs, much like those of a few of
her present day senate members. They
were beliefs that had led them nowhere with the passage of time.
Today she found them irrelevant, unworthy of carrying forward
in her Romulan Star Empire.
Bringing
her attention back to the Praetor, she spoke, "I expect to know
first thing in the morning. And
you do realize, Johan, had we maintained Earth as I once dictated,
this would not be necessary, and you would not have interrupted
my evening meal, which I was, until now, enjoying.
I want a full senate meeting first thing in the morning.
I require the Proconsul and the Tal Shiar's presence as well.
You are dismissed."
He
nodded, turned and swiftly departed.
She watched, as he seemed to flee.
Yes, she thought, Ka'lin J'Way would make an excellent Praetor
or Proconsul. She had
watched her grow and take command of the fleet.
J’Way had been brought to her attention while in attendance
at the Romulan Military Academy.
It had been her straight forwardness that had thrown most all
her instructors off from her potential; it was not like a hybrid to
embrace the empire with both arms as Ka’lin had done.
This had not been lost on the Empress.
Perhaps
this would be the way of things to come.
New blood and new ideas, thought the Empress as she smiled and relaxed back into her chair.
The
Romulan Star Empire would be perfect.
They
would give the Romulan Star Empire a chance to acknowledge their loss,
having anticipated the Empress would not take the news at face value.
One hundred ships of the rebel fleet stood in a one-light year
zone they had deemed neutral. They were cloaked and not available to the eye, but they were
there. Another three
hundred-ship contingent was stationed around Earth and the old Mars
Settlement. All waited
for the Romulan scout ships to insure there were no hostilities as the
Romulans had promised. The
three Romulan scout ships had passed a marker placed just outside of
Mars sector. They would
be within Earth's orbit in the next few hours and the Empress would
soon receive confirmation.
"What
if she will not negotiate?"
Captain Will Riker asked.
"What
other choices does she have? We
have spent several centuries building our fleet.
We out number them in both strength and size."
A smile played on the Admiral's lips and in his eyes.
He picked up his baseball; a family heirloom passed down to
him, and rolled it around in his large hand.
"Even if the Empress could, she would never be able to get
enough of her fleet into this zone in time to afford us anymore than a
skirmish. We have
successfully split up her fleet."
"Have
we heard from Commander Yar?"
Riker asked eyeing the admiral as he continued to play with
what Will thought was a toy.
"No,
but I anticipate that she will report in anytime now. I'm sure she has made her connections and will be holding up
part of the Empress's fleet as planned."
He answered, setting the ball down on its pedestal, then leaned
back comfortably in his chair. He
looked at the blue‑eyed captain with assurance.
His dark face well seasoned from his years of experience as a
rebel leader. Admiral
Sisko needed the younger captain to keep his own mask of leadership in
place.
"Well,
you'll let me know when you hear something?" Riker asked standing up from his seat in the Admiral's ready
room.
"You'll
be the first. I assure
you." He bass voice
informed, "Oh and Will. It
is not a toy." His
gaze moved knowingly from the captain to the baseball that sat at the
front of his desk, and for the briefest of moment his brown eyes
boasted a sparkle.
It's
significance to the Admiral registered effectively on the young
captain.
This was
not part of the plan. At
no time did she figure her parents would be used as bait.
Anik had lived without her parents for quite some time, and
having glimpsed them on the view screen she was not about to take this
risk. Her arrogance and
humanity was now sufficiently challenged.
She needed to hear the warning klaxons now, as she stood toe to
toe with the small but swarthy Romulan commander.
"Commander!
Three birds of prey have just de-cloaked off our port bow!
Their weapons are powered up!"
Came the answer to her prayers.
But before the red alert klaxons could scream a welcome relief,
Anik took hold of J’Way as their forms shimmered from the deck of
the war-bird.
"I
am not done with you." Ka'lin
spat not yet realizing she had been transported.
"And
I am not done with you." The
taller woman retorted, her expression no longer one of worry.
She looked around the command deck of the ship where they now
stood. "Commander
Yar. It is about
time." Anik spoke as
her eyes found who she was looking for.
"What took you so long?"
Commander
Ka'lin J'Way also looked around in shock, wondering what had happened.
This was not her command deck.
These were not her people.
"You
know the Klingons as well as I. At
best they are quite difficult to work with even when they are on our
side." The
shorthaired woman responded then smiled, "I am glad to see you too,
Captain." She stood
and stepped aside making a gesture toward the Captain’s chair.
Ka'lin
looked at the woman standing next to her.
The shock of her situation showed through her command mask.
"Captain?" She
questioned as the gravity of her circumstances started to balance in
her mind. The confusion
on her face turned to recognition.
"I
am Captain Anik Hansen of the Rebel fleet. We are now on‑board my ship, The Raven."
She explained, her eyes showing a steely blue, and then
ordered, "Take her to the brig! I believe we have part of the Romulan fleet to detain."
A
security officer stepped up to the small woman and took hold of her
arm. J’Way jerked it
away. "Take your
hands off me." She
barked only to have the officer take hold more securely.
"Ensign,
try to get her there without damaging her in any way."
Captain Hansen remarked, "Otherwise I will confine you to
a cell next to her."
"Aye,
Captain." He
responded using a little more muscle to remove the struggling Romulan
from the command deck.
"Ensign."
Captain Hansen called after them.
"Replicate for the commander a pair of comfortable shoes
then bring her boots back to me at once.
They will no longer serve her any useful purpose."
With a
questioning look on his face, he nodded as the doors of the turbo lift
closed.
Empress
M’jel was anything but happy. The
information she had received back verified the rebel overthrow of
Earth. The Chairman of
the Tal Shiar had brought with him news of the attack on the part of
the Romulan fleet under Commander Ka'lin J'Way's command.
The Klingons had imposed an assault, crippling any quick return
of that portion of her fleet.
Additionally
the news of Commander J'Way's disappearance greatly distressed the
Empress. It was unknown
as to her exact whereabouts. Once
these other matters were attended to she resolved to find her
commander.
Returning
her thoughts to the Neutral Area, where the rebels waited, was light
years from Romulus, Remus and her crippled ships.
The rebel plan had become a reality right beneath their very
noses, something the Empress could not fathom.
"What
do we know of their fleet?"
She questioned her Praetor.
"Very
little I’m afraid," he answered.
"How
did this happen?" She
yelled, pounding the table in front of her, causing all eyes to dart
in her direction.
A tall
male stood up from the long table.
He was nothing more than an old man, but he recognized the
opportunity when he saw it. He
cleared his throat and spoke, "Empress, if I may?"
"Senator
Spock, you have something to share?"
She questioned.
"I
believe I have a way of making the rebel situation tolerable."
Her
curiosity peaked she quirked an eyebrow granting permission to him as
all heads turned to the older Romulan.
"The
rebels maintain they have 18,000 of our brethren as well as our ships.
Albeit, it is an extremely small segment of our population, we
still need to bring them home. We need to accept that we have failed in keeping what our
ancestors bequeathed to us, understanding that blood shed will not
right this error in our judgment."
"Failed
is not a word that I want to hear, Senator Spock."
The Empress groused.
"Nor
I, but logic dictates that it is so.
I have failed the senate by not staying more aggressively
involved in our Terran affairs. We,
the Senate, have failed you by discounting your earlier views on how
to govern Earth. And now
we, as a government, need to recover quickly, having learned from this
unfortunate occurrence. We
must move forward in a positive manner for the sake of our own
people." He concluded.
The
murmurs around the table held both disdain for the older senator and
awe for his bravery at having spoken.
The Empress quieted them by pounding again on the table. "Quiet!" She
spoke; her voice echoing through the great hall then she turned her
attention, once again, back to the older man.
"How do you suggest we go about this?"
"I
will meet with this rebel government, first to gain back our ships,
then I will negotiate for our people.
I am sure that there are Terrans here on Romulus and Remus who
wish to leave. I would
like to see defections kept minimal."
"We
cannot afford to lose any technological advantage because of
this," she challenged.
"The
hybrid population is not negotiable, Empress.
I believe that is where the difference will lie.
I feel strongly that the days of intolerance toward those who
are partially of our own extract is over and we should move on to the
more inherent problems here on Romulus and on Remus."
She
shook her head in agreement as she rested in her chair. Her eyes searched the grey ones of the noble senator and
found nothing but a truth she could not escape.
This one would remain a part of her new government, perhaps an
integral part. He
shows faith in his heritage and honor in his courage to face me,
she thought, with what he believes.
"When will you leave?"
She asked.
"If
it pleases you, I will embark today, the sooner the better."
"You
have my leave. I shall
forward notification that you are to have full use of the privileges
of my vessel." She
ordered.
"Live
long with honor." He
replied as he stepped away from his chair and made his way through the
great hall.
"As
with you." She
replied more to herself as she watched him depart.
Then she focused her attention back on the remaining.
She was not happy and the men who sat before her no longer
served her any useful purpose. “Praetor…”
she began, the intent of dismissal in her voice.
The great hall’s silence loomed hopelessly around them all.
Her
ready room was spartan. Her
length of service shown in what few trophies she harboured.
Her recent acquisition, a pair of tall black leather boots sat
off to the side of her desk. The
trim on her furnishings bore an eerie green against the chrome. A single solitary plant sat illuminated behind her.
It was the command red of her uniform and her bright blue eyes
that offered the only contrast.
"Enter."
Captain Anik Hansen ordered hearing the chime to her ready
room. She looked up from
her computer terminal to see the lovely face of her second in command,
Tasha Yar.
"Captain,
I have your status report."
The commander spoke.
The
captain accepted the small handheld computer from her commander and
motioned for her to sit.
"Were
we able to download anything from their databanks?"
She inquired.
"We
got all their tactical and medical data before the Romulans managed to
get their shields up."
"Good."
Anik replied as she entered something into her computer,
"What else?"
"The
Klingons have informed us that the Romulan vessels will not be leaving
their territory for several weeks.
It would appear that they sustained a fair amount of damage to
their fleet."
"Any
casualties?" The
captain prompted seemingly paying greater attention to her screen than
the commander.
"None
reported."
"From
your tone of voice you think differently?" Questioning Anik looked up.
"The
Klingons do have a brutal tendency, Captain." Her commander reminded.
"Yes
they do, but we shall have to take their word this time.
We need to get back across the Neutral Area."
"The
Romulan warp signatures we have encountered are days old."
"So,
we're not in the clear, yet."
Anik replied. "What
else?"
"What
of the Romulan commander? She
is most uncooperative."
"That
could change." The
captain spoke. She smiled
and turned the computer screen toward Yar.
"Ka'lin Janeway born to Edwin & Gret Janeway.
Her father is Terran and her mother Romulan."
She declared.
"She
is as she looks, Captain… a hybrid."
Yar spoke crisply.
"And
you have a problem with this?"
Anik questioned raising one brow.
"I
have several issues regarding our prisoner." The commander spoke gently.
"And
I am sure you are going to tell me."
Anik replied with a smirk.
"We
kidnapped the head of the Romulan Fleet, Captain. It was not part of the plan.
She is also a Romulan hybrid.
They will come looking for her."
"Her
grandmother and grandfather were taken from Mars Settlement." |