[USS Charon, Library]
It was quiet- late, but not too late. The library was usually empty
during these hours. Most of the off duty crew were either in their
quarters preparing to get rest or finishing up a social meal in the
mess hall. She was looking for someone- a young woman, a Romulan
woman. One of the Charon's many tactical officers and the prime
candidate to replace Ch'Tan. It was uncomfortable for Starfleet to
have a Romulan in charge of weapons, but this was her ship, and she
would make the best decision for it.
Aerv walked around the 3D display on the table, grateful for the quiet
space of the library at this hour. She was barefoot in a simple green
silk tunic. She sipped two-handed at her cup of tea. In the
holographic display before her annotated and colour-coded icons
swirled in slow-motion: The Battle of Yadalla.
"Pause", she murmured. She walked around the display again.
"Sloppy formation, poor co-ordination. Under-estimation of the
opponent," she muttered to herself.
" Hnafirh'au-d? Veruul!" [Can you see? Fool!]
"Farien Jaihen." Shiarrael felt the words leave her tongue swiftly,
naturally, two years ago she would have uttered such things without
second thought- but here, they were considered foreign "we need to
speak for a moment."
Aerv responded to her native tongue by reflex and snapped erect. "Ie,
Rekkhai. Auethn qiuu mnek'nra ? [Yes Sir. Is all well?]
"mnekha llilla" [well enough] Shiarrael answered in their native
tongue while studying the young woman "I trust you find this
assignment interesting?" She asked.
Aerv cast an eye at the frozen simulation. It was interesting enough,
but frustrating besides. Tomorrow night, it would be re-fought with
herself in overall Rihannsu command. But this exercise, of course, was
not what Captain t'Rehu meant.
"I am sure that there is no more 'interesting' assignment than the
Charon anywhere in Starfleet or the Galae Captain." She replied with
careful emphasis.
"Good. You are aware that the former chief tactical officer,
Commander Foster has left the ship I presume?" Instead of allowing
the young woman to answer however Shiarrael continued "in any case I
want to appoint you as his replacement. There are certainly plenty of
veterans aboard this ship but they're soft skinned lloann'mhrahel
saehne-a [federation officers] who lack the tenacity I require." Her
eyes narrowed slightly "but I must be sure where your loyalties sit.
If I tell you to destroy a Galae ship... will you fire?"
Hiding her surprise, Aerv replied without hesitation: "You are my
Captain. I am yours to command Rekkhai."
For a Rihannsu officer, any other answer would have been unthinkable,
but even with a brief moment to think, Aerv did not believe she had
spoken falsely. She controlled her expression and looked Shiarrael in
the eyes. In spite of her outer calm she was astounded: To replace a
Starfleet Lt Commander - albeit a half-Klingon one - with a lower
ranking Galae officer! It seemed unlikely that the 'soft skinned
lloann'mhrahel saehne-a', would take that without a murmur. It seemed
unlikely that the Captain would have used that expression in front of
them either. Why had she used it now? Technically Shiarrael was
lloann'mhrahel saehne herself. Was she fishing for signs of the
xenophobia many Rihannsu indulged in? She would not find it in someone
trusted with the post of Chief Tactical Officer. Would not want to find
it, Aerv was sure.
"You do me great honour Rekkhai."
Captain Shiarrael t`Rehu
Farien Aerv ir-Rhynne t'Jaihen
