<USS Avalon> "The Spider and the Fly"

The Spider and the Fly
By Lieutenant Commander Anthony Manson
and Senior Lieutenant Elissabeth Marksbury


Commander Retol strode through the Romulan halls. He knew his career as a Tal 
Shiar operative was over the moment he stepped into Vrenek's office. This 
meeting was past formalities and updates. She knew of what transpired, Retol 
wasn't a commander for nothing. He knew she had another Tal Shiar operative on 
board serving at her whim. 

But both he and Vrenek served another person. Another who would execute them in 
a moment's notice if the scientist, T'Pex, was not retrieved. Placing his hand 
on the small panel, he waited to be called in.

Cold anger burned in Vrenek?s eyes as she contemplated the situation before 
her. A string of curse words entered her mind unbidden, but not unwelcome. 
Retol, she thought, eyes narrowing. Perhaps you would better serve as my 
Hru'hfe. Smiling cruelly with the thought, Yes, I could use a new head servant 
in my household.

She stood in a fit of barely controlled anger when the chime rang and, yet, 
concealed it so nicely as her voice dripped immoral sweetness saying, "You are 
welcome to enter."

"So nice to know I'm even welcomed in, Senator Vrenek," Retol replied, entering 
and mocking a salute to her. They didn't like each other, and the entire 
organization knew it, but they had to work together to get matters of T'Pex and 
his research out of the way. "You have the report. From that pet dog of yours, 
I believe."

"The only pet I own is the one standing in front of me, I believe, Retol. And I 
have him by the balls, do I not?" Her voice was calm and slick, highly 
superior. Retol was going to pay for putting her in this position. 

He smirked, "Believe what you will. You're delusional as usual. Since two 
heavily armed marauders made me retreat before my destruction," Retol took a 
seat, "They have made it into Federation space."

"So I've been told," she said snidely, walking slowly around Retol's chair. 
Once the circuit was complete, she released her thin visage of calm. Whirling 
on Retol, she screamed, "He should've never gotten off planet! Nor across the 
Neutral Zone! Your incompetence is unmatched!" 

Retol got up from his seat, hands gripping tightly on the desk, "And you 
should've reaffirmed his loyalty to the Empire! You were in charge of compiling 
the list of scientists. Your incompetence will be the death of us!" 

Refusing to shrink under the commander's gaze, Vrenek willed her righteous 
anger back into place. Placing her hand upon Retol's shoulder, she purred, "And 
somehow the Federation is at fault, I am sure, dear Retol." She trailed her 
hand down his back as she moved to sit behind her desk. "T'Pex was loyal to the 
Empire. I spoke with him myself on occasion. Perhaps... the nature of his work 
turned him soft." She waved her hand to dismiss it as a non-issue. "Soft as he 
was, he isn't nearly as incompetent as you, considering he sits safely in 
Federation space as we speak!" Her demeanor changed yet again. She was leaning 
on her desk now, staring Retol in the eye. "Just what do you intend to do about 
it?!" 

Retol laughed, hands that smacked his leg in clear amusement, "Me? Do 
something? Woman, you really are delirious. You're a senator. What do you think 
you could do for me," he leaned in, "so I can get the scientist?"

"Retol," she laughed, "dear, stupid Retol. The only option left for me at this 
point would be asking the proconsul to...," her nose crinkled at the thought, 
"ask the Federation for permission to explore their space looking for our 
wayward scientist. An avenue they are highly unlikely to take. You are Tal 
Shiar! Go fetch him like the good little dog you are."

"Dear Vrenek," Retol grimaced his smile, "my short sighted politician." He got 
up, and decided to pace. "Let's say, for instance, that Starfleet, in its 
annoying capacity detects my cloak crossing the neutral zone. Why," Retol 
looked at her as he stopped in his tracks, "I would be discovered, Federation 
will look at this as an invasion. Our scientist isn't in our custody. I would 
be dead," he barked a laugh, "not that you would care. But you will when 
Senator Cretann comes for your head. Cretann has no choice but to ask the 
Federation's assistance in this. And you," Retol walked back slowly to his 
seat. He'd rather pull a disruptor on her, "My dear Vrenek, are a senator. Do 
what is best in your... limited capacity."

"And I'm sure the Federation will just jump to do our bidding." She sat once 
again in her chair, back still straight. "I will clean up your mess once again, 
Retol. I just pray to the Elements that you die a horrendous death sometime 
between now and when T'Pex is returned to the Empire. I have not forgotten your 
past transgressions." She eyed him coldly, "I do not forget lovers who cross 
me. You will pay for this mistake. Now get out." 

"Still bitter about that, I see," Retol laughed. "I should only hope to have 
you executed in front of the Senate, Vrenek. It would be most edifying." Retol 
gave her a sneering smile as he walked towards the doors. Before leaving, he 
stopped and turned, "Oh, your contact on my ship..." He smirked, "He's dead."

 

 




                
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