<USS Avalon> "The Wolf Also Shall Dwell With the Lamb"

The Wolf Also Shall Dwell With the Lamb
By Lieutenant Commander Anthony Manson 
and Senior Lieutenant Elissabeth Marksbury


If one thing Commander Retol despised the most, it was working with Senator 
Vrenek. They resented each other, but they still had to work together. Retol 
made a quiet smirk, Vrenek had done her job like the flunkie he thought she 
was. 

Stopping at the corridor, he saw Vrenek waiting, arms crossed and looking past 
his head. Not that he wasn't doing the same thing. "I can only assume you are 
ready for the meeting. Let's go."

Brushing past her, Retol walked toward the entrance of the Senate Hall. The 
guards promptly saluted, balancing their rifles at the same time.

"A word, Retol," she said coldly, stopping him from entering the senate 
chambers. 

Retol sighed and stepped away from the doors. The guards came back to their 
usual stance as Retol passed them. "What is it now?" 

She stepped around the corner, out of earshot of the guards. "I wanted to make 
sure you were clear on what it is you are to say and not to say. I do not trust 
your incompetence not to show forth, costing both our lives!" she hissed. 

"And I expect you to realize the fact that by asking you to save our lives, you 
had better not undermine my authority or my rank within the Tal Shiar while we 
speak to the Senate. One wrong move, Vrenek, and you will not make it out of 
the chamber halls- that I will gaurantee." He turned around, "Having to 
coordinate this mission with you is dispicable enough, having to work with you 
in this Senate meeting is barely tolerable. Now, are you ready? Or are you 
going to stand there?" 

"Do not ever attempt a high hand with me again, Retol. You hold no ground over 
me. Now, try not to get us killed," she said, stepping back towards the guards.

"Whoever said anything about attempting," Retol managed to murmur before 
falling silent in the presence of the Senate. It was Vrenek's role here to talk 
to the Senate. That made Retol only more irritated.

"Honorable Senate," Vrenek began, stepping away from Retol to begin her 
address. "I thank you for hearing my...our petition." She paused a moment, to 
ensure everyone's eyes were upon her. "It came to our attention several months 
ago that a rogue scientist had begun illegal experiments within the Empire. We 
sent one of our own scientists, T?Pex, undercover to...collect the damning 
evidence, if you will. T'Pex had completed his mission, when, during his 
departure, must've been discovered. His ship was attacked and disabled. He 
managed to send a distress call which Commander Retol received. In the process 
of attempting to retrieve T'Pex, Retol was attacked by two Ferengi Mauraders, 
most likely seeking some profit in the venture." She paused again to make eye 
contact around the circular room. "It is our belief that the Ferengi are 
holding T'Pex prisoner inside Federation space. I cannot stress the importance 
of his safe return." Sneaking a glance at Retol, she dreaded her next po
 int. "We
 are asking that the Senate request permission of the Federation for Retol to 
cross the Neutral Zone and retrieve T'Pex."

"How is it that a Romulan Warbird is outmatched by two Ferengi Marauders?" 
Ambassador Yevik questioned almost immediately. Her eyes gazed upon both of 
them.

"I can answer that question, Senator Vrenek," Retol's disdainful attitude 
toward her had changed completely to proper politeness. "The two Marauders were 
heavily armed. When my ship came out of warp, a volley of plasma torpedos had 
taken our engines offline. I'm sure, Ambassador," he spoke in humble tone, 
"that you recieved the report."

Yevik nodded.

"T'Pex is most essential. Our operatives on that planet have gone missing. 
Also, T'Pex held some prototypes of this rogue scientist. Prototypes that could 
prove useful in any market," Retol concluded.

"Commander Retol can in no way be held responsible for the attack of the 
Marauders, Ambassador." Defending Retol made her skin crawl, but if they wanted 
the proconsul to buy their story, they must be united. "We were lucky Retol was 
close enough to pick up the distress call and intervene at all... At least we 
now know what became of T'Pex and where to find him. Which is why we are to 
here to ask your assistance."

"You are requesting we deal with the Federation dogs to bring conclusion to a 
situation not of our making?" another senator asked incredulously.

Retol nodded, "Yes, Senator. We regret having to ask for assistance, but as you 
know, we cannot cross the Neutral Zone. But we also cannot let allow T'Pex to 
remain under custody of those Ferengi scum."

"Senators, please," an aged Romulan stood with air of authority. 

"Yes, Senator Cretann," Ambassador Yevik acknowledged.

"I have been following the case of T'Pex closely over the last several months 
and understand the sensitive nature of the prototypes he is carrying. We do not 
wish these items to fall into enemy hands. As Senator Vrenek spoke, they were 
invented by a rogue scientist and we believe that the knowledge and contents 
could bring harm to the noble Empire. From what correspondence T'Pex was able 
to communicate, we have assessed that the technology seems so innoccous that 
even the Federation would have no qualms about using it to destroy our Empire!"

His words created an incredible whispered stir within the proconsul chambers. 
Vrenek shared a look of hope with Retol.

Yevik took Cretann's words into careful consideration, "We cannot let the 
Federation know of this internal security matter."

"And for that," Retol said almost immediately, "we ask the Federation to do 
nothing more than allow us our search for T'Pex. In this case, our hand of 
'good faith'- as the Federation loves to emphasize- will please them."

"We wish only for safe and understood passage through the Neutral Zone to 
retrieve our wayward scientist. Surely the Federation cannot deny us this tiny 
concession," Vrenek spoke. Then addressing Ambassador Yevik, "It would be a 
great service of this consul to the Empire."

Retol nodded in acknowledgment. "We are in debt to the Senate for helping us in 
the matter, Ambassador."

Vrenek and Retol stood silently in the Senate Hall. Finally, Senator Cretann 
spoke, "Thank you both for your petition. I will speak to the Senate in further 
detail on your behalf." Giving a slight, stiff bow, both Vrenek and Retol 
recognized the dismissal, and turned as one, exiting the chambers. 

They passed the guards as the Chamber doors closed behind them. Retol had no 
intention of having Vrenek in his presence and made quick haste away from her 
and to the transporter room. Despite their working together a few moments ago, 
he still resented her, "You live one more day, Vrenek. Don't make a habit of 
it."

"Still missing me, I see," she called over her shoulder, laughter bouncing down 
the corridor towards Retol's retreating form.



                
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