OFF: Many thanks to the
Athena's new XO for his assistance with this
ON
Lukas stood in the ready room looking at the officers gathered. By all
the evidence gathered on the Falcon's little excursion, there was a
definite Romulan colony way out here in the Beta Quadrant. Now, the
questions remained. How did they get here? Do they need assistance?
Lukas decided there was one sure way he could start to get answers.
"Cadet Wren," he said tapping on his comm badge. "Open a channel to
the Athena. Ah need to talk with sub-Commander Ronov."
Onboard the USS Athena, Erei-Riov Ronov was
sitting on the bridge looking over the duty reports for the last few
hours. He noticed the information request from the Eagle regarding the
Athena's contingent of attack-shuttles and wondered what that was all
about. His contemplation was interrupted by the OPS officer informing
him of the incoming call, for him, from the Eagle. He instructed the
officer to put the transmission on the view screen.
"What is on your mind, Captain," Ronov said in a very cool tone. He
wanted it perfectly clear to the Eagle's commanding officer, that he
was no way obliged to answer to him. Only to Captain Mergahn.
Lukas immediately detected the arrogance in the
Romulan's voice. His first instinct was to respond in kind, ut he knew
that would not draw any answers. He briefly wondered if he should have
gone through Captain Mergahn for this information.
"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Commander," Lukas said
evenly. "Ah'll get rahght to the point. We have discovered what could
be a Romulan Colony. Ah will send you the data and you can see for
yourself."
Lukas nodded to Lt. Matsu to send the sensor data through the comm link
tot he Athena.
It took a few minutes for the data to be
downloaded to the Athena. And another two for Ronov to look it over.
Finally he looked back tot he screen.
"I recognize the symbol on the shuttle, Captain," Ronov said. It is
from ch'Ocala. They were lost ten of your Terran years ago,
believed destroyed."
"We have seen no sign of a warbird anywhere near
the planet," Lukas informed Ronov. "So we are surmahzing that the
warbird may have been forced to go down on the planet surface. Ah do
not wish to take the Eagle in, as Ah do not wish to unnecessarily get
anyone up in arms. They already spotted our shuttle and fahred on it."
"Of course they fired on it," Ronov flared. "You
were invading their space. Did you fire back? " HIs eyes narrowed with
suspicion. "You didn't destroy the attack shuttle did you?"
Once again, Lukas reigned in his temper. Unseen
by the Romulan, his hands were being clenched into fists and
unclenched. Who did this Romulan think he was talking to?
"No," he said with as much control as he could muster. "We fahred a
warning shot to get the attack-shuttle to back off from ours. When
they saw the Eagle, they lost their taste for a fahght." He wanted to
tell Ronov they they turned tail and retreated, just because he was now
in a bad mood, but he refrained. "When we retrieved the Falcon, we
moved out of the system."
Ronov caught the Eagle captain's meaning
perfectly well. He wanted to cut the transmission right there and
then. HOw dare that Fleeter insinuate the Rihannsu were cowards. They
were being smart. An atttack-shuttle against a Federation starship?
It would be hhoasl*. It took Ronov an extra moment to
respond so that his words were not combative.
"Maybe I should come out there and lead an expedition to the colony
then."
"Either that, or if we could borrow one of your
shuttles and an officer, we could further investigate without raising
due alarm," Lukas said. He was suddenly preferring the later of the
suggestions. "Whatever your choice."
Ronov knew what his choice was. For the Fleeters
to butt out. To leave it to the Athena and her Rihannsu officers to
find out what is going on, but he knew that would not happen. "I will
consult with Captain Mergahn."
"That's all Ah ask," Lukas said sarcastically tot
he Romulan. He suddenly felt very sorry for Captain Mergahn. She is
going to have to deal with that on a daily basis.. "Let me know what
your decision is. Eagle out."
With those words, the transmission was ended. LUkas knew it was a bit
childish, but he wanted final word. Blasted Romulans.
OFF
Commodore Lukas Fyrstk
Commanding Officer, USS Eagle
EreiRiov Ronov
XO, USS Athena
Romulan words used:
Ocala - Element of Fire
hhoasl
- suicide
