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((Brek's office– USS Columbia))
::On his return behind his desk, Brek's eyes inevitably focused on the picture of Senator Vreeya, the one that gave an air of importance to this place, and he scolded himself for his attitude. He should have contacted her long ago. However, there was a but... a substantial 'but'...::
::Over the years he had grown inordinately fond of her, and every time they communicated, the fear of making a faux pas had become increasingly heavy on his mind.::
Brek: ::Talking to the picture.:: I guess you are right, if I look in a mirror, I'll see the perfect incarnation of a bumbling idiot.
::He asked the computer to trace Vreeya's whereabouts, and an odd pain developed in his chest when he discovered that she was on a vessel heading towards a familiar Romulan location: Agurtha, and its plague-ridden population. Azin, had told him that the situation over there was disastrous.::
((A Corvette Interceptor approaching Agurtha, Captain's Office))
::The trip hadn't taken long; barely four hours and they were nearly there. Coel's ship made good time. Vreeya still didn't feel as though she knew enough about the situation yet, but she was expecting Walker could fill in some of the gaps in her knowledge.::
::As she was about to stand, her personal communicator chimed for her attention. She glanced at it, then paid more attention when she saw the source. For a moment a wry half-smile touched her expression, before submerging under a mildly haughty demeanour.::
((Brek's office– USS Columbia))
::Moments later, when Vreeya's image appeared on the screen, it felt so nice to see her face again that he started to smile, but she looked so... supercilious, that was the word, that his smile froze on his lips. In order to recover from that, he resumed his old diplomatic stance, and he threw a barrage of apologetic sentences.::
Brek: Greetings, Senator. Do not worry, I am not calling to make demands on you this time. This is just a courtesy call to let you know that I've been transferred to the USS Columbia, as their First Officer. Yet, despite this career change, I remain a fervent supporter of your cause.
::He had said it that way because the future she had always tried to build for her people was unique. It was less xenophobic and offered more freedom. Sadly, those were dangerous principles, and to this date, they had found little success. So much so that he was beginning to think that even within the Federation, there were powerful people quite happy to keep the Star Empire on its knees.::
::The woman in the image raised an eyebrow.::
Vreeya: Hello, Commander Brek. Congratulations on your new position. I expect command will suit you well. ::she let silence fall for a moment:: Was that all you called for?
Brek: oO It's now or never, little beetle. It could be months, years, even, before you get another chance to speak to her. Oo No, that is not all, actually. As you can see, no matter the color of my shirt, I'm phenomenally good with excuses. It's a clever trick to hide the truth ::A hint of a smile reappeared on his lips.:: If you could have heard the guff I pulled when I defended one of my colleagues, in court, a few weeks ago... You would have been proud of me. Anywayz... I care an awful lot about you Vreeya. I can't explain it, but it's making me act in a clumsy way, and I probably come across as rude too, in my silences.
((Corvette Interceptor, Captain's Office))
::The little Ferengi had managed to surprise her again. That was part of why she'd become so fond of him; his ability to come up with the most unusual ways of looking at things, plans of action that others would not have looked at. But this, this... unsubtle admission of caring, it was far from his usual idiom.::
::She might even forgive him for not notifying her in advance of his change of berthing.::
::Just about.::
Vreeya: ::her expression softening a touch:: I have never thought you rude, Brek. I am unlikely to start now.
::Over the years, no few people had fallen in love with her - for her appearance, her power, the force of her personality, or because she made them do so. She understood that all well enough. But she didn't know where this came from.::
::Certainly she'd come to view their occasional association with an unusual amount of anticipation and enjoyment over these several years. Their odd friendship had been of great utility as well as providing some solace from the situations that comprised most of her existence. Yes, her own feelings made sense to her. Yet what value was she to him, beyond the occasional useful political contact?::
::It was puzzling, and she had no time for any further puzzles just now. She resolved to put the matter on the shelf so that it could be examined at a better moment.::
((Brek's office– USS Columbia))
::He rubbed his eyes and fooled himself into believing that it was just a bout of mental exertion after all he had been through recently Of course, things were like that because of the way she looked and carried herself in every situation. But it was also more than that. Despite their blatant differences, they seemed to understand each other at a deeper level than what diplomacy allowed.::
Brek: All this to say that you've got yourself a reasonably influential admirer within Starfleet. One who will always want what you want. No matter what it is. So... I take it that right now, your efforts are centered on Agurtha?
::She nodded, seriousness overtaking her bearing.::
Vreeya: You are well-informed. The situation has changed here; it may be more dangerous than ever.
Brek: ::Nodding his head solemnly.:: Yes, I have heard of how a new strain of the plague is once again decimating the population. I have also heard of a group of pirates, the Ralaaram Ocala, who roams the region, destroying everything in their path. People who are driven by hatred... they always bring chaos with them. If you ever need another ally within Starfleet, you might want to contact Ensign Azin. He is a friend of mine, from the Excalibur. A Mission Specialist, and a Dokkaran. Very skilled and tenacious.
Vreeya: I shall take your recommendation. Any aid that can be brought to bear may be needed in this.
Brek: I had an idea you would say that. On my side I'm heading for Avronis V. If there is anything of interest on its surface, the Columbia will find it, and you will be the first person I contact over this.
Vreeya: Ah, yes. Avronis. I will much appreciate anything I can learn of it. I suspect it may be a matter of greater import than it appears. I wish I could tell you more, but even my intelligence is quite limited on the matter.
Brek: Even Starfleet Intelligence hasn't given us much, which is a sure sign that there are political forces at play here. Still, we have a few pieces of the puzzle: Avronis, a planet who's been used to dump spent antimatter, since virtually forever. A mysterious Romulan who visited that place, and who subsequently scratched the word ‘gateway’ repeatedly into the screens and bulkheads of his shuttle. This shuttle was damaged in an incomprehensible way, and that's what alarmed Starfleet Command.
((Corvette Interceptor, Captain's Office))
::That was all the information that needed conveying, and Coel would surely be barging in soon to tell her in his clipped tones that they'd arrived. And yet...::
Vreeya: These pirates...
Brek: The Ralaaram Ocala... I'm not sure what motivates them. But the represent a new power on the Empire's scene.
Vreeya: Yes. Ralaaram Ocala... in the human tongue, you would say it as 'Skyfire.'
::She watched the information sinking in, knowing what it would mean to him, then spoke again.::
Vreeya: There is a fire, yes, spreading among my people. They feel vulnerable, and they believe - rightly so - that their leadership has failed to protect them, that we are failing to lead them out of this time of privation. This fire is taking hold in different places in a vicissitude of forms.
((Brek's office– USS Columbia))
Brek: Skyfire is also the name of the Starfleet Doctor who created the Agurtha cure. It worked, and I cannot fathom what went wrong... Your assessment is painfully correct though. If we can't redress the situation...
::He let the words die down, as he visualised a future where the Star Empire continued its descent, this time entering the realm of absolute anarchy. If something like that was allowed to happen, his whole career would feel like a fraud... trying to help, but never hard enough...That provoked an anger in him, one which he decided to put to good use.::
Vreeya: I shall bank the flame here, if I can, else all of our hopes of trade, alliance, connection, may burn with it. You may need to take care to avoid such flames along the path you are going down, as well.
Brek: I'm prudent by nature, but I guess that this time, I need your words of caution. I'm determined to find what happened on Avronis. I even have positive plans for the planet's future. Dark situation or not, it's never healthy to stand still. Not when profit can be made.
::The Senator broke into a fond smile.::
Vreeya: Plans for the planet? An ambitious declaration, my friend!
Brek: ::With a faint grin.:: If I can't use my new pretentious position to bring something positive to the Empire, I might just as well return to Starbase 118, and open up a discount store there, selling whatever is in demand this year. Or more drastically, work for my grandmother.
::This drew a rich laugh from the woman on the screen. Laughter seemed to transform her; it was hard to imagine the cold, haughty Senator, in the face of that laugh.::
Vreeya: A dreadful fate indeed! Thank you for that; I shall take strength from your jocoseness in the grim dealings ahead.
Brek: Well, when you look the way I do, jesting, is a great asset to have. More seriously, once we have brought back a semblance of normality in the Venturius Sector, I feel that this time you should take things into your hands. Seize the power, and keep it, Vreeya. For the sake of your people.
Vreeya: ::after a moment's thoughtful pause:: My influence is not what it was, Brek. It may be that my time in the light of political power is on the wane, like the ulbii when the nights grow short.
Brek: Fair enough. ::He observed her features, found that there were too many worries and torments behind those eyes, and he sighed. If only he had better contacts and better resources too, he would be able to achieve so much more...:: I don't want to, but I guess I should allow you to return to your duties now. Jolan'tru Vreeya.
Vreeya: Jolan'tru, Brek. Khnai'ra.
((Corvette Interceptor, Captain's Office))
::She switched off the comm and stood again, just as Coel was entering the room.::
Vreeya: I assume we've arrived. I've a change of clothes to make, and then I'll be transporting down.
::He opened his mouth to protest, but she was already heading him off.::
Vreeya: No need to worry, Coel. I've arranged for a return trip already. You can be on your way once I'm gone.
::She padded the startled El-Aurian's cheek as she smoothly pushed past him through the doorway.::
::There was work to be done, and she was feeling rather better, now, about doing it.::
JP by:
Lt. Cmdr Brek
F.O.
USS Columbia, NCC-85279
and
PNPC Senator Vreeya
As simmed by
Lieutenant Commander Katy Orman
Chief of Security
USS Excalibur – A
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