[Galaxy] War Stories: The Romulans

[Robert]

[ Romulan Flagship, Observation Deck ]

"Sir," the young first officer said as he snapped to attention before 
his admiral.  "We have received word from the Naussicaan flotilla.  They 
are en route."

The Romulan admiral sighed with some relief.  The light from the nebula 
outside the observation window played in oranges and yellows across his 
dark uniform and cape, and sparkled off his rank insignia.  "It's about 
time.  Have you picked up anything to indicate we've been discovered?"

"We detected some intermittent freighter activity at one point, but 
there were no active scans.  It seemed more eager to get out of range 
than to gather intelligence."

"But it could have at least confirmed our location, had it been an Earth 
spy and not a frightened merchant."

"They would have required our coordinates and advance notice that we 
might be here."  The first officer shook his head, "They couldn't have 
possessed either."

"Nothing is absolute, Sub-Commander," the admiral lectured.  "But even 
so, that freighter could have given both to the Earth forces already, 
and we'd be in the same situation now, regardless."

"Does it matter, Sir?  They couldn't possibly know our target in order 
to mount defenses."

"They could mount an assault against this joint armada," the admiral 
said as he raised an eyebrow at the first officer.

"All due respect, Admiral," the young officer said carefully, "if /that/ 
were the case, by /just/ getting the information they would be so far 
behind that we would already be finished with our attack before they 
could assemble a large enough task force to combat us."

"What about the Naussicaans?" the older officer asked.  "We can't 
guarantee /they/ haven't leaked anything."

The Sub-Commander smiled, "they would first have to know something to leak."

The admiral smiled back.  "True, true," he said as he returned his gaze 
to the observation window.  "It's the politician in me that wants to 
worry.  Or perhaps I'm just getting old."

"You are /experienced/," the first officer corrected, "and considering 
all potential obstacles that might deter our victory.  I consider myself 
fortunate that you deign to confer with me."

"Careful, Sub-Commander," the admiral said with a sly grin.  "I know 
sycophantic flattery when I smell it."

The first officer bowed with a slight flourish.  "You'll forgive an 
aspiring young soldier the opportunity to gain favor with a respected 
admiral, Sir."

"You were much better at hiding your intentions /that/ time."  He 
allowed a laugh and clapped the first officer on the shoulder.  "Don't 
fret, Sub-Commander, I have an idea where you will fit on my staff when 
we return to Romulus.  You are a fine officer."

"Thank you, Admiral."

The older Romulan nodded and clapped his hands behind his back, taking a 
deep breath as he gazed out the observation window again.  The nebula 
before him teased his sense of wonder as he waited to rain destruction 
on his enemies.  He'd done his share of exploration as a soldier in the 
Romulan Star Empire, and the conquest that followed carved out a nice 
fief for himself when he chose to retire, but he was not retired yet. 
And however much he longed for the days of facing the unknown with a 
pistol in one hand and a sword in the other, he was a soldier first. 
"Let me know when the Naussicaans have arrived."

"The Klingons are getting anxious," the first officer warned.

"And yet they want their scars and glory," the admiral mused.  "They 
will wait.  Just like us."

"Aye, Sir."  And the Sub-Commander clicked his boot heels and spun 
around to leave the admiral to his quiet contemplations.

-----
(NPCs apb Robert)