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<br><span>Romulan Senate, Antechamber, Romulus</span><br><span></span> <br><span></span> <br><span></span><span>Senator
Padek was distraught, but strove to contain his disappointment with the
Cheron results within his own mind. The <span id="ecxlw_1323531631_0" class="ecxyshortcuts">Praetor</span> was furious, and had
already executed the entire general staff. It was only a matter of time
before he turned the Tal Shiar loose on the senate, and since he was a
fervent supporter of the campaign plan that failed, he summarized he
would be high on their list. Padek had taken steps to protect his
family, sending them to an outlying planet far from the halls of
treachery that was the Romulan Senate. Now that his own had been
preserved, it was now time to counterattack.</span><br><span></span> <br><span></span><span>"Agents
have already begun the interrogations,
old friend," he said quietly to his closest ally. "There is a block of
the conservatives that feels the Praetor has gone too far."</span><br><span></span> <br><span></span><span>Giellun
i-Hrienteh tr'Elehu laughed aloud, although there was little humor in
it. "There is /always/ a block of conservatives who feel the Praetor
has gone too far. What matters is how /many/ there are. Are they just a
few? If so, they had better protect their secrecy or I can /assure/ you
they will soon meet the same fate that the fleet commanders did. But
if they are many ...." His voice trailed off suggestively as he finished checking the room with a detector. </span><br><span></span> <br><span></span>Padek
nodded. "There is certainly strength in numbers. If you have
contacts, others that feel as we do, then they should be urged to come
forward for the vote."<br> <br>Giellun made a slashing motion with his
right hand. "You assume too much, /Senator/. Anyone who feels 'as we
do' is /certainly/ not going to come forward for a vote! Think about it! The Praetor is 'cleaning house', he knows that if there is to
be a coup /now/ is a perfect time! Do you believe it is only we who
have seen this?"<br> <br>"I'm sure we are not. The Tal Shiar have taken
a semi-cautious approach up until now. That could indicate that there
are other groups who feel as we do." He contemplated this for a moment,
and sighed. "There is too much at stake. We must move now."<br> <br>"Have you not noted the
increase in security? Have you heard of the disappearances? Senator
Avrak i-Jeiai tr'Masfarik has not been seen in three days, his house is
closed up, his family gone as well. All due to the speech he gave
wherein he made the mistake of mentioning 'changes' coming for the
Rihannsu. If we decide to tread this path at /all/ we must tread it
lightly." Giellun was nervous -- and rightly so. Never had it been
more dangerous to oppose the Praetor. Never.<br> <br>Pakek shook his
head in frustration. "He was a fool. My people have said he had no
idea how many allies he had. He simply threw in his lots and was
vanquished." He looked over at his companion. "Not unlike the
all-or-nothing gamble that has us where we are now. Hundreds of years,
and we have never suffered a defeat like this one."<br> <br>Giellun's breath hissed as he inhaled through his teeth. "The <em>Neutral Zone</em>.
My ancestors are cringing with shame. It is an imaginary wall behind
which we hide, while they celebrate. My blood is burning, my friend."
Giellun merely stated what all Romulans felt -- the shameful defeat at
the hands of the Humans and the boot-licking band of allies they'd
collected was still a rancid painful thorn gouging into his heart. The
fleet decimated ... the Praetor shamed ... the glorious future vision of an expanded Empire
blown apart in one vicious battle.<br> <br>A thoughtful expression
slowly flowed across Padek's face, as he stared off into the distance.
"However, this may present an opportunity." He glanced back at
Giellun. "The humans did not press their advantage. Our long-range
scouts have not detected any of their ships passing through the system
where the battle took place. It is quite possible they have suffered
losses as heavy as our own."<BR> <BR><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"But
the /Humans/ were not alone ... and from what I have heard, the
/allies/ were only able to bring together a small part of their fleets."
He was quiet for a minute or so. "Nucleonics. They shattered our
fleet with nucleonics." Giellun shook his head, his proud face marred
by a frown. "Padek ... you are my friend. <em>You know my fourth name</em>. You know that you can trust me, and I trust you. Tell me -- what are you thinking?"</font><BR><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><div> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"This...neutral
zone may play into our hands. It buys the Empire time. Time to
develop more advanced ships and weapons, to rebuild our strength in
relative comfort and safety. The humans have pledged not to cross it.
Our intelligence suggests they will dominate this new...Federation...of
alien beings. It seems as though they value honesty above many other
traits, including their own survival." A
grim smile appeared. "We will watch for them, and when we have
acquired an advantage..."</font></div><div> </div><div><font face="Tahoma"><font size="2">"Pradek." Giellun hesitated, then grunted assent. "Then
we /must/ counsel the Praetor for patience. He is young, he would leap
at their throats /now/. You know how that would end." He made another
slashing gesture with his left hand. "We have been weakened. But we
have to find a way to tell the Praetor this without <em>saying it."</em></font></font></div><div> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Pakek pursed his lips. "He has counselors that feed on their rivals. Finding a way to separate him from them is of utmost importance. Any other way would lead us all to an early grave."</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"That, too." Both stood there, looking out the huge window at the icicles that hung from the eaves. "He hunts tomorrow. We both are part of the entourage. Let us try to win his ear. Let us counsel patience and a build-up of our strength and technology for a long-term relataliatory view. Even if it takes one hundred years ... the Humans will curse their ancestors for their treatment of the Rihannsu." Giellun's glittering black eyes were fierce.</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"And if he does not agree?"</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"Then he will be convinced. We will tell him his name will be revered throughout the Empire, even one hundred years hence."</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"And if he will not listen?"</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">"Then he will be removed!" The sibilant whisper sounded louder than any shout. They stared at each other for a moment, then Pakek made the fist to chest salute, which Giellun returned ... saluting their loyalty to the /Empire/, not the figurehead. Then both turned and stared out the window. Winter gripped the land with an icy fist. Just like the one Giellun felt closing around his heart. </font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><OOC - ... and so it begins. :) ></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Pakek</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">Romulan Senator</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma">&</font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span><font size="3"><font style="font-size: 10pt;" size="2">Giellun i-Hrienteh tr'Elehu</font></font></span></font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span>Praetorial Aide</span></font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span></span></font> </div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><span><Pakek apb Steve, Giellun apb Anna></span></font></div><div><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><br> </div></font> <div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <div style="font-family: times new roman, new york, times, serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <font size="2" face="Arial"> <hr SIZE="1"> <b><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></b></font><br> </div> </div> </div></div> </div></body>
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