The Kicker

Posted on Fri Oct 20, 2017 @ 6:24pm by Rear Admiral John Breckenridge & Commodore Michael Aravan & Valasa Caenala

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Deep Space 10
Timeline: MD 32 || 0800 Hours

Commodore Michael Aravan found himself summoned to Deep Space Ten less than twelve hours after he had been there, summoned by Admiral Breckenridge and was told nothing else. He arrived in his duty uniform and was shown to the office by an Ensign.

Admiral Breckenridge stood in the office with a Romulan woman and released the door lock when he saw the Commodore approaching. After the man had entered, Breckenridge cleared his throat.

"Commodore Aravan, I'd like you to meet Ambassador Valasa Caenala of the Independent Romulan Systems Allied Forces," the Admiral said.

"Ambassador," Michael said with a nod of his head. He had heard of the Independent Romulan Systems Allied Forces, but the details were vague at best and rumors at worse.

The young Romulan stepped into the office. Her dark brown hair was cut short with the v cut fringe that may as well be a Romulan trademark, though it was somewhat feathered. She wore a black camisole with an off center V neck under a olive green jacket top patterned with square tiles, reminiscent of the Star Empire's military style from decades past. She wore black pants over her legs and synth material knee high combat boots over her feet. She looked more like a pirate than an ambassador, and though her mouth curled up into a polite, diplomatic smile there was certainly something resentful in her eyes as they met the Commodor's.

"Commodore." The young woman said with a polite inflection and a respectful nod. She then looked at Admiral "Would you like me to bring the Commodore up to speed Admiral? Or would you like to do the honors?"

Michael studied the young looking Romulan and the cut of her outfit; she could have been any age but the throwback style was distinctly military and he wondered why she would dress that way while coming as an Ambassador.

"You may do so, Ambassador Caenala," Breckenridge replied. "It's a rather unusual report and I don't want to leave out any details."

Valasa shot the Admiral a venomous look, and gritted her teeth behind a smile that became more and more forced. Something about the Admirals comment seriously rubbed her the wrong way. She sighed and let it pass before turning to the Commodore with regained composure.

"It might not come to you as any shock, Commodore, but may Romulan citizens did not enjoy being under the thumb of the Romulan Star Empire. Following the destruction of Hobus and the subsequent destruction of the homeworld the Imperial Fleet was decimated, and many colonies declared independence. The IRSAF is a coalition of these forces that have banded together to defend each other. Dispite the reluctance of our neighbors to help us" She shot the Admiral another sideways glance "We have manged to establish a trade route out of the new Republic's boarders and defend our holdings from them and pirates. However, the 'Republic' has finished consolidating its forces and has begun to attempt to require territory. And I beleive that you can attest that they have also begun reasserting their claims on other territories as well."

Michael listened quietly as the Romulan went into detail about facts which were well known to the Federation and with pointed interest when she began to talk of more detail about the IRSAF. He had heard rumors that the colony worlds were holding their own against other forces, but he had had no orders regarding internal disputes.

The Ambassador continued "At midday yesterday, one of our planet's suffered a chemical attack to a major population center. Loyalists have taken responsibility for it, but I think we all know who's pulling their strings." Valasa folded her arms "so that, coupled with the fact that the Romulan Republic has positioned itself as adversarial to the Federation," She sighed with exasperation "this has lead the Federation to finally recognise the sovereignty of the Independent Romulan Systems."

There was another sigh while she mentally prepared herself to grovel. "Look, the last 5 years we've been working on building our military capabilities to stave off the inevitable push from the Republic and keep our trade routes secure. We've not got the medical facilities and personnel to deal with a chemical attack, where as I'm told Odyssey classes are essentially mobile star bases with state of the art support facilities."

"While we do recognize the sovereignty of the Independent Romulan Systems Allied Forces," Michael began, this sounds like an internal affair still. Until you actually ask for official aid, I'm afraid there isn't much the Federation can do. It is a shame and a disgusting act that the Romulan Republic has chosen to attack its own people in such a manner."

"If you formally request aid from the Federation, can you guarantee safe passage?"

Valasa sighed "There are no guarantees in this life or the next Commodore" She replied "But the route you'll be taking is well patrolled. And I assure you, the correct paper work has been filed with your diplomatic office."

Michael nodded. "What is the current public stance of the Romulan Republic in this matter?" He asked.

"They publicly decry the attack, asserting no affiliation with the Loyalists." Valasa said sardonically "And they have of course, reached out and offered support services to treat the injured and help secure our colonies against further attack."

"Unofficially," Breckenridge cut in. "We know they're full of shit. Still, go in with your eyes wide open, Commodore." He looked at the Romulan woman. "And you'll be joining the Triumphant when they go in, Ambassador."

Michael didn't like having people assigned to his ship, but he was outranked. "Understood," he said before he looked back at the Ambassador. "I'll have VIP quarters prepared for you. What can you tell me about the leaders of the Romulan Republic and the so-called Loyalists?"

"The Republic is basically the Star Empire by another name, though the Tal Shiar has much more administrative control to the point where it's effectively a puppet state." Valasa explained "And your own intelligence agencies could tell you more about the Tal Shiar's leadership than I. As for the 'Loyalists', they've not come out with an official moniker, though we suspect they're following the Guerrilla text book; a few small independent cells with limited contact with a central command authority."

The Commodore arched an eyebrow. "Obviously the reports that we've been getting have been grossly uninformed," he said. "The reports are the the Romulans have more or less been in disarray since the Hobus Event. We've heard reports of piracy, allegiances with the Typhon Pact which we've had proof of and more."

Breckenridge hesitated. "Some of those reports have been to calm the citizens of the Federation and some of it has been need-to-know," he said. "I'll send you a full brief, Commodore."

Michael grimaced and looked at the Admiral, then back at the Romulan. "I see," he said. "Then it looks like you'll be filling me in a lot more, Ambassador."

"I'll do whatever I can do to be of aid Commodore." Valasa said with a smile, this one much more genuine.

"I'm sure you will, Ambassador," Michael said before he gave a nod to the Admiral. "Admiral, I'll send you a report as soon as we enter Romulan space and one every twelve hours after that."

"Good luck, Commodore Aravan," Breckenridge replied with a return nod.

"If you're ready, Ambassador," Michael said before he gestured towards the door. "We have people to save."

Valasa obeyed the Commodore's gesture and walked out at a brisk pace with her head held high and her shoulders square.