Federation or Thaih'ea

Posted on Mon Jan 29th, 2024 @ 1:29am by Erien Seren Gemini (Kelea-Salik) & Daise'Arrain Olmex Thikoho [Reece] & Daise'Erei'Riov Thomas Pierpoint

Mission: GSN Havraha
Location: Havraha Bridge
Timeline: Present
3099 words - 6.2 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Mishka sat on the bridge watching her crew working to fix the ship, since their arrival in this galaxy things had been hard. Many of the crew and soldiers she carried had been killed by the Filament, what was left had needed to be retrained and schooled into new positions. Food needed to be found and damage repaired, a small jungle planet had been the home of the Romulan survivors until the Havraha had been made ready to serve as their means of return. That too held dangers, some had fallen to the many creatures that lived within the deep jungle surrounding their compound.

"Pierpoint, what is that Federation fool think she's doing?" Mishka glanced at her Human Erei Riov, "The Thaih'ea inhabit the space they are heading to correct? Our information gathered about that species is also correct?"

"It would appear Captain that the Elysium captain is attempting subterfuge. She is attempting to sneak through the area of space held by the Thaih'ea. Our information in regard to the Thaih'ea and the area of space they hold is correct Captain."

"They are taking a huge risk" the Veresian female who now served as Diplomatic Advisor turned to look at Valdran. "If they are discovered by the Thaih'ea their ship will be boarded and their crew taken as slaves. They must know something we don't to be taking that great a risk!"

The Romulan stood up and crossed to her Diplomatic Advisor, "And what in your mind Gemini, could that possibly be? Why attempt such a crossing? Mishka turned back to her First Officer, "Those damn Ojnas swore that this passage was not to be traversed, yet Lalor travels it. Why??" She regained her seat and placed her fingers to her mouth in thought, "Remain cloaked and follow, if those Federation hnoiyikar (weasels) have better information than we. Then let them lead the way, if the Thaih'ea find them so be it we may fair better and get through."

"So they did Captain. However, no reason to jump to conclusions. They may not know anything. There is no evidence of them encountering the Onjas. Best to do as you have ordered. To shadow them and see what they know...if anything." Thomas replied.

"They must know something, otherwise why take such a risk?" Seren was curious, either these Federation people were stupid, or they were very, very brave. Either way there was no way she was getting home anytime soon, if ever.

Mishka nodded, "Lalor knows something, she doesn't just do things or go somewhere simply by chance. And Taylor isn't one to keep his mouth shut, no they know something." She played with a communication device sitting by her arm, "I wonder if the Ojnas have made contact with the Federation yet? Pierpoint, contact Calonis and check. I'm sure he said they would be in this area, meanwhile hang back but follow and observe."

Thomas nodded at his orders. He knew of Mishka's interest in the Elysium and especially her first officer who had bested her twice. "At once Captain." He assured her not wishing to provoke her wrath.

"We should hang well back" Seren looked at Mishka, "They have empaths onboard ship, they may sense our presence even if they can't see us. My empathic abilities would make me stand out to other empaths as well."

Mishka stood up and walked over to Seren, "And what do you suggest? An inhibitor perhaps?" She shook her head and returned to the command chair, "No, that would limit you and us. I need all the tools working, you will control your ability yourself or you will find out how cold space can be."

"It's not..." Seren bit her lip, she knew better than to argue with Mishka. She'd witnessed her wrath several times since arriving onboard ship. "Yes Captain."

"Captain." Thomas spoke up. "Seren has been of great value to us. There is no need to threaten her or do something you would regret later. I am sure Seren can control herself."

"I'm aware of her value, if not for her those damn Ojnas might not have given us information. But Lalor and Taylor are not to be taken lightly, we need to return to our own galaxy. I would even join that susse-thrai (She Wolf) to achieve it, now get her off my bridge before I do forget." Mishka turned to the view screen, she studied the Elysium and thought. Just what was the Federation bitch up to?

"Yes Captain." Thomas replied dutifully. "Come Seren, let's get you off the bridge. Perhaps back to your own cabin." He suggested as the pair left the bridge and Mishka.

Mishka turned and looked at the Human First Officer, "Pierpoint, once you've finished. Return and contact the Ojnas, we're operating in the dark and I don't like it."

Seren nodded obediently and followed Pierpoint off the bridge. For now she was off the hook, better that than to be punished.

"Certainly Captain." Thomas assured her. "It will be done."

Once the pair had left, Mishka walked over to the sensor display, the crewman stepped back as she approached. *What's out here that's got your attention Lalor?* The thought ran through her brain, something or perhaps someone had drawn the Federation to this place Mishka wanted to know the answer.

After taking Seren to her quarters and promising to see her later tonight. Thomas returned to the bridge, sat down at one of the empty stations and opened a secure channel to the Onjas. Once contact had been established, he informed Mishka. "Channel open to the Onjas, Captain."

Mishka walked slowly over to Pierpoint, "Ask Calonis if he has had any contact with the Federation, including their Legate." She tapped her fingers on the edge of the console as she waited, if contact had been made perhaps Calonis had updated information?"

Thomas nodded, turned and reopened the connection to the Onjas ship. "Calonis, this is Pierpoint again. Have you had any contact with the Federation or their Legate?"

After a brief delay, Calonis voice filled the bridge. "As I have previously told you Thomas. I have had no contact with the Federation ship."

Mishka shook her head, "Somethings not right, someone is with holding information. When I find out who, I will act." She crossed her hand across her throat to cut the contact, it was a sign she knew Pierpoint would know. She had learned it fighting the Founders, when Humans had assisted the Havraha after an attack had left the ship blind and without a bridge.

Thomas nodded and reacted swiftly, He cut the connection with the Onjas ship without any form of reply. He knew Mishka, knew her thoughts and knew she was already boiling mad at being left in the dark in this incident. "Captain." He said respectfully. "A suggestion. We can continue to shadow the Federation ship. They have no knowledge of our being here. Our cloak is 100 percent functional."

Glancing at the view screen, Mishka slowly nodded. "Maintain the distance, and keep each watch on alert. I want to be informed if anything happens to the Federation ship, or the Thaih'ea appear. Much as I hate those people, two ships are better than one." She rose and headed for her cabin, she needed sleep and time to think.

Thomas gave a respectful nod. "It will be done Captain. All shifts will remain on alert. Any deviation in the Federation ship course or action and you will be immediately notified."

In her cabin, Mishka sat down to think. For some reason she just knew the Federation had found and met the Ojnas, but they denied it and expected her to just believe them. Why? Or was Pierpoint behind the false reports? After all this time, she still didn't trust that Human.

On board the Ojnas vessel Calonis sat listening to his Op's Officer report about both the Elysium and the Havraha, "Sinkahue, the Federation vessel and the Romulan vessel are now deep within Thaih'ea territory. Both are cloaked but the small fighter we intercepted has just made contact with the larger vessel, we have the location if you require it." Calonis shook his head, "Have we had contact with the Romulan ship?" The Op's Officer shook his head slowly, "No Sinkahue, no contact has been made for some time." Calonis turned to his viewscreen, "Fools, mindless fools."

At that moment, an intraship communication request started to chirp from Mishka's desk. The disembodied voice of the ship's powerfully-built Marine unit Commander could be heard. "Riov, forgive the disturbance. The Raptor launch bays have been repaired and my men stand ready for your orders." His tone was full of fire, yet respectful.

"Do you have a time for when the first Raptor will be ready to launch?" Mishka wanted her fighters ready to defend the ship, her weapons systems were active but not fully. "Thikoho, report to my cabin. I have much I require repairing, I also want to increase the training of your defence section. I feel the Thaih'ea may try to board us, I want them stopped before they can establish a foothold." Thikoho was an unknow to Mishka, he had taken over after her last Marine commander had died suddenly from illness on the planet. She needed to know where he stood within the structure of the ship and Pierpoint and his men.

"The Raptors are being fueled and their systems are being double checked as we speak, Riov. Launch will be available within the hour." He then paused and replied to her second order. "On my way, Riov. I will be there momentarily. Rest assured, my warriors will eliminate any and all threats that attempt to board this vessel."

Closing the comms, Mishka sat and thought about her next actions. She could attack the Federation ship and possibly damage it or more lightly damage both ships badly leaving them vulnerable to attack by the aliens here, the other choice was something she found unpalatable but might ensure the return of both ships back to their respective home planets. She could contact the Federation vessel and attempt to form an alliance between them, until both are in friendlier systems. Pierpoint still wasn't trusted, so her Marine commander would have to do as a sounding board.

A few moments later, Mishka's door chime rang, indicating that someone had arrived outside her door.

Pressing the entry button, Mishka turned to see who had arrived. "Enter, and report."

The doors slid open and the powerful form of the ship's Marine Unit Commander strode inside. Halting a few paces away, Olmex saluted Mishka. "Mistress, I have reported as you commanded. How may I be of service?"

"What is your opinion of the Federation vessel? And their leaders?" Mishka now waited to hear and see how Thikoho would respond, things were getting tight with repairs and food. She had a plan, but needed the support of her crew so far from home.

Though he was playing the part of a normal Marine officer, Olmex was far from it in actuality. Not that anyone on this ship knew the truth, that is. Interlocking his hands behind the small of his back, he replied. "From what I have studied, the human ship is basically a mobile Starbase. In her prime, she could be a formidable opponent even to the Havraha. But now, with her current damage and loss of life?" He shook his head. She is more like a crippled gl'abnir cow, fat and ready for slaughter."

He then paused to consider the second question. "Perhaps, because of her leadership, she might still be dangerous, however. From what I have read, the commanding officer, though young, is a formidable warrior in her own right. And she has surrounded herself with officers that are equally formidable. Should you choose to tale the Federation vessel, it will be a costly battle, on both sides. Of course, the Federation also bring their children into space with them, and there are few creatures more dangerous, than a parent protecting their offspring."

Mishka nodded and turned to her desk monitor, "So are you suggesting we do nothing? Or that we reach out and ally ourselves with the Federation until we reach friendlier space?" Thikoho had placed himself exactly where Mishka wanted him, now he had to show his thought process and on which side he stood.

Olmex, however, would not be baited so easily. He knew, from the way Mishka had phrased her question, that she was trying to test him. It was one of the many things about her that he had been briefed on when he was given this undercover assignment by the Preator himself.

"As a loyal Marine officer, it is not my place to suggest any course of action to the Riov, or any Galae officer. What you choose to do is what will be. My warriors and I will follow the orders put before us."

Mishka slowly turned and looked at Thikoho, "A loyal Officer obeys an order without question, I did not give you an order. I requested your opinion, if I wanted a suggestion I would have asked for it." Her temper was now beginning to rise at the Marine C.O. "Thikoho, if Pierpoint gives you an order, do you comply? Answer me!" Valdran slammed her hand on the desk, "Nei'rrh!! (Annoying Gnat) that you are, why am I surrounded by veruul (fools)?" She stopped herself going further with insulting the Marine, "We are millions of light years away from Romulus, alone and without support. This crew was condemned without reason as traitors, yet you stand before me and state you are a loyal Officer. Loyal to who and to what?" Mishka now gave Thikoho a simple choice, tell her the truth or perish at her hands.

Olmex was silent for a few beats, unmoved by Mishka's outburst, like a mountain was unmoved by a gentle breeze. Finally, with an arched right eyebrow, he responded. "As he is currently billeted as the Executive Officer of this ship, then any orders he gives, so long as they are legal, shall be obeyed." He paused briefly, then answered her second question. "I am loyal to Romulus. Everything I do is to protect her glory."

"As is to be expected, anyone aboard this vessel not loyal to the Empire is to be removed. Which returns me to my first question, Pierpoint." Mishka moved around her desk to stand in front of the Marine C.O. "He is here at the behest of the Orion Syndicate, the only source of supplies we had at the time. But now even they can not supply us with what we need, so what to do about Pierpoint. Is he of use or a liability?" She faced Thikoho fully, showing no fear. "I have a duty to return this ship to Romulus, and return the crew to their families. Yes I drive them hard, but they are Romulans and that is the way." Mishka returned to behind her desk and sat down, "You are a mystery to me Thikoho, and something tells me you hide a secret. But something also tells me I can trust you, a rare thing for me to find," She placed her hands on the desk and again faced Thikoho fully, "I have an idea to reach out to the Federation ship, a mutual support until we gain safer space. Is this to our advantage?" She waited to see Thikoho's response.

Olmex considered the Riov's words for a moment, then replied. "In my opinion, Riov," he began carefully. "While the humans were our allies during the Dominion War, since then we have stepped back behind our respective borders. He has already proven himself to be a traitor to his own people. What guarantee is there that he won't do the same to you and this ship, should the mood suit him?" He took a breath, then continued.

"If you choose for him to remain where he is, and you still have doubts, perhaps he should be monitored, where does he go, who does he speak to? That way, you will be prepared should he decide to continue his past behavior?" He then arched his right eyebrow again. "And as for the Federation ship. Starfleet did prove themselves honorable warriors during the War. As we are both in unknown lands, outnumbered and outgunned, it would be beneficial to us, to form a temporary alliance until such time as we possess the upper hand over them."

The response of the Marine was balanced and open, but also laced with the threat that if she chose wrong her head would roll, Mishka nodded and considered her choices. "Watch Pierpoint, shadow him and find out all you can. I will allow him time to prove himself, if he fails he dies."

===MEANWHILE===
Thomas was alone in his quarters. Seren had just left, He was glad he had her to talk to. Someone he could vent to but not too loudly or strongly. Mishka had eyes and ears everywhere, She was after all Tal Shiar and they suspected everyone So maybe he should be honored , He chuckled humessly at the thought. He had poured himself a glass of Brandy as he reflected on Mishka and her obvious reluctance to accept him as her First Officer which trickled down through the crew rank's.Which in turn made his job even more difficult.

He didn't give two shits about what the crew thought of him as long as they followed his orders. He was concerned with the lack of trust Mishka showed him as she seemed to question his every move as well as his every reply. It was in a word frustrating. and he felt unwarranted. For the crew not to like him was expected, he was a Human and the enemy or so they had been bred to believe. How many times did he have to prove himself? Would the jury always be out? Would he always be under a microscope?

Or perhaps this was the plan all along. To test his loyalty and who better to find out then Mishka? He poured himself another drink. He would show them. He would always be loyal to them despite their paranoia. So, he sat and brooded. Waited for Seren's return, Played the perfect XO and hoped Mishka would one day wake up and realize she could trust him, However the reality, of the situation was that he wasn't very hopeful and made the best of a bad situation.

~END~