Interlude – Of What May Come
by Commander Isha t'Vaurek & Cardassian Vi'kar Gul Tharek Getal
Post Details
ON
Khrein Latasalaem had promised him ships but to make the rendezvous Rh'vaurek had to leave soon; the shuttle Liorae was already being prepped to make the journey. Rh'vaurek could simply leave which was his preference, but he did not want to sour a new alliance when it had hardly begun, besides, he wanted assurance that this was a two-sided arrangement. Rh'vaurek left his office and made his way to the front desk.
i-Orinwen smiled at him for a moment, then she resumed her sulk, presumably remembering that she was trying to remain angry with him. Indifferent, Rh'vaurek sat on the edge of the reception desk and smiled a half smile at her. "Would you do me a favour, Nahir?" he asked in a low tone.
"What is it?" Nahir asked tightly as she stared up at him through half lowered lashes.
"I need to speak with someone," he said placing a hand on her shoulder. "I don't want a record that suggests the meeting is anything other than a coincidence," he told her. He could see that she was confused, but also interested. "I want you to deliver a message for me."
"Is that all," Nahir replied shrugging his hand away. "OK. My shift is over anyway. What's the message?"
"Nip down to the Cardassian consulate and tell the ambassador that he needs to 'bump into' me on the promenade."
"What?" i-Orinwen said astonished. "What sort of a message is that?"
"One that I expect you to deliver," Rh'vaurek said. "You're a linguist, it'll give you a bit of practice," he told her. "I'll be loitering on the promenade for the next twenty minutes, so get a move on," he added as he left the consulate.
Confused did not come close to describing i-Orinwen's emotions as she watched Rh'vaurek leave. Why could he not be 'normal'? she thought as she got up. How she was going to deliver that message was beyond her, but she did not want to let Rh'vaurek down. The thought occupied i-Orinwen all the way to her destination.
She drew in a breath as she entered the other consulate. Did people feel this way when they stepped into the Romulan one she wondered?
"I have a personal message to deliver from the Romulan consulate," she told the person on duty, "for your ambassador."
Lemat glared up at her. By the way she dressed, talked and stood told a lot about her. "Your from the Romulan consulate, aren't you?" She asked rhetorically. She took a deep breath in and pressed the comm. "Vi'kar Gul, a Romulan female for you, bearing a message. Shall I send her in?"
"Send her in, armed escort too." His reply came.
Lemat quickly clicked off the comm and waved over a guard. "Hand over any communicators and weapons you are carrying, you will be given them back when you leave."
"I have no weapons," i-Orinwen replied as with some reluctance she removed the comm from her uniform. "This is quite unorthordox," she said to the female as she handed it over. It was Romulans who had the reputation about being paranoid but the precautions they were taking over a very lone and very petite young woman redefined the term.
"Don't blame me, it's the ambassador's orders. He's gone a bit loopy since the murder of his last aide. Even someone like you or me is capable of murder."
i-Orinwen nodded. "I understand," she said in the woman's own language as she looked up at the 'escort'. Her counterpart could not be much older than her, Nahir thought, and was probably as bothered by all this as she was. i-Orinwen knew thought that she should not say who the message was from - such a revelation in public would be as open to interception as any transmission, and Rh'vaurek was explicit about secrecy. "I don't have long," she said.
The guard nodded and shunted his gun in the direction she should walk.
It's nothing, Nahir told herself, No more daunting that your final exams. Say what you need to say and then you'll be out.. But, she realised this was real, not an examination of her ability in a language. Why had Rh'vaurek made her do this? Why could he not ... Nahir caught hold of herself. She realised with this lot around she would not be fulfilling Rh'vaurek's orders.
Tharek sat in his plush chair. The darkness of the room was lower than normal, and the temperature was far above normal, even for a Cardassian. He glared at the women coming into his office, his own face covered by darkness.
"I have a confidential message for you," she said, not quite sure where to look. "One that could not be trusted to tracable sources," she said hoping that he would take the hint and ask the others to leave so that she could give him Rh'vaurek's message and go and spend the rest of the evening sobbing into her pillow.
"Leave us." Tharek said to the guard. The guard left instantly, and left Tharek with Nahir. She was alone with the snake now. "Speak."
Nahir's head turned back as they left, returning to the front as the door closed. Oddly, she had felt better when she was not alone.
"Ambassador," Nahir said in his own tongue, "erie'Khrein Raedheol sent me to you with a message."
Tharek kept his cold and blank face. "Then tell me it? I doubt Rh'vaurek has time to waste. And neither do I."
Nahir swallowed before she continued, trying to recall whether she was supposed to look directly at a Cardassian or not. Unable to remember she opted to keep her eyes down as she spoke. "erie'Khrein Raedheol wishes to meet you on the promende. He gave no venue, and wishes the initial meeting to appear an accident," she informed hom. "He will be there for twenty minutes ... ten now," she added, it had taken that long to get this far.
Tharek didn't give a reply. He just stood, and ushered Nahir out by a swift gesture of his hand. "I have no time to waste, leave."
Nahir needed no furher encouragement. She left his ofice and was out of the consulate as quickly as she could be; she had done what Rh'vaurek had asked of her.
----
On the Promenade Rh'vuarek was leaning with his arms folded against a rail observing those who moved on the lower levels.
It had been very unfair of him to ask that of Nahir, but unfair demands were likely to characterise her life if she continued to perform so well - she was so innocent, a perfect vessel, he mused as he watchng the milling populace below. She was also taking her time he noted as he drummed his fingers against the rail. At the same time he caught sight of someone he had been looking for for days.
Tharek jabbed Rh'vaurek lightly in the arm as he arrived at his side. "Sorry for the wait, your aide wouldn't spit the message out." He said, leaning against the rail.
"Its not her job to spit things out," Rh'vaurek said still watching the level below, his gaze tracking the progress of one particular individual, "Quite the opposite, in fact," he added as he turned, greeting the Cardassian with his usual cynical half-smile. "Drink? Somewhere we're not known," he suggested.
"We're known most places." Tharek said quickly. "But... A drink would be good at this moment." He said, mimicking his smile.
Rh'vaurek shifted away from the rail, "We can go wherever you like, even to your usual haunt if we'll not be bothered. I'm short on time and I have none to spare for colourful proprietresses who want to flirt with you," he observed.
Tharek laughed lightly. "Let's try that one." He said, pointing down the promenade to a bar that only 'aliens' seemed to be entering.
"Well isn't this pleasant," Rh'vuarek muttered as they entered. There was not a great deal of air or space between tables, snatches of murmured conversation could be heard but the ambient noise made little discernable, even to Rh'vaurek. He went for a table and pointed to one of the bartenders and crooked his finger, indicating for him to come over. "This reminds me of a shithole I once visited on Beltane IX," Rh'vaurek said as he sat. "Doesn't it make you feel thrilled that this station caters for all walks of life?" he asked. Though the question was rhetorical he expected some form of response. The cramped space, sticky floor and the clients could not help but raise some comment.
"By walks of life I assume you mean the by-products of each and every species." Tharek commented, disregarding the various patrons nearby. "Now, what's so urgent that I had to be here within twenty minutes?"
"I'm leaving DS5," Rh'vaurek said, "Within the hour."
"I'll be sure to wave you off." Tharek said sarcastically. "What does it have to do with me?" Tharek said, having a small guess as to the nature of Rh'vaurek's next comment.
"Don't piss about, Tharek, it doesn't amuse me," Rh'vaurek said blandly before continuing in a low growl. "Khrein Latasalaem has offered me four ships - I am leaving to rendezvous with them. We need to demonstrate that our joint forces can succeed. On their own mine are enough to take a small planet so a backwater spacestation will be no problem, but it is not going to happen unless you match."
Tharek understood now. The secrecy was important now, because Rh'vaurek had delivered what Tharek wanted. "I can argue another two Keldon classes along with the Rakara, a fast attack vessel and a garrison vessel from some contacts in Central Command."
"Kal`iFhou, a fresh bottle," Rh'vaurek told the bartender who had grudginlgly come to the table, "and two glasses, if you can find two that are clean," he said waiting until the man had departed before he continued. "I'm expecting one Verelius and two D'deridex Rh'vaurek said, "Plus a D'valek - with the Klingon scow, the station's own defences and whatever itinerent vessels they have in the region at the time against us." Rh'vaurek pasued for a moment. "We should probably consider R'Vek's ship to be hostile too," he mused as the man returned with the bottle of blue liquid, opened it and put it on the table with a bang.
"R'vek? Oh! Isn't that one of Isha's family?" Tharek said, having heard the name before.
Rh'vaurek nodded. "A cousin," he replied, "They're close I believe, or were." He fell into a thoughtful silence as he poured the bright blue liquid into the glasses, took one, and sipped. "Passable," he commented before continuing, the glass held loosely in his fingers. "You should keep an eye on him, he has resources ... and a half-breed daughter, got a little bit too frisky with one of the inmates of a prison camp, and ... well the result is skulking around this station having an identity crisis." Rh'vaurek would not miss R'Vek; they despised each other, finding it difficult even to pretend otherwise.
"Does R'vek or his mongrel daughter pose a problem?" Tharek asked, taking the bottle and filling half the glass given to him.
"She's out of control and he is a self important son of a degenerate House. He'll be more of an issue if our plan leaks out - so yes, they could be a problem."
Tharek thought for a second, if these degenerates were going to pose a problem to Tharek's plans, then there was only one easonable course of action, or, what Tharek saw as reasonable. "Should I have them killed?"
Rh'vaurek laughed before taking another drink, "They might not be too willing to die," he said, "but you have my blessing should you wish to."
Tharek smiled. It was a long time since he was given permission to kill someone. Rh'vaurek had basically gift wrapped R'vek and handed him over on a silver platter to the reptiles. "I take your blessing into full consideration." Tharek said as he finished off the small amount of drink.
Tipping his glass towards Tharek Rh'vaurek nodded. "I want your ships to rendezvous with mine, I need the full picture," he raised a hand to stem the obvious objection, "you maintain command of yours, me of mine. I will make a personal appraisal of our joint capabilities, then we can proceed. You take care of things here on the ground."
Tharek nodded in agreement. "Your troops are going to have to coordinate with mine." Tharek said, placing his glass down.
Knowing the details of what went wrong during that last Romulan attack when two operations had collided Rh'vaurek could not disagree, the command structure had been hijacked by hierarchy and it was only some prodigious scapegoating that had prevented a disaster.
"Coordinate yes, but be subordinated, no." Rh'varek said putting his glass down. "We need to be slick, Tharek, and balanced. I command the joint fleet, you command the ground forces - I include my shadow teams in that," Tharek had benefitted already from the effiency of one team during a riot, and Rh'vaurek had eight such teams living anonymously among the station's population; even if yielding control of ariel forces might grate gaining them would make it less bitter.
Tharek had heard things about Romulan shadow teams. Things that even Tharek had to admire. "Sounds perfect." Tharek said, smiling. "I'll begin working with your forces, and mine, immediately."
"Not quite immediately. I haven't finished my drink yet. And we have not agreed a timescale."
Tharek cooled his engines and sat back. "Right... Right. Please, go on."
"You know your business, Tharek, I'm not going to lecture you," he said - "now!" - was not a common part of Rh'vaurek's vocabulary, he could be terribly patient. "It will be two to three days before I am in position. R'Vek has compromised the consulate's secure channels, so if you need to communicate with me, summon the girl I sent earlier, I have given her the means to contact me."
"Should I send the Rakara with you?" Tharek asked, raising his eyebrow quizzically.
Rh'vaurek swirled the liquid around his glass, "I wouldn't want anyone to make the connection between my departure and its," he said, "keep the Rakara here for now, but get them used to the idea that they're going to be working with my people. Once I have the collated analytics of the last three attacks on this place run with the proper simulators we can narrow things down, but I think we'll be in a position to move within a month."
"Within a month... " Tharek said, pondering the thought. This station would be his... And Rh'vaurek's... Within a single month. "I'll await your contact. I'll tell Turrel to get all navy staff onto the Rakara and to start co-ordinating with your staff. Likewise with Sotar and Denat."
"Do that," Rh'vaurek said reaching for the bottle and pouring himself another slug, "Don't feel obliged to hang around," he continued. Rh'vaurek had things on his mind.
"I don't. It's just polite." Tharek said, refilling his own glass too.
Rh'vaurek nodded and took another drink. "Eighty-five percent chance of success for the joint attack," he said, "based on initial analysis, and the bigger challenge will be holding the station. If you've got any ideas of taking me out of the equation when we take the station, bear in mind that the only viable supply line that cannot be cut by Federation foreces comes out of Romulan space." It was an observation, and made without rancour or accusation, just a knowledge of what Rh'vaurek himself would be thinking if he were in Tharek's position.
"Unlike most Cardassians, I keep my word when it's given out. I give you my word, this will be a joint effort to the end."
His eyes were a dark glint in the dimly lit room. Rh'vaurek was investing a lot in this venture, and had already made sacrifices that he would have preferred not to have made. "I'll hold you to it," he told Tharek. "Something else, a priority. Preliminary data shows it was down to the marine facility that the lloann'su took this place back from the fanatics - it needs taking out before we go ahead," he said, "along with its costumed overseer."
"Darson and his dancing monkeys?" Tharek asked rhetorically. "They shouldn't be too hard to deal with."
"I'm sure the circus will do its best to entertain you," Rh'vaurek replied. "If they're still in place we'll have to review strategy. Half of the station's populace don't appear to care who is in charge as long as the bars are open," he observed, "that's the half I'd rather have waiting."
Tharek smirked. "When should I have Darson... What's the word... When should I have him 'misplaced'?"
"At your earliest convenience, Tharek," Rh'vaurek said. "I'm sure that will be an interesting little puzzle to resolve, just try and make sure its permanent," he added.
"And what of Gabriel? Or Isha? Or the Klingon?" Tharek asked, gulping down the remnants of his drink. "I don't want any of them interfering."
"The Klingon might be a problem. I had thought he might be open to bribery, but it seems he's one of the thick headed type who acquaint honour with hitting things. It might be worth giving it one more go," he mused before turning to the other two names with a throaty chuckle. "Did you know that Isha cut her teeth in the courts?" he asked. "If you should ever get the chance to see her bring a prosecution you'll find it well worth your while. Its a testament to her ability that she came back here at all," he continued thoughtfully, "she'd been set up to take the blame for the attack on this station, a little sacrifice to keep the Federation sweet but somehow, despite the fact the warrant for her execution had been signed before she even left Deep Space Five, she left ch'Rihan with her head."
"She is interfering, and must be stopped. Permanently stopped." Tharek said through narrowed eyes.
Rh'vaurek tilted his glass as if examining the contents, "I wouldn't be so fast to wish her dead," he told Tharek, "Gabriel was very lucky a few years ago, he killed one of our scientists and thinks he got away with it. Once the final pieces are in place Isha is going apply for his extradition to face charges of murder. If needed she will bring the case here. and if there is anyone who can secure Gabriel's extradition and execution it is t'Khellian," he said draining his glass.
"So, we leave t'Khellian to get rid of Gabriel, and then we get rid of t'Khellian?" Tharek clarified.
He shrugged, "Why not," Rh'vaurek said indifferently, though he was curious as to why Tharek was so obsessed with her. "No point in throwing out a useful tool," he said upending the remainder of the bottle into his glass. "Which leaves you with the Klingon."
Tharek rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "I can hardly wait!" He exclaimed.
"He's a big bastard, I'll give him that," he said with a laugh. Tharek's enthusiasm was catching - that was dangerous. Rh'vaurek had taken some extraordinary risks in his youth and come out fine but he did not want to try and repeat them now. "I'd be interested to see that paricular confrontation. There's nothing quite like a Klingon realising that he's lost," Rh'vaurek said.
"Too true." Tharek agreed. "I'll do it the old fashioned way. By blade." He said, imagining the scene already.
"I'll leave it your hands then," Rh'vaurek said placing his glass back on the table, there was still an inch or two of liquid in it. "My shuttle is waiting, it will appear that I have returned to ch'Rihan. When I rendezvous with my ships I'll send word. Then you can send yours to join me."
Tharek nodded and stood. "I await your call. Don't be too long now, Rh'vaurek." He said.
"It won't be long," Rh'vaurek replied leaning back in his chair, "and next time I step on this station I expect to see you running it," he said with a twist of his lip.
"I can guarantee you that, Rh'vaurek." Tharek said. He nodded politely, then turned to leave. The sinister smile spreading across his serpent face.
Rh'vaurek lingered a while after Tharek left and during the brief conversation he had with the surly barman as he paid the bill he established exactly what the communication protocols between his consulate and the various teams around the station would be. when they moved into the operational phase.
That done he was on his way. Rh'vaurek was already late.
OFF
erie'Khrein Rh'vaurek Raedheol
Vi'kar Gul Tharek Getal
Cardassian Dictator
by Commander Isha t'Vaurek & Cardassian Vi'kar Gul Tharek Getal
Post Details
| Title | Of What May Come | |
| Mission | Interlude | |
| Author(s) | Commander Isha t'Vaurek & Cardassian Vi'kar Gul Tharek Getal | |
| Posted | Sun May 23, 2010 @ 5:48pm | |
| Location | Promenade. A dive bar. | |
| Timeline | An hour or so after 'The Possibility of Victory ...' SD18 |
Khrein Latasalaem had promised him ships but to make the rendezvous Rh'vaurek had to leave soon; the shuttle Liorae was already being prepped to make the journey. Rh'vaurek could simply leave which was his preference, but he did not want to sour a new alliance when it had hardly begun, besides, he wanted assurance that this was a two-sided arrangement. Rh'vaurek left his office and made his way to the front desk.
i-Orinwen smiled at him for a moment, then she resumed her sulk, presumably remembering that she was trying to remain angry with him. Indifferent, Rh'vaurek sat on the edge of the reception desk and smiled a half smile at her. "Would you do me a favour, Nahir?" he asked in a low tone.
"What is it?" Nahir asked tightly as she stared up at him through half lowered lashes.
"I need to speak with someone," he said placing a hand on her shoulder. "I don't want a record that suggests the meeting is anything other than a coincidence," he told her. He could see that she was confused, but also interested. "I want you to deliver a message for me."
"Is that all," Nahir replied shrugging his hand away. "OK. My shift is over anyway. What's the message?"
"Nip down to the Cardassian consulate and tell the ambassador that he needs to 'bump into' me on the promenade."
"What?" i-Orinwen said astonished. "What sort of a message is that?"
"One that I expect you to deliver," Rh'vaurek said. "You're a linguist, it'll give you a bit of practice," he told her. "I'll be loitering on the promenade for the next twenty minutes, so get a move on," he added as he left the consulate.
Confused did not come close to describing i-Orinwen's emotions as she watched Rh'vaurek leave. Why could he not be 'normal'? she thought as she got up. How she was going to deliver that message was beyond her, but she did not want to let Rh'vaurek down. The thought occupied i-Orinwen all the way to her destination.
She drew in a breath as she entered the other consulate. Did people feel this way when they stepped into the Romulan one she wondered?
"I have a personal message to deliver from the Romulan consulate," she told the person on duty, "for your ambassador."
Lemat glared up at her. By the way she dressed, talked and stood told a lot about her. "Your from the Romulan consulate, aren't you?" She asked rhetorically. She took a deep breath in and pressed the comm. "Vi'kar Gul, a Romulan female for you, bearing a message. Shall I send her in?"
"Send her in, armed escort too." His reply came.
Lemat quickly clicked off the comm and waved over a guard. "Hand over any communicators and weapons you are carrying, you will be given them back when you leave."
"I have no weapons," i-Orinwen replied as with some reluctance she removed the comm from her uniform. "This is quite unorthordox," she said to the female as she handed it over. It was Romulans who had the reputation about being paranoid but the precautions they were taking over a very lone and very petite young woman redefined the term.
"Don't blame me, it's the ambassador's orders. He's gone a bit loopy since the murder of his last aide. Even someone like you or me is capable of murder."
i-Orinwen nodded. "I understand," she said in the woman's own language as she looked up at the 'escort'. Her counterpart could not be much older than her, Nahir thought, and was probably as bothered by all this as she was. i-Orinwen knew thought that she should not say who the message was from - such a revelation in public would be as open to interception as any transmission, and Rh'vaurek was explicit about secrecy. "I don't have long," she said.
The guard nodded and shunted his gun in the direction she should walk.
It's nothing, Nahir told herself, No more daunting that your final exams. Say what you need to say and then you'll be out.. But, she realised this was real, not an examination of her ability in a language. Why had Rh'vaurek made her do this? Why could he not ... Nahir caught hold of herself. She realised with this lot around she would not be fulfilling Rh'vaurek's orders.
Tharek sat in his plush chair. The darkness of the room was lower than normal, and the temperature was far above normal, even for a Cardassian. He glared at the women coming into his office, his own face covered by darkness.
"I have a confidential message for you," she said, not quite sure where to look. "One that could not be trusted to tracable sources," she said hoping that he would take the hint and ask the others to leave so that she could give him Rh'vaurek's message and go and spend the rest of the evening sobbing into her pillow.
"Leave us." Tharek said to the guard. The guard left instantly, and left Tharek with Nahir. She was alone with the snake now. "Speak."
Nahir's head turned back as they left, returning to the front as the door closed. Oddly, she had felt better when she was not alone.
"Ambassador," Nahir said in his own tongue, "erie'Khrein Raedheol sent me to you with a message."
Tharek kept his cold and blank face. "Then tell me it? I doubt Rh'vaurek has time to waste. And neither do I."
Nahir swallowed before she continued, trying to recall whether she was supposed to look directly at a Cardassian or not. Unable to remember she opted to keep her eyes down as she spoke. "erie'Khrein Raedheol wishes to meet you on the promende. He gave no venue, and wishes the initial meeting to appear an accident," she informed hom. "He will be there for twenty minutes ... ten now," she added, it had taken that long to get this far.
Tharek didn't give a reply. He just stood, and ushered Nahir out by a swift gesture of his hand. "I have no time to waste, leave."
Nahir needed no furher encouragement. She left his ofice and was out of the consulate as quickly as she could be; she had done what Rh'vaurek had asked of her.
----
On the Promenade Rh'vuarek was leaning with his arms folded against a rail observing those who moved on the lower levels.
It had been very unfair of him to ask that of Nahir, but unfair demands were likely to characterise her life if she continued to perform so well - she was so innocent, a perfect vessel, he mused as he watchng the milling populace below. She was also taking her time he noted as he drummed his fingers against the rail. At the same time he caught sight of someone he had been looking for for days.
Tharek jabbed Rh'vaurek lightly in the arm as he arrived at his side. "Sorry for the wait, your aide wouldn't spit the message out." He said, leaning against the rail.
"Its not her job to spit things out," Rh'vaurek said still watching the level below, his gaze tracking the progress of one particular individual, "Quite the opposite, in fact," he added as he turned, greeting the Cardassian with his usual cynical half-smile. "Drink? Somewhere we're not known," he suggested.
"We're known most places." Tharek said quickly. "But... A drink would be good at this moment." He said, mimicking his smile.
Rh'vaurek shifted away from the rail, "We can go wherever you like, even to your usual haunt if we'll not be bothered. I'm short on time and I have none to spare for colourful proprietresses who want to flirt with you," he observed.
Tharek laughed lightly. "Let's try that one." He said, pointing down the promenade to a bar that only 'aliens' seemed to be entering.
"Well isn't this pleasant," Rh'vuarek muttered as they entered. There was not a great deal of air or space between tables, snatches of murmured conversation could be heard but the ambient noise made little discernable, even to Rh'vaurek. He went for a table and pointed to one of the bartenders and crooked his finger, indicating for him to come over. "This reminds me of a shithole I once visited on Beltane IX," Rh'vaurek said as he sat. "Doesn't it make you feel thrilled that this station caters for all walks of life?" he asked. Though the question was rhetorical he expected some form of response. The cramped space, sticky floor and the clients could not help but raise some comment.
"By walks of life I assume you mean the by-products of each and every species." Tharek commented, disregarding the various patrons nearby. "Now, what's so urgent that I had to be here within twenty minutes?"
"I'm leaving DS5," Rh'vaurek said, "Within the hour."
"I'll be sure to wave you off." Tharek said sarcastically. "What does it have to do with me?" Tharek said, having a small guess as to the nature of Rh'vaurek's next comment.
"Don't piss about, Tharek, it doesn't amuse me," Rh'vaurek said blandly before continuing in a low growl. "Khrein Latasalaem has offered me four ships - I am leaving to rendezvous with them. We need to demonstrate that our joint forces can succeed. On their own mine are enough to take a small planet so a backwater spacestation will be no problem, but it is not going to happen unless you match."
Tharek understood now. The secrecy was important now, because Rh'vaurek had delivered what Tharek wanted. "I can argue another two Keldon classes along with the Rakara, a fast attack vessel and a garrison vessel from some contacts in Central Command."
"Kal`iFhou, a fresh bottle," Rh'vaurek told the bartender who had grudginlgly come to the table, "and two glasses, if you can find two that are clean," he said waiting until the man had departed before he continued. "I'm expecting one Verelius and two D'deridex Rh'vaurek said, "Plus a D'valek - with the Klingon scow, the station's own defences and whatever itinerent vessels they have in the region at the time against us." Rh'vaurek pasued for a moment. "We should probably consider R'Vek's ship to be hostile too," he mused as the man returned with the bottle of blue liquid, opened it and put it on the table with a bang.
"R'vek? Oh! Isn't that one of Isha's family?" Tharek said, having heard the name before.
Rh'vaurek nodded. "A cousin," he replied, "They're close I believe, or were." He fell into a thoughtful silence as he poured the bright blue liquid into the glasses, took one, and sipped. "Passable," he commented before continuing, the glass held loosely in his fingers. "You should keep an eye on him, he has resources ... and a half-breed daughter, got a little bit too frisky with one of the inmates of a prison camp, and ... well the result is skulking around this station having an identity crisis." Rh'vaurek would not miss R'Vek; they despised each other, finding it difficult even to pretend otherwise.
"Does R'vek or his mongrel daughter pose a problem?" Tharek asked, taking the bottle and filling half the glass given to him.
"She's out of control and he is a self important son of a degenerate House. He'll be more of an issue if our plan leaks out - so yes, they could be a problem."
Tharek thought for a second, if these degenerates were going to pose a problem to Tharek's plans, then there was only one easonable course of action, or, what Tharek saw as reasonable. "Should I have them killed?"
Rh'vaurek laughed before taking another drink, "They might not be too willing to die," he said, "but you have my blessing should you wish to."
Tharek smiled. It was a long time since he was given permission to kill someone. Rh'vaurek had basically gift wrapped R'vek and handed him over on a silver platter to the reptiles. "I take your blessing into full consideration." Tharek said as he finished off the small amount of drink.
Tipping his glass towards Tharek Rh'vaurek nodded. "I want your ships to rendezvous with mine, I need the full picture," he raised a hand to stem the obvious objection, "you maintain command of yours, me of mine. I will make a personal appraisal of our joint capabilities, then we can proceed. You take care of things here on the ground."
Tharek nodded in agreement. "Your troops are going to have to coordinate with mine." Tharek said, placing his glass down.
Knowing the details of what went wrong during that last Romulan attack when two operations had collided Rh'vaurek could not disagree, the command structure had been hijacked by hierarchy and it was only some prodigious scapegoating that had prevented a disaster.
"Coordinate yes, but be subordinated, no." Rh'varek said putting his glass down. "We need to be slick, Tharek, and balanced. I command the joint fleet, you command the ground forces - I include my shadow teams in that," Tharek had benefitted already from the effiency of one team during a riot, and Rh'vaurek had eight such teams living anonymously among the station's population; even if yielding control of ariel forces might grate gaining them would make it less bitter.
Tharek had heard things about Romulan shadow teams. Things that even Tharek had to admire. "Sounds perfect." Tharek said, smiling. "I'll begin working with your forces, and mine, immediately."
"Not quite immediately. I haven't finished my drink yet. And we have not agreed a timescale."
Tharek cooled his engines and sat back. "Right... Right. Please, go on."
"You know your business, Tharek, I'm not going to lecture you," he said - "now!" - was not a common part of Rh'vaurek's vocabulary, he could be terribly patient. "It will be two to three days before I am in position. R'Vek has compromised the consulate's secure channels, so if you need to communicate with me, summon the girl I sent earlier, I have given her the means to contact me."
"Should I send the Rakara with you?" Tharek asked, raising his eyebrow quizzically.
Rh'vaurek swirled the liquid around his glass, "I wouldn't want anyone to make the connection between my departure and its," he said, "keep the Rakara here for now, but get them used to the idea that they're going to be working with my people. Once I have the collated analytics of the last three attacks on this place run with the proper simulators we can narrow things down, but I think we'll be in a position to move within a month."
"Within a month... " Tharek said, pondering the thought. This station would be his... And Rh'vaurek's... Within a single month. "I'll await your contact. I'll tell Turrel to get all navy staff onto the Rakara and to start co-ordinating with your staff. Likewise with Sotar and Denat."
"Do that," Rh'vaurek said reaching for the bottle and pouring himself another slug, "Don't feel obliged to hang around," he continued. Rh'vaurek had things on his mind.
"I don't. It's just polite." Tharek said, refilling his own glass too.
Rh'vaurek nodded and took another drink. "Eighty-five percent chance of success for the joint attack," he said, "based on initial analysis, and the bigger challenge will be holding the station. If you've got any ideas of taking me out of the equation when we take the station, bear in mind that the only viable supply line that cannot be cut by Federation foreces comes out of Romulan space." It was an observation, and made without rancour or accusation, just a knowledge of what Rh'vaurek himself would be thinking if he were in Tharek's position.
"Unlike most Cardassians, I keep my word when it's given out. I give you my word, this will be a joint effort to the end."
His eyes were a dark glint in the dimly lit room. Rh'vaurek was investing a lot in this venture, and had already made sacrifices that he would have preferred not to have made. "I'll hold you to it," he told Tharek. "Something else, a priority. Preliminary data shows it was down to the marine facility that the lloann'su took this place back from the fanatics - it needs taking out before we go ahead," he said, "along with its costumed overseer."
"Darson and his dancing monkeys?" Tharek asked rhetorically. "They shouldn't be too hard to deal with."
"I'm sure the circus will do its best to entertain you," Rh'vaurek replied. "If they're still in place we'll have to review strategy. Half of the station's populace don't appear to care who is in charge as long as the bars are open," he observed, "that's the half I'd rather have waiting."
Tharek smirked. "When should I have Darson... What's the word... When should I have him 'misplaced'?"
"At your earliest convenience, Tharek," Rh'vaurek said. "I'm sure that will be an interesting little puzzle to resolve, just try and make sure its permanent," he added.
"And what of Gabriel? Or Isha? Or the Klingon?" Tharek asked, gulping down the remnants of his drink. "I don't want any of them interfering."
"The Klingon might be a problem. I had thought he might be open to bribery, but it seems he's one of the thick headed type who acquaint honour with hitting things. It might be worth giving it one more go," he mused before turning to the other two names with a throaty chuckle. "Did you know that Isha cut her teeth in the courts?" he asked. "If you should ever get the chance to see her bring a prosecution you'll find it well worth your while. Its a testament to her ability that she came back here at all," he continued thoughtfully, "she'd been set up to take the blame for the attack on this station, a little sacrifice to keep the Federation sweet but somehow, despite the fact the warrant for her execution had been signed before she even left Deep Space Five, she left ch'Rihan with her head."
"She is interfering, and must be stopped. Permanently stopped." Tharek said through narrowed eyes.
Rh'vaurek tilted his glass as if examining the contents, "I wouldn't be so fast to wish her dead," he told Tharek, "Gabriel was very lucky a few years ago, he killed one of our scientists and thinks he got away with it. Once the final pieces are in place Isha is going apply for his extradition to face charges of murder. If needed she will bring the case here. and if there is anyone who can secure Gabriel's extradition and execution it is t'Khellian," he said draining his glass.
"So, we leave t'Khellian to get rid of Gabriel, and then we get rid of t'Khellian?" Tharek clarified.
He shrugged, "Why not," Rh'vaurek said indifferently, though he was curious as to why Tharek was so obsessed with her. "No point in throwing out a useful tool," he said upending the remainder of the bottle into his glass. "Which leaves you with the Klingon."
Tharek rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "I can hardly wait!" He exclaimed.
"He's a big bastard, I'll give him that," he said with a laugh. Tharek's enthusiasm was catching - that was dangerous. Rh'vaurek had taken some extraordinary risks in his youth and come out fine but he did not want to try and repeat them now. "I'd be interested to see that paricular confrontation. There's nothing quite like a Klingon realising that he's lost," Rh'vaurek said.
"Too true." Tharek agreed. "I'll do it the old fashioned way. By blade." He said, imagining the scene already.
"I'll leave it your hands then," Rh'vaurek said placing his glass back on the table, there was still an inch or two of liquid in it. "My shuttle is waiting, it will appear that I have returned to ch'Rihan. When I rendezvous with my ships I'll send word. Then you can send yours to join me."
Tharek nodded and stood. "I await your call. Don't be too long now, Rh'vaurek." He said.
"It won't be long," Rh'vaurek replied leaning back in his chair, "and next time I step on this station I expect to see you running it," he said with a twist of his lip.
"I can guarantee you that, Rh'vaurek." Tharek said. He nodded politely, then turned to leave. The sinister smile spreading across his serpent face.
Rh'vaurek lingered a while after Tharek left and during the brief conversation he had with the surly barman as he paid the bill he established exactly what the communication protocols between his consulate and the various teams around the station would be. when they moved into the operational phase.
That done he was on his way. Rh'vaurek was already late.
OFF
erie'Khrein Rh'vaurek Raedheol
Vi'kar Gul Tharek Getal
Cardassian Dictator