Mind Games (Highlights - Meeting the Praetor - Yr 2385)

Posted on Thu Jan 19th, 2023 @ 10:13am by Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell

1,738 words; about a 9 minute read

(excerpts taken from backstory scenes played out on Shadowfleet)

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
Tal'Shiar operative
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Hall of State - Praetor's office / Year 2385]

Rayek found the brightness of the Romulan sun hard on his eyes, causing him to squint and blink away tears as his eyes struggled to adjust. The recent Tal'Shiar member had been beamed aboard a Tal'Shiar controlled vessel earlier that morning, debriefed aggressively by his Tal'Shiar superiors for the past several hours with no opportunity to clean-up or change after having lived underground for a month among the few remaining Reman slaves, and had just now been beamed down the planet's surface with no instruction or explanation of what he was supposed to do.

Rayek found himself unexpectedly not just in the capital city, but just at the entrance to the Hall of State. At seeing the political arena, Rayek's first thought was that he'd been summoned by his father, the Proconsul, and that something terrible might have happened to one of his family while he'd been away.

Romulan military stood guard throughout the grounds and at strategic places along the building. Almost immediately after his arrival, a pair of uhlan much like himself flanked him and demanded his credentials. Rayek identified himself. There was moment in which Rayek feared that perhaps his arrival hadn't been arranged for properly and that he might get turned away. But no, after barely a moments wait, Rayek was guided through the entrance and towards one of the beautifully ornate doors.

The guard rapped lightly on the door, but having already gotten permission to enter, did so. 

"Praetor," the man stopped and saluted the leader of the Romulan Empire, "We bring you, Uhlan tr'Lhoell, as requested."

Rayek blanched at the realization that he'd been called for specifically not by his father, as he had thought, but by the Praetor. This could not be good. Dropping to a knee, Rayek offered the Romulan leader his own obeisance and salute. The salute, a closed fist over his heart was then sharply extended out towards the Praetor to end in an open palm down. Rayek dared meeting the man's look as he greeted the leader with a proper formal phrase, "Shaoi kon, Fvillha!"

Rayek remained in that position until acknowledged by the Praetor.

~~~~~~~~~~~
translation:
shaoi kon - formal greeting, inferior to superior
Fvillha - Rihannsu term for Praetor





Rayek remained down on one knee while the Praetor dismissed the guards. No doubt he would be made to remain in this pose until the Praetor felt Rayek was suitably put in his place. To help speed this, Rayek kept his eyes downcast submissively. 

After awhile he could hear the man approach nearer. So close that he could see the Praetor's feet. Still Rayek remained unmoving though it was an effort to keep his arm steady outstretched for so long a time. 

When the Praetor circled him, Rayek felt like a prey species under the hungry eyes of a predator, yet still he did not move a muscle. The consequences of doing such would far out weigh the discomfort he was feeling now.

What seemed like an eternity later, the Praetor moved to the chair that Rayek had noticed sitting alone facing the door - like a throne - and sat while verbally acknowledging Rayek's earlier greeting, finally. Rayek risked a brief glance up and noticed the Praetor's gesture to stand, and quickly did as bid.

The Praetor's first words to him after that seemed amused. "You seemed surprised to meet me here... You see, I wanted to take the opportunity to have a look at the man I heard so many things about."

But in the comment afterwards Rayek knew he had to be wary.

"I am surprised, Fvillha. As a lowly uhlan I am undeserving to be brought to the attention of the Empire's leader." Rayek admitted humbly, though he knew that it wasn't because of his military or even his Tal'Shiar rank or deeds that brought him to the Praetor's attention. It was his recently discovered ability. An ability that he had spent the last month being trained to use. 

A thought crossed his mind to try and read the Praetor's intentions for him, but just as quickly that thought was dismissed. If a lowly uhlan in the Tal'Shiar, him, was expected to be trained to block out telepaths (the process that he'd begun two months prior that had inadvertently led to the discovery of his gift) then surely the Praetor would have had the same if not better training to keep his mind closed to others. No, it was best just let the man state what he needed of him.

"I live to serve both you and the Empire, Fvillha." Rayek prompted.




If Rayek thought his words of loyalty would gain him any reprieve he was sadly mistaken. The Praetor was brutally direct, calling out Rayek on his unwanted ability and shaming him for it. The harsh words and sentiment were very unfamiliar for the twenty-five year old. He'd been groomed since birth to be a model officer. Praise and respect had been his birthright and he'd earned them with his hard-work and skill. To have all that dismissed, because of some aberration in his genetic make-up was not an easy thing to accept.

His head lowered at the Praetor's condescending tone. However, despite the shame heaped, Rayek knew that he had some purpose. The fact that was proven when he'd been trained rather than killed outright at the discovery of his ability. The Praetor had a use for him. That was all a good Romulan should need. So Rayek accepted the shame and would be grateful he was permitted his life.

Rayek listened dutifully as Praetor Chulan, explained about his teillh. Then he was subtly prompted to reaffirm for the Praetor, his loyalty. He shook his head at Chulan's query about not wanting to disappoint him. Rayek dared to look up and met with the Praetor's gaze earnestly. "May I fall upon my family's honorblade should I disappoint you, Fvillha." Rayek answered.

His response must have been adequate for the Praetor went on to state that he alone would give Rayek his assignments. Rayek was stunned at the honor being granted him - to work directly for the Praetor.

Then came his first assignment. To learn the secrets of Senator Tocul. Rayek knew the man not only by reputation - as being loyal to the Praetor, but Tocul was also a close personal friend of Rayek's father. A fact that the Praetor must surely know.

This was more than just a first mission. This was a test.

Rayek refrained from forcing a swallow as his throat seemed to suddenly go dry at the imagined thought of his investigation leading to his father as one of the conspirators. No. His father was loyal, he silently assured himself. 

The Praetor was waiting for some form of acknowledgement. Rayek gave a sharp nod and forced a firm reply. "Daie, Fvillha. I will get that information."


~~~~~~~
translations:
uhlan - lowest officer rank
teillh - mercy, kindness
Fvillha - Praetor
Daie - yes, of course.



The Praetor watched him like a nei'rrh - swift and deadly, looking for an opening to zip in and strike - as he spoke about loyalty to him above all. Rayek knew that meant loyalty to the Praetor - the embodiment of the Empire - before family. That was something that was taught to children as young as 2 or 3. It should not be a hard thing to acknowledge and up til this moment Rayek had always declared it. Empire above all. But in this moment - when he even he was half fearful of what secrets he might uncover during this investigation because of his new abilities - Rayek hesitated far longer than he should before eventually nodding.

The Praetor then circled him - like a Terran hawk circling it's prey - as the man went on to describe his expectations of being in contact regularly - at least every three days. Rayek thought that reasonable until he Praetor stopped directly in from of him and added in a subtle phrasing that he expected this first investigation to take less than that. 

"Daie, Fvillha." he answered expecting more to follow but suddenly guards were called him and Rayek was being guided outside. He paused uncertain if he should ask. But felt it best to seem like a fool now than to be accused of wrong doing later.

"Fvilla forgive my ignorant questioning... but if I have news and you are unavailable for me to pass on the information to, is there another you trust that I can bring the information or are you my sole contact. And will I remain a member of the Tal'Shiar doing assignments for them while working in secret for you? Or will my service to you be known?"




Rayek flinched back at the venom in the Praetor's tone and darkened face as the Empire's leader put Rayek in his place and explained in no uncertain terms that Rayek's work for the Praetor would never be recognized officially. 

Rayek lowered his head in apology for his stupid question. "No, of course not, Fvillha" he answered quietly but his voice caught in his throat so may not have been heard.

The Praetor continued on regardless, giving him the name of another that he could contact -
Vandar.

Then abruptly he was dismissed. "Yes, sir." He acknowledged and backed away a few steps before turning and hurrying, heading out into the hallway. Attendants shut the doors immediately behind him. It was at this point that Rayek's knees shook and then buckled from sheer panic of what had just transpired. He collapsed to the floor outside the Praetor's chamber. No one moved to assist. No one inquired if he was okay. 

He remained there for several long moments while the tremors receded from his legs. He didn't look to the attendants or guards that stood around, no doubt silently mocking him for his reaction to the meeting. When finally he felt capable of standing again, he did so and then with head down he made his way out of the Hall of State. But his exit ended abruptly at hearing his name called. He looked up and there ahead of him entering the building was Talen tr'Lhoell - his father - Proconsul of the Senate.

 

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