[SD 239905.06 - Gen. Tomalak tr'Ahalaen, RASF, Duke of Sampaya]
/////// Royal Air-Space Force Headquarters, Sagar Tu, Agarda ///////
///////////////// Office of the Supreme Commander //////////////////
Nearly a month has passed since Tomalak's return to Agarda from his private quest to Pencerrd. Things have changed on Agarda since he first arrived here to assume command of the Royal Air-Space Force - now, the 3-century neutrality seemed to be distant past, the first war was fought and won; although a piece treaty was signed, hardly anyone had any illusions that it will be long lasting.
The RASF itself was not what it used to be as well. At the beginning of the war, Agarda only had 7 warships, none except the Izelgar newer then 50 years. Now, with the frigate Imifar commissioned today, the total number reached 54. Of course, it was still a drop in the sea in comparison to the Galae or Starfleet...
Yet, Agarda was but one world in the former Neutral Zone and, for Tomalak, his position here was but a temporary solution. He helped Izala to win that last war and gained some position of power and influence in exchange... True, he was technically fighting *against* the Empire and t'Kazan had all the reasons in the Universe to label him as a traitor. Yet, not all Rihannsu people were as gullible as the newly found "Ruling Queen" was inclined to believe.
Agarda had become a safe haven for many dissidents who were seeking refuge from the tyranny and many others, still in the Empire were not happy with the present regime. Many saw that the war itself was pointless, not to mention that the invasion of Vulcan was probably the biggest strategic stupidity in the whole military history - hundreds of ships and thousands of lives lost for nothing.
Tomalak himself knew perfectly well that, in his present position, he was but a mercenary in essence - a soldier selling his skills to a foreign state for profit. Yet, this gave him a chance to prove once again that he was not someone who could be taken lightly. The defeat of t'Kazan's assault force by the RASF at Fartherlands, although not very significant at the large scale, was still very humiliating. It did hurt the usurpatress' pride, just as did the fact that Tomalak was the one who snatched right from her hands a valuable prize - the famous Sword of Surak (which he suspected was not the last reason of this nonsential invasion of Vulcan) and an important prisoner, Captain Evelyn Hawke. Seeing the face of the self-proclaimed Empress when she heard about alone was worth the whole trouble.
And now, the thunderstorm was coming. Tyrone tr'Kirk, t'Kazan's former ally and her 2nd-in-command of the Galae was now becoming power hungry. Although Tomalak had no great love for the Orion halfbreed, he acknowledged that Tyrone was far better strategist then t'Kazan herself and it was largely due to his military talents that the Empire had any successes *at all* in the recent war. Tyrone, of course, was aware of that too (probably even more then he rightfully deserved) and he did have sympathizers in the Galae.... "Let the thraiin fight and rip each other's throats - then come and finish the job," he mused.
Only then did he become aware that the impatient beeping of the intercom unit on his desk. "Ie?" he tapped the button activating it.
"Your Excellency," his desk sergeant's voice broke through, "Brigadeer Tarnal wishes to see you?"
"Then ask him in already," Tomalak said flatly. Brigadier Kel Tarnal was commander of the Royal Guard - a unit initially dedicated to personal protection of Agardan monarchs which had long since transformed into something more comparable to a secret service. If Tarnal was here, it had to be important.
"General," Tarnal, dressed into a uniform similar to the one Tomalak wore himself except that it was burgundy color rather then his RASF sky-blue, saluted. The Agardan spymaster was a tall, middle-aged man with raven-black hair which already started graying and a face which always reminded Tomalak of a predatory bird.
"There is no need for those formalities, Kel," Tomalak smiled, we know each other longer then this... but I trust this is not a social visit?"
"Yes, you know me far too well for my own good, General," Tarnal smiled back. "You remember you asked me to check the reports of Den t'Kethry's disappearance?"
"Yes," Tomalak replied. Those reports were probably his biggest concern right now. Den has been close friend of his... though, unlike him, she did not go into opposition after t'Kazan's coup. Yet, Den was one of the very few people he really cared about... also could not shake the feeling that this was directed against him somehow, which gave him a certain sense of guilt. "Did you find out something about it?" he looked at Tarnal.
"Indeed," the Brigadier nodded. "My sources inform me that erei'Riov Den t'Kethry, retired has been abducted by the SSS."
"The *SSS*?" Tomalak arched his eyebrow. "But why would they want to abduct her?"
"That, I'm afaraid, is beyond my knowledge right now," Tarnal shrugged. "Although, I shall of course let you know if I stumble across anything else."
"I appreciate, Kel," Tomalak smiled. "You know how important this is for me..."
Before Tranal could reply, the intercom unit issued a beeping sound again. "Yes, what is it, Sergeant?" Tomalak acknowledged slightly irritated. "You know I am in conference with Brigadier Tarnal."
"I'm sorry, Your Excellence..." the desk sergeant's voice sounded apologetically, "but this is urgent. I have just received a communiqu� from the Royal Palace... Her Majesty wishes to see you and Brigadier Tarnal immediately."
"All right, I'll beam over in a second," Tomalak killed the the comm and looked at Tarnal... he could read on the spymaster's face taht the man knew exactly what this was about, but that he also was not at liberty to tell. "tr'Ahalaen to RASF One," he tapped his wrist comm, "two to beam over directly into the Royal Palace."
/////////////////// Royal Palace, Sagar Tu, Agarda ///////////////////
///////////////////////////// Throne Room ////////////////////////////
"Their Excellencies General Tomalak tr'Ahalaen, Duke of Sampaya and Brigadier Kel Tarnal," announced the majordomo as the massive doors of the throne room swung open. Tomalak and Tarnal walked past two burgundy-uniformed guards who saluted them and found themselves in the huge throne room. Izala was sitting on her throne, an elegant gold crown was sitting atop of the young queen's elaborately styled curly raven-black hair.
The Prime Minister Count Shuffim was also present. Despite his effort not to breath hard, his round faty face was red - obviously he'd just gotten here after making his way through the maze of the endless corridors of the Palace in a hurry. "Don't look at me, I haven't got a clue," read his expression.
However, it was the other occupant of the room who drew Tomalak's attention much more then the red-faced prime minister - a beautiful hazel-haired young woman who was standing beside the Queen's throne. At least as tall as Tomalak himself, she was dressed into an elegant tightly-fitting short dress (a way too short then was generally considered appropriate by the etiquette of the Agardan court) and high boots. Her deep emerald-green eyes with cat-like pupils as well as her hight betrayed her unmistakably as Ori...
"So, I see everyone is here..." the queen smiled. "Gentelmen, may I present you Her Imperial Highness, First Princess-of-Empire Elviza dea-Dara val-Oribet."
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