[SD 239905.13 - Gen. Tomalak tr'Ahalaen, RASF, Duke of Sampaya]
/////////////////// Royal Palace, Sagar Tu, Agarda ///////////////////
///////////////////////////// Throne Room ////////////////////////////
"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."
So, this woman *was* Ori after all... Tomalak mused mentally. Ori Empire has been somewhat of an enigma - less then 50 years ago, the sun of their Homeworld, Inzhina was but a nameless dot on starcharts in the remote part of AphaQuadrant. No one was exactly sure how... but in only matter of a years, the Ori manged to aquire an awesome technology (more advanced then the Federation or Rihannsu Empire possessed in some ways) and create a vast Empire. And this woman who was now standing beside Izala's throne was, as her title impied, none else but the first-born daughter of the Ori Empress, the future ruler of the Empire.
"Your highness," Tomalak bowed respectfully just as Shuffim and Tarnal did,
"'tis an honor to meet you."
Yet, he was curious.... Agarda was may parsecs from the nearest Ori outpost.
What was the heir of the Ori throne here? Till now, (except for a few border
skimerishes with the Cradassians) the Ori showed only little interest in the
affairs of the other "Superpowers" of the Quadrant, contenting themselves with
expanding into the vast area of unclaimed space around them. Agarda well
surrounded by the Federation and Rihannsu space, yet he doubted the Ori Crown
Princess would come this far just for a social visit and incidentally picked
Agarda as her first stop in the region. There had to be more to this.
The princess regarded the assembled Agardan top officials, in the aggrogant
manner which was typical for all Ori'leh... then looked at the Queen and smiled.
"Your Majesty, I think it is time to make the announcement."
Izala nodded. "Gentlemen..." she started "I have summoned you here for a
historical occasion. In a few minutes, the Treaty of Protectorate shall be
signed between the United Kingdom of Agarda and the Ori Empire."
Being an experienced diplomat, Tomalak maintained his usual calm and impassive
expression on his face. Yet, he was nothing short of shocked, so unexpected this
was. He also could sense shock from Shuffim and other minesters... only Tarnal,
who obviously already knew of all this seemed to be unaffected.
"Y-your Majesty..." Shuffim finally said, starting to recover from shock. "I do
not mean to question your judjement, but may I inquire what exactly this 'Treaty
of Protectorate' is about?"
"Quite simple," the Ori Priness answered instead with a smile, "after this
Treaty is signed, Agarda becomes Imperial Protectorate of the Ori Empire. In
essence, this means that the shall be obliged to protect Agarda's independance
and territorial integrity from any external threats and may deploy any military
forces in Agardan space we deem adequate for this task."
So, this is what it was about, Tomalak chuckled mentally. The Ori wanted to
establish military presence here, and they needed a base of operations. Of
course, Agarda was a perfectly suited location...
"I think Her Highness has just given quite accurate summary of the terms of the
threaty," Izala nodded, remaining serene seated on her throne and pushed a small
button incorporated into the elegant arm-rest. Burgundy-uniformed Royal Guard
officer who was apparently waiting for the Queen's singal in the fore-room
walked in with a PADD and approached the throne. He bowed respectfully, then
handed the PADD to Izala and walked out.
Tomalak could perfectly understand Izala's willingness to accept this offer as
well - despite the recent upgrade, the RASF was still no match for either
Starfleet or the Galae. The Kingdom's resourses were almost exhausted with
military expenditures already. The presence of Dimper'Zhar'Bat (Ori "Imperial
Starfleet") force here would, of course, give Agarda some security. On the other
hand, Ori were reputed not to interfere with internal affairs of their subject
worlds... and with Agarda being as far from the Ori Empire's main body their
position here would be very shaky without the local authorities' cooperation.
So, the Queen hardly saw any threat to Agarda's independance. At any rate,
Tomalak decided a while from the beginning that he had no desire to get involved
in Agardan politics - in public he would always support the Queen, if he had any
concerns, he would bring it to her later, in private...
Yet, Shuffim did not seem to be quite content yet. "Your Majesty," he started
again looking at the young Queen, "I appologize if I may sound disrespectful,
but do not You think that it might be a good idea tho have the text of the
threaty thoroughfully examined before signing it?"
"Oh, I assure you, Count," Izala smiled sweetly at him, yet there was a hidden
threat in her look, "the text has been already examined in most thoroughful way
and I am fully convinced that it poses no threats to Agarda's security." Tomalak
could not help noticing the transformation of the young Queen. No, this was
still the same beautiful young woman who did not seem to have aged even a day
from the looks of her. Yet, the inexperienced young girl, desparate from the
burden of responsibility which has suddenly fallen on her fragile shoulders he
found when he first arrived here was no more. The woman in front of him was High
Queen Izala II of Agarda, ruller in her own right who knew very well what she
was doing... or at least was convinced that she did.
"Very well..." Shuffim gave up, glancing sideways at Tarnal, "who am I to argue
with the High Queen of Agarda..."
Ignoring her Prime Minister's comment, Izala held the PADD in front of her and
pressed her thumb against it. "I, High Queen Izala the Second of Agarda, on
behalf of the United Kingdom of Agarda " she proclaimed handing the PADD to the
Ori woman.
"I, Elv"za dea-Dara Por'Alata-vi-Dimper* val-Oriber, by the power invested into
me by Her Imperial Majesty Dara de'Andra Dimperta* val-Oribet, hereby agree to
the terms and conditions of this Treaty on behalf of the Ori Empire." She
pressed her thumb against the PADD and smiled. "Your Majesty, Gentlemen... now
that Agarda's status of Imperial Protectorate has been formalized, I would like
to inform you that the 27th Attack Wing of Dimper'Zhar'Bat under command of
nai'Avves* Alza Dainata* val-Bheas shall be arriving shortly."
Akthough Tomalak had only a very vague idea of what exactly the "27th Attack
Wing" was, the name made the mosts tremandous impression on him - *the* Alza
Bheas... *val*-Bheas now - apparently, she was promoted to an admiral rank in
the meantime and automatically granted lady's tittle as was customary among the
Ori... A loud name indeed - she was probably the most brilliant battle commander
of the Dimper'Zhar'Bat. And easily, the most ruthless and formidable adversary
one could imagine...
About 15 years ago, Tomalak remembered, Ori Empire had a small skimmerish with
the Cardassians over a planet called Karagan - in fact the Ori were supporting
Karagani resistense if he recalled correctly. Bheas was a Ra'ut back then in
command of a battleship and she was charged with leading a task force to prevent
Cardassian reinforcement from arriving to Karagan. Although initially
outnumbering Bheas' task force, thanks to both her tactical talents and more
advanced Ori technology, enemy fleet was quickly decimated and the remaining
ships were surrounded.
Faced with now choice, the Cardassian Gul in charge of the fleet offered to
surrender. Bheas ordered him to have all Cardassian ships lower their shields
and beam ciome her battleship in a shuttle to receive the terms. Once he
arrived, she invited him to the bridge... and gave an order to open fire. After
being forced to watch as the crews he delivered into the victor's mercy were
relentlessly slaughtered, the poor Gul was released with the words "Go and tell
your masters that no one crosses the path of the Ori Empire and gets away with
it."
It was *this* woman who was placed in charge of the Ori forces dispatched to
Agarda... Tomalak was indeed glad to have her as an ally, yet it also proved
that the Ori had more far-going plans then simply establishing their military
presence here. Now, he was determined to talk to the Qreen about it...
"Very well, I think this was it for now," Izala said taking the PADD back from the
Ori Princess. "And General..." she looked at Tomalak, "I'd like to see you in my
study after this."
***********************
Izala's study was small and simple in comparison to the grandeur of the throne
room, furnished relatively planely, yet with excellent taste. This room was ment
for privacy and the Agardan Queen was sledom receiving visitors here.
Naturally, Izala was thought to play all the court games from the early age and
she did it well, yet she was not overly found of them when she had a choice. Of
course, there were really very few people to whom the High Queen of Agarda could
show her true self, but Tomalak was one of them. He knew her from the days back
when was Romulan ambassador at her father's court. They were so different in
both their status and background... a pure and inexperienced teenage princess
who never had a shortage of anything and a a former high-ranking officer who had
fallen into disgrace of his government and was exciled on diplomatic duty to a
3rd-Class planet (as he thought back then.)
Izala was a bright girl, always eager to learn about new things and listen to
all kinds of crazy stories an old soldier had to offer. She often found the
company of Agardan ariostocrates boring, and Ambassador tr'Ahalaen was receiving
invitations to the Royal Palace from Her Highness the Corown Princess more and
more often. They became befriended... no, there was never really anything more
to it. Just a strange friendship between a young girl and an old warrior. It was
because of his advise that she did her studies off-world. He played no small
part in her becoming what she did become and they both knew it.
"Tomalak...." Izala smiled at him appologetically. "I know you are probably
upset at me about this, but I hope you undersatnd that this could not be
announced before the Ori fleet was actually a couple of days away from Agarda.
Imagine how the other powers might have reacted..."
"Izala..." he smiled back at her. "I was the one who thought you much of this,
remember? I do not blame you... I know you are doing what you think is the best
for your world and you know I never had any intention of getting involved into
Agardan politics. I am but a mercenary who does the job he is getting payed
for... I can advise you, but the decision is always yours... and, at any rate,
you do not seem to be needing my services for much longer."
"But please, Tomalak... this is not true..."
"Yes, it *is* true, Your Majesty," he looked at this young woman - how much has
she changed. Yet, sometimes she still sounded like the naive teenager he used to
know. "We both know it... you are the High Queen of Agarda and I am only a
foreign mercenary offering his services to you. There is no need of beating
around the bushes, this is where we stand..."
Izala tried to say something, but Tomalak continued. "Yet, as I said I can
advise you and express my concerns in professional matters... or sometimes as a
friend."
She nodded. "Yes... and which is it now?"
"The latter I guess..." he smiled. "Do you realize who this Admiral val-Bheas is
and what her beaing in command of this 27th Attack Wing might signify?"
"Oh, *that*!" she laughed softly. "You are underestimating your former student,
mon general... Admiral val-Bheas her 27th Attack wing is the very best
Dimper'Zhar'Bat has to offer. And *I* have requested the best."
"You did?" Tomalak looked at her. What kind of game was she playing? Of course
he could scan her mind... but for some weird reason he never did that with
friends.
"Yes, I did." Izala smiled. "You just said that you were a only mercenary whose
services I employed. Yet, I really never looked at it *this* way and you know
it... I was always thought of you as a friend and, regrdless of what you say, I
*still* think you were doing it as a friend in the first place.
"I apreciate very much what you have done for me and my people," she continued.
"You have said that I might not be needing your 'services' any more... perhaps,
but now I am in position to do something for you."
"You did this for *me*?" he was sirprised. "But Izala... you have done for me
enough already..."
"Tomalak," the young woman smiled at him again, "we both know that noble titles
and medals are not what you really care for... these was more more of political
acts of recognition. Your Cause was what always mattered for you and, till now,
I could not help you there wery much... but now, I have the means.
"The Ori Empress agreed to support you..." she paused. "The 27th Attack Wing -
and that is over 250 warships, plus, of course, the 54 ships of the RASF shall
be at your disposal should you decide to pursue your Cause."
Tomalak blinked. Could this be true? He did not doubt Izala's sincerety... but
was this the price the Ori were willing to pay for establishing a base on
Agarda? Or did they have some hidden agenda the Queen did not know about? Yet,
this offer was far too tempting... a fleet of over 300 ships was a considerable
force, especially composed by 3/4 of *Ori* ships. If he could rally enough
support within the Rihannsu Empire, he had very good chances of the part of the
Galae which would still remain loyal to the usurpatress... And, of course, once
the Ori got involved, they might even be talked into sending more
reinforcement....
"This is the most generous offer, Your Majesty," he smiled at Izala. "I shall
keep it in mind."
"Please do, mon general..." she grinned. "And I hope I do not need to remind you
to make necessary arrangements on behalf of the RASF for arrival of our new
allies."
"This old soldier still knows his duty, m'lady," he grinned back and saluted
her.
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