[9906.05]
Tasrek awoke in a biobed aboard the ship about 16 hours after
receiving the nerve pinch
Fedrok> Ah au are awake!
Tasrek> What did I do?
Fedrok> Nothing, I just needed to be sure of your credentials, before I brought you home. There are others who would like to know how you got here. Now you can tell them you honestly don't know.
Romulan civilian> t'Fedrok we are approaching ch'Havran.
Fedrok> Very well, land near S'Ralga and cloak the ship.
Tasrek> You told me you would tell me about what has happened?
Fedrok> All in good time my friend all in good time. First you meet your parents....then we will all tell you. ::smiling from ear to pointed ear::
He could feel the repulsing thrusters kick in. He realized the
inertial dampeners must not be working properly as he felt the heave of the ground when the landing gear pressed into the ch'Havran soil.
*=\/=*
The darkness fell quickly once they were on foot. Tasrek could make out the silhouettes of his two companions against the starred background, but their facial features didn't stand out. They seemed to walk for several hours over the foothills, until they came upon a dimly lit crossroads and a titanium sign which read "Aefvadh ch'S'Ralga". He could hear the rage of the water making its way through the boulders below as they crossed the cast stone footbridge.
Tasrek didn't usually stay this quiet, but something inside of him
wanted to take this all in. They arrived at a small complex of living
quarters. Tasrek looked over the stone structure, but was quickly ushered into the courtyard by Fedrok. She tugged him ever so slightly. He followed, much as a child does while watching a toy. They cam upon the only lit doorpad. Fedrok knocked....... several moments passed then the door swung open. A black haired women just past fifty answered. She smiled at Fedrok. Fedrok and the tall Romulan shimmied by and into the front receiving area of the domicile. It was all Tasrek could do to stay upright while looking into her eyes.....his eyes.
Tasrek> mother?
Radse>Tasrek au?
Tasrek> It is I.
Radse> ::in a distinctly ch'Rihannsu accent:: At last I have you back, my son. Thank the Great Bird.
Tasrek> ::moves toward Radse to hug::
Radse>::follows Tasreks lead and gives him a hug as well::
They embrace on the doorstep for several moments, then she escorts him inside.
Fedrok> As you have wished, I brought him.
Radse> menkha. I thank you my friend. Will you be staying ?
Fedrok> No. We must get back to our ship before someone finds it.
Radse> Very well. I will send you with food then. ::goes to the cooking area and finds some knick knacks in the refer:: Here you are. May the Great Bird find favor in our actions.
Fedrok and the tall Romulan leave. The home is warm, but Tasrek feels void inside. He wonders how to start.
Radse> No need to wonder son. I will tell you.
Tasrek> You read my mind?
Radse> Ah yes. A friend of mine taught me...she had kindred on Vulcan as do we all. Your father may be back in a few days. I do not always know.
Tasrek> You were going...
Radse> ...to tell you the story. As you remember....about the time you were twelve the Tal'Shiar had rounded up most of the reunification group, yourself included. After they tortured everyone they killed the adults and let the children go back to their homes. A negative reinforcement, to say the least. Your father and I decided that ch'Rihan and all of its empire wasn't quite ready for reunification with our kindred on Vulcan. So we sent you to Vulcan as did most of the parents who's children had been taken. We knew that the Tal wouldn't be able to watch you there or interfere with your upbringing. Now that you have both cultures living in you, I ask that you return to Romulus a man worthy to help lead our people into the next era of ch'Rihan. I will tell you more of this in the morning son....au must rest now.
She found a knitted blanket and a pillow for him. Tasrek thanked her and found a spot on the floor. Wishing him a good night and welcoming him home once again, she walked back into her own room.
Tasrek quickly fell to sleep. He dreamed of ch'Rihan and all the
inhabitants of the capitol city. In his dream he entered the Senate
chambers where heavy debate was being held. He watched as the Pro-Consul spoke eloquently. He listened to the words from the Pro-Consul. He looked deeply into the Pro-Consuls eyes and saw Vulcan.
Tasrek awoke the next morning to the smell of food. He had been so caught up in the moment for the past seventy two hours he had forgotten his stomach. Standing, he peers into the kitchen to see his mother preparing a meal.
[two standard weeks later]
Tasrek left the station a little richer. This was his first week at the shuttle depot. He had learned a great many things about transports in his first week. He was beginning to feel at home in this foreign, yet familiar environs. Looking around the hilly tree filled surroundings of S'Ralga, he found it hard to remember what it was like amongst the stars. Where there was nothing, but open darkness. His heart filled with contentment as he breathed deeply of the fresh air. Unbeknownst to him, he would soon be floating in the void of space again. Looking down at the green surface below.
He quickly came upon his parents home and entered. That's when he felt the cold it drew him to the cooking area. On one of two chairs sat Radse she had a grief stricken look. The other chair was presently occupied by the face of his father, S'Vok tr'Idran. His father turned to face him.
S'Vok> Tasrek, my son it is well to see you again. I am happy to see you healthy.
Tasrek> ::looking to his mother:: What is wrong father?
S'Vok> Your mothers friend Fedrok, has been killed in a shuttle accident. Which brings me to the next part of the story, I suspect there are isolationist sympathizer involved in her death as do many of our friends. I have spoken to a friend at the Galae Academy he believes he can get you a position in the Rei`Krannsu. He in turn has spoken to his friends and confidants about it. Should you wish, you will leave here and enter the fleet as an Arrain.....the same rank, I believe as when you left Starfleet. is it not?
Tasrek> It is. I have just gotten here father. I have a job at the shuttle depot. Here. ::taking the coins from his tunic:: I have received my pay. ::a little dismayed::
S'Vok> Yes. I understand. You are a man now, Tasrek. Your life is not mine any longer. You must choose... understand this, the Romulus you left sixteen years ago isn't the same. We have supporters here for the reunification. The Tal is not a threat as it once was. We need our beliefs pressed into all the cracks and crevices of the Empire if the Empire is to be given new life. With you and others in its upper crust we are sure to have a strong future in the universe.
Tasrek> but what of you and mother ::the word hurt coming out::
S'Vok> We are safe here. There are many who share our beliefs. For you to stay would be futile. Our future is here in S'Ralga.
Tasrek> I will give you my answer in the morning.
S'Vok> Very well. I will speak more at breakfast.
Tasrek leaves the home with a few morsels of food and some water. He heads for the shuttle depot. Finding himself a spot in the mechanics shop he begins to meditate. Amidst the racket of repulsing thrusters and landing treds he finds his way.
[10 hours later]
He awakens and begins to rouse himself as the mornings first shuttle flashes its thrusters. He knows what he must do. He follows the same path he has for the last week to his parents home.
Tasrek> Father. I will do this for my mothers, both of them. ::smiling at Radse::
S'Vok> I have already spoken to my friend. You will continue your work at the depot. When it is time you will know.
Tasrek> What ship shall I serve upon? ::earnest::
S'Vok> I do not know. The details are very vague. He assures me though of your safety. He has said that once you arrive we will be notified of you security. We must trust the Great Bird in this matter.
Tasrek> I understand. ::lying blatently to save face...although not
expressing it in his outward appearance::
S'Vok> Very well. Return to work and your life you will know when it is
time.
Tasrek left the home to get to the depot. He was already thirty minutes late and he didn't wish to have anymore complications.... at least not yet. Looking around at the mountainous country surrounding him, he wondered where exactly was S'Ralga on the face of ch'Havran. He made a mental note to himself to look up the position on a map as soon as he could.
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