Dreams of Empire

Posted on Tue Mar 3rd, 2020 @ 1:36am by Lance Corporal Shan'clado

Mission: Mission 50: This Grey Spirit
Location: Undisclosed Location in Romulan Space
Timeline: 1400Hrs - November 22nd. 2391

Isha sat in her chair. She was clad in translucent purple gown and was wearing military style boots. The chamber was open all sides by bay windows that over looked a passive ocean. The floor was a cream colored marble. A deep red carpet covered much of the floor. Purple tapestries and banners hung from the ceiling. Several guards in armor were vigilant.

A nearby stair well allowed people to enter the room. From the well a young Romulan admiral emerged. He approached Isha and stopped a few yards from her. "Jolan'tru Isha."

"Jolan'tru Kairul." Isha responded.

"You seem to have taken the trappings of an empress." Kairul observed.

"Not the title...yet." Isha responded. "I'm not in that position."

"Oh? And what position does one need to be in?" He asked.

"To be able to hold it from others." Isha replied. "Especially the Provisional Government."

"As charming as this conversation is it is not the reason you summoned me." Kairul explained.

"No, you are correct." Isha replied. "As you know we have a small shipyard."

"Yes, we have shipyards." Kairul admitted. "You lack kellinite. You cannot build ships without them."

"True but the Cardassians have a a kellinite mine on Thobian II." Isha replied. "That is near our border with them."

"They also have a small fleet nearby if you are thinking of taking it." Kairul told her.

"I am going to take it." Isha responded. "Our should I say my best commander will take it."

"Me?" Kairul laughed. "Why should I? Especially since most of our fleet is under the control of Admiral Hvirr."

"Hvirr is keeping watch over the Provisional Government's fleet." Isha replied. "And you will have my gratitude."

"Even if I had the ships, your gratitude isn't enough." Kairul explained. "Although I am the best commander you have."

Isha didn't want to admit that. While Hvirr was a good organizer, he was well past his prime. "You will have more ships at your disposal." She told him.

"Which ships?" Kairul inquired.

"You will have Commander Vahrus' battlegroup and Gurrhim's vessel." Isha answered.

"Gurrhim? He is a Reman! What vessel could he have that could be of use?" Kairul asked condescendingly while giving Gurrhim a nasty look.

"Gurrhim has a Scimitar class vessel." Isha replied. Gurrhim gave Kairul a toothy grin.

Kairul thought for a moment. "Alright, I can win a star battle with these forces. The question is what about the ground assault? We don't have enough Reman commandos to take the station and mine."

"There is a large faction of Reman renegades. I'm sure they wouldn't mind coming to some sort of arrangement." Isha conjectured.

"Renegades! You mean Remans that rebelled against their rightful masters?" Kairul asked, outraged that Isha would even think of it.

"No, they are free Remans and we shall respect them when they fight with us. That includes you my dear admiral." Isha told him. "Besides, we need someone to operate the station and the mine."

"Very well." Kairul sneered. "I will command the attack." Isha smiled. "That is not all." Kairuol spoke up and Isha stopped smiling.

"What do you want?" Isha asked.

"I want Vahrus and Gurrhim's commands to be under mine on a permanent basis." Kairul told her.

Isha hesitated. "Your command will be almost as large as Hvirr's command."

"I'm the better commander." Kairul replied.

Isha snorted. "Very well, you shall have the commands."

Kairul smiled "And one more thing. When you take the title of Empress, I want the title of Grand Master of the Fleet."

"You think rather high of yourself." Isha told him.

"Coming from the future Empress?" Kairul smirked.

Isha knew Hvirr would be outraged but she could give him another title to assuage his anger. "Very well but you had better take that mine and hold it."

Kairul smiled. "tell our ship builders Kellinite is on its way."

Isha forced a smile. "Now that that is done be silent and polite to our next guest." She looked at her steward. "Show him in."

Shan'clado looked more bored then annoyed but he knew why he was being kept waiting, it was a reminder from others that he should mind his place.

He heard a voice calling to him softly, he regarded the Uhlan as he spoke to him. "What?"

"The empress will see you now."

"Fine." Shan'clado turned and followed the Romulan into the Grand Audience chamber, he looked mildly disinterested but this hid what he was actually thinking.

"Jolan'tru Shan'clado." Isha gave a short and respectful nod. "I do apologize for your wait."

"Jolan'tru." he bowed before her, he was unsure of how to address her so he remained silent rather then give offense. "You summoned me... What is it that you wish from me?"

Isha smiled, one thing about Remans were that they went straight for the point of the discussion. "I would like to come to an arrangement with you peoples. We are in need of commandos and have a mine to run. We can offer you starships."

"I want freedom for my people... why do I wish to yoke my fate to you?" Shan'clado responded. "The average Romulan has used us as cannon fodder in the past... How do I know that has not changed?"

Isha raised an eyebrow. It was going to be harder than she thought to convince this Reman. "Correct me if I am wrong but did not the Remans only recently nearly overthrow a Praetor? The only reason it did not succeed was because the help of the Federation's Enterprise?" Isha asked Shan'clado rhetorically. "Unlike those fools in the Senate and Tal Shiar, I realize the chains that enslaved the Remans are broken and will never be reforged. I am not asking for your fealty, I am offering an exchange between equals."

"I am listening.." Shan'clado responded evenly as he regarded the Romulan female before him. "Please... tell me what you have to say?"

"We are planning on attacking the Cardassian kellinite mines on Thobian II. We need ground forces." Isha told him. "After we take the mines we also need them to be operated."

"I see.." Shan'clado responded. "You want me to supply you with Reman troops to take it... and then with laborers to work for you." he commented. "Why should I assist you?"

Shan'clado looked around. "Or any of you?"

Kairul stepped forward. "You do understand that free Reman state represents a threat to the Senate and the provisional government?" He asked the Reman. "When they finally do rebuild the Imperial Navy they will be attacking you? And if not them maybe the Klingons? Maybe the Cardassians? Your people can always use new ships and maybe an ally."

Shan'clado blinked his large eyes. "Oh we know the Romulan military is coming for us... and we are preparing to take them on if thats what they want.." he paused. "You still have not answered my question.... Why should I side with you?"

"Because divided we are each to weak to resist the provisional government. United we can defeat them." Isha replied. "We have more vessels than your peoples do, therefore you cannot conquer us. If we foolishly attack you the Remans loyal to us will rebel. Therefore, we cannot attack each other and have any real hope of victory."

Shan'Clado regarded her. "But you want my people to operate this mine after... you liberate it from the Cardassians.."

"Yes and if you need workers I'm sure we will have plenty Cardassian prisoners." Isha replied. She gestured to the officers in the room. "We are military officers, not miners."

"Well... relying upon prisoners to operate this mine will be futile, they will cause problems for you every chance they get." Shan'clado responded. "If I do this... I will want certain assurances from you.." he regarded the Romulan woman in the silk getup before him.

"What would satisfy your concerns?" Isha asked.

"I want to know that I won't become your slave... and my people won't become your slaves all over again." Shan'Clado responded evenly. "I also don't want Romulan 'protection.' I want my own ships from you.. crewed by Remans... and not ones that are about to break down.. I want good real military hardware so I can protect this ... investment."

"Very well." Isha smiled. "I offer one Valdore class and two Preax class vessels. They are no more than twelve years old. We shall help train your crews."

"I see..." Shan'clado responded. "How soon do you want my answer by?" he inquired. "I must speak with others... you understand?"

Isha nodded. "Understood. Please reply within two weeks." Isha was sure that the Remans would want more. They're support was needed, however.

"I will do what I can..." Shan'clado responded with a nod and a smile. "If you'll permit me to go?"

"Yes, you are free to leave." Isha replied with a slight smile. Kairul had a sour look on his face.

Shan'clado turned and departed quickly.

Kairul looked at Isha. "Those ships you've promised them, I need those ships."

Isha looked at Kairul. "Don't worry, I will take them from Hvirr's fleet."

Kairul smiled. "That will not make him happy."

"He will get over it." Isha replied. "Make the needed plans and when you are ready contact Shan'clado to coordinate your efforts."