Reverti Possit De Tenebris
Posted on Nov 16, 2016 @ 1:14pm by Lieutenant Cantor Von
Edited on on Nov 16, 2016 @ 1:15pm
Mission: Aftermath
"Reverti Possit De Tenebris"
(cont'd from "Restoration")
- Translation from Latin: "Return from Darkness"
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LOCATION: Space near Gateway Station, Gamma Quadrant
SD: [2.16]1114.0830
SCENE: Empty Space
TIME INDEX: Six Years Ago
Vivid starlight speckled the ebony curtain of deep space, peaceful, tranquil, and without disturbance of any kind.
In a blink of an eye, space tore itself open, disgorging a Starfleet vessel as it returned to real space. Moments after, the stars in one area of space wavered and materialized into an emerald, hawk-like vessel - much smaller than its Federation counterpart. The two starships seem to gaze at each other in the middle of deeps space, two ships from very different governments, with very different ideals and values.
After a minute, the Starfleet vessel turned away from the Romulan scout ship with almost angelic grace and transitioned to warp speed in a flurry of light and energy. Another heartbeat passed, then the hawk-like vessel turned itself and wavered into nothingness.
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex
SCENE: Transporter Alcove
TIME INDEX: Six Years Ago
Four Starfleet officers stood on all four pads in the transporter alcove of the RIS T'Korex. Around them the dark green metal seemed to be burnished with a darker grey metal, changing color depending on viewing angle and lighting. A subtle sweet scent seem surround them. The transporter alcove was just an indentation of what seemed to be the main hallway of the small vessel. Standing opposite the four Starfleet officers were four Romulan officers, their iridescent utility uniforms casting muted reflections. The Romulan officer standing at the forefront nodded to his Federation counterparts.
"Welcome. I am Sub-Commander Nevar of the Romulan Star Empire." He looked down at the Romulan version of a PADD and began to read, his speech heavily accented. "We are looking forward to co...cooperation in this operation-"
Lieutenant Cantor Von interrupted him, causing worried looks to spread among the other Romulan crew present. "Sub-Commander, apologies, but our universal translators seem not to be working," he said, indicating his comm badge.
"And they will not," offered a female Romulan officers in accented Standard. "I am Centurion D'mara, Chief Engineer of the T'korex. Our vessel has been outfitted to maintain and process as much reconnaissance data as possible. In doing so, many...less important systems were required to be removed."
"Well, that's brilliant," commented Lt. Gerald McKey with his Irish accent. He looked at Von. "So, how's your Romulan?"
Von waved off the comment. "I see," he replied, black eyes surveying the Romulans before him. "In that case, Sub-Commander, your Federation Standard is excellent. We appreciate the warm welcome."
The CO of the T'Korex nodded, as the other Romulans wore cautious expressions on their face. "Centurion D'Mara will show you and your fellow officers to your..." he paused, looking for the words. "...Living areas."
"
As the Starfleet officers followed the Romulan Centurion down the corridor, McKey leaned over to Von. "You know Romulan?" he asked in a whisper.
"I know 'thank you,'" the Betazoid replied, smiling at the Irishman's eye roll.
"This ought to be fun," stated McKey, shaking his head.
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex, Deep in Gamma Quadrant Space
SCENE: Command Area
TIME INDEX: Five Years Ago
Cantor Von stormed onto what served as a bridge of the T'Korex, still dressed in native garb with Lt. McKey and Ensign Ledder behind them.
"
Sub-Commander Nevar turned to face the Starfleet officers, his face a mask of calm detachment. Other officers in the Command Area looked startled at the loud outburst directed toward their Commanding Officer.
"
"In Standard, Nevar. I want no misunderstanding," interrupted the Betazoid.
Taking a beat to calm himself, the Romulan CO began again. "Lt. Von, we had to retrieve your mission for fear of discovery-"
"We could have escaped that alley. You could have beamed us out. How in the Sacred Chalice's name did you-"
"There was a scattering field," Nevar stated, raising his voice. "And a Jem'Hadar vessel had just attained orbit." He took a step toward Von. "Our primary mission is secrecy, Mr. Von, or did you forget that?"
"We are not disposable," replied McKey through gritted teeth, his Irish accent thick.
"Our mission comes first," countered Nevar.
"Go hifreann leat!" shouted McKey after which Von put a hand on his shoulder. The Irishman looked at Von. "Bloody hell, Cant, he-"
"I know." His dark eyes met McKey's grey eyes.
"The bast-"
"I know."
"Then why-"
"There was a Jem'Hadar ship in orbit, Gerry."
McKey shook his head. "Still-"
"Come on, Gerry, that's good enough reason. You know it."
"As I said-" started the Sub-Commander, but Von cut him off.
"While I agree with your orders, Sub-Commander, a little more communication would have been nice. I agree secrecy is our primary mission, but not between us," he gestured largely at himself and Nevar. "Continue that lack of communication and our little operation will end real fast, wouldn't it?"
Silence permeated the Command Area for several heart beats. "
"
"
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex, Deep in Gamma Quadrant Space
SCENE: Engineering Section
TIME INDEX: Four Years Ago
"
Cantor Von stumbled into the Engineering Section of the T'Korex as panels sparked around him. White vapor poured from several pipes as the artificial gravity wavered. Another shockwave from a Jem'Hadar spatial charge slammed into the Romulan scout ship, rocking it violently.
Centurion D'Mara looked up from her console. "" she replied, nodding toward Ensign Ledder.
"
"
Von cut him off. "
Nevar's voice came across the intercom as Von's fingers danced across the cloaking device console. [[
"I'm working on it, Sub-Commander," Von replied in Standard
[[
"Restoring core containment. I'll be re-initializing the cloak matrix momentarily. Standby for evasive action."
There was the briefest of pauses. [[Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Helm is standing by,]] Nevar replied in Standard.
Cantor Von watched as the simulated field symmetry on the display before him began to realign into a cohesive whole. "
[[
The Chief Engineer entered the Cloaking Device alcove with Ensign Ledder in tow. "
[[
Finally Uhlan T'Met spoke. "
"
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex, Deep in Gamma Quadrant Space
SCENE: Engineering Section
TIME INDEX: Three Years Ago
D'Mara's callused hands brushed across the growing stubble on Von's face and through his sweat dampened black hair. The two lay in a cramped maintenance tunnel draped in a rescue tarp, breathing hard after a rather vigorous love-making session.
They let the bliss wash over them until D'Mara's thoughts spoke in Von's mind, her Federation Standard feeling natural in its use. *Why do you serve the Federation?*
Von propped himself on one elbow to turn to her. *That was random.*
*It does not stay at the front of your mind?* she inquired.
*No, not usually.*
She nodded. *And that is why the Romulan Star Empire will eventually defeat the Federation.*
Von smiled, caressing her porcelain cheek. *Are you declaring war already? I surrender.*
D'Mara laid back down. *You mock me.*
*No. No, D'Mara. Listen, it's just that our two peoples aren't at war.*
*Did you know that the word 'war' in Federation Standard has no direct translation in Romulan? There are about fifteen different words that express different variations of that singular Federation concept.* She turned toward him. *Our Empire - our Praetor's singular purpose - is to expand the Empire in both space and knowledge. For the Empire, we are still at war with the Federation - we are just temporarily suspending it. In Federation Standard, you would call it 'peace'.*
Von paused. *Well...that's a rather nihilistic view. You do know there's no endgame in such a philosophy. It's pretty much expand or die trying.*
D'Mara nodded. *Just so. And that concept is at the forefront of every Romulan's mind, whether in the Empire's military service or outside of it. That is why the Federation will eventually be defeated.* Von smiled. *What?* she asked, frowning
*There's an inherent design flaw in that philosophy - to borrow an engineering term. It breeds a monolithic culture and resource pool. How many other races in the Empire do the Romulans consider equals?*
*None.*
Von nodded. *And that's the problem. While we may not hold a singular philosophy like the Empire does, our diversity multiplies our strength. And that's a powerful multiplier.* The Betazoid laid back. *And I'm sure that's why the Praetor has allowed four Starfleet officers to accompany you on this mission.*
D'Mara frowned. *Our technological level is just as advanced as the Federations-*
*But is it?* Von cut in. *You're an engineer. You know the origins of most of your technologies. Sure, some were designed originally by the Empire, but think of all the innovations and advancements that the Empire has 'adopted' from the Federation. Be honest.*
Von saw various technological schematics and concepts stream across her mind until her defenses slammed shut. She thought nothing in return.
The Betazoid gave D'Mara a knowing look with his dark ebony eyes. *'Expand forever' is not a viable goal. Like all things in the universe, equilibrium will eventually enforce its presence.*
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex, Deep in Gamma Quadrant Space
SCENE: Command Area
TIME INDEX: Two Years Ago
A wireframe representation of a large Jem'Hadar station rotated on the main display as most of the crew of the T'Korex watched in silence. As always, it was McKey that broke the silence.
"
Ensign Thraan, the fourth Starfleet officer and an Andorian, tapped away at a nearby console. Outside the viewport the rotating vortex of a wormhole shimmered through the lens of the cloaking field. "
"
"
McKey nodded toward the display. "
Suzanne Ledder looked up from her own console. " Von stepped by her side to look at the data.
"Let's see where this wormhole leads," Von said under his breath.
"" announced Ledder.
"
A gravely voice emerged from the static over the Command Area's audio system, punctuated with harsh syllables.
D'Mara spoke up immediately. "
"Damnú air," swore McKey. "
"
"
"
"
The Command Area exploded into action as everyone ran to their combat stations.
"
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex, Deep in Gamma Quadrant Space
SCENE: Engineering Section
TIME INDEX: One Year Ago
"Our current route is going to take forever." Lt. McKey gritted his teeth after taking sip of his warm kali-fal. "The Dominion forces could actually greet us on the other side of the Bajoran wormhole. I'm telling you, mate, we should have gone through the Beta Wormhole," he said, using the name they had agreed on for the newly discovered wormhole.
"
"It was a bloody Klingon transmission-"
"That could have been flying through space for decades," interrupted Von. "We've been over this time and again. It's not proof that the farside terminus is in the Beta Quadrant."
McKey cocked his head. "Then why the build up of Dominion forces? The Founders like studying wormholes with massive battlefleets, do they?"
They stopped talking as Sub-Commander Nevar walked into the Engineering Section with Centurion D'Mara in tow.
Von nodded at the Commanding Officer. "
The Betazoid already sensed something was wrong as sadness bled through Nevar's natural mental defenses. As if to emphasize this, both fear and sadness emanated from D'Mara. "
"
McKey looked from Nevar to Von and back. "
"
"
D'Mara spoke up. "
Nevar continued for her. "
"
Nevar shook his head. "" He looked up at the Betazoid. ""
---
LOCATION: Space near Gateway Station, Gamma Quadrant
SCENE: Empty Space
TIME INDEX: Two Weeks Ago
The oval immensity of a Galaxy-class starship blurred into existence followed shortly by the decloaking of first a Romulan warbird and then - tiny compared to the two hulking goliaths - the decloaking of the RIS T'Korex. It's once flawless emerald hull was scorched in countless of places, with parts of other technology mounted across the hull at points that had sustained heavy damage.
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex
SCENE: Transporter Alcove
TIME INDEX: Two Weeks Ago
"
"
The Commanding Officer of the T'Korex nodded. "
Von smiled in sadness, nodding. "Jolan tru, Nevar."
"Look at that, his Federation Standard was great all along," laughed McKey. He, too, shook the Sub-Commander's hand. "Jolan tru, Sub-Commander."
"Jolan tru."
D'Mara stepped forward, embracing Cantor Von. Their lips met, then pressed more intensely, their passion evident to the silent crew that looked on. One of Nevar's eyebrows raised. After too short a time, their lips parted, but eyes continued their feelings.
"Jolan tru, D'Mara," whispered Cantor Von.
"Jolan tru." She stepped away from the alcove. There was a moment of silence between the assembled Romulan crew and four Starfleet officers until Sub-Commander Nevar nodded toward the Uhlan at the wall panel.
"
Shimmering columns of sparkling energy engulfed the four Starfleet officers as they dematerialized. As suddenly as the energy had appeared it was gone, leaving empty spaces where the four officers had been.
"Good bye, my friends. Safe travels," whispered the Commanding Officer of the T'Korex.
---
LOCATION: RIS T'Korex
SCENE: Living Area
TIME INDEX: One Week Ago
Centurion D'Mara approached her Commanding Officer as Nevar laid back in his bunk reading a book. He lowered the book, sensing her presence. "
"
Nevar frowned. "
Tears formed in the Centurion's eyes.
"
---
NRPG: So here's the backstory of Cantor Von. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Marko J. Sertic
aka
Lt. Cantor Von
Returning From Assignment
