Old Ways Die Hard - Part 2

Posted on Wed Mar 11th, 2026 @ 8:07pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Lieutenant Darius Korveth & Lieutenant Niami Troga & Lieutenant JG Ryan Kellerman

1,214 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What was Lost is Found
Location: Planet Kril'Es
Timeline: MD 6 - 2100

The candle between them shifted and bent, its small flame flickering by the draft from under the door.

"We are here," Dareem replied, "because a warbird has returned to us."

Posrun, the young Romulan who had never known life outside of the settlement, slid into the room along with several other younger men. He crossed his arms and watched the elders, his back against the far wall.

There were several glances and questioning looks back and forth amongst the others.

Dareem and Posrun where both elected Councilors and the only members of their group that had been to the Federation starship. Akir looked to both of them. "The Empire has a starship in orbit?"

"No," Dareem said, shaking his head. "It is better. That ship is strength. It is reach. It is voice. It is our way home to the Empire."

Sokah mouth was agape at the idea.

Akir looked at Dareem, he was so serious he had to joking. He began laughing, "...You want to try to take the Federation ship."

Dareem did not smile nor share in his friend's laughter. He stood there, caught in the candlelight like a spectre.

"Yes," Dareem said. "We are bound by the oath we took many years ago, Akir." He turned to Sokah and fixed him with a sharp look. "Pick up your jaw, Sokah."

A quiet sardonic laugh came from the back of the room where L'ena had been standing listening, watching. She reached up to scratch the scar which was on her left cheek.

"Taking the Federation ship what is your plan?" a steely gaze focusing upon Dareem.

Akir had stopped laughing; Dareem was serious. Lacing his finger together he leaned on the table to hear his plan.

"Listen to me," Dareem said, his dark eyes sharp and brimming with conviction. "We are Romulan officers--loyal to the Empire. It our duty to take that vessel and bring it home."

Looking around the room in a slow movement, pulling in every face and set of eyes to his, Dareem nodded slowly. "Taking this--this Valkyrie--returns us to life. We will no longer be survivors on a forgotten dead world. We will return as soldiers who acted and delivered strength into Romulan hands. For the glory of the Empire."

Dareem spun on his heel and looked directly at L'ena.

"Plan? We isolate them. Somewhere away from the homes. Away from the council. Away from those who would interfere. If the Federation attempts rescue, they will not know where to look. And if the human settlers try to stop us, they will not be able to reach them."

The younger Romulans were very still now.

Sokah leaned in. "What about we secure them in the council chambers themselves? It the sturdiest of the settlements structures with only two entrances to secure. We take the communications devices, weapons, and any equipment..."

Akir nodded and added, "...we will also need to disrupt their communications to keep from warning the ship as well as disabling the transport site. Without their transport site they won't be able to transport either way."

Dareem nodded and a flash of candlelight lit his features. "I want to be clear that none of the human settlers are to be harmed."

"Agreed. But that's a fine hair to be splitting. There was little concern for Federation civilians by any of us all those years ago. Though over the years many", looking to Sokah, "have married the other Federation survivors."

"They are not our brothers and sisters in this," Dareem added. "They are innocent bystanders having been removed from Federation influence for most of their lives. Our war is with the Federation."

Akir looked to the others and his gazing lingered briefly on L'ena. "Starfleet hostages may not be enough. They have their duty as do we. You may think them weak, but if they aren't...." Options played out in his mind as he continued. "...but that can be discussed later. We have details to plan."

Before they proceeded Sokah put a hand out to pause the discussion. "Before we proceed. I will not agree nor commit any of my people to this unless you can deliver Kurul to this. He has led this settlement successfully for decades and his participation would ensure the loyalty of many and quell the doubts of most anyone."

There was a silence as everyone cast glances from one to the other.

Posrun pushed himself off the wall before he realized he what he was doing. The elders' voices had grown heavy, full of memory and caution, and it suddenly felt like the gathering of the bloc was forcing him to the sidelines.

"I never saw the Empire," he said, a slight lilt to his youthful voice. "I've read the stories and heard you speak about Romulus."

Several heads turned and he found several pairs of eyes on him.

"But I know what it made of you," Posrun said, gesturing to Dareem and the other elders. "It made you officers of the highest order. If there is a way back--if there is a way to be more than just growing old on this rock--then I will follow you."

Dareem regarded the young Romulan for what seemed an eternity. Finally, he turned and looked into the eyes of each member of the bloc.

"When we return," he said, "we will not return as refugees. We will return as officers and descendants of the Sahriv who survived and endured. We will deliver strength back into the hands of the Romulan Empire." He slammed a closed fist down onto the table. "This USS Valkyrie will not just be our deliverance--it will be a trophy worthy of remembrance."

Sokah eyes dropped. This had been the first mention of anyone leaving Kril'Es. Most had take at least one wife or husband from the Starfleet survivors over the years, himself included. His thoughts tried to weigh loyalty to an empire that had writen them off to the loyalty to family and those he called friends


"We need to get back home, and how are you to be able to make a connection to your roots, we do not need to lose the connection. I long to go home, never thought I would have the chance to get back home." L'ena's voice was filled with longing.


Dareem turned to face Sokah, the candlelight once more casting a flame across his facial features. "I understand your reticence to commit your cadre to this cause without Kurul's support."

Akir was in agreement as well. "Agreed." Looking to Dareem, "You've known him the longest, can you ensure his participation?"

"He is my oldest friend and comrade. Kurul will agree. I promise."

There were more glances, Akir looked to Sokah who still looked deep in thought. Eventually their eyes met and Sokah nodded.

"What's the plan?"

Dareem fished a small datapad out of his back pocket and set it on the table with a single clank. He had been waiting for an opportunity like this to come but he had never dreamed it would be served up so easily before him.

"Listen carefully," he said, as he began to explain how they would secure the colony and take the ship.


TBC...

 

RSS Feed