Old Ways vs. The New - Part 3

Posted on Sun Mar 22nd, 2026 @ 9:23am by Captain Daegan Baas & Lieutenant M'Tala "Hobbes" Clan Hrasi & Ensign Garath Of the House of Varal [Baas] & Commander Jerome Hunt Jr. & Lieutenant Urushi Yaotome & Lieutenant Ayumu Tanaka & Lieutenant JG Ryan Kellerman
Edited on on Sun Mar 22nd, 2026 @ 9:26am

1,295 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What was Lost is Found

Urushi froze at the science console, her hands still on its smooth surface. She kept her eyes forward as she listened. She knew that with only a few light taps of her fingers, she could make things very difficult for Kurul. After all, the Valkyrie was a science cruiser, and Urushi had a lot of what she called 'Science Power' at her fingertips. Plus, her symbiont Leon was telling her that if she needed to act, Captain Bass would give her some sort of sign, and she would have to be quick and discreet. 'Just keep your hands at the ready, Urushi. Make it look like you're not doing anything.' Leon was telling her

The phaser still in his right Garath used his left to pull up the old frequencies and sent the hail. "Channel open, sir."


[Surface - Council Chamber]

An old Romulan communicator sat in the arched table where the council members would sit when in session. It beeped, and a voice could be heard. == This is Captain Baas of the Federation starship USS Valkyrie. You have committed an act of aggression against the United Federation of Planets. ==

The old communicator rattled ever-so-faintly when the Trill's voice came through it. It was a device from another age that had now become the link between two generations and two very different perspectives.

Against one wall, Starfleet officers sat bound but upright, watched closely by Romulan colonists. Some were still wielding the tools they used during the ambush, while others were armed with previous-generation Romulan disruptors.

Dareem reached down and took the communicator in one hand, holding it nonchalantly.

"Captain Baas," he said calmly. "Your signal is clear."

He glanced around the chamber and considered that Kril'Es would be the place where history for the Romulan Empire would change.

"You are correct," Dareem continued. "An act of aggression has occurred. Though I suspect we disagree on who committed it."

== Who did what to whom and when is a very old excuse for those seeking self-glorification. I don't care what, centuries-old axe, you think you have to grind. The galaxy has changed more than you can imagine, and what you have seen is only the smallest glimpse, and whatever you think you may have learned was seen through the lens of the past.

== Release my people, and you have my word, no further action will be taken. Those wishing to return to the Empire will be allowed to. ==

Hearing the Starfleet Captain Sokah's original doubts returned, and he glanced to the captives and to the others holding them. Many of the younger members of their group, having never known anything but life here, were looking around, glancing amongst themselves as well.


...back on the bridge...

Kurul stared at the view screen. Even though their communications devises could only hear audio, the Federation systems and sensors could pick up enough data to create a visual of the chamber. That and the Captain's words got him thinking to himself, glancing to Akir, ~What has Dareem gotten us into...~

Hobbes senses were peaked and his ears were folding back more and more as events unfolded. Glancing to Aziz as he sat at Ops. Other than a shared glance they made no gesture since there where two of the Romulans standing behind them.

Seeing the Hobbes glance Garath opened a text to Hobbes' station as the Administrator and his aid moved to the center of the ramp before him. * both approx 1.5 meters behind and to you left. If an option we can take them *

Hobbes' hands moved routinely over his station. His ears twitched as he focused, confirming their location. * on your word *

Ryan remained standing near his station, having been ordered away from the console. In this moment, he felt incredibly vulnerable and useless.

Nothing in the movements or words of the colonists had suggested they were planning a surprise attack. The Valkyrie had arrived to the planet to find Humans and Romulans living together in a peaceful society where mutual dependence and hard work benefited both. In many ways, it looked symbiotic and peaceful.

He examined the nearest Romulan colonist--a man the preliminary reports identified as Akir. There was nothing militant about him. And yet here he was with a disruptor in one hand, and the Valkyrie's bridge crew cowed and subdued.

From where he stood, he could see some subtle communication between Hobbes and Garath. He remained quiet and simply watched for now.


...on the surface...

[Council Chamber]

"What's it going to be?" Hunt spoke up. "This is the moment that will change everything for you and your people. There is still time to make this right."

Dareem smirked at the comment.

"My people deserve to see the Romulan Empire restored to its former glory," he recounted. He took several tentative steps forward until he was standing over the seated form of Jerome Hunt.

"You think you're going to get away with this?" Ayumu contested. "The Star Empire's probably a lot different than the one you think you know."

Dareem turned to the black-haired Trill. Regarding him a moment, he considered what assumptions they both might be making. "Perhaps it is," he said softly.

"The Empire may be different now. Governments tend to change. But the duty of a Romulan officer never changes."

A few of the younger Romulans shifted slightly along the wall, their attention turned to Dareem's words. Many of them had heard these words before in fragments or while growing up.

Dareem continued. "When a Romulan swears the oath of service, it is not to a Praetor, or an Admiral, or even to the Senate. Those elements are temporary. Empires are constantly reshaping themselves--as a river may reshape a valley."

He took a few steps toward Tanaka.

"The oath is sworn to the people." He stopped a meter or so away from him. "The officer becomes responsible for the future of those people. For their right to exist without becoming small and insignificant."

"But how do you know if what you're doing is still in the Empire's best interests?" Ayumu argued. "Who's to say that the future you want is in line with current Romulan sentiments? What if you're gunning for something that does them more harm than it does good?"

Dareem considered the doctor's words--spoken with the reasoning of someone with the perspective of a non-Romulan. It was a valid point, nonetheless.

"Doctor," he said, running his fingers through his greying mop of hair. "The Empire has not changed in centuries. Sure, there are cosmetic differences--fine tuning, one could say."

The elder Romulan studied the Trill physician, unsure whether the man truly understood their motives and doubly unsure whether he could even begin to understand them.

"I accept your point," Dareem conceded, his voice softening. "Though I assume all risk should our goals cause any harm to the Empire."


[Outside the Chamber]

Word was spreading fast that something was wrong. Armed men and women, Romulans all, surrounded the council hall, their new Federation acquaintances were nowhere to be found...their equipment unattended, even damaged.

Jared, his legs now fully healed, was with Jayna as they walked hand in hand after having breakfast together with his family. Looking at each other they stopped. Jared motioning back towards the dwellings, "Somethings not right, we need to find the other Councilors."

Andelra had just returned from the Shrine of the Four Elements when she could feel a shift in the air. There was fear and unease spreading rapidly and colony square appeared deserted--a rarity for sixth day.

She slowly picked her way toward the Council Chamber to speak with someone who might know what's happening.


TBC...

 

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