=\/= RIS Aylhr =\/=

[Leih’s Office]

Dropping an ISD onto the desk Shiarrael stared at the door intently as she waited for the Tactical Officer to arrive.  After reading the report of the man’s arrival she decided she would have a short ‘meeting’ with him before the Aylhr left Tomika to set down her expectations.

Maiell straightened his uniform one last time as he stood outside Shiarrael’s door, then hit the chime. He didn’t particularly look forward to this meeting, no doubt the Aylhr had gained yet another Leih who wished the same as the others, honor by blowing things up in the name of the Empire but figured may as well get this over with as fast as possible.

Shiarrael stood up, straitened her posture, and glared at the door “Enter.” She said.

He stepped through the door, and caught Shiarraels glare and knew inwardly this was going to be an experience. “Maiell tr`Ruanek as ordered Leih.”

“Good.” Shiarrael motioned at the chair across from the desk “Please sit.”  As she studied the man she wonder if everything she heard about him was true.  The greatest of which was the rumor that the man murdered an Ael’Riov, while evidence was nonexistent, rumors were abundant. 

Maiell sat as offered placing his arms in the most diplomatic fashioned as he could. Personally he found the whole arrangement insulting, being reduced to his current position, forced to carry out the orders of others. He didn’t voice any of it, and didn’t let his eyes give away his true feelings either. As humans said, there is a time to be a diplomat and a time to be an asshole. Right now he’d go for diplomat.

“I’ve heard about your colorful entrance on Aylhr and your smart tongue.”  Shiarrael leaned forward with her elbows pressed on the desk, while her fingers formed into a steeple “I’ve also heard about your…” she smirked “your recent disposal of a certain Romulan Officer, rumors of course, but interesting none the less.”

His mind calculated her words. He had heard the rumors himself, and declined to comment on them. Just as he would now, a confession given to a senior officer would be more than enough for him to endure another tribunal and a guaranteed success at the penalty of death.

Instead he merely nodded, “Rumors of course are only that. My entrance was neither colorful it had been the rather natural conclusion of events and as for my smart tongue Leih? There are those who have done enough service to the Empire to warrant some color here and there. And had not my completed works to the Empire been so actively deleted from general knowledge by the previously mentioned certain Romulan Officer, people would know that.”

“I am simply here to serve, nothing more. Nothing less.”

“Would they.” Shiarrael leaned back in her chair, her expression hardening, “Service is fine, Arrain.” She emphasized Arrain to gauge his reaction, satisfied she continued “I don’t give a damn about your service, your history, whatever you did that was erased.  You are on Aylhr now, and I expect certain behavior from my crew, no matter how old or sour they might be.”

“Of course Leih, by the sound of it you have the old and sour part well maintained all by yourself.” He would pay for it of course, but it was more to prove a point.   “Please understand I have worked my way through this more times than I can count well before you were born, and apparently the powers that be have determined that me being here is far worse than death to which I am more than happy to agree. So can we dispense with the pleasantries?”

“You have certain requirements of officers that serve under you, and I have no wish to serve under you. While I will do nothing to harm this crew, the ship, or even yourself well,” he splayed his hands openly.  Here I am. I will follow your orders, fire your torpedoes, scrub your plasma manifolds or other arduous task that your no doubt sinful mind can conjure up and do it without question. At the end of the day my service to the Empire will be complete and with honor, because without the Empire we are nothing.”

“I hate to repeat myself.”  Shiarrael said with a sigh “I expect certain behavior from my crew, I could care less what you think about me, and I could care less what you think of this assignment.  However, I expect the outward appearance of shared respect; if it is beyond your capabilities then you may add Aylhr to your list of failures and request a transfer.”  A smile appeared on her face.

For the first time Maiell smiled himself and nodded, “then we are in agreement Leih. And by the way my only failure if it could even be counted as such was perhaps for a certain Romulan officer not dying sooner.”

“Well,” Shiarrael rubbed her hands together “regrets can be a terrible thing.  They often eat at one’s soul with the though of what might have been.  For example, you might still have your position.”  Picking up an ISD off her desk she tossed it to him “My expectations of the tactical department.  You will have three weeks to ensure the required level of efficiency.  I will be kind and warn you that your department will be tested on your department’s efficiency around the end of the month with a random practice drill.  Do you have any questions?” 

Maiell took the ISD and glanced over it. “Acceptable. I’ve seen worse.” He paused, “I’ve even asked for worse but it is of no matter. I do however need to recalibrate the weapons systems which will require them to remain offline. It is not a lengthy procedure but they are not within published specifications, I know having written the specifications myself.”

“Well then, I expect to be thoroughly pleased.”  Standing up Shiarrael motioned to the door “You are dismissed.”

He stood and nodded taking a moment to give Shiarrael a measuring before nodding, and leaving with the ISD in hand.

=\/=

Ael’Riov Shiarrael t’Rehu

Leih, RIS Aylhr

&

Arrain Maiell tr’Ruanek

Chief Tactical Officer, RIS Aylhr