MSNPC Administrator Soldu tr’Kharis - Through a Glass, Darkly
Teayl Thorn
Soldu let his head settle back against the biobed, the restraint field humming faintly above him as he settled. For a moment, he was silent. His good eye staring upwards towards the ceiling as his thoughts chased each other with calculation.
tr'Kharis: ::almost to himself:: We opened a door. They were in turmoil in that universe, an event of cataclysmic proportions rippling through their reality. Think of the resources we could mine from a universe that unstable. Access to that power alone could advance the Romulan Free State by centuries.
He would bide his time and take his punishment. Whatever Starfleet did to him, as long as he and the others held the knowledge, the key to the secrets of the universe on the other side then he still had power. He was an old Romulan, he had seen the rise and fall of the Romulan Star Empire. The Romulan Free State was slowly clawing its way back to a power in the quadrant. He would do his time, play along and allow the Federation to “rehabilitate” him…and then he would try again. In another place, now free of the Lattice Alliances bungling and the Federation’s self-righteous meddling, they could start The Project again.
Rurat'dari: We'd be able to advance this universe.
Aduko: To take from a doomed place...is it not better that something good comes from its end?
Rurat'dari: We could change this universe drastically, especially if we're not constrained by any afilliation.
Soldu watched Aduko nod, thoughtfully. He was reassured that his closest people were in agreement.
Aduko: To have no affiliation...I'm not sure if it's wise to go it alone. But I know that I'm done following the Lattice Alliance's orders.
Rurat'dari: What do you mean?
Their Jem'Hadar colleague flicked her hair back in annoyance while Aduko leaned away instinctively. Soldu barely registered it, his mind was already moving beyond the now, building futures, the next steps of a plan to get what he wanted.
tr'Kharis: First we survive, then we rebuild and after that we start to change things for the Free State. Keep the Project’s secrets. Pretend cooperation with the Starfleet officers, give them unimportant side projects. Try to ingratiate yourself with them. Earn their trust if you can.
Aduko: He's not wrong, Rurat'dari. Right now, we are our own best support system...but we'll need allies.
Rurat'dari: If we must, I understand. It would be incredibly risky for us all.
Soldu rolled his head and cracked his neck.
tr'Kharis: ::quoting softly:: Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
He gave Aduko a wink as he quoted T.S Eliot. One of the human authors he actually had read literature from. The doors to their ward opened again and another wave of infant crying assaulted his sharp ears. Two members of the Ronin's medical staff walked in, looking harried.
Aduko: We have plenty of time to discuss this. ::He looked meaningfully at tr'Kharis.:: But I intend to spend some time with this crew...to lean trends, loyalties...and determine if they can be trusted with our work. ::He lowered his voice.:: With parts of it, anyway.
tr'Kharis: ::nodding in approval:: Good. And Joakim…if you need to gain their trust by being seen to betray me…then so. Tell them that I killed the last Base Administrator and his second to gain my position. It is close enough to the truth. If I see you again publicly, don’t be surprised if I seem to hate or despise you for collaborating. It will strengthen your cover.
He watched his friend's face shift, it looked like a flicker of pain under the man's usual charm and humour. He wanted to clasp Joakim’s arm one last time, but the restraining forcefield wouldn't allow him the freedom of movement. He settled for a grave nod of respect and resolved to show nothing but disdain the next time he saw his friend the Orion.
As the Orion walked away distracting the two Ronin crew, the old Romulan crooked a finger at the Jem’Hadar, waiting until she approached closer to speak quietly.
Rurat'dari: Response
tr'Kharis: I have another task for you. ::watching her carefully:: It is best to compartmentalise the information. Joakim has his tasks and you have yours. The next thing I tell you is for your ears alone Do not discuss this with anyone else. Not even if they torture you. Do you understand?
Rurat'dari: Response
Soldu stared at the old Jem’Hadar soldier turned scientist, weighing how much to ask of her. Then he gave her a fraction of a nod.
tr'Kharis: I saved a backup of our core theoretical work and the latest readings from the reactor project, uncorrupted. I smuggled it onto the ship right under the nose of their “warriors”.
Rurat'dari: Response
tr'Kharis: I am a Romulan, Rurat’dari. ::matter-of-factly:: I’m going to tell you where it is. If the opportunity presents itself…and only if you can do it without getting caught…recover it.
He leaned close to the restraint field, whispered two words to the scientist and winked his ruined, clouded eye. He watched Jem'Hadar's reaction with his good eye to ensure that she got the clue.
Rurat'dari: Response
Satisfied, Soldu leaned back bonelessly against the biobed. Already he was mentally building his new reality, a facade of what he had done and what he was willing to do, who he despised and who he liked, forgetting the critical data and secret codes. When the time was right he would unlock the memories, but for now and with Starfleets use of telepaths, he would bury his plans deep in his mind.
He closed his eye and began to forget.
[Tags / End Scene for tr’Kharis]
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Soldu tr’Kharis (he/him)
Station Administrator, The Lid Prisoner, Starfleet vessel
As simmed by
Writer for Lt. JG T'Fearne
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14