An: This is a direct follow-up to Inheritance. You should read I, Concubine, Asunder, Fire and Flame and Inheritance to understand what is going on in terms of story line.
This story is set five hours after the events in Inheritance.
Standing in the Shadow of Tomorrow
Nassir struggled to control his nerves after speaking with his nephew. Syon's ambitions became darker and deadlier with each passing day and Nassir knew it was only a matter of time before his nephew acted on them.
"We must prepare for the meeting with the noble houses," Ashur, Nassir's servant and mentor spoke.
Nassir took a sip of his wine and groaned, "I am not looking forward to this meeting. I am not looking forward to the stares and whispers."
"The other houses descend from generals who helped the Vulcans invade Earth. They hate the House of Uhura because our elevation left no blood on our hands."
"The House of Sulu is hosting this meeting. I am not looking forward dealing with them either," Nassir was reminded of Hiraku and his numerous attempts to strength ties with the House of Uhura.
Ashur sucked his teeth, "The House of Sulu is a house full of …."
Nassir interrupted them, "The House of Sulu played a role in Nyota's situation, but through their actions, I now sit here as a noble. Hiraku is still very much in love with my sister and feels a sense of obligation towards our family. I plan to use that to my advantage."
The two men stopped talking as the sounds of Anira's footsteps approached. Nassir motioned to Ashur who quickly left.
Nassir was in no mood to talk to his mother about anything.
Not his upcoming wedding.
Not the attack.
Not the meeting.
"Nassir, what are you doing in the great hall?" Anira asked.
"Nothing," Nassir lied.
"You need to prepare for the meeting."
Nassir interrupted his mother, "Tell me something I don't know. I am preparing for it; I just don't want to deal with it. With my youth, the other leaders see me as a child and nothing more."
"Do you know who attacked?" Anira changed the subject.
Nassir felt a cold chill slithering down his spine. Of course, he knew. "No, I don't." Nassir lied again.
Anira's eyes darkened to look like bottomless pits, "Don't think me a fool. I know when I am being lied to. Syon has been calling here on a secure line to speak with you over the past few months. Your loyalty isn't to Syon; it's to his father, Emperor Spock."
Despite being the head of the family, Nassir was still just a child coping with having to rule so young.
The better part of him wanted to cut off all communications with Syon for his mother was right, Syon had no real political value as a son of a non-Vulcan concubine.
But…a nagging feeling plagued Nassir from the first day he met Syon, a strong feeling that his nephew could someday become emperor.
Perhaps this was why Syon wanted Nassir to join forces to eventually challenge Prince Sinok's right to the throne.
Nassir entertained the thought constantly. If Syon became emperor, the House of Uhura would benefit tremendously with unimaginable wealth and power extending beyond Earth.
But…if Syon failed in his mission…..it would be all over…for everyone.
Sensing the whirlpool of thoughts in Nassir's mind, Anira touched her son's hand, "Can you trust Syon? Do you know his purpose? And will his purpose benefit our family?"
Nassir looked at his mother, picked up her hand and kissed it roughly, "Mother, I am not sure. Syon scares me. He is just a child and yet his hunger and thirst is undeniable. I sense he is destined for greatness and that our fortunes will be forever tied to his."
"A woman's place isn't in the filth of politics ….at least not in public. Duchess Himiko never understood that," Anira's griped Nassir's hand, "Nassir, share with me your plans, and let me work behind the shadows to see them come to purpose."
Nassir's eyes widen and then a sinister smile broke across his face, "I have always envisioned the House of Uhura's power to grow beyond the boundaries of Earth."
Anira nodded in agreement, "I have thought the same, my son, but what you wish for will never happen in our lifetimes. It is a gift we must prepare for our descendants."
Anira stood up, bid her son goodnight, and left the room.
(The Next Day)
"The meeting of the imperial houses is approaching and you are just now contacting me?" a frustrated Hiraku asked.
"I was busy."
"Busy?"
"Yes."
"Why now?"
Nassir leaned in so that his image filled the screen, "I need you to align yourself with our house and show your loyalty to our family without question."
"I never had a problem being loyal to the House of Uhura, but you and your father rebuffed our advances for years."
Nassir suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, "You are now the leader of the House of Sulu and. we need the support of a more establish family such as yours to help us."
Hiraku laughed, "Blood connections only go so far don't they?"
Again, Nassir suppressed the urge to lash out, "You are right. It only goes so far…for now."
Hiraku raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean? Your family has the only blood connection to the imperial family."
"Let me get to the point, I have been in contact with my nephew, Syon. Syon wants the throne and he is slowly building alliances off Vulcan to ensure to eventually challenge his half brother, Prince Sinok."
Silence.
Hiraku struggled to keep his composure, "Syon is just a child!"
"I can assure you Syon's wisdom exceeds his youth. Sinok is too incompetent to rule the empire and apparently the whole family knows this. The emperor knows this …"
Hiraku interrupted him, "How do you know all of this?"
"You never spoken to him….you have never seen the ambition in his eyes, the hunger for power that consumes him. He must and will act upon this…it is his destiny."
Hiraku laughed, "Destiny? This is why children should not be allowed to rule! Nassir, what you speak of is treason!"
"It is of no consequence if you believe me or not. The House of Sulu owes a debt to the House of Uhura!"
In that moment, Hiraku understood he had no choice when it came to the destiny of his family.
Nassir also knew Hiraku understood his own situation and continued, "I am to be married soon. If my wife gives me a daughter, she will be married to Akira, your firstborn son!"
Hiraku said nothing.
"If my wife gives birth to a son, you will give your daughter, Royko!"
Hiraku lowered his head, "I pray you know what you are doing. If Syon fails, both our great houses will fall."
"He won't."
Nassir ended the call.
Hiraku thought of his options and then realized he had none. Nassir with his connection to the imperial family outranked him and now demanded a marriage to forever link the two houses.
Just then a flood of alarms set off in Hiraku's head.
Sybok.
The bio weapon.
The Romulans.
The houses of Akan, Ndogo, and their fall from power.
Hiraku re-established the call.
"There is something I need to tell you."
"Yes."
"It's about Sybok."
Nassir looked puzzled, "Sybok?"
"Yes, Sybok. Our family has something that belongs to him."
Hiraku took a deep breath and turn to face his mother, Duchess Himiko who simply shook her head and walked away.
AN: I hope you enjoyed another one shot story. This is the final one before I start publishing the last part of the overall trilogy which began with I, Concubine, and Asunder.