A/N: Hey look, another STO fic from me! featuring a new character, new ship and new allies (maybe)! Hope you guys enjoy!
The young woman stood on a walkway in Earth's spacedock, staring out of the viewport without really seeing what lay beyond. She heaved a weary sigh, crossing her arms under her breasts, and gnawed gently at her lower lip, grief and anger warring within her.
Rixadi Seshara, formerly of the Tkaatha Triarchy, was a tall, lithe woman, and although she was a kind and attentive soul her appearance sometimes made people less inclined to believe it.
The Tkaathans were a hairless race, with skin that varied from pale pink to almost black, and Rixadi was one of the latter. Her skin was deep, dark purple, with a series of short spines that ran along the sides of her skull and down either side of her neck. Her eyes were a green-tinted reflective substance, with a spray of pale blue patterning around them, drawing attention to the pronounced vertical ridge in the middle of her forehead that led down to a ridged nose. Perhaps worst of all were the ears so reminiscent of the Vorta, a race that were still looked down on even thirty years after the Dominion War.
However, Rixadi had proven herself to be a loyal and capable officer...though at that moment, she didn't feel particularly capable.
"Rix?"
Rixadi recognised the soft purr of her First Officer, Elasha Tergas, a short, slender Caitian with dark red fur.
"Rix, we've been looking for you," she said, stepping up beside her friend, placing a comforting hand on Rixadi's back.
Despite their long-standing friendship, the Tkaathan stiffened, inhaling sharply at the unexpected touch.
"Sorry, Asha," she answered, using the short form of the Caitian's name she'd used since their days at the academy. "I had to get away. Think. Try and...figure things out."
"No-one blames you for what happened, Rix," Elasha assured her. "Tal Shiar indoctrination is extremely thorough, there was no way you could have known he was one of their agents."
"But I should have, Asha," Rixadi countered softly. "It is my job to spot such things. And now..." Rixadi shook her head. "Meietz. Duadi. Vintaro. Your brother. All their blood is on my hands, because I couldn't spot a traitor when it mattered."
Barely a week previously, one of Rixadi's officers had revealed himself to be an agent of the Romulan Tal Shiar, breaking out of medbay where had been undergoing treatment for wounds and killing several members of the crew, fighting his way to the shuttle bay and fleeing the ship.
"It...it isn't your fault, Rix," Elasha attempted to assure her again, fresh pain at her brother's death colouring her voice.
"Right, because that's why I was grounded."
She nodded bitterly towards the sleek Steamrunner-class ship held by a docking clamp, which up until recently had been hers to command.
"They think I'm responsible, or they're going to blame me for it anyway. Either way they're going to sink me."
She sighed again, running a hand over her bare scalp before turning to Elasha and resting her head on the Caitian's shoulder. Elasha rubbed her back, unsure of how to respond.
"Wondered where you two went."
They both turned to see the broad, muscular form of Azil Dekas, a male Trill and Rixadi's chief science officer. He was accompanied by a woman with pale skin, her short hair devoid of any colour. Although she showed few signs of her prior allegiance, the Borg implants around her left eye – and which completely obscured the right – were evidence enough.
Rixadi straightened again, allowing Azil to embrace the Caitian. Since they no longer had to abide by a ship's regulations, the two had become more open about their relationship, even though several questions remained about just how such a relationship worked.
"I sincerely hope you are not planning anything rash, Captain," the liberated Borg woman said, in a flat, emotionless tone.
"First of all, Violet, don't call me 'Captain', we're not on a ship now," Rixadi answered, the bitterness creeping into her tone again. "And secondly, what makes you think I'm going to do something rash?"
Violet – named for the unusual colour of the lights on her implants – cocked her head to one side as she regarded her captain.
"Really? You are asking me this in seriousness?" She straightened again, managing a reasonable attempt at a smile. "Even a cursory glance at the officers you aspire to emulate would suggest you are given to rash, reckless action."
"Name one example," Rixadi dared.
"Captain Kirk, known for his aggressive approach to diplomacy. Or Admiral Kassai, whose actions at the Battle of New Romulus needlessly endangered-"
"That woman is a legend," Rixadi argued, "but you've made your point. And I can't promise I won't follow suit."
"What are you planning, Rix?" Elasha asked suspicously, her arm still around her lover.
"None of you have to follow me...but that bastard has probably fled back to his masters in the Tal Shiar. I intend to find him, make him pay for what he did to us...and I'll do it with or without Starfleet's permission."