A/N Still don't own anything.

Thank you to all those that are hanging with me. Will finally see what has been happening with Enterprise and its crew next chapter.

A special thanks to aria1210 and einzel for their reviews. I really do read and appreciate them.

Tribune Vandor was bored. He loved the power that came with his rank, but hated to keep up with the paper work that was involved. As usual, he had just let it go, but this time it had come to the attention of the Praetor himself. He had been ordered to catch up. To that end, he had closed himself up in his home and told his servant that he wanted to see no one.

So here he was, making entries into his computer when there were so many things he could be doing. He could be looking for another conquest at the Palace, although to be honest, there weren't a lot of women there that had not already fallen to his charms.

Vandor was a strikingly handsome man, taller than most Romulans. It was also well known around the city that he was, let's say, better endowed than most Romulans. But his most striking feature was his green eyes.

He had grown up with his tribe in a valley on Romulus. The valley had been the home of their tribe all the way back to the arrival on what was then New Vulcan. Growing up, he was inseparable from his best friend Solon. Both of them became well versed in the martial arts, but Solon quickly outstripped him.

All citizens were expected to join public service at age seventy, either serving in the military or the Romulan government in some capacity.

But when he was only fifty, Solon left to compete in Martial Arts contests taking place in the capital city. He soon showed he was head and shoulders above the greatest fighters of Romulus. His fame however brought him enemies as many high-ranking families had shared the martial arts supremacy for many years.

Finally, word came back to the tribe that Solon was dead. Believing that Solon had been murdered, Vandor left for Romulus. But his investigation proved fruitless. Several witnesses had seen Solon fall alone into the great lake that surrounded part of the city of Romulus. His body was never found.

About a week after telling the individuals he had been working with in his investigation that he was planning to return to his tribe, he suddenly changed his mind and instead began a path to power in the Romulan Hierarchy. There was no doubt he was highly intelligent and ruthless but he also seemed to have the favor of the Elements. Whenever anyone rose to oppose him, something unforeseen seemed to happen to them. Of course, he was suspected, but nothing was ever proven and he always had an airtight alibi.

In only a few years, he rose to the position of Centurion and was poised to become a Tribune. But then a member of the Senate took it upon himself to stop his promotion. Cognizant of what had happened to others that had blocked Vandor's path, the Senator took elaborate precautions to protect himself. Always traveling with armed guards and establishing residence on the tenth floor of a building with no access to its only windows and armed guards at the only entrance.

So, when he was found dead in his locked room, stabbed with his own dagger, the authorities had no choice but to declare it a suicide. Vandor soon became a Romulan Tribune.

Vandor had been working steadily for about three hours when he was interrupted by his servant Krant.

Vandor looked up crossly, "What is it Krant, I told you I didn't want to be disturbed."

"Sorry, Sir, but Lord Santor is here to see you."

Vandor wondered what that idiot wanted. For some reason Santor had decided that Vandor was his friend. Santor had inherited wealth and position and hung around the palace, gathering and spreading gossip. The first time he approached Vandor, his first inclination was to brush him off but decided to listen. It turned out the information was useful. So, Vandor had decided to let Santor think he was his friend, and had gathered some other useful information, albeit having to put up with him and listen to a lot of gibberish.

Knowing he should send him away and get back to work, he decided he better see what he wanted. Also, it gave him an excuse to take a break.

Before he could even tell Krant to let him in, Santor pushed by Krant into the room. Santor was a rare being, an obese Romulan. Right now, he was sweating like a stuck pig; like he had run all the way from the Palace. Vandor realized he was having trouble getting his breath and helped him into a chair, calling for Krant to bring some Brandy. Under his breath he added, "The cheap stuff."

Krant quickly returned and after gulping down a couple of glasses, Santor seemed to recover.

"Well, Santor, what was so important that you apparently practically killed yourself bringing it to me?"

After a couple more gasps, getting his breath, he got out, "The Praetor has sent Venter and his personal fleet to put down the Cordian uprising."

Vandor was stunned. He knew the Cordian situation had gotten worse, but it must have reached dire circumstances for the Praetor to risk sending his personal fleet. It had long been rumored that there were those who coveted his throne. With the invasion of the Bovarians and the constant uprisings, the Praetor had many enemies. Two possibilities were Tribunes Bardon and Seltar, who both had personal fleets of up to one-hundred ships and were located near the city.

"Isn't he afraid that Bardon or Seltar will take advantage of the situation?"

"Apparently, Venter informed them that if they did anything, he would return and destroy their fleets."

Suddenly, Vandor had an epiphany that scared him to the core, but also excited him beyond belief. Making a fateful decision, he suddenly rose, and crossing to his desk, took out a dagger. Returning to a stunned Santor, he informed him, "I need you to take a message to Lord Condor."

His eyes widening at the sight of the dagger, Santor stammered, "Lord Condor?"

Lord Condor led the only other personal fleet that was in near vicinity to the capital. The Praetor had not bothered to have Venter contact him because everyone knew he was a devout coward and would never consider taking any chances. His only really interest in his fleet was that it fed his ego. His real interest in life was his young and beautiful wife Gerda. Vandor had thought of trying to seduce her on several occasions, but it would have broken one of his two reasons for leaving married women alone. He admired their husband or figured he might need them someday. In this case it was clearly the latter.

Some time ago, he had obtained some information that would bring down the wrath of the Praetor on Lord Condor if it became known. Vandor had saved it waiting for the right moment. Now was the time to strike. Going to his desk, he quickly composed a note that told Lord Condor what information he possessed and that he needed to come with Santor to the Blue Bell Bar that night at seven o'clock alone.

Putting it in an envelope and sealing it with his personal seal, he returned to an increasingly stunned and scared Santor.

"I want you to take this to Lord Condor at once. You will not look at its contents. When he receives it, you will wait with him and come with him to the Blue Bell at seven o'clock tonight. You will not take any detours or tell anyone. Do you understand?"

Santor gulped and answered, "Yes, Tribune."

But Vandor could see his mind was working fast and Vandor realized he might go to the authorities figuring they would protect him. Besides, he knew how curious Santor could be and might risk it to see what is in the envelope. With everything on the line, he decided he needed to use all weapons he had available.

"I hope you are not thinking of betraying me. Because even if you succeed in stopping me from harming you, I have a friend who will avenge me."

Vandor saw Santor was a little skeptical and was gaining courage. Santor asked, "What friend?"

Vandor smiled wickedly and said, "Solon."

Santor turned white as a sheet. "But Solon is dead."

"That's what he wanted everyone to think. Think about it, who do you think did all the dirty work that enabled me to become Tribune? Who could be the only man who could have killed the Senator in his hideout?"

"But the Senator committed suicide."

"Do you really believe that? That he died just when I needed him to?"

Seeing he was not completely convinced, Vandor went on, "Do you really want to take the chance I am lying? Take the chance that someone can stop him? In revenge, Solon will kill you slowly."

Looking at Santor, Vandor decided he had convinced him. In any case, he had to take the risk. Telling him not to tell Condor anything, but just give him the envelope, he ushered Santor out the door.

Then moving to his computer, he typed an encrypted message and sent it out in a protected frequency. Then shaking his head at the audacity of what he was doing, he had Krant bring him the good Brandy.

About an hour later, he was back at work, having decided it would help him pass the time, when he heard a voice behind him. "Good evening, Tribune."

In spite of himself he jumped in surprise. Then he turned to see a man dressed all in black. Solon was imposing, with the most searing black eyes Vandor had ever seen. Although he knew Solon was his age, he seemed ageless. Vandor saw no weapon but knew a sword and a disrupter were beneath the coat.

"Don't you ever use a door?"

"I have to keep in practice. I assume you have sent for me after hearing about Venter."

Vandor should have been surprised, but he knew that Solon had his own means of obtaining information. He had twenty loyal followers that were almost as deadly as he was, some of whom had positions that gave them access to information.

Solon went on. "Are you really contemplating what I think you are? Are you planning to attempt to become Praetor?"

"Why not, is this not something we have discussed? That if the time ever came, we would seize it?"

"I assume you are planning to use that bit of information that you have been saving for Lord Condor? Do you want me to deliver it?"

"No, I have sent that idiot Santor to deliver it and bring Condor to the Blue Bell tonight."

"Was that wise? How do you know he won't betray you?"

"He doesn't know what I am up to, and I told him you were alive to avenge me."

"I see. I assume he does not have long to live."

"No, as soon as he drops Condor off, he needs to meet with an accident."

"I am not sure I agree with you taking the chance, but I guess it is too late now."

"I know it was a risk, but felt it was worth it to get this underway. Also, this way, Condor will have no inkling of what I need him for."

"Have you forgotten about Venter? You know Lord Condor's fleet would have no chance against him even if Condor had the courage to face him?"

"That is the variable I cannot control, but I believe I have an offer for Venter that he will not refuse, especially, as by the time I talk to him, the Praetor will be dead and I will be in control."

Then he continued, "Of course, I will need you to get your men ready. I plan to strike in two nights. I know it is cutting it tight, but the longer we wait, the more chance it will all fall apart. The fact that it is so risky and unexpected is our greatest chance for success."

He then continued, "Now, here is how we will proceed…"

Vandor sat in a private back room at the Blue Bell awaiting a little anxiously for Santor and Condor. But then just a little before seven, the proprietor ushered them to the back room. Santor looked scared, but relieved that he had finished his task. Vandor told Condor to sit down then told Santor to go, but not to say a word to anyone.

After he left, Lord Condor turned to Vandor, "How did you find out about this?"

"Now, that really doesn't matter, does it? The fact that I know it should be what you are concerned about."

"I suppose your right. What do you want?"

Just then there was a commotion outside. The proprietor stuck his head in. There's been an accident. Lord Santor's been killed."

Condor swung his head and stared at Vandor, who managed to look shocked. Then he told the proprietor, "That is shocking news, but Lord Condor and I have important business to conduct, please do not disturb us again."

Looking a little surprised, the proprietor did quickly back out. Vandor then got up and locked the door.

Turning to Condor, who was looking suspiciously at him, he looked him in the eye and said, "I guess Solon did his job."

Condor's eyes widened then filled with fear. "Solon? He's dead."

Then a voice behind him said, "No, Lord Condor, I am quite alive."

Condor swung his head around, and upon seeing Solon standing there, promptly fainted.

When Condor awakened, he saw Solon and Vandor sitting at the table, apparently calmly waiting for him to recover.

Gesturing him to a seat, which he groggily made it to, while staring as Solon in fear and disbelief.

Vandor spoke up, "Before all the interruptions, I believe you asked what I wanted. The answer is quite simple, I need you to help me become the new Praetor."

Condor just stared at him in disbelief, "You must be joking or mad."

"I am not joking and it may be that I am mad, but I am also serious."

"What makes you think I will help you?"

"If you don't, you will be the second one to have an accident. Then, I will use this information to see that your pretty wife is left out in the cold. In fact, who knows, the Praetor may be so angry that he may dispose of her as well."

"What do you expect me to do? How can you possibly make this work? If you are counting on me to protect you from Venter, you are fooling yourself."

"No, in fact, I plan on using Venter as a threat to keep you from double crossing me after the Praetor is dead. All I need from you is to provide a show of force after I have made myself Praetor. To impress the Senate and to dissuade Seltar and Bardon from interfering."

"If I fail to kill the Praetor, you should have a chance of coming out of this unscathed. But if you try to stop me or report me to the Praetor, either I or Solon will see to it that you and your wife suffer a very painful death. On the other hand, if I am successful, you will become the head of the personal fleet of the Praetor and all the glory and power that comes with it."

Condor shook his head, "I can't believe I am asking this, but exactly what do you wish me to do?"

"Two nights from now, after the Praetor is dead and I am in control of the palace, I will send you a message. You will then deploy sailors to surround the Senate building and move your fleet into the skies over the city. That's all you are required to do. As I said, if I fail, I will be dead, and you will have not done anything. If Solon has not died with me, he will give you his word now he will not retaliate or use the information I possess against you."

Indicating to Solon he should speak, Solon said, "I hereby give you my word that if our mission fails, I will take no action against you and never reveal the damning information." But then he stared at Condor, "But if you betray us, I give you my word, you and your wife will beg to die."

The next day, Vandor carried out the next step of his plan. Solon, who was almost impossible to shock, could not believe that Vandor had actually had intercourse with the Praetor's wife in the Praetor's own bed. In doing so, he had found that Glia had her own secret entrance in and out of the palace, manned by a guard loyal to her. That would be the entry point for Solon and his men.

He also knew that the Praetor was holding long range meetings with his commanders in the field each night, returning to his room late.

Using all his charm, he persuaded Glia to allow him to visit her the next night. Her need for danger and excitement made her an easy target.

That night and the next day were filled with tension that something would go wrong, but then it was time to go.

Glia's guard let Vandor into the palace through the secret door a little after six o'clock. He quickly made his way to the Praetor's bedroom. He was seen once by a servant, but as he was a regular visitor to the Palace, it caused no problems.

Once inside the bedroom as Glia approached him, he quickly knocked her unconscious, gagged her, and tied her to the chair in the room.

He then settled down to wait for the Praetor. At ten o'clock, the Praetor entered the soundproof room. Vandor quickly shut and locked the door behind him. Then, with the Praetor staring in shock at him, he offered the Praetor a sword.

"What is going on? What are you doing here?"

"I would think that is self-explanatory, I am going to kill you."

"What, why?

"To claim your throne for myself."

'You must be mad, Venter will never stand for this."

"Let me worry about that, now defend yourself or I will run you through."

Vandor had decided it would be better if he could tell the Senate and others that he had fought with the Praetor and killed him rather than just slaughtering him. But in effect, it was the same, the aging Praetor was no match for him and it was over quickly.

He then turned his attention to Glia who was staring at him through wide frightened eyes, struggling to free herself. He walked over to her and touching her cheek said, "I don't want you to have to live with your betrayal," and slit her throat.

He then carefully opened the door and seeing no one, went down to the secret entrance and when the Guard turned his back, disposed of him as well.

He then opened the door and let Solon and his men into the palace. They made quick work of the guards that were on duty and then slaughtered the rest of the Praetorian Guards in their beds.

Vandor then contacted Lord Condor who deployed his fleet in orbit over the city and deployed one-hundred armed soldiers to greet the Senators at the Senate Chambers the next morning.

Meanwhile, Vandor then made the call that would decide how long his reign would last.

In spite of himself Vandor had to smile at the look on Venter's face when he answered the call on the Praetor's line.

"What? Vandor? What's going on?"

"The Praetor and his wife are dead, I have taken command of the Palace."

Venter's eyes narrowed, "I don't know what you think you are up to, Vandor, but it will be over as soon as I can get there."

"Listen to me, Venter. The Praetor is dead, nothing you can do will change that. You are on an important mission. At least give me a chance to make you a proposition."

"What sort of a proposition?"

"How would you like to be Governor General of the Western District? I understand the headquarters are a mansion on Tasses 1."

Seeing him not saying no immediately, he continued, "I know your wife hates the city and palace life. This would be a chance for you to be together away from the intrigue."

Venter paused. It was true he and his wife hated the machinations and gossip of Palace life. He also knew his men would much prefer being on patrol then being the ornamental fleet of the Praetor. Also, in reality, he had never been a great fan of the previous Praetor. Perhaps some young blood is what the Empire needed. But then he had another concern. What fleet commander had betrayed the Praetor? He knew Vandor would have never done this without a fleet to back him.

"Who betrayed the Praetor? Whose fleet is backing you? Is it Seltar, Bardon, both?

Vandor hesitated for a moment, he had known this would be a problem. "Actually, it is Lord Condor's fleet."

Venter was stunned. That coward. What would make him take such a chance?

"That idiot! I will not allow the Praetor's personal fleet to be commanded by such a man."

Vandor seemed unperturbed by his outburst. "Do you know Captain Ruddick?"

Venter, surprised, answered, "Yes, I do. He is Lord Condor's second in command. A good soldier."

"What if I were to tell you that in a few days, he will be in command of the fleet."

"I see. That does make a difference." Then, he had another terrible thought, knowing Vandor's reputation. "Vandor, answer this truthfully, did you ever sleep with my wife?"

Vandor looked directly into the screen and said, "I have one basic rule, I never sleep with the woman of a man I admire greatly or one that I might need in the future. You qualify on both points." Then he smirked, "Besides, you know she would tear off my balls if I tried."

Venter smiled for the first time, "She would at that."

He then continued, "All right, Vandor, I accept your offer. Assuming of course you actually manage to pull this off."

Vandor smiled and said, "Then I have a small favor I need you to do."

The next day, the Romulan Senate was confronted with some inconvenient truths. The Senate chamber was surrounded by one-hundred armed men, there to 'Protect them'. There was a powerful fleet orbiting overhead. The Praetor was dead and the palace controlled by his killer. Several of them remembered what had happened to another Senator that had crossed Vandor. The final blow was when they were contacted by Tribune Venter that he supported the new Praetor.

The Romulan Senate confirmed Tribune Vandor as the new Praetor of the Romulan Empire with a unanimous vote.

Three days later, Vandor received a message form Lord Condor, requesting his presence aboard his flagship to discuss matters of mutual interest to them both. He also suggested that it would be best if he came alone.

Solon smirked and said, "Not very subtle, is he?"

Vandor answered, "From his point of view, he is holding all the cards. He figures I need him much more that he needs me. I am sure he has a long list of demands. Fortunately, he is, of course, mistaken."

Vandor arrived aboard the flagship and was taken to Lord Condor's quarters where he was greeted by Condor and Ruddick, both conspicuously armed.

"Ah, Vandor. So good of you to honor us with your presence. I just have a few items that I would like to discuss. Most of them relate to a delegation of powers and how to handle the disposition of tributes and other things of value."

Vandor, ignoring what he said, got right to the point, "My dear, Lord Condor, did you know that it was Captain Ruddick here who gave me the information that I used against you? Did you also know that he and your child bride are in love with each other?"

Condor could do nothing but stare, his mouth hanging open. Then recovering, he flew into a rage and drew the disruptor from his belt. But Ruddick was ready and shot and killed him. He then reported to the sailors of the fleet that Lord Condor had tried to kill the Praetor and he had to shoot him in self-defense. Since Lord Condor had little or no respect among his men, there was very little reaction.

Six months Later, Vandor stood by the parapet of the palace, looking out over the city as the sun was setting.

Venter had quickly dealt with the Bovarians, easily driving them from his District. Then with permission from Vandor, he had given the Cordians autonomy to run their own affairs as long as they swore fealty to the Empire and paid their tributes on time. He and his wife had settled comfortably into their new life.

All of the Empire had stated their loyalty to the new Praetor. In reality, most commanders, citizens and other government officials in the field rarely visited Romulus or had not ever been there, and really had little interest in who was Praetor.

Newly promoted Tribune Ruddick had taken command of the Praetor's Personal Fleet and married Lord Condor's ex-wife. Vandor himself had presided at the wedding.

Suddenly, he felt Solon, First Citizen of the Romulan Empire, come up beside him. Smiling at his old friend, he turned back to the Sunset.

With a satisfied smile, he thought to himself. 'The Empire is ours.'