As already arranged with Commander Song, Saavik directed the Romulans to the young captain's quarters. Both Song and Ba'el left them and went back to the bridge, and Garak, surprisingly, did not give them any trouble and joined them too.
Once they entered the cabin, the two centurions stayed guarding the door. The Numancia security ensign also stayed with them. Saavik did not appreciate much the presence of the armed man, but since Lior also bore his weapons with him, Saavik considered it was only fair. Besides, she suspected her crew would not accept any other way.
Saavik had preferred not to occupy the nominal captain's quarters, however, she found herself finally in them. She could only choose to meet with Raghnill in the junior officers' cabin, the mess hall or the ready room. And the ready room, the most appropriate place, was also Song's private quarters.
The Human's personal belongings, even if scarce, caught immediately her eyes, as did Raghnill's. It was only a painting hanging at one of the walls; water, bamboo and flying birds drawn with delicate ink strokes. Raghnill contemplated the picture for a long time before frankly admitting, "Your choice of ship disturbs me."
Saavik had ordered the replicator to produce water; it came in a mug instead of the traditional Vulcan cup. She offered it solemnly to Raghnill anyway. Her Romulan half-sister looked quizzically at it, and taking it, she asked, "Water? That's all you offer?"
Saavik was not bothered by her ignorance at all; she simply explained, "It is tradition to-"
"Ah," Raghnill acknowledged, not letting her finish. She took the confident chair and drank. "Tradition..." she mused, and for a moment seemed to be lost in another time.
Saavik sat at the other side of the table. "My choice of ship is only logical. It's small, fast, with little crew."
The Romulan contemplated her as she explained, took on her carefully composed expression and her calmness; took on her perfectly fit uniform and its Federation insignias. Somehow, it amazed her how naturally she seemed now to accept what years ago had been a shock.
"It's a warship," she interjected; it was not the first time Saavik heard that objection. "And then I thought you Vulcans were pacific beings." Raghnill laughed half-hearty. "But I know better."
"You already stated we should expect trouble, Raghnill," Saavik said defensively.
"Yes!" The Romulan commander drew herself tall and her lips parted to show her teeth, "But I wonder what kind of trouble I should expect!"
Cautiously, Saavik kept quiet. Raghnill suppressed a sigh, "Sincerely, why are you here now, Saavik? Because I can rescue my-" a halt "-admiral by myself. And you were the one who stated that you would never help me with that."
Raghnill's suspicion, and the rage she felt deep inside, were visible in all her posture. Saavik looked cool, however, her words let some strain show too, "Don't you trust me, my friend? I will not hinder you."
The commander gulped, controlling the fury that for these last days had consumed her; only sadness showed now in her voice, "Can I trust you, or her, in this matter?" She hit the mug nervously several times. "Admit it, you hate each other too much."
Saavik mulled over it, but finally conceded frankly, "Yes, we do." For one who considered herself a Vulcan, it was a difficult confession. Then, she clasped her hands on the table and went on, "But there is much more at stake here than our possible personal revenge, Raghnill." She looked largely at her former cellmate. "I have a common enemy with Ajeya" the name was difficult to pronounce for her too, "we all have. I am here after Koval."
Saavik took a data pad out of her uniform jacket. "I have learnt more, much more about his plans." She introduced it in the computer and turned the screen so Raghnill could clearly see.
"After Koval, just like everyone else," Raghnill echoed in a whisper, and frowned.
She started to read; it was a summary of the information Spock had passed to Saavik.
"I will let you the complete documents so you can understand the situation better," the Vulcan offered.
Raghnill's right fingers curled in a fist. "If this is true he's the most evil, dishonorable…" Her controlled fury returned once more. She swore. "What is he playing at? What is all this for?" She finished reading, and after cursing him vehemently again, she concluded, "He isn't working for the Romulan Empire, Saavik. He is not one of us." It came as an afterthought, "Is he one of you?" her enraged eyes glinted dangerously.
"He is not," Saavik reassured her, but her Romulan half-sister did not calm at all after hearing her words. "His allegiances remain uncertain, but he is a real danger to both our people."
Raghnill reflected about all she had read, and voiced the doubt she still had, no matter how many times she had denied it, "Do you think that Koval's actions are actually being sanctioned by one government?
Her friend's blunt answer shocked her, "I do not care," the Vulcan said.
Saavik stood up, and paced for some seconds before turning again to her. Raghnill frown deepened; she felt her nails pressing her skin harder and harder.
"Hellguard," Saavik's voice rasped as she confessed her last secret, "he wants to do another Hellguard." Now in her eyes was that dark glint Raghnill knew she should fear, and the Federation admiral's voice was as cold as ice. "He said it, aloud, proud of himself." And then Raghnill understood Saavik really despised Koval. "Apparently, his grandfather was implicated in the colony, I do not yet know how."
And then Raghnill understood her mother also must hate Koval. And would seek his ruin. She would obliterate every one and everything remotely related with her concealed terrible past. Now she could see why her mother had gotten into all that trouble.
And why Saavik was now so determined to find her, to personally stop Koval. To kill him?
Raghnill doubted, assessing her half-Vulcan sister. It did not really matter. She herself would do it, gladly, if Saavik could not. But Koval was still the chairman of Tal Shiar, and killing him in cold blood had serious consequences.
"If you want Koval, you won't find him out there, in those ships. He's in Romulus, you know?"
She had left the chair too, and now stretched out, trying to alleviate part of the tension, and to clear her thoughts.
"And I don't know where all this information comes from, but I don't think any of your sources would ever be considered by the Senate as a witness, if you want to report him."
"I do not know who is in those ships, Raghnill, I just know Ajeya is. She would be our first aim." Raghnill did not like the choice of words a single bit. "And then," she paused, and Raghnill glared at her, "Koval is a double agent. Either he is a traitor to the Federation or he is a traitor to the Romulan Empire. Anyway, we will expose him and make him confess. We will make him fall." Another pause. "If you still trust me, in these circumstances."
"Even if he turns out to be a sanctioned Federation agent?"
"Even if he is a legitimate Romulan operative?" Saavik asked back.
And they both nodded solemnly. Their pact had been sealed.