Chapter 19

Commander S'Talla Embarks On A Dangerous Mission

2366.091-093

Commander S'Talla sat in his command chair and contemplated the chain of events that had led him to this place and this time.

The fleet had just come out of warp into the outer reaches of the Beta Virginis system. Throughout the three-week trip from Romulus, he had been trying to think of a way to salvage his original plans. When his mother had come to him a month ago with a bold plan to subvert the hostile leadership of the empire using what seemed at the time a miraculous alien weapon, he had had his doubts. She had pointed out to him however, that the families' position in the Empire was deteriorating. As a staff member of the High Council, he was well aware that it was only a matter of time before the current leadership would move to eliminate what it perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a political threat. The plan was bold and not without a substantial degree of risk, but what choice did they have? The families were facing the most significant threat to their existence in over a millennium, and this plan, as dangerous as it was, was their only viable option.

S'Talla had shown up at the docks to find that the crews on eight of the ten ships had been entirely replaced with the high councilman's loyalists. Further, four other high council members would be helming four of those ships, and only one of those had any crew from the families. This was a disastrous turn of events made worse by the fact that his mother had already left with her own small fleet. The High Council was unaware of his true relationship with Ruwon, and S'Talla had to risk what little chance he had left to salvage the operation by secretly getting a short warning off to her. He could not afford to do much else, and hoped that the message was received.

S'Talla did not see how the situation could get much worse. He did not find out until they had actually cast off that another seven ships were joining them. These of course were 100% crewed by the General's people. Even if they managed to get help from the Federation ship, they were no match for his combined fleet.

Now that he had arrived in system, the first order of business was to get his superior to let him join the other ship already en route to the planet. Ralaa didn't exactly know what he was looking for, and so planned to land troops at the largest groups of ruins around the planet and see what could be found. They had orders to neutralize any opposition and take anything valuable they could lay their hands on. S'Talla wanted to get to Ruwon, who he knew was orbiting the planet, and warn her about what exactly she was up against. Once they met, they could figure out what, if any, options they had. None of this could happen until he got to the planet however.

The fleet was still far enough away from the nebula that ship-to-ship communications could be had with minimal interference. S'Talla currently was looking at the visage of a man who looked perpetually angry. He had been dealing with him for three years now and knew it was because he really was angry most of the time.

"What do you want Commander?"

"My apologies General. I wanted permission to accompany Admiral Valdran to the planet…"

"I denied your request before. Valdran says he can handle the situation. What has changed that you are bothering me with this again?"

"When we all spoke about it before General, I did not want to contradict the Admiral to his face. The fact remains that most of his people are down on the surface of the planet. Admiral Ruwon has four ships to his one, and if she were so inclined, could easily overwhelm him. I thought it prudent to remind the General of this important piece of information."

"His ship's armaments can easily…"

"His weapons are seriously attenuated that close to the nebula. Admiral Ruwon's ships can get close enough to board quickly and retreat without taking much damage. I am only suggesting this as a reasonable precaution General. I can help defend the Admiral as a last resort if need be, but remember, I know Admiral Ruwon, and I know I can get her to stand down if it comes to that. She is less likely to start a fight if I am there."

The General looked at him and didn't say anything as if trying to divine any ulterior motives S'Talla might have harbored. Apparently not being able to think of any, he said.

"Rendezvous with Valdran at the planet. You are subject to his command. Is that understood?"

"Of course general."

Before he even finished, General Ralaa cut communications.

"Take us out of here helm before he changes his mind."

Now all he had to do was find his mother with near useless sensors before Valdran could figure out he was there. One step at a time.