A/N: I spoil you guys, I really do! Another piece of another story, this time catching up with Irekah and her adventures! Hope you enjoy!

Commander Temer once again eyed Irekah with disdain, his fingers drumming on his desk. He loathed the smug look on her face, and the fact that she deserved it was somehow even worse.

"You've returned," he said flatly, after a lengthy pause, in truth not knowing what else to say.

"So it would appear," Irekah replied, looking down at herself as if confirming the fact.

"And not only that, but you have returned with a brand new ship – the IRW Mereidex, I believe? - which you captured from the Tal Shiar, and then proceeded to destroy two other ships patrolling the Brea system. Would that be accurate?"

Irekah grinned, delighting in Temer's reluctant praise.

"That is correct, sir," she said, with unfailing politeness.

Temer sighed, tossing his PADD onto his desk with frustration.

"I loathe to admit it, Miss Vanekh, but you have done well," he told her, glaring at her while he wished he could wipe the self-satisfied smile from her face. "I will have to review the data you've brought back – the Mereidex's computers held some valuable information on the Tal Shiar's operations – and then I will consider how to deploy you next."

"I would have thought," Irekah said, her brow furrowed, "that I would be assisting in the search for a new world to settle?"

Temer shook his head, leaning back interlacing his fingers over his narrow chest.

"Unnecessary. We have someone looking into that already, and we should be hearing back from them soon. I'll find an assignment suitable for your...particular talents, I assure you." He picked up another PADD, briefly reviewing the information on it before looking back at the Reman. "In the meantime, we'll need to change your new ship's registration-"

"Actually, I have a request about that," Irekah offered, quickly adding "sir" as an afterthought, and Temer's eyes narrowed.

"We do not normally take personal requests, Centurion," he warned her, and she nodded in acknowledgement.

"I understand, but I think you'll like this one," she cooed, and her smile was back in evidence. "Alter the registration only as far as the designation, so she reads as a Republic vessel, but keep the name. The Tal Shiar will have records that show the Mereidex is missing in action, so seeing her in our hands will undoubtedly annoy them. Perhaps enough to make some mistakes in combat?"

Temer tapped the PADD against his hand for a moment while he considered her idea, and then surprised Irekah by giving her a slight smile.

"It's a long shot, certainly, but I like the idea nonetheless. You seem to have a knack for subterfuge and deception – we'll see if we can make use of that, no doubt. Very well, we will agree to that, but now I suggest you get a moment of rest. As soon as the Mereidex is ready to fly again, we will get you back out there."

"I hope so, sir," Irekah growled. "I didn't join the Republic to sit idle."

Temer remained silent, but a raised eyebrow was his only concession to showing approval.

"In that case, Irekah, that will be all," he said after a moment, and the Reman nodded to him before she turned and left.

With no immediate mission to worry about, Irekah made her way to the mess hall on the flotilla's flagship, in search of a drink. She was surprised to see Lehnat sat at the bar area, nursing a small glass of Kali-fal, and she took a seat next to her chief engineer.

"You look miserable," she said cheerfully, causing Lehnat to look up in shock.

"Centurion! Sorry, I-I didn't...I wasn't..."

Irekah chuckled, raising a hand to halt the engineer's stammering.

"Easy, Lehnat, I didn't mean to startle you," she said, with uncharacteristic concern. "Are you alright?"

Lehnat sighed, staring back into her drink, her expression haunted.

"I...I keep thinking about Virinat," she said at last, not looking at Irekah. "It was...it was just so horrible. Everyone we knew, everyone we cared about...Temin..."

Lehnat wiped away a tear that threatened to fall, not wanting Irekah to see her cry.

"How long were you both on Virinat?" Irekah asked gently, gesturing to the bartender for a drink of her own.

"Not much over a year," Lehnat sighed, still staring into her drink. "We came to Virinat after meeting some other refugees who were heading there, so we went with them." She sighed again, taking a big gulp of her drink. "We made sure we both worked at the colony, because we believed in it. We wanted to help provide a good home to everyone...wanted to start a family there." She downed the last of her beverage, slamming her glass down on the counter top. "And the Tal Shiar ruined all of it."

Irekah took a sip of her own drink, waiting to see if the Romulan had more to say.

"Centurion...I'm sorry. I spoke harshly to you, when you saved my life. You were right then – Temin would want me to survive, to honour his memory by helping the Republic build a new home. But I'm not a fighter...I don't know how good I'll be."

Irekah sipped her drink again, setting it down as she replied.

"I can promise you two things, Lehnat," she said, turning to face the engineer. "One, I will help you survive, fight and kill, to give you every chance of getting revenge against those bastards," she said firmly, meeting Lehnat's eyes. "And secondly, as long as I have breath in my body, I will not stop hunting them until we have both paid them back for all the innocent blood they spilled on Virinat. What do you say?" She extended her hand to the Romulan, who eyed it for a moment before clasping it firmly.

"I say you've got a deal, Centurion," Lehnat answered, sliding off her stool and stumbling slightly against the bar. Irekah laughed, slapping the Romulan's shoulder.

"Get some rest, Lehnat, I'll call you when we get a new mission," she chuckled, helping Lehnat upright. "Temer will let me know as soon as something comes up. I doubt it'll be long."

Lehnat nodded, staggering towards the mess hall door.

"See you on the ship, sir," Lehnat mumbled, saluting lop-sidedly before falling into the corridor.

Irekah chuckled again, shaking her head at the display.

"Lightweight."