Chapter 54: The Storm Begins

A/N: Happy New Year to you all!

Alaya Karangalan, wishing you the best for 2020 and thanks for your kind words! I think Star Trek: Picard will air on both Amazon Prime and CBS, but I'm not sure I'll have access to these channels from my corner of the world – I still have to check. All the teasers have been officially released on YouTube.

I decided that it would never do if Vreenak became nice and sweet. It just wouldn't suit him, and he needs to live up to the reputation of being one of the most arrogant Romulans in Star Trek. Although his scenes in Deep Space Nine are so short, it's obvious that he's arrogant to just about anything that moves. Asha doesn't let him get away with it, and she most certainly won't tolerate Thorek or herself being on the receiving end of Vreenak's snootiness.

Kihika is one of my favourite characters – she's loyal to a fault but never submissive, and like most of the younger generation on Romulus, she's tired of Romulan isolation, all the more so as she works in an unconventional Human-Romulan household.

Today, by the way, is exactly a year since I uploaded the first chapter of this story! Yays!

Vocab lesson: ter'akir: fierce and aggressive cat-like creatures. Fvadt: damn!


Asha was lying on the chaise longue, and Vreenak was in her arms. Some of their most in-depth conversations took place in this manner. As Asha commented, they had no need to be in a state of undress to enjoy intimacy outside the bedroom.

The sun was shining on Asha's hair, and Vreenak played with a strand. Romulan hair was glossy by nature while Asha required a powerful brush, Kihika's skills and her hairdresser Rareek's s expertise to get her hair to cooperate, especially as it was growing longer. She kept it above shoulder-length, however, and had no wish to grow it into its previous waist-length mass, stating that it was far more practical in its current state.

"I worry, a'rhea," Vreenak told her, "and it is not usually in my character or upbringing to worry. I believe Neral to be in the hands of Romulan Intelligence. What use is a government and Senate if they are powerless and forced by the Tal Shiar to maintain a charade? We are making fools of ourselves. Fools! It is dishonourable."

"Those close to me feel similarly about the powerlessness of the government and the might of the Tal Shiar. But no one can be a ruler forever, Merken," Asha said, sounding certain.

"Ah, a'rhea, your words are always optimistic, always hopeful. I have been collecting whatever information I can on the Borg. The rathakir were helpful in that respect. The Borg survive by assimilating, which has included both Humans and Romulans in the past. They do not procreate. There is no need when they can assimilate. They-" he broke off and smiled grimly, straightening up and looking into her eyes.

"I don't even have to look at your face, and I find myself telling you secrets of utmost importance. Oh, I know that I am choosing to do so, and I do so freely – too freely for a Senator, some would say, but you are my mate and Delon regards you as a sister-in-law."

Asha smiled. "Is it not good to have someone to trust in this mess, e'lev?"

Vreenak laughed. "You are unbeatably optimistic. Yes, Asha, it is." He paused. "Nothing from Parem?"

"Nothing. And in the case of the Tal Shiar, I know that no news doesn't always mean good news. They like to toy with their prey like ter'akir," she said.

It was both strange and normal how easily Romulan phrases, metaphors and the like came to her now. In contrast to Christine, she had been on Romulus for barely four years, and she thought of her family back on Earth every day; but Romulus, despite its political unrest and paranoia had become her second home, and it was a home she loved. She believed in the potential of its people and often told Thorek that one day, the Tal Shiar would fall. Thorek was deeply sceptical about her stance, but he said diplomatically that it would probably happen one day, though it most probably wouldn't be during his lifetime.

The days continued to pass quietly, and Thorek and Asha were discussing plans to finally visit the famous Firefalls of Gal'Gathong when General Parem's message arrived. Except that by now, General Parem was Vice-Chairman and another Romulan, whose name was only pronounced in whispers out of fear, was Koval's successor.

Thorek noticed the colour drain from his wife's cheeks as she read the PADD Kihika handed her.

"Ihhei?" Kihika asked, alarmed.

Asha's face became grim as she collected herself.

"Former General Parem…wishes…to visit us in a week." Her voice was heavy with sarcasm as she gave the PADD to her husband. Thorek's eyes narrowed, and he snorted as he read it.

"Wishes! He demands that we host him," he almost spat.

"Ihhei, Ihhai, Deihu tr'Vreenak must know," Kihika said. Asha bit her lip. "I fear that I will put him in very serious danger," she said.

"Ihhei, he was in danger from the day he was born. Those born into politics are," Kihika said gently.

"That is true, but I can't use this circumstance to justify endangering him even more."

"I swore to protect you, and I will. I would have sworn without him making me do so. He asked me that he be informed about any correspondence from Parem, and so I will do it, and of my own volition," Kihika said, standing straight and tall before the couple. Asha rose and hugged her. Thorek remained seated, as it was not the Romulan custom to hug one's house staff, but he smiled slightly.

Kihika wrote to Vreenak. Who responded that he would be present during the meeting when Parem visited.

Asha was horrified. How could a Senator, especially one who had left the Tal Shiar, be present during a session with the Vice-Chairman of the Tal Shiar?

She wrote to Vreenak, asking him to reconsider. Vreenak, displeased at what he considered her doubt in his character and loyalty, insisted that he would be there, the four elements be damned. He would not stand anyone bullying his mate, and that was the end of it.

Asha also informed Christine and Vekal about Parem's impending visit. Vekal suggested that he hide in a cupboard in her hall with a disruptor, just in case. Christine said she would join. Asha managed to dissuade them from such an idea and said she would update them on how the meeting went.


On the day of the meeting, Vreenak arrived early in all his pomp, complete with his Senatorial flitter, aides and impressive robes. Thorek and Asha, too, had dressed carefully for the occasion, and Kihika, as the hru'hfe, had made sure every pleat of her dress was wrinkle-free.

Thorek scrutinised the Senator, then said: "Thank you for visiting at such risk to you and your person."

"It is my duty to my mate," he said, inclining his head towards Asha.

"I share the same duty, and gladly so," Thorek remarked. The two Romulans exchanged a final stare before Vreenak called in his aides and sat down.

He had timed himself well, because Vice-Chairman Parem arrived punctually with his own aides, one of which Asha recognised as the prison guard she had hit in self-defence and whose nose had started to bleed thanks to the very forceful collision with her bangles. When their eyes met, it was very clear that he had not forgotten the incident.

"What a nice villa," Parem murmured. Asha thought of the villas taken over by the Tal Shiar and knew that every sentence Parem uttered was laced with threats. Kihika stood next to Asha.

"Thank you, Vice-Chairman. Only the best will do for one like you," she said graciously.

"Quite, quite," Parem responded, smiling in a sinister manner. He looked around. "I hear no sound of children."

"That's because there are none," Asha said evenly.

"A pity. They would have served the Empire well, no doubt," Parem commented. He and his aides went inside the house before Asha and Kihika could lead them into the hall. It was a deliberate breach of host-guest protocol, and a demonstration that Parem was in power.

Once inside, Thorek and Senator Vreenak rose to greet him. The smile slid off Parem's face as he was received by Vreenak's cold blue stare for an instant. Then he continued to smile.

"What a surprise!" he exclaimed. "Why, I had no idea I would be in such fine company this afternoon!"

"We enjoy making our guests feel at home," Thorek said, bowing before him and gesturing towards a chair.

"It has been a long time since we last saw each other," Vreenak remarked. "You were then a…Colonel…is that correct?"

Parem's feature grew taut. "It is possible," he said tersely. "You are acquainted with Ihhei t'Darak?" He spoke as if Asha wasn't there.

Vreenak looked at her. "I am a lover of poetry and planning another poetry reading. Ihhei, as you know, is a highly talented poet and much requested for distinguished occasions. On discussing my plans with Ihhei, I came to know about your visit. It was an opportunity I couldn't miss," he responded smoothly. "I remember my service to Romulan Intelligence well."

"Well enough that you chose to pursue a path in politics," Parem observed with a slight sneer.

"Indeed, true to my family calling," Vreenak agreed.

Kihika moved around discreetly, offering drinks and confections. And sitting next to Asha's chair was faithful Lilou, watching Parem unwinkingly.

It was a very strange situation, with Vreenak's aides standing grimly against one wall and Parem's thugs behind his chair. If Asha hadn't been aware that Parem was one of the most dangerous men on Romulus and Merken tr'Vreenak just as dangerous in his own way, she would have laughed at the absurdity of it all, the ridiculousness of this futile power play.

"A set'leth," Parem said, pointing at Lilou. Pointing was just as rude on Romulus as it was on Earth.

"My husband gifted her to me," Asha smiled, patting Lilou's head.

"Very Romulan, despite…well…" he brushed his hand over his forehead.

"Yes, very," Asha agreed, ignoring his offensive behaviour.

The afternoon continued in this manner, with subtle insults exchanged, deflected and exchanged again. When Parem and his bodyguards finally left, Asha was exhausted. As soon as his flitter was out of sight, she went inside the house and sat down. Vreenak's aides retired to the Senatorial flitter.

"Fvadt," she said. Both Thorek and Vreenak sat down on either side of her, and she snuggled herself comfortably between them.

"You two were brilliant," she said. "And you! Coming all the way out!" she looked tenderly at Vreenak.

He touched her cheek gently, then said gravely: "Asha, Thorek, it will not be the last you will hear or see of him and the Tal Shiar. You are like an object of study for them."

Asha winced. "I could tell."

"So am I, and as you noticed, they resent me for choosing politics over them. News of this meeting will undoubtedly reach Neral's ears."

"And my examiners will put two and two together and realise that you and I are in touch. They'll have proof that I lied during the exam when they asked me about you. You know what? I don't give a shit," Asha stated.

Both Thorek and Vreenak laughed, and even Lilou flapped her ears cheerfully.


When Asha visited Vreenak the next time, they embraced each other for a long time before retiring to his bedroom. Fear made them cherish their moments with each other and cling harder than ever to the secrecy of their relationship.

"No one shall ever touch a hair of your head," Vreenak growled as they lay together afterwards, sweaty and breathless.

"And no one shall ever touch a hair of yours," she said. Vreenak smiled a little.

"A'rhea, I do believe you would be better suited to politics than the military."

"Ah, but words can be weapons, too!" she reminded him. "You're a master at it. Besides, you have to undergo military training and experience to qualify as a candidate in politics. You are completely dedicated to swimming and martial sports in your free time."

Vreenak looked proud. "Indeed. And you have become quite the master at…stroking my ego, is that what it is called?"

"Yes," she confirmed. "But I regard it as paying you a genuine compliment. No games between you and me, remember?"

"I remember. Still, you easily switch from poet to politician. I am impressed."

"Can't I be both?"

He thought for a few moments. "It should be possible."

They laughed together in bed.