The “Romulan Devil” walked back slowly and sat on the table behind her. She crossed her long thin green gorgeous legs at which Asani quickly glanced then looked back at her memorizing face. Her hazel eyes looked brighter than ever. Asani heard Harry and Thomas make comments about how Jajot looked like ‘Julia Roberta’ or something from some movie long back. He lost interest when Jajot began talking. “I am just so happy that you are alive,” she said with true sympathy. “When I heard that you were dead, I drank a whole bottle of Romulan ale. I am still trying to get over the hangover.”
Asani gave his grotesque smile due to him still wearing the hideous disguise. “I never knew you cared so much. It does feel nice to be missed.” He looked down and then back at Jajot, who was still smiling. “Why the tracker?”
“We had to keep our eye on you,” she replied. “Visits from the UC to an Ex-Starfleet Officer.” Her eyes narrowed. “We knew something was going on.”
“We?”
Another brilliant smile. “Asani. You have to understand that my business involves the knowing of anything peculiar going on. My people pay me because I know things that will help them stay out of trouble.” She looked Asani up and down. “You are what is peculiar right now.” Her smile turned to a serious face. “What did the UC want with you and why did they try and kill you?”
Asani began to walk around the room. His large hands moving in the air as he asked questions, “So, what now? You hold me until I tell you everything and if I don’t, you then tell your people I am alive, and they come to finish the job?”
Jajot rolled her eyes as she stood up from the table and walked majestically over to the entrance of this small room. “No Asani. I do not want anything to happen to you.” Her face showed true sympathy. “I am not one to hold someone against their will or frighten them until I get what I want. We are here to help.” The door behind her opened and there stood a Romulan male. He wore the uniform of the Tal Shiar which made Asani take a step back. He lowered his hand to where he had hidden a small phaser.
“You will not be needing that,” said the Romulan male as he entered the room. “As Lieutenant Jajot has stated, we are here to help.” Harry and Thomas gave gasps into Asani’s earpiece.
Asani turned to Jajot, who was now showing a sympathetic face. “I guess both of us have secrets we do not want divulged, Lieutenant Jajot of the Tal Shiar.”
“If I would have told you I was with the Tal Shiar,” her large smile returned, “we would have not had so much fun together.”
“So, I was just being used for information about the Federation so you can feed your command and receive another distinguish medal?” Harry and Thomas could hear the anger in his tone.
“Every bit of it was real,” replied Jajot. Her face showed she meant what she said. “There are many of us in the Tal Shiar that are actually wanting peace between all of us.”
“Sorry,” said Asani while looking down. “It is hard to trust anybody, especially when my home was destroyed, and I was inches from death.”
“That is why we are here,” said the Romulan male as he took a seat at the table in front of him. “My name is Colonel Hakeev, and we are here because we truly would like to help, but first we are requiring information.”
“That does not sound good,” said Thomas into Asani’s ear as the ugly disguise gave a shrewd smile.
“You are wanting to know what I did for the UC,” stated Asani. Both Jajot and Hakeev nodded. Asani backed himself into a corner and then folded his arms and gave them a nasty sneer. “And if I don’t?”
“Asani,” said Jajot. “There are things going on that can impact both of our worlds. We need to know what they are planning.”
“Who is they?” asked Asani. His tone showing irritation.
“We don’t quite know,” answered the Colonel. “But let’s just say that the UC seems to be the connection point.”
“And this is because of the war that Xiezios began?”
Both Jajot and the Hakeev gave each other a quick glance. Jajot moved a chair to the other side of the table. “Please, Asani.” She gestured to the chair. “This will all make sense if you give us a chance to explain.” Asani grudgingly sat in the chair.
The Colonel sat out a flat disc in front of him on the table and lightly pressed it. A holographic projection appeared above it showing majestic waterfalls surrounded by large colorful trees. High above the waterfalls sat a giant active volcano. Magma could be seen flowing over the mountain side and into the large river below which was the source for the large falls. Steam rose from the boiling river which created an incredible view. The hologram then panned down and showed a small Romulan child playing in a stream that led off from the waterfalls. She was enjoying the warm water as more steam could be seen rising from the stream. “Have you ever been to Romulus?” asked the Colonel to Asani. The grotesque looking creature slowly shook his head as he watched the hologram. “Our world holds some of the most incredible sights to behold in this Universe. This is one of them. The Firefalls of Gal’Gathong.” Hakeev smiled at the sight, but Asani could tell that he was smiling more because of the small Romulan child.
Jajot took a seat at the table. “Nothing can be found anywhere in the Universe.” She too, smiled at the young girl playing in the stream. “Thousands of Romulans travel to this place each year to bathe in the warm hot springs.”
“Our family would make the trip every year,” said the Colonel with the same smile. “Our daughter would play for hours in the hot springs. We would have to take her away crying because she did not want to leave.” Hakeev gave a heavy sigh.
Asani looked at Jajot with a confused stare not expecting this discussion. She returned a look saying, “Be patient.”
“I rose through the ranks of the Tal Shiar doing what you thought we did, Lieutenant Nasos.” His eyes met Asani’s which gave Harry and Thomas shivers down their backs. “I spied on the Federation and on any other species that my commanders ordered me. I gained high praise from the Supreme leaders and all high ranking Romulans.” He sat back in his chair with his arms folded. A look of sorrow on his face. “I thought it was what was best for our World and for my family. Even through the Dominion wars when we held an alliance with the Federation and others, I still did my duty with the people of Romulus as my first priority.” A slight smile was seen. “My daughter had a different perspective.” He looked at the hologram intensely. “She ventured to many different worlds, working with everyone, wanting to bring peace.” Another large sigh. “She worked with counsels of all types, ambassadors, generals, presidents. Anyone who would listen. She was confident in her delivery and her words struck home to many, but they still looked at her as another Romulan traitor because that is what we have taught the Universe of ourselves.”
“The Federation has no moral platform to stand on,” said Asani with compassion on his face. “I remember doing many similar tasks with only Starfleet in mind. We are no better.” Jajot gave him a warm smile.
Hakeev nodded. “I met many of my daughter’s acquaintances in her work and they struck me as visionaries of a better Universe, but I thought that it was not possible with the ideas that they gave. I was one that thought that only war can bring peace.”
“Sometimes war is the answer, but should always be the last choice,” replied Jajot while looking at the Colonel. Harry and Thomas could not believe what they were hearing. They had been told differently about the Romulans.
Hakeev then gave a tender smile while looking at the hologram. The same little girl playing in the stream. “My daughter showed the Universe her true self. On the Federation Space Station Titirius Alpha orbiting the planet Cacadian, she was meeting with dignitaries on a peaceful resolution to the battles going on with Romulans and Cardassians over the planets in that sector. A retaliation attack by the Cardassians hit the Space Station sending panic to all that called it home. A young human girl stood petrified as debris fell around her. A large beam began falling her direction. My daughter, thinking nothing of herself, ran and pushed the little human girl to safety while the beam crushed her.”
Silence enveloped the room. Jajot looked at Asani and could see the shocked look on his face. This discussion was going where he never expected. After a few moments, Asani gave a large gulp. “Your daughter showed true courage. There are very few who would have done the same thing.”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“At that time, I would have not,” said the Colonel with complete certainty. “I would have shrugged and had been happy that she was not Romulan.” He looked at Asani. His eyes showed his grief. “I hated myself for a long time and that is why I am doing what I am doing today.” He then placed his hands under his chin and his look changed to that of power. “Lieutenant Nasos. War is upon us. A war that will make all other wars fail drastically in comparison. We want peace and that is why we come here offering you our help while hoping you will help us.”
Asani gave a heavy sigh. He could hear Harry and Thomas both crying. They could not actually cry having no tear ducts, but they made all the sounds which drove Asani nuts. But the story did touch Asani’s heart as well. They had gained his trust. “They had me make a bomb.”
No surprise look from Jajot or the Colonel. “What was it to be used for?” asked the Colonel.
“To blow up the mines on the moons of Xiexath,” answered Asani. Jajot shook her head. “I am not proud of my decision.”
The Colonel smiled softly. “Why did they come to you to build the bomb?”
“They needed it to look like an accident so no one would be blamed. I lived on Xiexath for some time studying the Xiezios people.” Jajot and the Colonel both showed a look of surprise. “I knew how they mined the mineral and how to make something so the bomb would be hidden.”
“What did the bomb consist of?” asked Jajot.
“To extract the mineral from the ground, it has to be frozen,” explained Asani. “They use a quick-freezing coolant that they import from the Cardassians. Instead of a coolant, I filled the canister with modified plasma which will have the opposite effect.”
“Which will be undetectable and the explosion with the mineral will be nuclear and destroy any mineral left,” stated the Colonel. “Ingenious design.”
Asani shook his head. “Nothing that I am proud of.” Harry and Thomas were commenting in his ear that they told him not to do it. “They had all the classified reports and information showing that the UC was united on this plan. The Xiezios had become too powerful, and war was certain.”
“Who was it that visited you from the United Council?” asked the Colonel.
Asani put his hand through his long Klingon wig. He was hating having to tell this story. “Admiral Richards and Commander Kili. They said it would be a great help and no one would know it was me.”
The Colonel’s face was showing he was pondering deeply everything he was hearing. “Reports said that you died in an accidental explosion. I take it that is not what happened.”
Asani shook his head. “A group of mercenaries in Klingon Warbirds annihilated my home and then only what can be described as the perfect assassin shot me in the chest with a disruptor rifle.”
“How did you survive?” asked Jajot with an impressive look on her face.
“I was wearing a shielding disc that created an undetectable forcefield.” He gave a small proud shrug. “A little invention of mine. Plus, a little help from my friends.”
“A little help?” questioned Harry.
“Friends?” asked the Colonel at the same time.
“Two Federation hologram programs that live on his ship,” answered Jajot. The Colonel looked at her with narrowed eyes. “I didn’t get them for him.”
“I got them off the black-market. Older models but definitely very useful,” explained Asani.
“I do not think he meant that as a compliment,” replied Thomas.
“Yes?” said Harry. “Hard to say.”
“Difficult to come by is what I hear,” said Hakeev. “The models we use on the Romulan Warbirds are very faulty. Not trustworthy.”
“These two are quite trustworthy,” said Asani with a smile. Harry and Thomas gave the same smile.
“Then you come here to Lya Station Alpha to do what?” asked the Colonel wanting to know everything.
“To find answers,” answered Asani. “To discover if my contacts at Starfleet know anything about what happened and why.”
“And did they?” The Colonel’s eyes showing he hoped for a positive response.
Asani gave a shrug. “My contact had heard of my death but did not know anything more than that the Xiezios had stepped up their attacks.” He paused wondering if he should say more. “He did say that I should be careful around Starfleet as well. He had heard of many strange things going on in that quadrant of space and the Federation was involved.”
The Colonel gave Asani a kind smile. “Thank you for being honest.” He then sat back in his chair and for a long moment he stared intensely at the hideous creature that sat across from him at the table. “What do you know about this mineral that they mine from their moons? The mineral that they call ‘death’?” Jajot studied Asani as well. They both showed they were worried about this unknown element.
Another heavy sigh. “A very unstable mineral but can be used to power weapons that would be extremely effective against an enemy.” They could tell he was holding back something. “It is the reason that Xiezios have grown in strength, but the mineral is too much of a risk to be used over long period of time.” Another shrug. “I know that they only used it in small quantities. I only saw it used as an energy source on their homeworld. Was still very unreliable.”
“Lieutenant Nasos,” said the Colonel in a condescending tone. “We know that you know more. Tell us what you really know.” Jajot gave Asani a small shrug.
“I don’t understand,” said Asani, trying to sound confused.
“Your reports said,” the Colonel took from his pocket a PADD, ‘…this mineral had the highest atomic mass ever found,’ ‘…if refined, it would have the potential for a planet ending weapon,’ ‘…it could erase the existence of any species thought to be a threat.’”
“I was told those reports were destroyed,” said Asani.
“Nothing is ever destroyed, Asani,” smiled Jajot. “We have our contacts in Federation as well that believe in our cause.”
“Then, if you have been given everything, why ask me?”
“Because you did not share everything and what was shared was very little,” stated the Colonel with the tone of an officer in the Tal Shiar. “This mineral seems to hold darker secrets than anyone knows, and you are the only one that can help us in knowing what we are dealing with.”
“When I lived on Xiexath, they were nowhere close to being able to refine this mineral and we knew for certainty that they did not have the technology to do so.” Asani tone showed he was confident. “This mineral may be able to power certain weapons, but the cost would be catastrophic. Thousands of lives would be lost because of the instability of this mineral. Too much risk.”
Hakeev placed on the table a small container holding what looked like a tiny rock. Both Jajot and the Colonel studied Asani’s reaction.
“That cannot possibly be what I think it is. That is not possible,” said Asani with a look of shock. “There was no way that they could refine that mineral. Where did you get this?”
“On one of our transports. There were kilos of it. Seems Romulus is now an exporter of this death rock. It must have come at a great cost.” She gave a slight smile. “They now have a name other than ‘death’ for this rock. They call it Thanatos.”
“I do not care what they call it,” said Asani nearly yelling. “It is impossible that they could have found a way to refine it so quickly.”
“Unless they had help,” said the Colonel. “What does the term crystalline isotropic phasing mean to you?”
Asani did not have to say a word because his face said everything. He then stood up and began to walk around the room. Jajot and the Colonel watched him carefully waiting patiently for his response but were on their guard. Asani suddenly stopped and pointed a stern finger at the Colonel. “Where did you hear that term?”
“Our spies intercepted the term from communications leaving Xiexath,” said Hakeev. “A term we have never heard before. A term that they did not want others to hear as well.”
“Asani,” said Jajot gently. “Why are you so shocked?”
He ran his hand through his Klingon hair again showing he was frustrated. For a long moment, Asani said nothing. He then sat back down and looked at Jajot. “We studied this ‘death’ mineral intently for months. We never shared our findings with anyone because of what we found.” Jajot’s eyes grew while Hakeev’s narrowed. “The potential that this mineral has is off the charts. Nothing has ever been found like it before.” Asani placed his chin on his fists and stared into space. They could tell he was pondering deeply on the past. “The chances of finding a mineral like this in its natural form is impossible. They had no idea what they had found. It was a miracle that they discovered a way to mine it without destroying their entire world.” Asani gave a light laugh. “We knew…all of us knew that if our findings ever got out…it would be catastrophic. It would be the end of thousands of civilizations…planets…species.”
“And now it is being sold to the highest bidder,” explained the Colonel. “Which will mean an end to peace everywhere.”
“How did they find out?” asked Asani more to himself than Jajot or the Colonel.
The Colonel pressed the flat disc on the table again and another hologram appeared. “Do you know this person?”
Asani’s true face went white. “When was this taken?” His tone showed his surprise but also his anger.
“Two days ago,” answered Jajot.
Asani stood while still looking at the hologram. His face showed intense anger which scared them both. “I know who this is.”
“Our intel says he goes by the name, Byers,” stated the Colonel. “He stays well hidden. We were lucky enough to get this video.”
“Where is he?” asked Asani, but more like a command.
“We never knew that the Federation did an away mission to Xiexath,” explained the Colonel. “We thought your reports came from findings that the Federation had stolen. Byers must have been apart of—”
“Where is he?!” Asani was now boiling.
Jajot stood up and put up her hands. “Asani. You cannot go looking for him. He is well guarded. It is a death sentence.”
“From your tone, you must have thought he was dead,” said Hakeev. “Now that you know he is alive, you believe he is sharing or selling information.”
“Or he is a traitor and the reason why everyone on my away team is now dead,” stated Asani. He looked directly at the Colonel. “Where is he?”
“He is on the planet Loval in Cardassian space,” answered Hakeev. Jajot gave a shocked look to the Colonel. Hakeev gave her a tiny grin. “Asani can choose to do whatever he wishes. I would be wanting to find this Byers if he had betrayed my friends. But I must agree with Lieutenant Jajot. It is a death sentence to go looking for him.”
While looking at the hologram, Asani stated, “According to all the news circling the Universe, I am already dead.” He then left the room headed towards space dock. Jajot and the Colonel knew they could not stop him.