Catching Up

Posted on Fri Jun 6th, 2025 @ 1:36pm by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Commander Rhiana t'Aegis

2,902 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Shore Leave 1
Location: Deep Space Nine
Timeline: During the Firebird's trip to Earth for refit

[ON]

It felt strange to be back on Deep Space Nine again. Despite it being a space station, it felt more cramped than Deep Space Eighteen and yet a lot more spacious than the Firebird. That was not exactly a surprise and Rhiana was not certain why she was thinking that way. Maybe she was just glad to be back and among more people than when she had walked along long, eerily empty corridors on the station in the Gamma Quadrant.

She pushed those thoughts aside and concentrated on the task at hand: finding Bokot. As soon as she had heard that they were to make a stop at DS9, she had sent him a message. She had not known whether he would be aboard the station. Last time they had spoken, he had been aboard a cruise ship touring the galaxy. But he had replied almost immediately and, when asked for a meeting point, had simply said that he would find her. Typical.

So here she was, walking along the Promenade as so many others. Wearing civilian clothes to avoid drawing unwanted attention to herself. Hoping that he would find her here. She had no patience for the station's underground today.

A figure fell into step beside her, matching her long stride with his own. He wore a stylish, modern outfit that was common with people who ran businesses on DS9. It was the kind of outfit that helped one blend into the scenery. To be seen but not seen.

"I am pleased to see that you can, in fact, wear something other than a uniform. I was starting to believe that you simply shed them like snake skin, always wearing a new one." Bokot said just loud enough for Rhiana to hear.

Rhiana's sombre features lightened up as a genuine smile illuminated her face. "A uniform is a very practical garment. In the right environment, it can be as much camouflage as civilian clothing." She turned to look at him without coming to a halt. "It is good to see you again."

"As it is you, Rhiana e-Fveirrolh t'Aegis," Bokot said with a small smile. The promenade was becoming busier, as the inhabitants of DS9 sought their midday meal and entertainment. Bokot's eyes roamed the crowd, searching for and identifying threats. It was an old habit and one that had served him well.

"I am pleased to see that you survived your exile in the Gamma Quadrant. My sources tell me that it was a unique experience. Is that why you summoned me here? To regale me with your experiences?"

"I doubt that I could regale you with anything you do not already know," Rhiana replied dryly. She was not entirely certain whether that was true, but she knew that his sources were outstandingly well informed. "But if you were to think about establishing your business on Deep Space Eighteen, I can likely help speed along the application. Now that there is a peace treaty and a proper Starfleet presence ensures the base's safety, there certainly are commercial opportunities to be had." At least that is what she supposed. She had never really cared about trade relations and such.

Bokot nodded. "I've been considering the new... potential of having a presence in the Gamma Quadrant. It sounds like there are a number of new races that could use my assistance and resources," Bokot said with a sly smile. "I wonder, though, if you asked me to meet because you require my assistance. I heard that you had a run-in with a certain Romulan ship."

Rhiana grinned and slowly shook her head. "Let me guess: you were aboard the Mandukar and watching everything?" She became serious again as she avoided a collision with an inattentive passer-by. "I would not exactly call it a run-in. More of a misunderstanding about my status. Nothing a short discussion could not solve."

Knowing Bokot, he probably had a detailed report about that encounter or even saw a recording of it. For a split second, Rhiana was tempted to ask, but decided not to. While she was curious, she did not truly want to know how far his reach was.

"I do not think I could trust Riov tr'Lhoell, but he might be useful one day. He is not exactly the reason I requested this meeting, however," Rhiana continued. "But the encounter reminded me that there is a decision to take that I have been avoiding for some time now: Xavi's further education. It will inevitably lead him away from the relative safety of the Firebird. Even if I was granted a transfer to Spacedock or Earth, which is far from likely, he is still going to be more vulnerable than he is here."

The two of them were passing Quark's bar, which was doing a roaring trade. A small crowd was gathered around the dabo table, and there was hardly an open seat in the house.

"Vulnerability is a spectrum. Xavi will always be in danger, no matter where he goes. Sela is never going to forget he exists, nor are the Tal'Shiar. The latter is still working hard to find a way to displace Sela, but does so in a way that doesn't bring about their own destruction. They are wound together like two snakes coiled together. I fear that they will bring about the devastation of our people," Bokot said. "Sooner or later, Xavi will face another attempt to assassinate or recruit him. He needs to be trained in the ways of subterfuge, combat, and intelligence. My first suggestion would be to let him come with me. My organization is doing much better recently, and I can find places for him to learn what he needs to learn and stay hidden."

Whatever was going on around the two Romulans lost all potential importance and faded into the background as Rhiana came to a sudden halt and turned to face Bokot. Some unimportant passersby who had been walking almost too close to the pair just barely managed to avoid walking into them. Not that Rhiana noticed them right now. Her entire focus was on the man before her. Adrenaline coursed through her body, making her heart race and accelerating her breathing. Her shoulders almost ached from the sudden tension, and while her arms remained at her side, her fists were clenched tightly. The colour of her face fluctuated between ghostly pale and greenish flushed, and her eyes gleamed dangerously.

Staring at the man she tentatively considered a friend, something in his features reminded her of someone else, and, realising that she had been about to attack him, she forced herself to take a few deep breaths.

They helped somewhat. Even if the tension in her shoulders remained. As did the clenched fists.
But the roar of the boiling blood in her ears that drowned out most other sounds ebbed down. Her mind cleared enough for her to be able to speak almost normally again.

"Twenty-six years ago and for almost two years, your brother kept my infant sister from me." Rhiana's voice was calm, yet cold, and at the same time, it conveyed a feeling of pain and betrayal. "You are suggesting doing the same with my son."

"Ihiru bilire-ahi, t'Aegis," Bokot said, holding up his hands, palms toward her. "I see that in addition to the combat responses of a warrior, you also now possess the combat responses of a mother. I am happy that you have found this calling. My words were not meant to threaten. You would obviously come with Xavi and become part of my network. I can find many things for you to do that will utilize your skills and give you satisfaction. Of course, you will be with Xavi, my friend."

Rhiana stared at the man before her, momentarily stricken with speechlessness. All the anger she had felt seconds before was gone, replaced with... something. Surprise? Shock? Incredulity? Joy? Exaltation? Suspicion?

"Elements! Bokot!" she finally hissed, just barely managing to keep her voice down. They were starting to attract the attention of others, given that they were standing still in the middle of the busy promenade. Rhiana was suddenly acutely aware of their surroundings again and glanced around. The yellow of security uniforms was visible here and there, and while the guards might not be interested in them, she was not in the mood for an altercation. Or explanation.

"Come!" she continued, much in the same tone, took hold of Bokot's upper arm and pulledl him off to the side. "You cannot make me that kind of an offer in the middle of the Promenade!" she added in lieu of an explanation for her behaviour.

Bokot let Rhiana lead him to the side, enjoying seeing her being slightly out of control for once. He'd often thought that she was wound so tightly, she would one day snap and come apart.

"I don't see why not. The middle of the Promenade or one's personal cabin, over a drink. What's the difference? I'm simply offering you solutions to help answer the question of what to do with the boy. Would you like to accept, or do you have something else in mind?" Bokot said, not bothering to pull his arm away.

Rhiana glared at the alleged merchant and let go of his arm, or rather, almost pushed his arm away. "Elements, Bokot!" she said again, clearly still agitated. "A private cabin is more secure than this place!" She looked around without seeing anything or anyone, then exhaled sharply. "Fvadt!"

She felt close to bursting with tension and internal upheaval, yet there was no way she could let this happen. Not here and now. Another reason to have that kind of conversation out of the public eye. "Fvadt!" she let out again, doing her best to keep her voice down. Passing a hand through her hair and disheveling it, she looked away from Bokot. "Fvadt. Fvadt. Fvadt." It was not a word she used often. Barely ever, actually. But sometimes, it was the only word that did a situation justice.

Rhiana took a deep breath and looked at her supposed friend again. "I do not even know what exactly it is that you do. On purpose." Another breath. "Tell me more. As much detail as necessary. As little detail as possible."

"I think you know what I do. I'm a merchant of information. Some might say I am quite Ferengi-like, I imagine. My organization goes where there is opportunity. Your skillset would be very well used. You and Xavi would disappear, and you would be quite safe," Bokot said. "But there are costs to safety." He paused, a hesitant look appearing. "I have... few people I can trust, even many of my own people. I stay on the move constantly. I'll probably never have my own family. And yet, I think that I can survive and even help our people."

He laughed. "Not a great sales pitch I suppose."

Rhiana gave him a look. "Better than you think."

She passed her hand through her hair again. It was both a very uncharacteristic gesture for her and yet looked very natural. In any case, it made her hair even more disheveled, and, also uncharacteristically, she did not seem to care.

"I had never planned or even dared to hope to have a family," she continued. "Yet look at me now." She sighed. "You must know how tempting your offer is, Bokot. Your organisation is probably the safest place for Xavi. Out of reach of both Starfleet Intelligence and the different factions of what remains of the Empire." Another sigh. "But you are asking me to throw away everything I have worked for in the past eight years. To leave a crew who would die for me for an organisation where I could only trust you. To defect yet again."

"Well," Bokot said, waiving a hand. "I don't actually think it is a good option for you, but it would have been nice to have the two of you around more often. Having said that, an organization that can provide extra protection is exactly what Xavi needs. If not my organization, then the only other option is Starfleet. Does the boy have the aptitude to be an officer or even an enlisted member? A few years in Starfleet, with your guidance, could mold him into a very important person. Sela won't live forever, you know. Something will eventually happen, and when that occurs, people will be looking for a new leader. One who has a right to be Emperor."

Rhiana blinked. It was not an outrageous idea, but one she liked to forget about. Xavi was, at this time, not fit to be Emperor. "You are right on all accounts," she admitted. "I had only ever thought about Starfleet. Though I do not think he is officer material just yet. Not many eighteen-year-olds are. He should probably go through enlisted training first and do a few tours of duty before applying for officer training. But he will be unable to survive as Emperor if he only has Starfleet training and a Federation way of thinking. He will need to get the training you can provide as well."

She sighed again. "The best solution would be if he could be taken in by a truly trustworthy House in the Empire. To finish secondary education there, do his mandatory military service, and then become an officer. He needs to learn how to think and act like a Romulan."

"That would be the ideal solution. But any House in the Empire would be immediately placed in danger. Sela and the Tal'Shiar would exert influence, and no entity can survive that kind of pressure for long. Xavi must go to Starfleet. When the two of you have leave, I will arrange for ships to pick you both up, and we can work together to help him become the person he needs to be. It will take years, but I'm willing to invest the time. Plus, I will be able to spend time with you as well."

This time, Rhiana did not immediately reply. Instead, she crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave Bokot another look. "What exactly are you saying?"

Bokot raised an eyebrow. "I'm saying that the practical can also coincide with the personal, Rhiana. I enjoy your company. It has brought back some of the good memories from my past versus the kind that make me feel despondent. I thought perhaps you felt the same."

She let out a breath she had not realised she was holding and felt... relieved. "Why do you think your offer is so tempting for me, Bokot? Certainly not because of the prospect of a nomadic, secretive lifestyle." Been there. Done that. Did not buy the t-shirt. "I enjoy your company as well. I may very well accept your offer in a few years, once Xavi's training is complete." Rhiana sighed. "I almost surrendered to tr'Lhoell, simply to be among our people again."

Bokot wrinkled his nose. "Standards, t'Aegis, standards. You can't go throwing yourself onto every substandard Romulan ship commanded by a random set of pointy ears. The next thing I hear, you'll be on a Vulcan ship just out of desperation," he said and laughed. "No. Xavi will go to Starfleet, and you and I will take care of his Romulan training. I recommend we schedule regular briefings to go over how things are going." His eyes twinkled.

The mention of the Vulcan ship made Rhiana briefly join in Bokot's laughter. The idea of being on a Vulcan ship was too absurd. "Very well," she agreed. "The Firebird is heading to Earth, where we will have four weeks of shore leave. Xavi and I will spend a few days on actual vacation. He is a resilient boy, but even he needs some time to decompress after the past few weeks." She thought for a moment. "It will be easier to teach him before he begins his studies at the Academy, so we will need to take advantage of that. I will prepare a lesson plan and send it to you. You can certainly provide any material we may require, can you not?"

"Of course. I will supply the two of you with anything you need. We will arrange some dead drops that will keep you out of surveillance. The last thing we need is another visit by overactive intelligence officers," he said, referencing a past experience. "Now, speaking of decompression, why don't we try the new Betazed restaurant. I hear it is excellent and the drinks are strong." This time, he rested a hand on her upper arm and guided her in the direction of the restaurant. They walked in silence, enough words having been said. In fact, Bokot thought that it had been the longest exchange they'd ever had. A small smile crossed his face.

"It is good to walk with you, Rhiana," he said.

"And with you, Bokot," Rhiana replied, a similar smile on her face.

[OFF]

Commander Rhiana t'Aegis
Second Officer / Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

Bokot (NPC by Llwyedd)
Romulan Merchant

 

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