The Empty Crown

Posted on Mon Jun 28th, 2021 @ 4:16am by Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Admiral Sakkath

1,369 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Cheese
Location: Office of the Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire
Timeline: 2430-08-31, 19:30

The Office of the Praetor was a large, intricately decorated room in the Romulan Senate Building. Located on the top floor, the room was created with warm color palates that were a stark contrast to the sterile designs normally incorporated into Vulcan designs. The desk was modest, with three large chairs for guests that looked upon the panoramic window that showed much of the surrounding city and Mount Selaya beyond.

Sakkath stood watching the courtyard below as the Romulan and Vulcan sentries rounded upon those gathered. The uniformity of which they moved was synchronicity in its finest. Hundreds were being rounded upon in an effort to find the source of the fatal shot that took out the Praetor. Something told him that the answers they sought were not before them. None in the crowd were responsible. He knew it.

Behind him a dozen people were back and forthing about what had happened, each trying to one up the other as they struggled to come to an agreement. The majority of those present were Romulans, but there were several Vulcans also among the crowd. The discussion was heated for some, but the others tried to keep a cool head. It was difficult with what had just happened.

"We need to blow the Federation ship from the sky!" Defense Minister Kireka Titron demanded with fiery intensity. The Romulan Admiral crossed her arms as she studied the crowd of leaders, "We have their ship surrounded and their shields are down. We could take them out in seconds."

Judiciary Minister Saath interjected, "To launch an unprovoked assault upon the Federation Starship would lead to war, Defense Minister."

Titron laughed heartily, "You can't be serious! They cast the first stone!"

"That remains to be seen," Saath continued.

The lead Senator, Hajo Ikiuk, added, "You must admit it is convenient. Their personnel were involved in a fight at a Romulan cafe then simply vanished."

"Is it not possible that they returned to their ship?" Saath asked.

T'Lalal of the V'Shar answered that one, "Our evidence indicates that they were not taken into custody, which is atypical as the Federation Commander from Starfleet One came to the central precinct demanding they be released."

This garnered Sakkath's attention. The Proconsul looked back at the group as they debated, processing the fact that Admiral Targaryen had been on the surface. He had not been issued to transport pass to his knowledge - which Sakkath would have known as he monitored all of the temporary travel passes that had been issued. How did he get to the surface? Sakkath would have smiled at the realization, but there were many secrets even he could not share.

"Admiral Targaryen is on the surface?" He questioned as they continued.

"He was a short while ago," T'Lalal answered. "He was last reported as still being at central booking, but he left a few minutes ago after the assassination of the Praetor. We do not believe that he is the culprit."

"Of course he's behind it!" Titron interrupted with force in her words. "If not directly than indirectly through a member of his crew. Is it not true that a Starfleet Captain is responsible for the actions of his crew?" The words were directed at Sakkath, the Defense Minister having been aware of his history as a Starfleet Officer prior to the Confederacy of Vulcan joining the Romulan Empire. "Him being here is just further evidence of his complicity!"

Chojat - the last of the Vulcans present and the Director of Homeworld Security - addressed that one, "I am unable to follow your logic."

Titron sighed and shook her head, "Qezh. Can't any of you see it? He was here to confirm that it happened. Don't you find it all convenient? The crew of the Federation ship instigate an assault on loyal Romulans and their Commander comes to investigate - demanding their return - only we don't have them in custody. Meanwhile, he's here investigating a supposed breach of our security caused by a rogue Admiral who was convinced something bad was going to happen. Convenient isn't it?"

"It is conceivable that there is a pattern; nevertheless, what is the evidence of this transgression other than gut thought and supposition? These incidents may all be coincidence," Saath said nonchalant.

"Does the Tal'Shiar have any knowledge or ideas of their own?" Sakkath asked.

General Therrai nodded, "We suspect that the Reunification Movement is behind the assault upon the Praetor. There has been a great deal of communication and back room chatter indicating that they question the Romulan influence on Vulcan culture. Praetor Tei questioned the validity of these concerns, look where it got her."

Sakkath nodded, "Indeed. If they are behind it that does present a significant concern for the safety of this world."

"This is a pointless discussion," Titron criticized. "If the Vulcans are behind this attack we should wipe out all the members of the Reunification Movement as soon as possible and those loyal to them. General, do we have knowledge of those collaborating with them?"

Sakkath looked at the General, sharing a glance for a moment, before the Romulan continued, "We are aware of several of their members, both among Romulan and Vulcan populations; nonetheless, I cannot share that information with you unless so authorized by the Praetor."

"The Praetor is dead!" Titron screamed.

Therrai shook his head, "Proconsul Sakkath is Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire."

"You can't be serious," Titron laughed. "You are all insane."

"Saath interrupted, "Defense Minister you are in error. As General Therrai has commented the role of Praetor would fall upon Proconsul Sakkath in his role."

"The Praetor must have support of the military," Titron answered. "Which I will never give."

"Although he does have the support of the Tal'Shiar," Therrai interjected.

Titron's eyebrow rose, "You have all lost your minds."

"You are more than welcome to resign your role if you do not support the legal leadership of our government," Therrai commented to his counterpart.

"You are putting a Vulcan in charge of our Empire? Of our government?" The Admiral let out more laughter, "This is a farce of our reality. This is the death of the Romulan supremacy, of everything we stand for! You will let the impure lead us to ruin!"

Therrai smirked, "Better than a war we cannot win." The Romulan General walked to Sakkath and saluted, "Proconsul, I pledge the support of the Tal'Shiar to your administration."

Sakkath knew, deep down, that the Tal'Shiar's support was all that he truly needed. The Romulan Secret Police could simply vanish those who opposed him and install a puppet leader to blindly follow. If he knew that then so would the others. They would know that they should not dare oppose him.

"Proconsul, the Imperial Romulan Senate supports your Administration," Senator Ikiuk announced with a salute.

If he were Romulan, Sakkath would have smiled at the announcement. Two of the three bodies had sworn to support him. Now the last, the military, was all that remained. Sakkath looked at the Admiral, his face impassive, "Admiral, do I have the support of the military?"

"Qezh!" She exclaimed backed into a corner. She walked to the Proconsul, "Fine. Have it your way. Proconsul, the Imperial Romulan Navy supports your Administration."

Judicial Minister Saath stepped forward, "Proconsul Sakkath - through the death of Praetor Xeri Tei the leadership of the Romulan Star Empire has fallen. As Proconsul you are successor to the Throne of the Romulan Praetor. You have the support of the Senate. You have the support of the military. You have the support of our defenders. Do you wish to accept the nomination to the Office of Praetor?"

Sakkath stepped forward as the others saluted. They moved to corner him as he stood before the Minister of the Judiciary, "I accept the nomination."

"Under the laws of the Romulan Star Empire I hereby affirm your role as Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire."

Silently, Sakkath turned and walked to the desk. Sitting in the oversized chair he turned toward the others as he assumed control over the entire Romulan Star Empire and the destiny that followed.

"Release the Federation vessel," he ordered, "send them home."

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