Q & A - Keith R. A. DeCandido [31]
Or, more to the point, not loyal to Tal’Aura.
The former senator had taken over as praetor of the Romulan Star Empire, managing to unite most of the factions that were vying for power in the wake of Shinzon’s death. However, Donatra still held sway over a portion of the military—all those under Braeg’s command, including those loyal to Donatra and the deceased Commander Suran, plus many who didn’t enjoy Tal’Aura’s leadership. Tal’Aura’s hold on the praetor’s chair was tenuous. If she wanted to remain praetor, Tal’Aura would need Donatra’s support.
Donatra had supported Shinzon only because Braeg did, and she had quickly realized that her mentor had been mistaken. They had thought that a Reman—or a human raised as a Reman—would be more pliable. The senate had grown weaker with each idiot that ascended from its ranks, to the praetorship, culminating in that great fool Hiren. Donatra did not mourn Hiren’s death, nor the deaths of the rest of the senate at the hands of Tal’Aura. However, Donatra believed that the empire would be a better place if Tal’Aura had been sealed in the senate chambers with her bomb.
Did Tal’Aura order this attack on Donatra? The commander had no idea. Under normal circumstances, Valdore, one of the top-of-the-line Mogai-class warbirds, should be able to make short work of the four birds-of-prey currently harassing them. Two of the birds-of-prey—one of which was now destroyed—knew where their shields were weakest and had concentrated their fire there.
Which is why I don’t have sensors or weapons, and the shields are draining away. The attack was so sudden that Valdore lost sensors before Liravek had been able to get a positive ID on the ships. Obviously, there was a spy on board, whose throat Donatra would happily slit when this was all over. Assuming I make it out alive.
No, she thought angrily, I will make it out alive. I have not come this far to fail now.
“Sensors are back online,” Liravek said. “We’re identifying the three birds-of-prey as Elieth, Arest, and Esemar.” The destroyed vessel was the Lallasthe.
Nodding, Donatra said, “Good.” Commander Horrhae was master of this squadron, and Lallasthe was her flagship. The others continued the fight out of a sense of loyalty to her or her orders. Perhaps they can be convinced.
Liravek smiled when he reported. “Dominus, Rohallhik, and Intrakhu are en route at warp seven and will arrive in fifteen minutes.”
“Torpedo launchers back online,” T’Relek added. “Still no disruptors, but we can fire back.”
“Load bays,” Donatra said, “and open a channel to—” She thought quickly, trying to remember Horrhae’s three subcommanders, finally settling on the seniormost, and therefore the one most likely to listen to reason. “—Subcommander Norvid on Elieth.”
“Yes, Commander,” Liravek said.
“We have nothing to say to you, traitress,” Norvid said without preamble. She did not do Donatra the courtesy of showing her face on the viewer.
“I’m not the traitress, Norvid. Horrhae was for firing on an Imperial warbird. She has paid for that mistake with her life—don’t make the same mistake. Three more Mogai-class vessels will arrive shortly. If you survive the encounter, you will be brought up on charges and likely executed.”
“Our orders came from the praetor.” Norvid, however, sounded much less sure of herself.
“Did they? How do you know this? Did you see the order? Do you truly imagine that any praetor worth her salt would order you to fire on a loyal soldier of the empire?”
“You supported the usurper.”
“So did the praetor. We were all fooled by that Reman trickster, but he has already paid for that folly. You should not make the same mistake.” She leaned forward in her chair—Valdore was transmitting visual even if Elieth wasn’t. “You command this fleet now, Norvid. Will you lead them to victory or disgrace?”
There was a lengthy pause.
Liravek then said, “All three birds-of-prey are standing