Taking Wing - Michael A. Martin [65]
“Praetor?” Torath said sharply, shattering Tal’Aura’s almost penitent reverie.
Not deigning to rise from her chair, Tal’Aura ignored Torath, instead locking her gaze with that of Rehaek. “Since you are so concerned with my schedule, Director Rehaek, allow me to help you expedite your business here. After all, I know well how very valuable your time is.”
Rehaek made a perfunctory bow to Tal’Aura, coming perilously close to mocking the rituals and protocols that had surrounded the praetorship for centuries. Those rituals and protocols had, sadly, fallen increasingly into disuse during the five years that had passed since the craven assassination of Emperor Shiarkiek.
“Then I shall be brief, my Praetor,” Rehaek said. “I have come because I know you are about to conduct a…private preliminary meeting with Starfleet personnel, Romulan military leaders, and former Senator Pardek.”
Tal’Aura was not the least bit surprised by the extent of the young Tal Shiar director’s knowledge of her plans. Indeed, she would have been nonplussed had he failed to catch wind of it. “I suppose it won’t be such a private gathering after all, then.”
His smile broadened, though his eyes retained the patient intensity of a mountain sseikea that had scented its prey and hungrily awaited an opportunity to strike. It was no wonder he’d succeeded in outmaneuvering and disposing of Koval, his ailing predecessor.
“That is entirely up to you, my Praetor,” Rehaek said. “I merely wish to assist all parties concerned in achieving a mutually acceptable…political understanding. One that we can all build upon for the future—and that will ensure that the Empire will even have a future.”
Tal’Aura nodded. From the moment he had entered the chamber, she’d expected something like this. “That is a generous offer indeed, Director. But I presume that it does not come without a steep price.”
“Your many decades on the Senate Intelligence Committee were well spent, my Praetor. However, my price is hardly what I would call ‘steep.’ ”
She was beginning to grow weary of Rehaek’s circumlocutions. “Speak plainly. What exactly is it you want?” She saw that her blunt tone had garnered a glare from the insufferable Torath. She ignored it, and continued to focus her concentration on the Tal Shiar leader’s sharp gaze.
“I wish only to forge a mutually cooperative relationship with you, my Praetor, and your regime. Openly, and in public. I am certain I can help you moderate the aggressive predilections of Pardek’s faction, as well as those of the unruly elements within the military. You know that Pardek would attack Earth and the Federation, had he the opportunity. Commander Suran might even be inclined to provide him with the military support he requires.”
Pardek, Tal’Aura thought ruefully. Such a sad, bitter man. She had always believed that the machinations of Koval, Rehaek’s immediate predecessor as Tal Shiar director, deserved the blame for Pardek’s rage at least as much as did the Federation’s spies.
Tal’Aura nodded in bleak acknowledgment of Rehaek’s assessment. She considered what a disaster another rogue Romulan attack against Earth would be, so soon after Shinzon had tried to destroy that planet. Such a thing could well seal the doom of an Empire that was already well on its way to tearing itself asunder.
Aloud, she said, “But why would you support my praetorship in such an overt manner? After all, you have never been…appropriately deferential to the office of the praetor.”
“I have always had only the highest esteem for the office, my Praetor.”
Tomalak reacted to that insult by taking a single angry step toward Rehaek. Tal’Aura instantly halted the proconsul with a sharp command and a frosty glare. There was nothing to be gained by allowing the current face of Tal Shiar treachery and terror to goad her. Despite the throne she now occupied and the resources she now controlled, she knew that her position was far too tenuous to risk tempting the fates. Besides, she wasn’t