Vile Destiny

Posted on Mon Oct 17th, 2022 @ 1:34pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis Dr & Ensign T'Plana-hath & Lieutenant Seth Travis

Mission: Time Bandits
Location: Romulan Vessel D'Deridex

"We are approaching Holnak admiral" the navigational officer said stoically.

"Put us into orbit over the temple" Tomalak replied. He hit the comm panel, "Sela, we have arrived. Bring the Vulcans to the transporter center."

Sela returned to the detention area with a large contingent of security. "Time for you all to be of use, even the human."

Lodzahl stood from her meditation and looked at Sela “I must attend to Shoniara T’ghann-Travis or she will be of no use and unable to walk, much less do anything else.” She stated in a calm even voice, betraying no hint of emotion. She then stepped over to where Shon and Travis were. “Allow me to wake her.” She said just a faint hint of concern and warmth in her eyes and tone.

"Be quick about it" Sela stated, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Lodzhal quickly came to Shoniara side and touched her face in the key points to initiate a mind meld. Listen to me know child, there is no time to explain. I am going to give you all my knowledge and strength, in essence you will now carry my katra, as well as the Duv katra. Your body will gain the strength and recover from your injuries. I will continue functioning until I decide to release my final lifeforce. Once I do, you will be freed from both my katra and the Duv katra. If what I plan succeeds, I will also free T’Plana-hath of the Duv katra in her mind, and destroy the Rihansu plans. with that Shon felt a warm tingling sensation overcome her mind and body. She suddenly saw the myriad and wonderful joys of a logical mind. Her body felt stronger and the dark stain of the Duv katra seemed to shrink.

Shon was gripping Seth’s hand as though he were the only anchor keeping her alive. She knew that the Romulan’s plans involved something so vast that it would change time, but, she felt unable to deal with any of it preferring to stay in her mind.

Seth held Shon's hand tightly. Hoping to give her both the mental and physical strength she needed to deal with whatever the Romulans had planned for them.

Shon’s mind gradually became clear and her body strong once again. Her eyes opened and she stood still holding her husbands hand. She smiled at him and nodded. She joined T’Plana’s side and looked cool at Sela, feeling sorry for what was about to happen to the Romulans.

T’Plana-hath stood and smiled at Sela, “I see you are extremely scared Commander, I wonder why that is? Perhaps you know your death is imminent. Why your so scared you brought a very large contingent of security to protect you.” She said in a very un-Vulcan like sarcastic manner.

Sela looked at T'Plana with a hint of disdain. "I'm not afraid of you. I am following orders. Make all the threats you want, I know my destiny. Unlike you, I know how this is going to play out. If anyone needs to be scared, it is you. You don't know which of you will survive this ritual. I assure you, not all of you will make it out alive."

Everyone was escorted to the transporter room and they beamed down to the the planet. It was bright and warm on the planet surface, feeling much like Vulcan. A gentle breeze cooled everyone with a salty air that accented how near an ocean they must be. The Romulans led everyone into an ancient red stone building. Tomalak looked to the Vulcans, "This was an ancient colony before the complete split between our people. It was lost to history, but it will be found by a Vulcan archeologist in a few months, or that is what is supposed to happen."

"So what are you hoping to do Tomalak? What grand plan do you have for us?" Seth questioned the Romulan commander.

Shon, still holding Seth’s hand spoke to him via their short telepathic link, “I will not help them, whatever they want, take me home Seth, home with you and Shasta. I am so tired so let us leave Starfleet, find home in the country somewhere free of this….pain.

*I promise you my love, we will do that.* Seth replied via their short telepathic link. * Just you, Shasta and myself on our own place away from everyone, living our own lives. *

Seth, Lhodzhal will prevail although it will take her life.

"I have very little for you to do lieutenant" Tomalak replied. "For your colleagues however, well, I will say I will requires them to perform a special mind meld."

Sela, weapon drawn, pushed Seth ahead, trying to separate him from the others. "He may not have much for you to do, but I have something very specific in mind. Don't worry though, your mate may survive this, so long as she cooperates."

T’Plana-hath remained calm and used all the powerful teachings she had been trained in to keep the Duv katra at bay and her emotions in control. She sensed that Lodzhal had done something to Lieutenant Commander Shoniara and herself, but was unsure of what. She knew that Lodzhal was a powerful Kashek trensu {Mind Master} and a Pid mistress of Nirak, and most likely had set something up to foil the Rihansu plans.

Lodzahl was almost an empty shell, she moved like an automaton and was surprised the Rihansu had not noticed, she held very little of her lifeforce and mental capabilities in herself now, just enough to fool the average individual. A Kashek trensu {Mind Master} would instantly know what she had done; her katra would be safe for now; and in the end the ultimate foil to the Rihansu plans. Lodzahl let a small smile appear briefly at the thought of how disappointed the Rihansu would be when their plans backfired and destroyed them, along with the Duv katra’s.

They entered an area of the building that looked very much like the ancient temples on Vulcan. Images of long past Vulcans or perhaps even Romulans were carved in the walls, ancient murals painted and faded were all about, and intricate carvings of ancient text were all over the walls and floor. Tomalak stopped the group and separated the Vulcans from Seth, moving the Vulcans to the center of the room where an intricate carved circle with cryptic writing around it was located, along with a strange dias with a metallic object protruding from it that pointed upwards, towards the opening in the ceiling and very close to directly in line with the star that was shining down upon them.

Sela looked at Seth, "Now you will witness our plan in action, and you will be able to say you saw those responsible for the saving of Romulus."

"I would not be so sure about that Commander." Seth answered calmly,

Tomalak directed a pair of the centurions to begin what was needed for the ritual. The circle was lit aflame, additional candles lit, and incense began to be burned as a gong began to be struck in a ceremonial fashion. Tomalak looked to the Vulcans, "place your hands on the dias." As they did the section of the dias they were touching began to glow an eerie Romulan green which got brighter as each of them took hold, and they could feel themselves being almost attached to the dias. Finally Tomalak stood before it at the only open side, "Now you will see the power of a Romulan mind master at work Kashek trensu."