“Smile, Senator”
SIX HOURS AFTER THE FALL OF BETA RETICULI…
Many long months ago, Subadmiral Miral had indicated she would not be able to avoid the political sphere forever. Prior to the start of the conflict with Rator III, she had astutely avoided it. No mingling with politics. Refusals of plots. But now… she had to play. Something had occurred on Beta Reticuli beyond just a terrible defeat. Something she suspected was not isolated.
Her hands shook as they hovered in front of the terminal of her office. She was frightened. But no, she could not give in to this. She had to play. It was warfare in another form.
A call was made. An up and coming politician based out of Chaltok: P’ovik. He was eager to win an upcoming election for the world’s senate seat. He was young, bright, and not yet corrupted. And moreover, he was running on a platform to rid the Republic of corruption. Or at least, remove the corruption on Chaltok. Idealistic, but… not enough to win. He needed endorsements. He had none. That would change now.
A moment passed before a bright-eyed Romulan appeared on the small terminal in front of Nathes. He looked confused for a moment, then went wide-eyed when he realized who we was talking to. Nathes put on a full smile. An act. But, it was convincing.
Nathes looked towards the young man with icy resolve. She did not raise her voice. Nor did she go off on the man. Rather, she stated the reality for him. P’ovik blinked a bit. His tone changed. Perhaps he was regretting baiting a member of the RRF for support. He had underestimated this Commander. But it was too late for him now. Nathes was not going to allow him to weasel his way out.
P’ovik was startled by the words used by the Commander. The implication frightened him. He quickly responded, desperate for the details.
P’ovik practically sank into his chair on the other line of the communication. He was frowning in contemplation and genuine terror. But for all his towering ambitions, he was devoted to the Republic. And moreover, he knew he needed a contact within the military. Nathes, meanwhile, sat up straight. Her gaze unwavering. Her resolve decisive. Plainly, she would not accept ‘no’ for an answer from this man.
The man looked towards the Commander with wide, frightened eyes. Then he inputted a series of command into the terminal before him. At once, a stream of information arrived onboard the Tebok. Nathes eyed the data-feed, then back to the man.
There were some communications to make now. With Republic intelligence and the RRF’s friends in Starfleet. But for now, she had one final thing to offer.