Shapes in Shadows

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Liordra found she'd closed her eyes. It felt as if she'd been sleeping. She had no idea how much time had passed. She first became aware of her heart beating and then slowly the familiar sounds of the oira returned. At the sound of the Breen's broadcast her eyes snapped open, focusing on the two ships as they sped toward the edge of the Nexus.

"Helm, follow them! Tactical stand by."

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

As the next loop began, the Riov was transported to the shuttle and then launched out to execute the plan that she had thought of in her mind. He hoped the Elements would watch over her and keep her safe

Again, the scene shifted as another loop began, but this time they were back to the point where the entered the nexus, back at Gaia

A moment later, he heard the Breen communication on the comm channel, boasting they had destroyed the Federation. He raised a brow slightly, thinking that this has already occured

"Helm, follow them! Tactical stand by." He heard the Riov suddenly giving the order. He complied, his fingers tapping out an pursuit course "Ie, Lhhei"

He engaged

[Veralen Sahen]

Then the Riov ordered that she was have tactical on standby In her heart and mind she knew they possessed and advantage they knew when to expect each loop and details that would give them the upper hand. A Rihannsu Riov clearly outclasses a Breen Co.

"le, Riov." slender fingers flew across the console. "Tactical on standby. Waiting for your orders."

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

Both the Romulan Empire and the Federation had wanted to know if it was possible to use the Nexus to travel from one area of space to another, undetected. Her report would have to state the results of their mission as inconclusive. It might be possible but the inherent dangers, in her opinion, outweighed the possibility of pragmatic use. One thing was clear, it must now be considered a strong security risk. Further exploration would be needed. Her report would note the Breen's interest in the Nexus, but the Breen would not be allowed to report their findings. When they failed to return home, they would be considered lost and perhaps would reconsider any future reconnaissance missions.

"Tactical, target and fire on the Breen ships. Destroy them both."

[Veralen Sahen]

She heard the order to destroy both ships.

"le, targets being acquired." Once she had them acquired she sent out a spreed of disruptor fire and a torpedo for each ship. Within seconds the ships exploded into a massive fire ball. She watched to make sure nothing would survive that would lead to the Breen government realizing what happened. She never had any doubts or qualms in destroying anything Breen. There was nothing more she hated then them.

"Riov, Targets aquired and scans reveal there is nothing left to be identified." She smiled as she looked down at her scans.

[erei'Riov Saren Zareth]

He looked at Liordra, as she ordered the Amnei'saehne "Tactical, target and fire on the Breen ships. Destroy them both."

"Lhhei, Destroying the Breen ship would lessen our chances of gaining any information pertaining what the Breen has done to tamper and change the time line to their benefit, destroying the Federation. I would know your thoughts?

He questioned, not challenged, but merely questioned as the Amnei'saehne aquired a target lock and fired the disruptors with a volley of torpedos, aimed for each ship. The Breen caught unawares were thusly destroyed with nothing to be identified, as the Amnei'saehne reported

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

As both Dhivael and the Breen ships exited the Nexus, Liordra breathed a sigh of relief. Here the rules were known and reality was not created by a thought. She watched, smiling as Sahen destroyed both ships, then paused a moment before addressing the Subcommander, including the rest of the oira officers as she explained.

"There never was a temporal alteration. We only assumed it. The Breen apparently never understood that their cloak was the only thing that kept them shielded from the effects of the Nexus. They came here with the intent to destroy the Federation but instead only created the illusion of it."

"The battle we observed was a fabrication of the Nexus, but the Breen never knew this. In their minds, they fought the final battle with the Federation and won. Then they exited, believing they would return as heroes to their Homeworld.
That was when we first found them. I did not realize until we had followed them back into battle what the result was of the loss of their cloaks. Seeing the damaged ship, I understood."

"I do not fully understand the purpose of the loop we were placed into, but I suspect it kept us safe and gave us the opportunity as well to retrieve our fighters. Once I determined that this was a created reality, I knew that the only way out of it was to alter it ourselves. I doubted I had the strength of mind to change what the Breen had done, so instead I brought us back to where this began."
Liordra stopped there, allowing for questions before adding,

"Helm, set a course back to Outpost 10. Keep the ship in Romulan space. There is base just inside the Neutral Zone there. We will put in for repairs and spend a short period there during debriefing. All officers will remain at the base or aboard the ship in the event they are called upon to provide testimony."

[Veralen Sahen]

She listened to the Riov as she spoke, and was impressed with the way she was able to figure it out. It would prove to be valuable to her own career to serve under her. There was a lot to learn.

While she listened she took weapons off line and began a diagnostic on her station.

"Weapons are off line primarly diagnostic shows mininal damage to disruptor array."

Tapping on her comm. "Ceng a minor adjustment is needed to aft disruptor array."

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

He turned a glanced toward the Sub Commander as he spoke to the Riov, requesting to know her thoughts on the matter of destroying the Breen

He listened as the Riov explained how she saw things and he merely looked on with a neutral expression

"There never was a temporal alteration. We only assumed it. The Breen apparently never understood that their cloak was the only thing that kept them shielded from the effects of the Nexus. They came here with the intent to destroy the Federation but instead only created the illusion of it."

"The battle we observed was a fabrication of the Nexus, but the Breen never knew this. In their minds, they fought the final battle with the Federation and won. Then they exited, believing they would return as heroes to their Homeworld.
That was when we first found them. I did not realize until we had followed them back into battle what the result was of the loss of their cloaks. Seeing the damaged ship, I understood."

He nodded some, now seeing what he could not see before. He felt he would have had to experiance the effects of the Nexus more then what he had to understand what happened

He then heard the Riov order "Helm, set a course back to Outpost 10. Keep the ship in Romulan space. There is base just inside the Neutral Zone there.

"Ie, Lhhei" he responded, looking back to his Gonai, his fingers gliding over his navigational controls, plotting a course for Outpost 10, making sure to stay on the romulan side of the border "Course has been computer, Lhhei. Do you desire a specific speed?"

He paused to hear her response

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"Best possible speed. Though they may be a little surprised by us reporting in so quickly. Along with returning us to the same position, She glanced at the chronometer, the Nexus has also returned us to the same time. According to our readings, we have only been gone a few hours."

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

"Best possible speed." She stated, then said, "The Nexus has also returned us to the same time. According to our readings, we have only been gone a few hours."

That is very kind for it to do so, to return us to the relatively same time" he casually commented as he tapped in a speed for warp 8 "Course has been entered. Speed has been calculated for warp 8. By your command, Lhhei"

[Veralen Sahen]

She listened to the final comments of the Riov on the situation. Then he looked at Sahen before returning to her console. She found his statement on the Nexus being kind somewhat funny and had to stop herself from laughing.

[Salissa t'Vlack]

She remained in the shadows a place she knew well and gave her the greatest insight. From this unplanned event she learned an amazing amount of information on the Riov, her ship and crew. She knew this Riov, Liordra t'Taker was qualified to keep her position.

There would still be many challenges to face. And a good many come be from the crew itself. A mixed Federation/Rihannsu crew would not be easy. This was the second ship that was in the alliance fleet that held a Riov. Each with uniquely different ships and crew.

She would have to speak to the Riov once they were at the star base. In Salissa's mind they had the right Riov for this ship. Now could the Federation crew members rise to the challenge?

[Reha Khev]

During the entire event she had made and kept meticulous records. Up to and including all transmissions. This would make it easier for the Riov when she would go for debriefing.

She made the usual number of official copies and had them sent to the Riov for approval before they were sent out.

[***Dhivael Action***]

As they near the station, Operations sends out Dhivael's identification and the standard request for clearance. Unlike ships of the Federation Fleet, Galae vessels are not automatically granted access and Dhivael's standing as a Rihannsu ship affiliated with but not bound by the strictures of the Alliance Fleet, place it in a unique position. There is uncertainly on both sides. Galae Command distrusts the Federation members of the crew, while Starfleet Command, remains reserved in the choice of information and missions Dhivael will have access to. Neither side fully trusts the other, despite the ship's acknowledged position and Dhivael will have a long way to go in proving its worth to both.
Several hours after their requests are sent, they finally receive word that they may proceed to the station and are provided with a specific course to follow, deviation from which, they are informed, will be cause for their destruction. They also send back a preliminary request for information. What was Dhivael's recent mission? Why have they come to this base? What repairs or requisitions are needed? The answers Dhivael gives will both confirm what station personnel already know and if there is any discrepancy in the report, this information will be passed along to those officers conducting the inquiry and debriefing.
As they near the station, they can see that it is small and has been rebuilt several times. It's main purpose is to observe the Neutral Zone and to report any incursions from Federation Space. The ranking officer here is erie'Riov Kholar tr'Ralaar as they are told via comm by the sub-Centurion. The debriefing will be held just after First meal the following day. Until then they will be given temporary quarters and access to only the lowest security areas of the station. There is a pause in the communication, another officer speaking to the sub-Centurion, then a final question.
"We understand you have a Tal'Shiar officer on board?"