#34 A roundabout

Posted on Wed Jul 6th, 2022 @ 8:08pm by Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind

Mission: A Patrol and Supply mission
Location: various
Timeline: current

ON:

Upon arrival at Earth, and sending word to the Federation Council that they had arrived, arrangements were made to have Nira and herself housed in a VIP suite in the Capital for the United Federation of Planets, and Earth's planetary capital of Paris, France. The veranda/balcony had a glorious view of the Eiffel Tower, pristine and alight in the night sky, the stars of all the worlds she had been to a pristine backdrop.

Nira stood next to her friend and mentor. "You ask if I want to join this Meji Order. I am honored by the request but I know nothing of this Core you speak of."

Green gave a grin and looked over at her companion. "Nira, you have Eldritch Magick which in my opinion is just another manifestation of the Core, the Force, whatever we want to call it. There is an order out there, in another galaxy far older than this one, which is my model for the Meji. Selfless beings who live a way of life, not just bow and scrape in another religion. We will all have purpose, direction, and focus. As I said, this is who I am now and I cannot see any other way with all that I know. The Force is what it is and I have to live with that knowledge."

As she listened Nira gave nods as she agreed with what was said. "Give me a quick rundown, Master Ro." When Ro looked at her with a bit of surprise at the title used, Nira grinned. "Zenni used the title when speaking about you after you inducted her. As a show of respect for the founder of the Order, I have no issue with it. And, I accept your offer and pledge myself to your--our--teachings."

Green gave a light laugh. "Alright, that's three. We're growing up fast." She motioned to her PADD on an end table. "Those are all my notes and writings about the Order. Read all you want since we have another day as they prepare for us. I'm going to go walk around Paris for a while, clear my head."

Nira gave her a nod and took up the PADD, sitting lotus in the middle of the common room carpet and dove right into reading.

***

In a distant and dark corner of the Beta Quadrant, on a facility that was buried deep within an asteroid even far more secret and hidden than the one the Amandora had sacked, stood Commander Taris. She was in her uniform, all her medals, decorations and regalia marking her position and Family influence. She and several of her crew had been observing testing on plasma systems and uses. This had become an obsession for the Romulan Star Empire after the reports from the sentries about a strange HUman woman wielding an energy blade that cut through everything it came into contact with. And yet, this woman had spared the sentries as best she could.

At the center of the Rihannsu code of behavior is the importance of "mnhei'sahe." It is an abstract measurement of a Rihannsu's personal honor and is often used as a status symbol in their culture. Mnhei'sahe, which translates loosely to "the ruling passion," centers around a strong respect and appreciation of honor, duty, courtesy and strength. In all interactions between Rihannsu, it is imperative that all parties leave afterward feeling that their honor and "face," is intact. If not, it is paramount to denying mnhei'sahe to the offended party. If the offending party feels he can apologize without himself losing face, he does so. Wars, executions and deaths of entire households can be required to satisfy mnhei'sahe. If mnhei'sahe is always intact within the Empire, the Rihannsu believe that they can never lose.

Above all, mnhei'sahe is sensitive to the context of the situation and is a rather interpretive concept. It is not a specific codified set of rules, but an unspoken understanding which guides the actions of all Rihannsu throughout life. Rihannsu honor their word when it is given to another Rihannha [fellow Romulan]. To break with one's word means dishonor and a loss of mnhei'sahe, a fate worse than death. Politeness, respect, and quiet dignity are always required if mnhei'sahe is to be satisfied.

Rihannsu honor power as much as they honor loyalty. The goal of each Rihanha is power. If not for one's self or House, then always for the Empire. Rihannsu are always loyal to the Empire itself, not to any one person. For the Rihannsu, power can not be defined in the standard Terran terms, but is the power of mnhei'sahe, and it defines the structure within Rihannsu society and the daily decisions each Rihannsu makes.

Taris found it curious that this Commander Green had shown honor to the sentries instead of outright killing them, informing them of her Order and their purpose in the galaxy. These Meji were going to be protectors of the Federation. Guardians of their way of life. That, of course, required a response and it just so happened that Taris had a few contacts that would gladly hunt down and eliminate these Meji, one at a time or all at once did not matter. Professional assassins were always eager to earn prestige and wealth within the Empire. The double doors she had been facing opened and showed her the inner circle for the Tal Shiar. The officers that were all at the top of their game. Setting her mind right Taris then walked in and took her seat as the meeting began.

Her Patron had arranged this meeting for their own purposes.

***

As soon as everyone broke and went off to do their separate thing Zenni had grabbed Cosmo and an Argo ATV (Trek Nemesis vehicle) and headed out into the jungle. Cosmo scanned ahead while she drove, giving directions for terrain the vehicle could handle and avoiding thick forest and undergrowth. They had travelled at least 80 kilometers outside the city, some of her driving being slow crawls over fallen debris from the natural evolution of the planet. She did, however, find what appeared to be some form of old road or trail, wide enough for wagons and vehicles even if the grass and undergrowth on the roads had grown over somewhat. It's as if they were designed to never totally allow full overgrowth again. ~Could be an Iconian remnant~ Zenni thought. Cosmo bleeped at her.

Zenni looked at the techno-bracer she wore on her right forearm, reading the screen as he spoke. "We're almost there? Damn, Cosmo, you came all the way out here on your own?" He spoke again, she read again. "Where's this fallen stone over the passage you found?"

Cosmo lit up his holographic projector and showed her a complete scan of the valley it was located in, completely surrounded by high, craggy walls of solid stone. The entryway he had discovered was inside the caldera of an old, ancient and dead volcano. The rising rock walls gave a natural defense against attack and the elements, and the sea was just on the other side from the entrance to the valley itself. A straight drop no less than 500 feet from the ocean below and the rock strewn coast. Stopping the vehicle after going as far as she could with it Zenni hopped out and gathered her frame pack, stuffing it with needed gear, tools and supplies. Cosmo stood at her side at the ready and when she was finished gathering her things and donning the pack they then set out on foot. Pass through the ravine, enter the valley, find the cavernous entrance. Cosmo bleeped and warbled as he spoke while rolling along.

Making a face of curiosity Zenni stopped dead in her tracks and looked down at Cosmo as he rolled up next to her right leg and angled his lens her way. "Say that again." Cosmo complied.

Zenni could understand him now, with no need to look at her screen. Curious, she thought. The Core works in mysterious ways, she thought. "Nice to speak without reading, little buddy. Seems Master Ro was correct about the Core and what it has to offer to the right sort. I want to make camp near to this entrance. It will be dark soon and I need a breather. Lead the way, bubba."

Cosmo gave a happy bleep and whistle and off he went, leading her along the path he had taken to get there.

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