As news of Ambassador T’vel’s death started to filter throughout the entire station, a noticeable tension seemed to fill the air. To the casual observer, this was a tragic loss for the Romulan delegation; however, to Rempeck, it was a stark reminder of the delicate balance between diplomacy and his position. To those who knew him best, his carefully constructed facade was starting to crumble. If his plan didn’t work, losing his position was the least of his problems. 

Yet, among the whispers of conspiracy and suspicion, Rempeck knew he couldn’t afford to be perceived as an enemy of the Federation, not when his own survival depended on maintaining a delicate balance of alliances and deception. With the ever-watchful eyes of the Federation scrutinizing his every move, Rempeck realized his plans would need to be accelerated. If he wanted to secure his future, he would need to act now.

One of the only positive features about a station like Eos was that right now, things were predictable; everything had a routine. Rempeck liked, no, he relished routine. What made Eos even better was the fact that everyone was focused on the Romulan Embassy, and that meant there were sections of the station that were virtually empty. The Romulan slipped into a dimly lit corridor as he took one last look behind him.

“You’re late,” a gruff, deep voice hissed at him.

“If some imbecile hadn’t set off the device in our lobby, that wouldn’t be a problem,” Rempeck replied. “You had one job, Klingon.” Rempeck hated dealing with the Klingons, but the means justified the ends, or at least he was trying to convince himself of that.

The Klingon stepped out of the shadows, his teeth bared. He growled with his left hand on his weapon, “You’d better watch your tongue, Romulan. Or else, I will cut it out and hand it back to you. It wasn’t my plan; it was yours. Besides that new Security Chief, the Trill,” the Klingon added, “I couldn’t…”

“If I wanted excuses,” Rempeck interrupted, folding his arms behind his back, “I would have stayed in my own embassy. Look, we don’t have to like each other, but we have mutual goals. Neither of us wants that child, Toral, in a position of authority, and I don’t want to see the Romulan people attacked. This mutual plan…”

The Klingon growled as he spat on the ground, “House Korvak,…”

“House Korvak is the forgotten child of the Empire. The Council probably doesn’t even realize you still even exist, and if they did,” Rempeck grinned, “Toral, son of Duras, would come for you as well.”

Rorg, Son of Korvak, puffed his chest out, “Then let him come. House Korvak was loyal to Martok. But Toral is a..” Rempeck laughed, not even attempting to hide his hatred for the Klingons. “Toral is a child, commanding things he doesn’t understand,” Rorg finished.

“Enough about Toral,” Rempeck snapped, his tone firm. “We have more pressing matters at hand. T’Vel’s father, the Senator, is coming to Eos. We need to ensure his ship never makes it here!”

Rorg’s expression darkened, but he nodded. “Consider it done. But remember, Romulan, this favor comes with a price.”

Rempeck raised an eyebrow. “Name it.” There had been several prices to pay along the way, but everything had been minor up until this point. However, something in Rempeck’s mind told him the price was going to increase dramatically.

“We want access to the latest Romulan cloaking technology,” Rorg demanded. “And not just access, we want full schematics.”

Rempeck though for a moment, considering an alternative offer to satisfy the Klingon’s greed. “I can’t provide you with Romulan cloaking technology, but there’s something else I can offer,” Rempeck proposed. “Information. I have intelligence on several high-ranking officials that could prove useful to House Korvak.”

Rorg’s eyes narrowed with interest. “What kind of information?”

Rempeck leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Names, locations, weaknesses. Enough to effect several sectors of Federation influence and maybe strengthen House Korvak’s position within the Empire.”

The Klingon’s lips curled into a toothy grin. “That could be valuable indeed.” Rempeck wasn’t wrong; House Korvak needed some leverage. Their standing wasn’t all that great in the empire. 

“Consider it a gesture of goodwill,” Rempeck said. “We do you a favor; you do us a favor.” 

Rorg nodded in agreement. “Very well. We’ll make T’Vel’s father disappear, and in return, we’ll expect this information within the week.”

“Agreed,” Rempeck confirmed, extending his hand. Rorg grasping it firmly, sealing the deal.

Rempeck couldn’t shake the feeling of concern as they went their separate ways. He knew that dealing with Klingons always came with risks, but for the sake of his people, he was willing to take them. The Romulan allowed a thin smile to cross his lips as he contemplated the exchange. “And one more thing, Rorg,” Rempeck interjected before the Klingon could leave.

Rorg turned back, a questioning look in his eyes, “What now?”

“I want certain assurances that once T’Vel’s father is gone, there will be no obstacles in my path to assuming the role of Ambassador here,” Rempeck stated firmly.

The Klingon nodded, saying, “I understand your plans, Romulan. They don’t matter to us, and I won’t stop you. Actually, it helps us too.”

Rempeck’s smile widened. “Excellent. Then we have an understanding.”

With that final agreement in place, Rempeck watched as Rorg disappeared into the shadows of the station. He knew that with T’Vel’s father out of the way and the Klingon as his silent partner, nothing would stand in his way. Well, nothing except for a pesky Captain recently assigned to the station.

He tapped his comm badge, “Captain, may I come speak with you?”