The world cleared from a haze into a dimly lit-room, accented with traditional geometric Romulan patterns in an equally traditional Romulan grey colour. All of the walls were decorated the same in that tilled pattern, and here and there were green lights placed above the tables. It was quiet other than from the ambient thrum of the singularity core coursing beneath their feet as the colossal D’deridex cruiser travelled at warp. Most people had retreated to their quarters at this hour, what with it being late into the last shift of the day – not too long before what would be midnight on the conventional Earth clock. “I thought I might find you here,” a voice stated, cutting through the silence. Stood there was a person who Am’el could identify as being rather high up in the Imperial Navy – the flotilla of the Star Empire – and rumour had it that the man likely had ties to the Tal Shiar. “Always working, and always trying to prove yourself. If today has shown anything, it is that you prove yourself naturally.” He took a seat at her table, folding himself into one of those comfortable chairs. It could almost be presumed that the chairs were sized just for him, considering his tall height and large stature. He scratched at his beard, jawline covered in hair but head bald, having never subscribed to traditional Romulan hair styles. “The destruction of the RRW Xancluit proves that despite our setbacks, the Free State shall take control once more. Isn’t that correct, erei’Erein Linn’uen?” - She paused, a frightened flicker in her eye. “Yes… sir…?” She recollected her thoughts, trying to get her head clear, but she found it was extremely hard. She looked down, she was dressed in her old uniform. She blinked, this couldn’t be right, could it? She knew that this was all wrong, but she didn’t know why. She couldn’t recollect anything, her memories were fuzzy, only her instincts were clear enough. Play along, she thought, someone had told her that. “And… I assume you’ve arrived to congratulate me, but I sense you need something more.” - "Why, you don't need to sound so apprehensive about it all," the senior officer replied with a chuckle as he settled into his armchair, leaning his head back against the neck of it. It was nice in here with just the short, dull snippets of conversation from only the couple of others in the room... Far better than the rabble that went on when it was busy. "I am well aware that this is a daunting time, but our victory today shows that we're powering onwards! The Star Empire may have 'fallen' by traditional terms, but we can rebuild and reclaim. But in order to do so, we have to be strong, and proud -- the Romulan spirit will prevail." At the end he even puffed out his chest, before giving another laugh. "You can never bee to patriotic, no?" - “Of course not, it’s what we thrive upon.” She felt something inner come to the forefront, as if there were two mindsets, mentalities, at war within her own mind. Due to her current state, she could not determine which was the right one, and her distress clearly showed on her face. - A frown appeared on the senior officer's face, those pointed eyebrows dipping. "erei'Erein Linn'uen, are you quite well? I know that this is a difficult time and that the destruction of the Republic ship has come with the loss of Romulan lives - but they are still the enemy. If you are unwell, then you should say as such... You are a good officer, and you should be at the peak of your performance for the next steps in our plans." - “No, no.. I’m fine. It’s just..” At that moment, a flash of a memory appeared. It was home, it was him who destroyed it, it was him who was her last victim. She looked at him with her eyes in horror, a chill flowing down her spine. “It’s just- you’re supposed to be dead.” - "And I very nearly was dead," he stated, rubbing at his jaw. The incident in which one of their other D'deridex ships had been rammed into by a Starfleet vessel hadn't ended well for any of the officers aboard, and him being impaled by shrapnel hadn't been fun. "But you know -- that month-long coma was some of the best sleep I've had in years," he added with a grin, that frown dissipating a little. - "Why, it's Riov Kerutep, of course," he stated, unsure whether to laugh or keep up that frown. Was she unwell, or had she just been at the Romulan Ale like so many others tonight in the wake of their victory against one of the ships that this new 'Republic' had commandeered? "But some out there would give my rank as Ssiebh." - “Right… right..” She clutched her head again, as more memories started coming back. There was one where she was… a Starfleet officer? She shook her head. No, she was a Romulan, but her instincts told her otherwise. She looked the man again, with a mix of a furious glare and desperation. However, there was no reason to lash out, and she thus she looked away. But she was getting flashes, flashes of her home in ruins. She could not get that out of her mind. - That glare of hers concerned him. While he had been sceptical before, he now wondered if there really was something wrong with the officer who was sat before him. "Come on," he stated and clambered out of his chair, moving around to the other side of the table to place a hand under Am'el's elbow and help her up. "We can walk and talk on the way to have you looked over by the physicians. Perhaps some good news will help to set your head straight." - “I suppose that would do me good.” muttered Am’el, she still felt everything all at once with no reason why she felt it. It was distorting, though he seemed genuinely worried for her. Whether she liked to admit it or not, she was growing to trust this man. - At a slow meander he walked them out of the mess hall into a corridor which was equally decorated in boring Romulan grey and the occasional dash of green. It was quiet here as well, courtesy of it being so late. "You mentioned that you thought I had sought you out for a reason, and you aren't wrong at all. You will know, erei'Erein Linn'uen, that there are people out there who work above the Star Empire's Navy. There are people who have a greater jurisdiction - who are helping to shape the future of the Romulan people as a whole. I am one of those people. You are an impressive officer, erei'Erein, and you have proven your skills. I would like to invite you to join us." - “You don’t mean-“. She paused, a moment of clarity swept her mind. “Tal Shiar” was the name that appeared. All she knew was that she both feared it, and aspired for it. - The senior officer paused when Am'el paused, still holding her by the elbow to support her, just in case. The smile he gave was one of pride, for there was nothing better than to speak of the indomitable Romulan way and the establishment which upheld them. "I do mean exactly them. You are a promising young officer with skills that can be utilised far beyond that of serving aboard a starship. There is far more for you out there. Won't you join us?" - Wait- what? This couldn’t be real, surely..? She blinked again, looking around the room. Everything seemed normal, but she knew this wasn’t supposed to happen. Something was up. Was this a trap? Perhaps not. She had to make him trust her, then she could use that against him. Ah yes, despite the overwhelming sense of confusion, a Romulan is still a Romulan. “How could I refuse?” - "I knew I could count on you," he stated and grinned again, glad to hear that his offer hadn't been shut down. "You'll be a fine officer of the Tal Shiar, erei'Erein. We'll be shaping the future of our people, regaining control and ensuring the memory of the Empire survives! Now, come on," he looked at her directly, brown eyes having been replaced; one a murky black, and the other a piercing red. "Let's get you checked over just to ensure you're alright." The two continued down the corridor and onwards, and the night went on.