Chairman Koval unemotionally regarded his subordinate. The pathetic peon couldn't even look him in the eye.

"So you failed, Commander Telak," Koval started. "What's more, you committed a severe breach of protocol and attempted to cover up your failure, throwing away loyal Romulan soldiers and resources. I don't like cleaning up messes, Telak, especially when they concern my own."

Telak stared at the floor, ashamed of his failure. "Had I succeeded--" He stopped abruptly.

"Had you succeeded--what then?" snapped Koval. "A victory over the Federation in this instance would have done nothing more but destroy the sense of complacency they've been lulled into. They don't consider us a threat for the time being--and you nearly ruined that--all over some petty vendetta. You also destroyed Princess Vallera in the incident, both politically and psychologically."

Telak remained ruefully silent.

"Now I find myself explaining to the Senate and High Council why the Tal Shiar 'allowed' a rogue agent to usurp resources and authority." Koval continued to glare at Telak. "First the Lovok infiltrator, then the Vreenak incident, now this. 'Can't you control your own organization?' they ask me. 'Perhaps Romulus has no further need of the Tal Shiar.' These are not things I like to hear from the few superiors I have."

"Chairman--I beg your forgiveness--I will not fail you again!"

"How true, Commander. How true indeed." Koval signaled to the guards, who in turn seized Telak. "Normally, I'd have you killed, but circumstances have made that much more difficult to do. A nice, dark, isolated cell has been prepared for you. The guards have been told to throw away the key. Good-bye, Commander Telak."

The Romulan guards dragged a horrified Telak from the Chairman's office. Koval turned back to his work.

END EPILOGUE