The Shadow of the Romulan Sun, pt1

Posted on Wednesday October 15, 2025 @ 2:17am by Lieutenant Mak Aerie
Edited on on Wednesday October 15, 2025 @ 8:25am

813 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Days of our Lives
Location: Moon somewhere in Qiris sector
Timeline: USS Timbuktu - 2416

Mak entered the coordinates onto his navigation console. Flying incognito in the Fenris Ranger ship, he glided through space dust near a moon. The computer beeped, displaying the location within the Qiris sector. Adjusting his civilian clothing, he pulled on his collar subconsciously. The comm on his computer beeped as Mak slapped on it. His commanding officer chirruped via the encrypted channel,

“Scout. Did you find it?” His commander sounded ominous over the comm. Mak couldn’t put it down.

Mak replied, “Not yet sir. What am I looking for?”

His commander sighed, “Seriously? In the hidden temple, I’m searching for a Romulan artifact hidden inside a Debrune temple. You have the key. I told you all this in the briefing.”

Mak shook his head, rolling his eyes, “Yes, sir. Still searching. I’m close.”

He closed the comm and exhaled while subconsciously muttering, “I would be happy, sir. I just love scanning for relics. Relics. You tiny, precious little...”

A quick, alarming beep from his shuttle interrupted his thoughts as his ship bypassed several rocks and flew over an abandoned rock formation that looked eerily similar to a temple. Landing the shuttle just a few acres from the temple courtyard, Mak shut down the shuttle controls and put it on sleep mode. Grabbing his pack, he checked inside. It consisted of archeological tools, a survivalist toolkit, and snacks.

Reaching deeper, he pulled out an archaic Debrune technological device. It felt smooth, metallic and ominous. Yet, it appeared dead. Turning it over, he studied the ancient Debrune letters. In his studies of the ancient dead language, it translated into an archaic variation of both ancient Vulcan and Romulan word for key. Turning it over again, his thumb traced along the clear notches that indicated whether the device activated or not.

Satisfied, he placed it back into his pack. Hoisting it over his back, he approached the exit of his shuttle. Placing an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, the door opened as sunlight glinted through the mountains of the stark rocky moon.

Abandoned years ago by the ancient civilization of the Debrune, the moon offered several archeological points of interest. Its ruins remained standing for as long as no one touched them. Due to his history of being a Fenris Ranger, Mak returned as a young Starfleet ensign but incognito to explore the same moon he had the honor of scouting when he started out before. Before him stood a Debrune temple with a unique treasure hidden inside.

Exhaling, he rid himself of self doubts and readjusted his survival pack to start his journey toward the temple grounds. Shuttle door closed behind him. The quiet air shifted as he made his way through the ancient columns. Among them were ancient Debrune writing stating their purpose. Mak wondered what they meant, considering how little he understood the dead language despite studying them. Approaching the temple construct, he unshouldered his bag.

Quietly examining the gigantic ancient temple door, he fished through the contents of his gear. Pulling out the ancient Debrune circular key technological device, he twisted the unusual metal and activated it. Aquamarine lights came on slowly along the clear notches, beeping to life.

Picking up his bag, a padd slipped out and fell onto the ground. Mak paused, hesitating for a few moments. Dropping his bag, he picked up the padd to read the letter. It wasn’t from his commanding officer.

The ominous letter stated, ‘Remember your Oath’. Signed Pax Vashti.

The warlord from his old life raised him as a child growing up in the wilds of Vashti before meeting Hunter Devon. The enigmatic warlord Pax Vashti used him as a scout to promote his version of peace to control his sector. Pax felt threatened by a new Fenris Ranger in his sector, so he sent him to spy on her. Mak tested her and Devon convinced him that Pax manipulated him. Mak sided with her and won his freedom from his adopted father. However, Pax's talons never really let go of him. The further Mak got, the closer the warlord seem to be.

Mak gulped. No matter how far he ran, Pax’s words crawled into his skull. Even his commander doesn’t know of the warlord’s manipulative tactics. Quickly placing the padd into his bag, he shouldered it with one hand and approached the giant, ancient construct. Spying a circular niche within its belt, he gently placed the ancient circular device into it and pushed gently.

The construct hummed softly within as the doors opened slightly. Exchaling to push aside his nerves, he readjusted his survival bag and walked up the steps towards the temple. Unsure of what dangers loomed within, his survival instincts kicked in as he pulled out a flashlight and entered the ancient ruins. A treasure his commander searched for lies within.

TBC

 

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