Intellect's Downside

For almost thirteen years now, Vekana had come to loathe the lofty position that her studies at the Central University on Romulus had afforded her.  She had majored in History, with a special focus on humans and Earth History.  Like most Romulans, she had been fascinated by humans when she first learned of them; they had mastered space travel almost two thousand years after her own people, and yet, when their races first made contact with one another, the humans had progressed so quickly in their development, they could hold their own in a war against the Empire.  And yet, their ideals, such as understanding and tolerance, had caused many an opponent (especially the Klingons) to underestimate them.

True enough, Vekana had become renowned for her knowledge about Earth, and amongst the inhabitants of Romulus, she was unmatched in it.  She was always being contacted by somebody or another in the Senate, asking for her perspective on whatever latest development in the Federation had come about, what it said about the parties involved, and what it would mean for the Romulan people.  Not to mention the news agencies were always cornering her, asking for an opinion.  Worst of all, her conclusions were taken as gospel, and on the rare occasions when they turned out to be wrong, she faced what seemed like a bottomless sea of derision.  Although she knew that she did not control the Senate, the Military, or the Tal Shiar, she often felt as though, through her advising members of all three organizations, she were carrying the whole weight of the Romulan Star Empire on her shoulders.

Though women of her race had been taught to be strong, confident, and courageous, the pressure was too much for her--let alone any ordinary Romulan--and one day, when she'd been transported all over the planet and interrogated (or so it felt) by Senators, spies, journalists, and goodness knew what else, she cracked.  She transported into her house, walked straight into the shower without removing her clothing, and collapsed on the floor, weeping.  Her husband, just returning from his own day at work--where exactly he worked was supposed to be kept a secret from everybody, including her, but she had observed him well enough to know--heard her sobs and ran upstairs to investigate.  

Despite the experience his line of work had given him, he was astonished at seeing her in such a state.  What had first drawn him to her was how cool and collected she was when they first met; he had always loved gathering information and forays into supposedly impenetrable places, and finding his way into her heart was every bit as much of a challenge as anything else.  But he succeeded nonetheless, and over the years, his success was every bit as rewarding as the quest itself had been.  To see this woman whom he had once viewed as his equal in every way--this towering, intelligent, powerful woman--reduced to a soaking, sobbing, shivering pile on the floor of his shower broke his heart.  He reached in, shut the water off, and crouched down next to her.  "Vekana, my sweet," he cooed, "Whatever is the matter?"

It wasn't at all like her husband to speak so softly to anybody, even her, but Vekana felt nonetheless reassured at his doing so.  It was exactly what she needed right now.  "I...I can't do it.  I just can't do it anymore, Koval."

Instead of prying further immediately, he reached under his wife's arms and lifted her up.  She feebly complied with his motions, allowing him to remove her wet clothes and replace them with a warm, dry towel.  He sat her down on the couch and gave her a glass of warm kava juice--her favorite non-alcoholic drink, one which he had introduced her to after bringing back a bottle from one of his assignments.  As she sipped it, he sat down next to her.  "So, what is it that you can't do anymore?"

Vekana drew a long sigh.  "I can't be an expert on humans, Earth, and the Federation anymore."

"Why not?  You're the best there is on all of Romulus.  In fact, probably the best in the whole Empire."

"That's why I can't do it anymore.  Everybody knows I'm the best, and they all want my opinion on every single development with the Federation.  Whenever my advice causes them to make a bad calculation, they blame me."  She buried her face in her hands.  "They shouldn't be able to do this to me.  I'm not an elected official."

"Perhaps you could take a vacation," Koval suggested.

"I tried," she said.  "When you were on assignment on Vulcan, I went to the hot springs on Kapala IV.  But the reporters hounded me there, too.  I just...need to disappear for a while."

"It's that bad?  Come here."  He let his wife rest her head on his shoulder as he ran his fingers through her wet hair.  "You know, I have the means to let you disappear for a while.  When you come back is entirely up to you."

"Really?"  She asked.  "How can you do that?"

"I'm sure you've figured out by now who I work for.  Well, I've just been named new chairman, and an opportunity has presented itself to us.  It's an opportunity that your particular talents would be perfectly suited for.   I can pull a few hairs, and see to it that you are given the assignment."

Vekana looked into her husband's eyes.  "If it involves killing, I'm not interested."

Koval smiled.  "Nothing of the sort.  Just observing and reporting.  Are you up for it?"

"Yes.  I really need a break from this place."

He kissed her on her forehead.  "Good.  I'll make all the necessary arrangements."

"And then...can we make love one last time before I leave?"

"Of course."

For the first time that day, Vekana smiled.  "Beneath your ruthless exterior, you're a wonderful man."

"Don't remind me."