Mind Games (Rayek)

[Tess tLhoell]

Kenakh - Imperial Guard
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

The man's remark about arrogance didn't faze Kenakh. But the following words made him thinking. Kenakh was a rebel. Lorlir's idea had been tempting and thrilling. But it wasn't that Kenakh was the kind of guy to fight for an idea when the leader ratted his conspirators out. That was the only way Kenakh could make sense out of the information Rayek had about him.

He realized, even if he refused to cooperate, they had means to get the information they wanted in a very painful way. Kenakh glanced at Rayek warily as he tried to gauge if the offer of leniency was genuine if he chose to cooperate.

"If I cooperate ... what will await me?", he asked finally.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Rayek could read every thought passing through the Imperial Guardsman's mind.  That such a man had been permitted into the Imperial Guard was appalling to the uhlan.

"I would be more concerned as to what awaits you should you NOT cooperate." Rayek answered back snidely and began powering up the mind probe unit as both an intimidation tactic and practical exercise since the man was being difficult.

The Romulan telepath had been taught by the Reman that when interrogating a person it was best to ask specific questions - that way even if they didn't answer it, they would at least think about the subject, which you could then read from their mind.  Kenahk, though specifically asked about names, hadn't had a single thought about the others in the group.  He seemed wholly self-centered.... or experienced in evading mind-reading.

"You haven't given me names of your co-conspirators like I asked - so I'm going to assume you are choosing not to cooperate," he stated and began strapping Kenakh's head in place with the strapping attached to the back of the head rest.

[Tess tLhoell]

Kenakh - Imperial Guard and Vandar - Tal'Shiar Special Operative
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Kenakh registered with not a small amount of horror that his interrogator was powering up the mind probe and began strapping his head to the chair. Oh how much he wished for Lutal, Kulair and Sinsar to be in this place instead of him! Why him! "I will cooperate!", the man burst out with apparent anger, but there might also be a little bit of panic at Rayek's actions coloring his voice. "But surely you know that no information comes with a price." He was being quite bold. "If you guarantee exemption from punishment for me ... I will give you more information that this thing will ever filter out."

Kenakh held Rayek's gaze, determination showing on his face now. But that really didn't do much to improve the coward pathetic impression the man made.

Vandar had watched silently the whole time. He couldn't feel anything else than disdain about their prisoner. He noticed with a straight faice as Rayek powered up the mind probe and strapped the man's face to the chair. His attention then was fully on Rayek, curious how the newbie would handle this situation.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Rayek picked up on the names provided in Kenakh's thoughts.

At the burst of boldness and anger, Rayek gave a sneer. "We guarantee nothing, traitor! Other than your secrets will be ours. By cooperation or force is your only choice.  Now tell us about our co-conspirators.  Tell us about Lutal and the others... Kulair... Sinsar.  Are there others Lolir hasn't spoke of?"

Rayek made sure to imply that it was Lolir that had given up the names to keep the man's mind open.  This should also lessen the man's loyalty to the leader and make him more apt to volunteer the information.

"Where can we find the others?  When is the first attempt to be made?  Speak now!  Or I swear I will make this as painful and damaging a process as possible." he threatened with as fierce an expression as possible - which wasn't all the hard to portray given how he felt about the traitor.  That there were those that would endanger the civil peace their society had with assassination was vile!

[Tess tLhoell]

Kenakh - Imperial Guard
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Kenakh's expression darkened with apparent fury when Rayek called him traitor. His lips twitched as he darted forward, only being held back by the restraints, ready to spit out what his own motivation to remove the current Praetor were but he held himself back.
The thoughts were very prominent on Kenakh's mind though. Only a month after his mother had died from a fatal sickness his father had died too - or rather had been murdered by the order of the Praetor, at least that was Kenakh's strong conviction - and gave Kenakh's already weakened clan his family was part of the quietus. The possessions of his family had then been made the Praetor's. Chulan possessed his family's house, their servants were his now too. Kenakh was made to live of the Praetor's 'alms'. It was humiliating and dishonoring. And he knew that it wasn't an isolated case.

But this he wouldn't admit this to his interrogators, knowing they cared very little about an individual's honor and wouldn't understand anyway.
His expression of fury turned into one of surprised he wasn't really able to hide when the Uhlan started to list off the names he just had been thinking about. Then it dawned on him - Lolir had been telling their names.

What use was there to cover him any longer? "There is no need to use your machine on me", Kenakh said, defeated. He looked up into Rayek's eyes. "I will speak."

"The names you know of are all of our little cell. We set up four target locations we knew the Praetor often could be found. Due to my position in the Imperial Guard I was near the Hall of State almost every day. The line of our attacks was about to start tomorrow night. My plan was to fire an explosive device in the foyer of the Halle of State tomorrow after the meeting of the Senate." Kenakh now dropped his gaze before he continued speaking. "Lutal was stationed near the Praetor's home. He's an excellent sharp shooter. Kulair managed to prepare the Praetor's vehicle with a trilithium resin compound bomb. He modified the bomb in a way that he was able to trigger the explosion remotely by mechanically removing the stabilizing rod." Trilithium was highly volatile and would likely have gone off almost immediately after triggering the mechanism.
"Sinsar was our backup to chase the Praetor if all three of our plans would have failed." He looked up again, eying Rayek. "By the elements, this is all I know."

Vandar - Tal'Shiar Special Operative
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Vandar had watched and listened unmoving the whole time. However, when Rayek suddenly mentioned four names his expression changed to something more alert than before. At first it seemed the Uhlan made his telepathic ability overly obvious he then witnessed how Rayek covered that with making it seem he had gotten the information from Lolir.

He hated to admit it, but the Uhlan was valuable for them. He saw that clearly now. They neutralized a whole cell of conspirators.
Drawing a small communications device from his belt he began forwarding the information they had gathered here over a secure channel to the Praetor directly, warning him to take extreme precautions to avoid getting into any of the traps.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Rayek listened to Kenakh speak true about the plans against the Praetor and glanced towards Vandar giving the Praetor's man a subtle nod to indicate that the information was truthful as far as Kenakh was aware.  But that there was Rayek's main concern... Kenakh may not have been in the know of everything.

When the man ended his admission with the statement that that was all he knew, Rayek slowly nodded.  "I believe you.  Now my next question.  Do you know where to find the others?  Is there a place that you would meet?  And what is the code word that would be used for such a meeting?"

[Tess tLhoell]

Kenakh - Imperial Guard
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

The statement that the Uhlan believed him, relieved Kenakh. He observed the silent communication with the other Tal'Shiar man. Not knowing what that meant his nervousness spiked a little again.

At Rayek's questions, Kenakh shook his head. "I have no idea where the others can be found. We only met once a couple of months ago. That was in the poor district. Lolir did all the communicating with the others, I received my instructions only via electronic message." When Kenakh thought of that meeting in the poor district he thought of the very house Rayek had been when he met Lolir.

"I swear by the Elements this is the truth." He looked imploringly from Rayek to Vandar and back, hoping he might be allowed to go, now that he had told them everything he knew.

Vandar - Tal'Shiar Special Operative
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

Vandar acknowledged Rayek's slight nod with one of his own before he proceeded. Hearing the guard say this was all he knew the Tal'Shiar operative glanced back to Rayek, seeking once more confirmation - or not. Either way, Vandar wasn't too worried. They had Lolir too and that man seemed to be the central figure in this plot. Surely they would find all the answers they needed there.

He wait for Rayek to indicate if there was more to extract or if they had exhausted this source.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Rayek could pick up no other conspirator information even with all that Kenakh was thinking of at the moment.  But the information gathered so far didn't help Rayek in his mission.  He was supposed to determine the Senator's role.   The Praetor wanted proof of treason.  But that the Senator knew Lolir was not enough to accuse the powerful man of treason.

"Tell me what you know of Lolir's associations with members of the Senate."

[Tess tLhoell]

Kenakh - Imperial Guard
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

The question had Kenakh look insecure. "I don't know of any associations", he replied a little too quick, for he then remembered something.

"Or well ... Lolir did inquire several times about one certain Senator - Tocul. Via message if course. Usually that was when the meetings were over and Lolir wanted to know if the Senator was s there or already on the way home." He glanced to Rayek. "As a guard stationed at the Hall of State it was easy for me to give information on that. That's why he asked me about it." Kenakh seemed to fear they wanted to use this against him.

"Once or twice he inquired the same about the Proconsul Talen", Kenakh shared. What he didn't share but what was prominent on his mind was that he believed Lolir had been looking for non-violent ways to achieve his goal.

That he pushed both Tocul and Talen into the light of being conspirators was clear to Kenakh but his own health was more important to him right now.

"I don't know why he inquired about them, I don't know if they met or anything", he added hastily.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Rayek smiled slightly, thinking he had the beginnings of a case against Senator Tocul when Kenakh remarked about Lolir inquiring about the man.   Of course, the Praetor's Guard wasn't wrong to worry about his actions being incriminating.

He was about to ask what Lolir used this information for when, Kenakh's thought gave Rayek a brief forewarning about his mentioning Senator Talen... but there wasn't enough time to act before the words were out.  Rayek tried not to look shocked, but didn't doubt that Vandar would notice.

Fvadt... why would Lolir be interested in his father's schedule?

Kenakh's own suspicions of that came to mind but the guard didn't speak them... no, Kenakh was purposefully hinting at their being part of the conspiracy.  Rayek swallowed drily uncertain how he could trick the man into being honest about his impression about why Lolir contacted them.  This did not look good for his father...  and because of his father's involvement, Vandar would be suspicious of any information he claimed he picked up from Kenakh's mind that might exonerate his father.

"Senator Tocul and the Proconsul you say? Interesting.  But their possible involvement won't save you - rather the opposite.  Their position precludes us from using the mind probe on them - you have no such immunity.  Now I have no choice but to dig through your memory for any possible collusion you might have heard from Lolir regarding those two."

There was no such immunity that Rayek was aware of he just needed the man to recant or qualify the real reason his father was contacted by Lolir.

[Tess tLhoell]

Vandar - Tal'Shiar Special Operative
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

Vandar wasn't surprised to hear about Senator Tocul. He had already heard of the man being involved in his from Rayek. He did pick up his ears though when their prisoner mentioned the Proconsul. Of course Vandar was aware that Rayek was that very Proconsul's son.

Talen ... involved in his conspiracy? Vandar's gaze moved away from Kenakh and settled on the Uhlan. And indeed, he was sure there was panic flickering over the thelepath's face. Vandar's face darkened. How reliable was the information that Rayek was presenting to him from having read in the man's mind? It was possible that he tried to exonerate his father.

Vandar still didn't speak but continued watching and listening. If his doubts remained, he still could use the mind probe on Kenakh to verify the information the telepath would give him. As he thought that, Vandar made sure to kept his own mind shielded, not wanting for the Uhlan to be able to pick up any of his thoughts.

He listened as Rayek made use of some trick to get Kenakh to admit anything else he might know about the both Senator's involvement if he didn't want the mind probe being used on him.

Vandar watched closely.

Kenakh - Imperial Guard
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

When Rayek posed the threat of having no other chance but to use the mind probe on him now since he couldn't get the information from Senator Tocul or Proconsul Talen themselves due to some immunity their position guaranteed them, Kenakh's eyes widened in alarm. "I don't know of any collusions!", he protested, fear of the probe being used on him prominent on his mind. Fear not because he wanted to hide anything he knew - but because of Rayek's promise to make it as damaging and painful as possible if he didn't cooperate. "Lolir will know more about this than me, ask him! He was the one contacting them after all."

He looked at Rayek, his eyes glowing with desperation to convince him. "I have told you everything I know. If you are interested in my speculations too, you can have them." His voice was an imploring rumble now. "Proconsul Talen and Senator Tocul are reasonable men. They are respected by everyone. I assume Lolir wanted to try to achieve his goal without violence by persuading one or both of them and they using their power and influence to sway the Senate's goals. I don't know if Lolir met with either of them and if so where or how often or what they talked about, I swear this is the truth!"

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Rayek wanted to believe Kenakh's interpretation but knew that even the suspicion of treason needed to be checked into.  His father was not out of the 'hot seat' yet - might never be again.  All because one man sought to speak with him.

Rayek looked to the panicked Imperial guard who regarded him pleadingly.  He nodded at the man's statement of telling the truth.  The new Tal'Shiar turned to look at Vandar.  The Praetor's man face was expressionless, and though he didn't try to read his thoughts, Rayek had no doubt they would be sealed tight.

"I believe he's told us all he's capable of telling us.  Your orders?"  Rayek knew what came next... but this way it wasn't him making the decision.  Not him giving the order to destroy a man's mind - just so that Vandar could be certain Rayek hadn't lied about what he information he had gleaned.

"Shall I have the guards switch the two prisoners and we can interrogate Lolir next?"  Rayek hoped that by suggesting this he could get out of being witness to the mind probe being used. 

[Tess tLhoell]

Vandar - Tal'Shiar Special Operative and Kenkah - Imperial Guard
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

Vandar looked back expressionless to Rayek as he asked for his orders. The information, that the telepath's own father - who filled a position that was nothing less but the most powerful after the Praetor - was involved in this conspiracy - even if it was just the suspicion of an involvement - rendered anything Rayek would tell him as having read on Kenakh's mind unreliable. Ironically Rayek himself had pressed on until this bit of information had been brought to light. That almost provoked a sneer to form on Vandar's face. Almost.

"I will see to Lolir's interrogation myself." That was as good as a slap in the face of the new Tal'Shiar operative and a clear demonstration of Vandar's distrust towards the telepath. He would have no problem to explain the reason to the Praetor. He now even had a valid reason to express to Chulan that by the involvement of his father, Rayek now had become an incalculable risk. Perhaps Vandar would get the satisfaction of destroying the telepath after all.

As Rayek continued to speak, it seemed he wanted to end Kenakh's interrogation as quick as possible. Was he fearing he might use the mind probe and find things he tried to defraud? Not with him.

"Unfortunately I'm not quite satisfied yet. There got to be more." Diverting his glare from Rayek he glanced over to the couple of guards who were standing near the door and had held themselves in the background the whole time. Vandar only gave a short nod which prompted them to move towards the chair Kenakh was sitting on.

"But ... it is true", the prisoner reaffirmed, panic filling his eyes now. "I have told you everything I know! More than I actually know!"

Vandar looked back at him with an absolute straight face. The man's heart had turned to stone over the years. There was very few that would find a soft spot there. The begging and crying of a traitor didn't belong to that.

The guards attached two small devices on the man's forehead, which started to flash a red light, while Kenakh started to beg in panic and despair. "Please! I don't know more, I swear I have told you everything!"

Vandar looked at him. Deep down he believed that Kenakh would have spilled now the latest if he knew anything more about Proconsul Talen. But his belief was not enough. If there was something being overlooked and it would come out later, Vandar wouldn't show any weakness by admitting he had been 'believing' he had told him everything. Or worse ... that he had been fooled by a telepath.

Picking up his device from the table he activated the probe. Groans of pain filled the interrogation room that gradually turned to actual screams as Vandar sifted the man's mind for every small bit of information and hints of disloyalty of Proconsul Talen.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Uhlan Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation Cells - 2385]

Since he hadn't been dismissed after having the interrogation taken over by Vandar, Rayek was forced to stand and watch the entire process.  It turned his stomach.  Literally. Yet he was too disciplined to move an inch from his spot until dismiss or ordered elsewhere.

The device was a brutal as the rumors made out.. worse maybe.  By the end of it, Kenahk's mind has had shown them images of the other dissidents, remembered conversations implicating them in the assassination plot.   And there in the midst of it - a scene of Lolir brooding about the violence of it all, wishing there a way they could change the system without bloodshed.  When the voice of Kenahk remarked that it would take people more powerful than them... that's when the leader had asked about Talen's schedule.

Rayek wanted so badly to point out that just being named did not prove his involvement, but knew doing so would only make things worse.  He kept silent and prayed to the Elements that Lolir would provide proof that his father was innocent.

By the end of the session, Kenakh's mind seemed broken, his thoughts now jumbled and incoherent.  But the everything had been recorded. Proof for the Praetor of Lolir' and the others... but it didn't give Rayek the proof to exonerate his father or accuse the Senator Tocul... who had been the initial focus.

The nearby guards were called in to remove the former Imperial Guard.  His mind probe testimony, or parts of it, would no doubt be seen by a Judge and he would be executed before the end of the week.  Romulan justice was swift.  Which mean Rayek needed to be back to at least be present for the interrogation so that he could help ensure Vandar did not read the memories out of context.

Rayek timed his words for when they were alone, while the guards were off dumping Kenakh and retrieving Lolir. "Sir, I understand that you must do the interrogation yourself.  My father's mention in Kenakh's testimony is just as shocking to me.  I too need to know the truth.  I swore an oath to the Praetor.  To the Praetor"  he stressed.  "I do not take that lightly. My loyalty is his - first and foremost."

[Tess tLhoell]

Vandar - Tal'Shiar Special Operative
[Romulus - Ki Baratan - Tal'Shiar compound - Interrogation cells - 2385]

Vandar watched with a motionless expression as the mind probe did its work. The sight and the cries of pain had not bothered him for a long time. In the end, not much more was left of Kenakh than him having become mental vegetable.

As the guards dragged the prisoner out, Vandar turned to Rayek when he approached him. He was almost certain that his father's possible involvement had been startling and new to the young man. Otherwise, he wouldn't have kept on drilling until this hint had come to light. On the other hand, this could have been a calculated risk of the telepath to trick him. He thought Rayek was capable of being so cunning.

When the young Tal'Shiar operative claimed his loyalty belonged to the Praetor alone, Vandar watched him closely. Of course. What else would he say? Still, he would conduct Lolir's interrogation himself - alone. It was possible there was an advantage to having information Rayek did not have.

"Oh, I'm sure it is," Vandar replied to Rayek's protestations. "But I don't need you any more right now. You are dismissed."

Just as he had finished speaking, footsteps from the corridor outside could be heard. They sounded somewhat irregular. Lolir's severe disability made it impossible for him to keep up with the guards' pace so they dragged and pulled him behind them mercilessly. Once they reached the interrogation room they pushed him towards the chair. Lolir was barely able to catch himself and threatening to fall down.

Vandar's face showed almost as much disgust for the cripple as for the telepath. It wasn't often you got to see a disfigured Romulan. From his early years, he had learned that malformed individuals were just parasites and not worth living. That's how he still thought today.
Vandar approached him with contempt in his eyes after the guards had tied him to the chair. "Do you have anything to say in your defense, traitor?"

Lolir's answer was silence.

"You won't talk? Fine." Again he nodded the two guards to connect the device and only a short time later the bloodcurdling screams filled the corridors.