Oh, right, Hellguard is in Rihannsu canon! Sorry, I always get that mixed up with the mess with Sela in TNG.
And, no, Marcus wouldn't know Esca was undercover! See, he's injured in some skirmish on the Neutral Zone, and he's recovering on some conquered planet on the outskirts of the Empire where his uncle and last-of-his-House retired, and somebody suggests he buy a (non-Romulan) slave to help him out, so he picks up Esca from a slave market that specializes in subject races. Then he gets visited by tr'Annhwi or one of his ilk, who mentions an important cultural artifact that has gone missing and that there might be all kinds of mnhei'sahe available to one who was willing to go on an officially-unsanctioned mission into Federation space to recover it, especially one who conveniently has a native guide who could go along.
...I think Marcus has to pretend to be a Vulcan, which has all kinds of possibilities. Also I suspect the artifact they're looking for is the Sword from the Empty Chair, which gives them an excellent excuse to run in to Spock et. al.
I don't know who if anyone on the Rihannsu side ever finds out that Esca is an agent! I don't know how it ends! but that's more fun than just having him be a slave, and fits better with the Star Trek stories, plus he can do a lot more to secretly smooth Marcus's way. :D I suspect he eventually tells Marcus at least, because, well, Marcus and Esca.
Also they have a pet thrai that they raised from a cub. :D
no subject
And, no, Marcus wouldn't know Esca was undercover! See, he's injured in some skirmish on the Neutral Zone, and he's recovering on some conquered planet on the outskirts of the Empire where his uncle and last-of-his-House retired, and somebody suggests he buy a (non-Romulan) slave to help him out, so he picks up Esca from a slave market that specializes in subject races. Then he gets visited by tr'Annhwi or one of his ilk, who mentions an important cultural artifact that has gone missing and that there might be all kinds of mnhei'sahe available to one who was willing to go on an officially-unsanctioned mission into Federation space to recover it, especially one who conveniently has a native guide who could go along.
...I think Marcus has to pretend to be a Vulcan, which has all kinds of possibilities. Also I suspect the artifact they're looking for is the Sword from the Empty Chair, which gives them an excellent excuse to run in to Spock et. al.
I don't know who if anyone on the Rihannsu side ever finds out that Esca is an agent! I don't know how it ends! but that's more fun than just having him be a slave, and fits better with the Star Trek stories, plus he can do a lot more to secretly smooth Marcus's way. :D I suspect he eventually tells Marcus at least, because, well, Marcus and Esca.
Also they have a pet thrai that they raised from a cub. :D