by Andy Mangels
But even as tumbling debris and oblivion took him, he wondered what fate might befall his beloved Empire the next time a treacherous, dishonorable attack such as this one were to occur.
After all, whatever else the contemptible RomuluSnganmight be, they were nothing if not tenacious.
ONE
Thursday, May 22, 2155 EnterpriseNX-01
“A DMIT IT , J ONATHAN . Youre already at least as bored with this mission as I am.
Unable to deny his fellow NX-class starship captains assertion, Captain Jonathan Archer smoothed his rumpled uniform and leaned back in his chair with a resigned sigh. Porthos, whom Archer had thought was fast asleep behind him at the foot of his bed, released a short but portentous bark, as if voicing agreement with the woman who looked on expectantly from the screen. Archer turned away from the lone desktop terminal in his quarters just long enough to toss a small dog treat to the beagle, who immediately became far too preoccupied with the noisy business of eating to tender any further opinions.
“My feelings really dont matter all that much, Erika, Archer said to the image on the terminal. “And frankly, neither do yours. This was Starfleets call to make, not ours.
From across the nearly six-parsec-wide gulf of interstellar space that currently separated Enterprisefrom Columbia,Captain Erika Hernandez punctuated her reply with a withering frown. “All right. Who are you, and what have you done with Jon Archer?
His lips curled in an inadvertent grin. “Im just an explorer, Erika. I dont make policy. And I dont like babysitting Earth Cargo Service freighter convoys any more than you do. But youve got to admit that there havebeen enough attacks on the main civilian shipping lanes over the past few weeks to justify keeping Earths two fastest and best-armed starships out on continuous patrol, at least for a while.
She shook her head slightly. “Maybe. But not indefinitely. And certainly not if youre interested in treating the underlying disease instead of just the symptoms.
Archer couldnt really disagree with that either. The past six weeks of mostly uneventful patrol duty, spent endlessly covering the same roughly twenty-light-year stretches outbound from Earth, followed by a virtually identical inbound course which intermittently brought Enterpriseand Columbiatogether from opposite directions, put him in mind of the ancient Greek myth about a man whose misdeeds had earned him the divine punishment of rolling a huge boulder up a hill, only to have to repeat the process endlessly after reaching the summit and seeing it roll down again. Archer sometimes half-seriously considered asking Starfleet to send the new NX-class starship Challenger,still under construction in the skies above San Francisco, to relieve himafter rechristening it Sisyphus,of course.
But he knew better than to think that either he or Captain Hernandez could do much to change the minds of Admirals Gardner, Black, Douglas, Clark, Palmieri, or any of the rest of Starfleet Commands determined brass hats. After all, each of them had shot down essentially the same argument Erika was making today when Archer had first brought the topic before them weeks ago.
“We still dont have any hard proof that the attacks against our freighters are anything other than exactly what they appear to be, Archer said. “The work of rogue pirates and freebooters.
“Thats probably only because those alleged rogue pirates and freebooters have been keeping us both so busy waiting and watching, not to mention wearing a triangular groove in the space between Earth and Draylax and Deneva, that we havent had any time to go hunt down thereal culprits.
“The Romulans, Archer said.
She nodded, confirming that he had completed her unvoiced thought. “Or the Klingons. Or maybe even both. The disruptor traces we found on the hull debris are consistent with either of them.
“As nasty as the Klingons can be, my moneys on the Romulans, Archer said.
Her eyes widened. “Why? You know something I dont?
He nodded. “Is this line secure on your end?
“I trust my mother and God, in that order,she said with a nod of her own. “Everybody and everything else has to go through the most stringent of security protocols. Go ahead.
He paused to gather his thoughts. From the edge of the bed, Porthos released a low growl that almost made Archer wonder if his own dog wasnt spying on him on behalf of Admiral Gardner.
“The attack on Coridan has overshadowed just about everything else thats been going on in a dozen sectors in every direction, Archer said at length.
“Thats understandable. Over a billion people have died on Coridan Prime so far, and people are still dying there three months later thanks to all the environmental damage, not to mention the damned civil war theyre fighting. Have you found some evidence linking the Romulans to the Coridan attack?
“No, he said with a glum shake of his head. “The Romulans are way too subtle to leave any fingerprints behind.
She frowned again. “So why bring up Coridan?
“Because Starfleet has been able to use it as a diversion to keep a lid on something we discovered on Andoria a little bit before the Coridan attack. The admiralty has classified my report on the subject. But in my judgment you have a legitimate need to know what theyve been sitting on these past few months.
Hernandezs brow furrowed. “Youve found evidence of some sort of Romulan incursion on Andoria?
“Indirect evidence. But its as close to a smoking gun as youre going to get with people as slick as the Romulans. Youve been briefed about their use of telepaths to pilot remote-controlled attack ships, right?
“Of course. I know that you and your crew destroyed a telepath-guided Romulan prototype last year.
“Right. But what you haventbeen told is that the Romulans have recently been trying to get their hands on more telepaths for similar military applications, using the services of third parties brokered through Adigeon Prime.
A look of understanding crossed her olive features. “The Adigeons. Gotta love those tight-lipped Swiss banker types.
“Believe me, the Adigeons make the old Swiss bankers look like the village gossip. In spite of that, we managed to track down and rescue about three dozen Aenar-Andorian telepaths that a third party had captured on behalf of the Romulans.
Hernandezs face became a study in horror. “Enslaving all those people. Just to launch another remote-control attack against us.
“And theyre not going to back off, either. Not when they can just lie in the weeds and wait until theyre ready to try again.
The horror on Hernandezs countenance slowly solidified into an almost palpable anger, and her words carried the timbre of blood and fire. “And youre content to let Starfleet just go on reacting instead of actuallydoing something?
Archer endured her not-so-subtle criticism with all the stoicism he could muster. “What makes you think Im not doing anything?
“Lets see. Maybe its the fact that youre still out here patrolling the boonies, just like I am.
“Lets just say Im working on the problem through a back channel and leave it at that.
“I know you have political pull that I dont, since youre the man who saved Earth from the Xindi. But I cant believe youve got a special back channel with Starfleet Command that I dont evenknow about.
Archer grinned. “What makes you think I was talking about Starfleet Command? Their hands are full at the moment just keeping the Coalition from collapsing into four squabbling pieces, especially since the Coridan attack.
“Unlike either of us,Hernandez said as the door chime sounded.
“Be careful what you wish for, Erika, Archer said, even though he was half hoping for news of another so-called pirate raid, if only to break up the tedium of the past several days of utterly fruitless patrolling. He held up a hand for silence, then turned toward the door.
“Come.
The door hissed open and Commander TPol stepped gingerly over the slightly raised threshold, then paused in the open hatchway. She wore a standard-issue, dark blue Starfleet duty uniform, a sight to which he was still only beginning to
become accustomed, though she had adopted it nearly three months ago. To the Vulcan womans credit, she appeared as comfortable and unself-conscious wearing Earths service attire as she had in the somewhat more formfitting uniform of the Vulcan military from which she had retired over a year earlier. Despite the lateness of the hour, her clothing looked fresh and neatly pressed.
“I apologize for disturbing you, Captain, but I have received some news that you will wish to hear immediately, she said, still hesitating in the open hatchway. She glanced toward the image of Captain Hernandez, which was clearly visible from her vantage point. “Am I interrupting anything?
Archer smiled gently at his second-in-command. Long before their respective careers had conspired to draw them literally light-years apart, there had once been a time when anyone “walking in on him and Erika Hernandez might indeed have interrupted something rather intimate. Had Hernandez, who had never been sanguine about making love in Porthoss presenceand was allergic to pet dander to bootnot issued a fateful its-me-or-the-beagleultimatum, the lives and careers of both captains might have taken radically different trajectories. Only very rarely, such as that time his canine companion had become fragrantly flatulent after snarfing up an entire wheel of Chefs fancy Gruyère cheese, did the captain have cause to regret his decision. Regardless, fair was fair, and since hed known Porthos longer than hed known Hernandez, the dog had ultimately won the contest.
Remaining in his chair, Archer fanned the fingers of his left hand toward himself in a “come in gesture. “Not at all, Commander. Im sure you know Captain Hernandez.
TPol finished crossing the threshold and allowed the hatch to hiss closed behind her just as Porthos jumped off the bed and approached her, his tail wagging. “Captain Hernandez, she said, nodding toward the screen and apparently ignoring the dog.
“Good to see you again, Commander,said Hernandez. “TPol and I met on Earth a couple of months ago, Jon. While you were busy panicking about your speech at the Coalition Compact signing ceremony.
Archer nodded, recalling the extremely jangled state of his nerves on that recent red-letter day. Facing the adoring crowds, the legions of media cams, and the all-seeing eye of history that day had made him more anxious than the prospect of fighting off whole phalanxes of Klingons or Xindi. Hell, he might have welcomed a firing squad as a dignified alternative. He scarcely remembered what hed said, and later had to refer to the recordings of his words to reassure himself that hed not made a complete ass of himself. So it came as no surprise to him that there were small gaps in his memory regarding matters peripheral to the speech itself.
He tried not to think about what the two women might have said about him behind his back while hed been fumbling through his speech; he preferred to believe that the Vulcans standoffish sense of propriety would have brought a certain decorum to the conversation. But given the uncharacteristically casual manner in which TPol now bent down to scratch the insistently expectant Porthoss headthere had been a time when her acute Vulcan sense of smell would have driven her very quickly from the beagles presencehe couldnt assume his first officer would always hew to the Vulcan cultural stereotypes.
“What do you have for me, TPol? Archer said, deciding that getting right to business was the best possible diversion. “Any new piracy incidents to report?
TPol straightened and Porthos quickly withdrew with a muted whine, his tail drooping in evident disappointment at the commanders failure to toss him a snack. “Not to my knowledge, Captain.
Archer felt both relieved and disappointed. “Then I suppose its too much to hope that Starfleet has finally seen the light about the futility of this wild goose chase were on?
“If you mean to ask whether Starfleet Command has finally acceded to your request to permit Enterpriseto conduct an independent investigation of the recent attacks on Earth Cargo Service vessels, Im afraid the answer remains no.
Still seated, Archer felt his shoulders slump in resignation. “So we keep rolling the damned rock up the hill and back down again.
“Sir? TPol said, her right eyebrow raised inquisitively.
“Never mind, Archer said, waving his hand as though wiping his words off an imaginary blackboard. “Lets hear your report.
“Do you want me to close off the channel, Jonathan?said Hernandez, reminding him that she could hear whatever his first officer was about to tell him.
He glanced in Hernandezs direction momentarily before fixing his gaze back upon TPol. “Not unless theres some security concern Im not aware of. TPol?
TPol approached the desk and addressed Hernandez. “Unless Im mistaken, Captain Hernandez, you have the same security clearance as Captain Archer. And the same need to know, since this may well impact upon your duties as well.
Hernandez grinned. “Well, dont keep us in suspense, Commander.
TPol nodded. “Minister TPau has just sent us a response to your request for assistance with ourpredicament out here in Earths shipping lanes.
Archer felt his spirits buoying, however cautiously. “How many Vulcan ships can she send to reinforce us?
TPol shook her head almost sadly. “None at the moment, unfortunately. Vulcans military resources are still stretched somewhat thin because of the Coridan relief efforts, and that situation is unlikely to change soon. However, Minister TPau has made an urgent request of her own.
Archers brow furrowed. “Of us?
“Of the United Earth government, the United Earth Space Probe Agency, and the Coalition of Planets Security Council, TPol said, sounding almost pleased. “Minister TPau is well aware of Starfleets insistence that Earths fastest ships be kept on continuous patrol along the shipping convoy routes. She agrees, however, that Starfleets time and resources would be put to better use trying to reach the true root of our current piracy problem. As, incidentally, do I.
Archer grinned. “Your support is anything butincidental to me, TPol. Especially now. With his old friend Trip Tucker still officially listed as killed in the line of dutyand therefore unavailable as a sounding board for the foreseeable futureArcher had come to depend on his first officers input more than he ever had before.
“Well, its nice thatsomebody on high agrees with the three of us,Hernandez said. “Its just too bad that Minister TPau really cant do a lot of effective arm-twisting inside Starfleet, or in Earths government.
Archer shrugged. “Granted. But Im betting that wont matter as much as her influence over the Coalition Council.
“Indeed, said TPol, nodding. “While she cannot order anyone outside the Vulcan government to do anything, Minister TPaus sway with the other Coalition Security Council members is considerable.
“Do you think shell come to Earth to address the Counciland make our case for us?Hernandez wanted to know.
TPol shook her head. “Minster TPaus present duties overseeing the rebuilding of the Vulcan government and the Coridan relief efforts will keep her away from Earth for at least another few weeks.
“A lot can happen out on the Romulan front in another few weeks, Archer said, his earlier rising arc of hope now sliding inexorably into a downward parabola of despair.
“True, TPol said. “However, under the Coalitions parliamentary rules, the authorities of every member world must consent to meet with any surrogate that Minister TPau appoints to speak before the Security Councilso long as whomever she nominates is willing to do so. The ministers only question is whether or not youare willing to serve as that surrogate, Captain Archer.
Archer allowed a smile to begin spreading very slowly across his lips before he answered. “And not even Admiral Gardner himself can stop me.
“Not unless he wishes to commit a direct violation of the Coalition Compact, TPol said. “What should I tell the minister?
Archer did a few quick back-of-the-envelope calculations in his head. Enterprisewas on the inbound leg of this latest iteration of her Sisyphean journey, three to four days out from Earth at maximum warp, as near as he could figure.
“Tell he
r Ill be on Earth just as soon as Enterprisecan get us there, he said. “And with bells on.
One of TPols eyebrows launched itself skyward again. “Respectfully, Captain, I would recommend a more dignified choice of apparel. However, I will advise Minister TPau of your decision. And I shall instruct Ensign Mayweather to make best speed for Earth. With that, she turned back toward the door and exited, leaving Archer alone with the subspace-transmitted image of his fellow starship captain.
“Vulcan, Jon? Thats one hell of a back channel. Not exactly part of the officers manual.
His smile widened into a broad, triumphant grin. “When have you ever known me to stand on ceremony, Erika?
She beamed at him. “Nowthats the Jon Archer I know. By the way, I hope youll accept my apology for implying that you might have been replaced by some sort of overly complacent shape-shifting alien monster.
“No offense taken, he said, returning her grin at a comparable wattage. “It was just your frustration talking anyway.
Hernandezs smile abruptly turned mischievous. “Would you like me to tell Gardner about this, or do you want to break the news to him yourself?
Archer felt his own smile begin to sputter out, like an old-style propeller-driven aircraft running out of fuel.
“And theres yet another unpleasant reality to consider here, Jon,she continued, sounding grave.
“Whats that? Archer asked.
“You have to get busy preparing another big speech.
Though Hernandezs grin returned, what little remained of Archers own smile immediately stalled, crashed, and burned.
TWO
Monday, May 26, 2155 San Francisco, Earth
“T HE PRIME MINISTERS MOTIONamounts to nothing less than a blatant attempt by the human species to dominate this alliance! Gora bim Gral of Tellar shouted from behind the negotiating table. He punctuated his words by pounding his hirsute fist against the curved wooden table before him, then paused briefly to point an accusing finger toward the rostrum at the front of the room. “My people, for one, will not stand for it!
