by Andy Mangels
I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in that closed-door meeting they just came out of,al-Rashid thought, rising to his feet along with his human colleagues to face their nonhuman counterparts as they reached the opposite side of the semicircular ranks of the council tables.
But as the assembled delegates from six worlds acknowledged one another with silent and respectful nods, al-Rashid found his eager anticipation slowly morphing into a gradually deepening sense of dread. What if today is the day it all finally falls apart?he thought, not relishing the prospect of Earth suddenly finding itself standing friendless and alone against the heavily armored belligerence of the Klingon Empire.
Although the somber Vulcan contingentwhich consisted of Vulcan Minister Soval, flanked by Ambassadors LNel and Solkar, his senior aidesreached the council table first, they remained standing until each of their colleagues had taken their seats. The hirsute Ambassador Gora bim Gral of Tellar and his two all but indistinguishable aides were the first to sit, followed by Andorian Foreign Minister Anlenthoris chVhendreni and his somewhat younger adjutant, Ambassador Avaranthi shRothress, and finally Grethe Zhor of Draylax.
“Thank you all for agreeing to attend this special meeting today, said Nathan Samuels, addressing all the nonhuman delegations simultaneously once everyone had taken their seats. Casting a significant glance at the woman from Draylax, he added, “I know I speak for everyone here when I offer my sincere hopes for our success in maintaining interstellar peace, especially beyond the present boundaries of Coalition space.
Not to mentioninside them,al-Rashid thought, taking comfort in a bit of gallows humor.
But no amount of humor, gallows or otherwise, could contain his mounting impatience to discover the outcome of the nonhumans just-concluded meeting-within-a-meeting. Addressing his alien colleagues, al-Rashid said, “Have you come to a decision yet about how to deal with Draylaxs, ah, Klingon problem?
Samuels scowled, evidently not comfortable with such a blunt frontal assault, while Li seemed only mildly surprised at the forwardness of al-Rashids question. Fortunately, none of the nonhumans present appeared offended. Gral, Thoris, and Grethe Zhor merely looked silently toward Minister Soval, almost as though they had all agreed to make the phlegmatic Vulcan their spokesman regarding the matter.
Steepling his fingers contemplatively before his pursed lips, Soval said, “Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar have each agreed to defer their final decisions about whether to declare war on the Klingons until after Earths military experts present us with a new intelligence briefing on the issue.
Minister al-Rashid nodded, thankful for whatever restraint the other Coalition membersparticularly the Andorianswere willing to exercise.
“This decision is only a provisional one, of course, Thoris said in a cautioning manner. “As far as the Andorian government is concerned, at any rate. My people are not in the habit of allowing threats of incursion to grow unchecked, whether they arise near our homeworld or our colonies. But my government has agreed to stay the hand of the Imperial Guard for the momentat least until we have more complete information about thisKlingon problem.
“Thank you, Samuels said. Coming from the notoriously touchy Andorians, this was practically a declaration of pacifism.
Lets hope their restraint lasts long enough for us to find a way to keep the whole Coalition from being dragged into a major shooting war,al-Rashid thought. And to keep our allies at our backs in case diplomacy with the Klingons fails at the end of the day.
“Regarding the other matter before this body, Soval said, “I believe we have come to a far more definitive decision.
“You are referring to Minister al-Rashids compromise proposal regarding Alpha Centauris petition for Coalition membership? said Samuels.
The prime ministers gaze broke with Sovals long enough to communicate very clearly to al-Rashid that there would be hell to pay if the Coalition continued tearing itself asunder over this extraordinarily sensitive issueparticularly with a Klingon war apparently looming on the horizon.
“Indeed, Soval said. “We have all decided to accept the interior ministers compromise offer. Vulcan, Andoria, and Tellar will support Alpha Centauris admission to the Coalitionif Earth and Alpha Centauri will both support the simultaneous admission of Draylax.
Li displayed a smile of gratitude that gave every appearance of utter sincerity. “Alpha Centauri will be pleased to share with the Coalition of Worlds all the mutual defense responsibilities to which we have already committed with both Draylax and Earth, she said.
Just as our nonhuman allies will no doubt be delighted to share in Alpha Centauris shipbuilding resources via the Coalition,al-Rashid thought as he cast a grin back at Li. It would certainly suit their individual governments interests better than allowing humanity to keep those resources all to themselves via exclusive Earth-Centauri arrangementseven if they still dont much like the idea of humans getting more than one vote on the Coalition Council.
Ambassador shRothresss next utterance almost made al-Rashid wonder if the Andorian woman had somehow read his thoughts. “Andoria, likewise, will be pleased to dilute the resulting overly strong human plurality in the Council vote by adding anothernew nonhuman member to our alliance, she said, nodding toward Grethe Zhor, who stared back in silence, her vertical pupils revealing no emotion; Ambassador shRothress seemed to be trying to demonstrate that her people were most definitely notkowtowing to Earth or any other world, in or out of the Coalition.
“I trust this new Coalition member will prove far less disagreeable than have my esteemed Andorian colleagues, said Gral, who bowed his porcine, gray-maned head toward Grethe Zhor with uncharacteristic deference. Then al-Rashid noticed that the Tellarites gaze lingered a little too long on the Draylaxian womans conservative gray tunic, and the three breasts it concealed. Why that particular anatomical detail seemed to fascinate Gral escaped al-Rashid completely; he thought it unlikely that Draylaxians would be considered attractive by the esthetic standards of Tellarites, who considered six nipples the norm as far as he knew.
Though she made no reply to Gral, shRothresss antennae flattened slightly against her scalp, signaling her displeasure with the Tellarites insult. But such exchanges were nothing new, al-Rashid reflected; as long as the Andorians and the Tellarites werent reaching for knives or phase pistols, he wouldnt worry.
Maybe my plan wont go down in history alongside the Missouri Compromise,al-Rashid thought, looking down at his hands, which remained placidly folded on the tabletop. But it should keep the Coalition from coming apart at the seams, at least for another few months.
He heard several sets of footfalls approaching rapidly from the back of the auditorium. Looking up, he saw a small group of uniformed humans walking almost at a march directly toward the council tables. At the forefront of the group were four gray-haired men, three of whom wore formal Starfleet uniforms, complete with neckties, while a fourth was attired in MACO dress whites. All four men were distinguished from the small cluster of aides and security personnel that partially surrounded them not only by their bearing, but also by the impressive array of medals and ribbons displayed on their chests.
Right on schedule,al-Rashid thought. The time had finally arrived for the military briefing that might well prove to be the basis for a horrific war. He knew he could do little now other than pray that whatever was to come next, the coolheadedness of the Vulcans would prevail over the excitability of the Andorians and the Tellarites.
May whatever these men have to share with us today not tear open the wound of blind fear we all have worked so hard to suture,inshallah.
Admirals Gregory Black and Sam Gardner formed almost matching bookends flanking Captain Eric Stillwell of Starfleets tactical technological branch and the commandant of United Earths MACO forces, General George Casey. Since all four military officers were already familiar to the assembled delegates, Gardner wasted no time on introductions, opting instead to plunge straight into his much-awaited briefing about the
latest news concerning the Klingon situation.
“Captain Jonathan Archer has just uncovered critical new information while he was on the Klingon homeworld of QonoS, Gardner said without preamble. “In short, Captain Archer has determined that the Klingons are notresponsible for the recent acts of aggression that have occurred in the Draylax system.
“Allah be praised, al-Rashid muttered as the Andorian and Tellarite delegates erupted in a gabble of surprise and consternation.
“It would appear that Captain Archer has once again performed a great service to this alliance, Soval said, raising his voice slightly in an effort to restore decorum to the room.
“May we assume that you have hard evidence to back up thisextraordinary claim? Gral asked, his piggy eyes overflowing with suspicion. The Andorian contingent seated near him appeared equally skeptical.
“We do indeed have such evidence, said General Casey, nodding. “The audiovisual records supporting Captain Archers findings will be made available to each of you later today. He paused momentarily before adding, “I must admit up front that the quality of the images is less than optimal; as with many intelligence finds of this sort, it had to be obtained using less-than-optimal means, and under less-than-optimal circumstances.
Something in the MACO generals tone warned al-Rashid that pressing him on those “less-than-optimal means and circumstances would be less than welcome.
After the two Starfleet admirals had finished spending the next twenty minutes furnishing the details of Archers fateful discovery, Soval said, “Attacking the Klingons would have been a grievous error on our part. Despite his peoples vaunted emotional control, the Vulcan foreign minister looked somewhat rattled by the enormity of what the Draylax affair had nearly caused.
“Wewould have been the aggressor, said Samuels, his expression mirroring Sovals, only without the hard veneer of Vulcan composure. “The Klingons would have felt entirely justified in striking back at us, and hard.
“There will be no war with the Klingon Empire, al-Rashid said, sinking back into his chair as he allowed a tremendous sensation of relief to take wing; his words, which he had aimed at no one in particular, sounded almost like a benediction in his own ears.
A womans voice sliced through al-Rashids joy like a hot blade. “Why do you seem so happy about this?
He found himself blinking his incomprehension at the official observer from Draylax, who regarded him with undisguised puzzlement from across the table.
“Im afraid I dont understand, al-Rashid said. “The Klingons werent behind the attack against your people. You dont wantwar with them, do you?
Grethe Zhor shook her head, sending a cascade of golden hair tumbling around her leonine face. “Of course not, Minister. But instead of an easily conceptualized enemy to rally my people to straightforward action, we now must contend with a mystery attack by phantoms disguisedas Klingons.
“Which is why Starfleet is already busy planning tactical countermeasures against the new Romulan weapon, Samuels said.
“Until those countermeasures become available, the Draylaxian said, “and perhaps for a goodly period afterward, we willbe at war with phantoms, Minister, make no mistake. Against whom shall we rally the varied peoples of the Coalition in such a phantom wara struggle in which one cannot even see the enemys face? At whom shall we point the Coalitions guns?
“Pfagh, Gral said. “Romulans are no more phantoms than are Klingons. And there is no more reason to fear them than the Klingons.
The silence that came from both the Andorian and Vulcan delegations spoke more eloquently than any counterargument al-Rashid could have devised.
Recalling the terrifying holovids he had seen of the charred bones and burning seas of Coridan Primethe handiwork of phantomsEarths interior minister began to believe that the Draylaxian had the bleakest vision of the future of anyone in the room.
He also thought it was probably the clearest.
THIRTY-FIVE
Day Thirty-nine, Month of KriBrax The Hall of State, Dartha, Romulus
N IJIL TRIEDto affect a look of cool composure as he watched Valdore rise from behind his massive sherawood desk. The admiral remained quiet until his impressively broad form had finished unfolding to its full height.
“I have given you all the time I can spare, Nijil, Valdore said. “Praetor Dderidex and First Consul TLeikha are both growing restless, as are the admirals of the fleet. Is the arrenhehwiuatelecapture system finally ready for general deployment?
While there was no way to know for certain whether the new offensive system would work perfectly in actual use, the tests thus far had given Nijil every confidence that the fleet would experience no significant problems with it.
Which meant that there was only one thing Nijil could afford to say. “It is ready, Admiral. The Coalition vessels we have just acquired with the system will provide all the cover we need, in addition to illustrating the need to apply the telecapture technology more generally against all our adversaries.
Nijil was aware, of course, that the enemy ships the fleet had taken most recently hewed to the same general technological principles as did the Romulan fleet. But he also had the good sense to avoid mentioning that fact to Valdore, who was obviously in a mood to hear answers that were as positive as they were unequivocal.
Valdore nodded his acknowledgment, looking well pleased. “Good, Nijil. Outstanding.
The scientist was well acquainted with Valdores moods when he was notpleased. Indeed, he had encountered the mans disruptor-like glare just this morning, after another subordinate had failed to discover anything new about Centurion Terixs apparently failed mission to recover the avaihh lli vastamstardrive data the Ejhoi Ormiinassassins had stolen from the late Ehrehins labradicals who had paid Nijil rather handsomely in exchange for his giving them access to the late scientist.
Nijil rejoiced at the fact that hewasnt among those who had to deal with the admirals bad side. At least, not recently.
The admiral continued, “Our advance forces will mobilize just as soon as you finish verifying the installation and calibration of the attack fleets telecapture units.
“My people can complete the last of the settling-in adjustments in an eisae,Nijil said, nodding. “Perhaps less. I only wish we were able to produce and install more than two telecapture units per squadron in the time allotted.
“Two per squadron will suffice, Nijil. A broad smile spread across Valdores face. It was a rare sight, and a welcome one. “The fleet will move against the Isneih and Seichi systems, right on schedule.
Nijil nodded. From those beachheads, the Romulan fleet would face few serious impediments to its ultimate goals, provided it maintained the advantage of surprise. Even if the Coalition were to discover prematurely what was coming, they could do little to keep the point of the Empires spear from reaching the worlds that constituted the very beating heart of the Coalition of Planets.
The alien lloannmhrahelwho populated the vast regions of space that lay beyond the Avrrhinul outmarches that marked the Empires present-day borders would no longer be safe, assuming all went well as the very near future began to unfold. Not even ancient, ruddy ThhaeiVulcanitself could stand for very long against Romuluss most glorious onslaught in recent memory.
“I have more news for you, Admiral, Nijil said.
The admiral raised an eyebrow.
Scarcely able to contain his excitement, Nijil began to explain the warp-speed breakthrough his theoretical people had just stumbled upon. “The technology division may very soon render Centurion Terixs mission moot.
THIRTY-SIX
Romulan Scoutship DrolaeNear Romulus
A S THE OVERSTRAINED LITTLE SHIPobediently transitioned from nearly warp six to a relatively sluggish warp two, Trip breathed a new prayer of thanks to any deity who might be monitoring such things anywhere in the vast empty spaces between Romulus and Earth. He was grateful not only that the vessel around him had successfully endured yet another brutal bout of rapid accelerati
on and decelerationnot to mention the sustained hard use it had suffered in between those extremesbut also for the simple fact that, as one of Trips automotive-engineer ancestors might have put it, Centurion Terix had apparently left his keys in the scout vessels ignition, so to speak.
That simple, unaccountable fact also proved to be a source of nagging disquiet from the moment Trip had left the Taugus system until now, when Romulus was already becoming visible on the long-range sensors as a small but brightly shining cerulean bauble, locked in a perpetual gravitational dance with the ruddy wasteland of Remus, an ugly, blotchy orb that appeared to be perched on the blue planets shoulder like some grimly vigilant gargoyle.
Despite his relatively trouble-free passage to Romulus thus far, Trip still continued to worry that Terix had set some sort of elaborate trap for himone whose jaws still had yet to spring shut on him. Talk about paranoid,he thought. All Terix had to do was rig the warp core to lose containment once I started accessing the helm station. He really didnt need to set any traps more complicated than that.
But he still had his nagging doubts. For one thing, it just wasnt like Terix, a man who clearly did not give his trust easily, to be so sloppy. But not only had the Scoutship Drolaeapparently notbeen rigged to explode in the absence of a special surreptitious abort code, the sturdy little vessels com system had actually allowed him to maintain constant surveillance over the subspace frequencies being used by the Romulan fleet, apparently thanks to Terixs simple failure to log off of the com console just prior to disembarking for the Taugus raid.
But most fortunate of allnot to mention most suspicious of allwas the fact that this blunder had left Trip with access to many of the fleets highest-security channels.
As he initiated his sublight approach to the steadily growing sapphire planet, rehearsing the verbal report he would make to Valdore all the way, some of the chatter he was hearing on the secure com channels began to both intrigue and frighten him. For starters, the Romulan fleets technology division appeared to have just made an unspecified but apparently significant breakthrough in following up on the late Doctor Ehrehins warp-seven stardrive research.
