by Andy Mangels
A new line of text scrolled into view on her padds display, as if summoned by her thoughts. She recognized it immediately as a reply from one of the clandestine sources Travis hadnt believed she sometimes worked with.
She gasped when she read it, once again momentarily startling the busboy.
“Whats wrong, Gannet?McEvoy murmured.
“Looks like one of my best sources knows who attacked Draylax, she said, still subvocalizing.
He sounded impatient, though she could hardly blame him. “And?
She paused long enough to pick up her sweating water glass and raise it to her lips in the hopes of moistening her dry throat enough to make an intelligible reply. “Its the Klingons, she said a moment later.
“The Klingons?he said, sounding quizzical. “Those motorcycle-gang types with the big knives and the shellfish attached to their foreheads?
Gannet replied with a sigh and a resigned shake of her head. Nash McEvoy sometimes stood as a talking, breathing object lesson proving the Vulcans right in questioning humanitys readiness to move out into the galaxy.
“The hostile ships are of Klingon configuration, she said. “Three heavily armed battle cruisers. And their attack began sometime yesterday.
“Klingons,McEvoy repeated, his tone again oscillating back toward the shrill end of the spectrum. “From what little I know about them, it sounds like its going to be a slaughter. If it isnt all over for the Draylaxians already, that is.
Gannet could only wish that her intelligence source had been able to provide a more up-to-the-minute report on that score.
Another chill thought occurred to her then.
Whatever happens next,Enterprise is sure to be in the middle of it.
With Travis behind the wheel.
NINETEEN
Saturday, July 19, 2155 San Francisco
N ATHAN S AMUELS NEARLYjumped out of his chair when his office door flew open and slammed into the wall behind it with a resounding thud.
“Have you looked at the newsnets? Haroun al-Rashid said, holding up a large sheet of gray e-paper. The black text that dominated the page was so large that it all but screamed at him.
Samuels couldnt remember the last time hed seen Earths interior minister appear so agitated. On the other hand, it wasnt every day that he saw headlines like this one:
KLINGON EMPIRE ATTACKS DRAYLAX
“Contact the sergeant at arms, Rashid, he said, swallowing hard. “Tell him to round up every available delegate immediately. And call Ambassador Li on Centauri III.
“The Coalition Security Council is going into emergency session.
The last time Minister Soval had seen such a grim mood descend upon the Coalition Councils spacious assembly chamber, half the planet Coridan Prime had been engulfed in flames.
Today, Vulcans senior representative couldnt help but wonder whether the nascent Coalition of Planets might not be about to undergo a similar immolation, succumbing to the fires lit by the all but ungovernable passions of some of its small but extremely variegated membership.
“Never before have the Klingons made such a bold incursion so deep behind the Coalitions boundaries, said Andorian Foreign Minister Thoris, who stood behind his worlds designated section of the rooms curved central table between a pair of his aides. The ministers twin antennae lay flat against his white-maned scalp, pointing forward in a conspicuous display of outrage. “This body has no choice other than to respond in kind, and to do so immediately.
Minister al-Rashid rose from behind his own section of the table almost directly opposite the Andorian delegation, and spread his hands in a placating manner. “There are alwayschoices other than war, Minister Thoris, the human said.
“Not when youre talking about the Klingons, Gora bim Gral of Tellar growled in a rare display of agreement with his Andorian counterpart. The hirsute diplomat remained seated at a position at right angles to both the human and Andorian parties, where he was flanked by a pair of Tellarite junior functionaries, both of whom were nodding in vociferous agreement with their superior. “You starry-eyed humans simply havent been out in the galaxy long enough yet to take such basic realities at face value.
To his credit, al-Rashid sidestepped the Tellarites verbal jab without offering any provocation of his own. “Theres still a lot we dont know about the Draylax situation, Ambassador Gral, he said. “And I have to point out that the Coalitions boundaries are a relatively new addition to the galactic map. Perhaps the Klingons werent aware they were violating them.
“Klingons care little for such niceties, Gral said. “Indiscriminate expansion through conquest is their way. When the Klingons decide to go after you, your choices usually amount to either surrender or war. Therefore we would do well to teach them some respect for our boundaries, and to do it in the most direct fashion possible.
Thoris nodded grimly. “Photonic torpedoes can be excellent educators in situations such as these.
“I grant you that Klingons respect strength, al-Rashid said. “But
Gral interrupted him. “And do you also grant that the security of nearby nonaligned worlds such as Draylax has a direct bearing on the security of the Coalition members? The Tellarite leaned forward across the table, his hairy knuckles supporting his weight. “Indeed, on the Coalitions continued existence?
The humans eyes narrowed as he appeared to struggle to keep his internal emotional fires carefully banked. “I understand that all too well, Ambassador.
Seated beside al-Rashid, Prime Minister Samuels nodded in agreement, though he maintained as emotionally neutral an expression as Soval had ever seen on a human face. “Earths delegation believes very deeply in maintaining peace and security in the local systems. Indeed, we would hope that the assistance Earth is already providing to the Draylaxians would convince them to finally join the Coalition. We hope it will entice other nearby worlds as well, such as Porrima V.
Soval couldnt help but agree, even though he was well aware that additional alien recruitment into the Coalition suited the humans own self-interested political purposes; after all, the inclusion of more nonhuman worlds in the Coalitions roster would go a long way toward blunting the ill feelings that persisted among the rest of the current membership because of Earths insistence on granting not only Coalition member status but also full Security Council voting rights to the human-inhabited Alpha Centauri system.
“A stout blade and a fully charged disruptor pistol will get far better results with a ravening Klingon than will any amount of hope, Thoris said, punctuating his declaration by pounding his cerulean fist upon the tabletop several times. “We must waste no more time mounting a full counterattack!
“The last thing we should do is allow ourselves to be drawn into an all-out war, al-Rashid said. “At least not until our fastest frontline starships gather more firsthand information about what really happened at Draylax. We still dont know, for instance, precisely why the Klingons apparently resolved the situation themselves by destroying their own warship.
Thoris appeared unmoved. “With respect, Minister, the Klingons have never shown much interest in resolving anything. Were it otherwise, they would not have made the additional brazen move of destroying an Earth freighter in the Gamma Hydra sector.
“Weve seen no definitive evidence of that so far, said Samuels. “But I can see that your intelligence bureaus must be listening to the same rumors as ours do.
“No one has heard anything from the E.C.S. Horizonfor several days, Thoris said. “That is no mere rumor.
“True enough, Minister, Samuels said, crossing his arms before him. “But Im not prepared to go to war over what might turn out to be only a faulty com system.
“The Andorian government does not require the permission of Earth, or of this Coalition for that matter, to take whatever action we deem justifiable and prudent in the face of this grave danger, Thoris said, his antennae flattening backward against his scalp.
“Nor does Tellar, said Gral. “The provisions of the Coalition
Compact notwithstanding.
Remaining in his seat, Samuels made an admirable display of equanimity in the face of such vehement opposition. “Of course not. Were a body of equals, meeting as equals. Thats why nobody is addressing anybody else from up there, especially today. He paused to gesture toward the empty speakers podium that stood upon the unoccupied raised dais at the front of the room. “But must I remind you both that your governments actions will reflect on allthe members of this body?
Gral huffed. “And must Iremind youthat Earth and Alpha Centauri are entangled with Draylax in a webwork of mutual defense treaties? You do your entire species a disservice by leaning on diplomacy during a time that demands soldiery instead.
Gral pushed away from the table, as did Thoris a moment later. Soval watched as his Tellarite and Andorian counterparts stalked angrily out of the room, heading for separate exits, their respective aides following closely on their heels.
Soval was grateful that neither the press nor any members of the general public were present in the gallery that overlooked the formal debating chamber; the participants in todays meeting had agreed to convene behind closed doors. Presently a tense and uncomfortable silence stretched between the human and Vulcan contingents, the only Coalition representatives who now remained in the room.
Haroun al-Rashid was the first to break that silence. “May nobody do anything stupid over the next few days, inshallah,he said.
“Hear, hear, Samuels said, looking crestfallen and small.
Soval recognized al-Rashids last utterance as a word from the human language known as Arabic.
Inshallah.If God wills it.
Though Soval himself espoused no specific deity of any sort, he couldnt help but agree with the ministers overall sentiment. Just as he concurred with Grals and Thoriss general contention that the Klingon Empire did indeed pose a potentially grave, if not an immediate, danger. While weve debated the issue of Romulan aggression,he thought, we have allowed ourselves to become blind to the Klingons.
Nevertheless, both logic and simple decency dictated that war could never be a first option.
“Even the Andorian and Tellarite governments must engage in a deliberative process of sorts before going to war independently of the will of the Coalition, Soval said, intent on offering his human colleagues at least some small degree of comfort.
Samuels and al-Rashid both nodded in agreement. “Well stand adjourned until tomorrow, Samuels said, finally rising from behind the table.
“I suppose we ought to be thankful that Gral and Thoris arent the final decision-makers on their respective homeworlds, al-Rashid said.
Soval rose from his seat, thereby signaling his aides that it was time to leave the chamber. Addressing the humans, he said, “We must maintain hope thathow do the humans put it?cooler heads will prevail on both Andoria and Tellar.
But that hope felt nearly as forced as Thoriss smiles, or Grals table manners.
Sunday, July 20, 2155, 7:22 A.M . Montgomery, Alabama
When Charles Anthony Tucker II saw what he had just finished downloading onto the e-paper, he nearly spit his morning orange juice across the kitchen.
“Elaine! he shouted when hed finally managed to stop sputtering.
His wife emerged from the hallway into the kitchen nearly at a run, pulling her bathrobe sash tightly about her slim waist. Wet hair framed her face, which was a study in concern at the moment, as though shed half expected to find him dying on the kitchen floor. Considering everything the Tucker family had endured over the past few yearsthe loss of their two adult children still felt like an open wound to Charles, and probably would continue to feel that way for whatever span of time remained to himhe could hardly blame her for believing the worst.
“Whats wrong, Charles? Elaine said.
He held up the e-paper and coughed again before croaking out a single syllable. “Look, he said.
Maybe Trip and Lizzie were the lucky ones,he thought. They never saw things come tothis.
Charles watched Elaines eyes widen even further as she silently absorbed the bold, thumb-high morning headlines:
COALITION COUNCIL DEBATES WAR RESOLUTION AGAINST KLINGON EMPIRE ANDORIAN AND TELLARITE FLEETS MOBILIZING FOR BATTLE
TWENTY
Sunday, July 20, 2155 EnterpriseNX-01, near Draylax
“D OCTOR P HLOX TO THE TRANSPORTER, Archer said, turning away from the viewscreen to regard Enterprises beta-watch commander, Lieutenant Commander Mack McCall, with a half smile. “Good job, Commander.
McCall grinned under his graying close-cropped mustache and goatee. “The credit really belongs to several members of the bridge crew, sir. The lifesigns were so faint that it took eight sensor sweeps to zero in on the Klingons escape pod. Im not even sure how she stayed alive out there, given that the atmosphere in the escape pod had almost completely vented by the time we located it.
“Well, lets hope our Klingon castaway can shed some light on what the hell those battle cruisers were really up to at Draylax, Archer said, turning to exit the bridge. “Have Sergeant McKenzie and two of her MACO troopers meet me in sickbay immediately. And call over to Columbia; let Captain Hernandez know what weve found.
“Ive already notified Captain Hernandez, McCall said. “Shell be coming aboard Enterpriseas soon as she can.
Archer let out a sigh as the turbolift doors slid closed behind him and the car began to descend. He reflected on the fact that he still hadnt told anyone other than Phlox about TPol and Reeds abandonment of their posts, or their unauthorized departure in Shuttlepod Two, predominantly out of a desire to avoid further exacerbating Trips predicament.
A question flitted across his mind regarding TPol and Malcolms dereliction of duty: Are their actions really any worse than my own?He knew that his hands werent entirely clean, and that made condemning the actions of his officers even more difficult. How many times had he disobeyed orders himself, stretched the limits of a mission, disregarded Starfleets code of honor, engaged in some deception all in pursuit of a higher goal?
The turbolift arrived at E deck, and Archer exited, feeling glum as he stalked into sickbay. Seeing that the MACOs had beaten him there cheered him somewhat, as did the fact that one of the troopers was already deployed outside the doors of Phloxs sickbay, his pulse rifle at the ready.
Inside, Phlox was moving quickly around the biobed on which lay a Klingon woman, her bodystill inside a battered pressure suittwisted into an almost fetal position, probably as a consequence of the decompression injuries she had suffered. Phlox strapped a mask to her face, and the warrior woman offered no resistance.
With a nod, Archer acknowledged Sergeant McKenzie and another MACO trooper nearby, then spoke up. “Does it look like shell pull through, Doctor?
Phlox barely spared him a glance, his orange-hued fingers tapping on some of the medical controls. “Hello, Captain. Im not certain yet. She hasbeen breathing intermittently on her own for some time now. But it is likely that she will notregain consciousness.
Archer moved closer to Phlox. “Do everything you can for her, Doctor, but understand this: the Klingons may have struck the first blow in a war against the Coalition, and we need to know why. Do whatever you have to whateverthe costto get her back to consciousness.
Phlox regarded him with a curious expression. “I imagine you must consider her a prisoner of war then, Captain. I hope youre not suggesting that I take any measures to awaken her that might further jeopardize her life?
Archer clenched his jaw for a moment, letting out a heavy breath through his nose. “We dont know if shes a prisoner of war or not because we do not know if we are atwar. What I amsuggesting, Doctor, is that we need to question her. Thatis your imperative, beyond doing everything in your power to save her life.
Phlox nodded noncommittally. “I will do my best to accommodate you, Captain. So long as doing so does not threaten the life of my patient.
The doors to sickbay whisked open, and Archer turned to see Hernandez, escorted by anot
her MACO, enter the room.
“Will she make it? Hernandez asked.
Archer pulled her aside and updated her, explaining the instructions that he had just given Phlox.
“Its understandable that Phlox might question the ethics of your order, Jon, Hernandez said, “but these areextraordinary circumstances. If you need my CMO to take over, I can arrange that. Doctor Metzger will have the same concerns, but she willact as ordered.
“Thats a tempting offer, Erika, Archer said, his voice low. “Theres been a bit too much free thinking among my command staff lately.
Hernandez gave him a puzzled look, but before she could question him further, the wall-mounted com unit beeped, and McCalls voice promptly issued forth. “Bridge to Captain Archer. Weve received a Priority One communiqué from Starfleet for you and Captain Hernandez.
“Well take it in my ready room, Archer said. “Thanks, Mack.
As he moved toward the door, he looked back in Phloxs direction. “Interrupt me the moment you have her stabilized enough to answer some questions, Doctor, Archer said.
Phlox affirmed the command, but did not look up from his work.
As Archer and Hernandez strode across the few meters that separated sickbay from the central turboshaft, Hernandez spoke quietly. “You can discuss with me what that free thinking comment meant whenever youre ready, Jon. No pressure, though. I have a feeling youre carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders right now.
“ Worlds,plural, Archer said with a small smile.
As the turbolift doors closed around them, Hernandez put her hand in the center of Archers back.
For the moment, he was grateful to have received even that modest gesture of human contact.
“So youre letting them off with a slap on the wrist? Archer said to his ready-room viewscreen, his words charged with far more anger than Hernandez thought was wise to display before a Starfleet admiral.