A Time for War, a Time for Peace - Keith R. A. DeCandido [55]
“The hologram did not provide its origins?”
Martok shook his head. “It was well programmed—it is not even aware that it is a hologram.” Retaking his seat, Martok continued. “Even if you are correct, and your government had nothing to do with this, that still leaves us with a hologram for an emperor—a feat accomplished by technology that only exists in the Federation.”
Before Worf could reply to that, a young Klingon burst into the room. “Chancellor! We have found Rov!”
Again, Martok stood. “Where?”
“The fifth planet in the Pheben system. He is broadcasting a message to the entire empire.”
Several grunts came from around the chamber. Martok asked, “What forces are in the Pheben system now?”
The youth said, “Captain Tavana’s fleet is on maneuvers in that system.”
“Instruct them to destroy the source of that transmission.”
“Yes, Chancellor. It will take some time for the captain to reach the planet. If you wish, we can pipe Rov’s transmission in here while we wait.”
“Do so.”
The young man mumbled into a communicator on his wrist. A moment later, a screen located over the main entrance to the chamber lit up with the trefoil emblem, then switched to an image of Rov.
“—ederation will no longer be able to control us like jatyIn possessing the dead. I tell you now, people of the empire, that Kahless has been taken from us! The Federation has stolen away our emperor and put a soulless collection of photons in his place! They do not wish—”
Clenching a fist, Martok asked, “Why has this not been jammed?”
The youth shook his head. “The transmission is broad-based and complex. We have had only limited success in jamming it.”
“—ou to rise up! To remove the commoner puppet Martok and his puppet master Worf! To ta—”
Qolka stepped forward. “Chancellor, this changes everything.”
Silently, Worf agreed. As long as Rov’s claims were known only to the High Council and the embassy staff, the situation could remain controlled. But a public declaration like this would outrage the general populace. Most would believe it to be foolishness, as I did—but enough won’t to be problematic.
“—ire must be strong! It is we who will rule the galaxy—not the Romulans, not the Dominion, and certainly not the Federation! We sha—”
The youth spoke. “Captain Tavana is entering orbit of the planet now.”
Worf felt the need to speak. “It is possible that Pheben V is only a relay station—or is only the source of a previously made recording.”
Martok nodded, conceding the point. “Perhaps, my friend, perhaps—but for now I am more concerned with ending the transmission.”
“—en we shall take the traitors and rip out their hearts with their own d’k tahg s as we—”
The transmission went dead.
“Captain Tavana has fired upon the only energy source on Pheben V,” the youth said.
Several cheers went up around the chamber. Worf noticed that Martok was not among those doing so.
When those cheers died down, Martok sat in his throne and spoke in a low, rumbling voice. “I expect a full report on how that transmission was able to penetrate our security and why it was impossible to fully jam it.”
Now sounding a bit scared, the youth said, “Yes, Chancellor. You will have the report within the hour.” With that, he left the chamber.
Martok turned his one-eyed gaze on Worf. “It would seem, Ambassador, that your word is no longer sufficient. Before, we could treat this matter internally within the council, but now that the public—and the Defense Force—is aware of Rov’s accusations, we must take more overt action.”
“Must we?” Grevaq asked. “We can condemn Rov as a terrorist and an agitator.”
“And we will prove our words, how?” Martok pointed to the spot where the false Kahless had stood. “Shall we put that before the people and proclaim it emperor? This council will not spin lies in order to spare ourselves inconvenience.”
No one spoke in objection to that, which gave Worf a proud feeling. He had been responsible for Martok’s ascension