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“Mobile—Oh for Ho’nig’s sake, the Klingons got their hands on that?”

“The Klingons did not—whoever replaced Kahless did. In fact, there is great concern on the High Council that this is a Federation plot.”

“You’re not serious.”

Worf simply looked at her.

“Sorry, forgot who I was talking to.”

“The terrorists who seized the embassy did so in part because they believed the Federation kidnapped the emperor and replaced him with a hologram that was programmed to advocate a Federation agenda.”

Ra’ch put her head in her hands, her fingers splaying around the horn that protruded from the center of her forehead. “This is all we need right now.” She looked up. “What does the High Council want?”

“Several things. The first is a written assurance from you and the council that this is not a Federation plot.”

Ra’ch shrugged. “Since it’s true, that ought to be easy enough. Honestly, I doubt the idea would have occurred to any of us.”

“A similar assurance from the admiralty would be prudent as well. Many on the council believe that Starfleet is the true power of the Federation.”

“Really?” Ra’ch’s lips twisted into a frown. Then her face softened. “Actually, I can kind of see why they might think that. Fine, I’ll talk with Nakamura tomorrow. What else?”

“The High Council would also like the Federation’s aid in attempting to locate Kahless. The Defense Force will share what information it has regarding the emperor’s whereabouts.” What little information there is, he thought dolefully.

“Of course, we’ll be happy to help.” She smiled. “I suspect that will cause more goodwill than the written assurances, but we’ll do both. The last thing we want to do right now is kill the alliance.”

“That leads me to the council’s final request.”

Ra’ch’s face fell. “Uh-oh.”

“There is—concern among some members of the council that the Federation intends to dissolve the Khitomer Accords.”

“Based on what?” Ra’ch asked, straightening.

“Special Emissary Pagro has—”

“Fel Pagro’s a presidential candidate making speeches to try to get himself elected!”

“You and I are aware of this, Councillor, but Chancellor Martok and the others do not understand that distinction. As far as they can see, the person most likely to rule the Federation is calling for Klingons to change their ways or face war.”

“Yeah, I can see how they’d think that, too. Damn cultural relativism, anyway.” Ra’ch set her hands down on the desk, and stared at the hologram of her mate. Then she regarded Worf with a determined expression. “Mr. Ambassador, I need you to return to the empire and talk to the members of the High Council. Assure them that the Federation hasn’t abrogated the Khitomer Accords once over the last eighty years, which is more than the Klingons can say. For that matter, their embassies have never been attacked by Federation citizens, either. There may be problems between our peoples, but they are ones that can be dealt with diplomatically. We have no designs on their emperor or their territory. The alliance was our best hope for victory during the war and is our best hope for a prolonged peace in the wake of it.”

Relief washed over Worf. This was exactly how he hoped this conversation would go. “Very well. It will also enable me to see which of those on the council will use this as an excuse.”

Ra’ch tilted her head slightly. “An excuse for what?”

Worf hesitated. “There are some on the High Council who feel that an alliance with the Federation is—inappropriate. That the Federation, like any other governmental body that is not the Klingon Empire, should merely be the next on the list of what to conquer.”

“Joy.” Ra’ch rose from her seat. “Well, I hope your powers of persuasion are as good as I’ve heard, Mr. Ambassador.”

Getting up from the guest chair, Worf said, “We shall see.”

“I’ll have the official statements from both the council and Starfleet Command by tomorrow.”

“Good. I will return to Qo’noS as soon as they are delivered to me.” Giving Ra’ch a small bow, Worf said, “Thank you, Councillor.”

“You’re welcome, Worf. Do well for