Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [107]
“Enough.” But Esperanza noticed a different tone to Enaren’s voice. “I’ll withdraw the resolution to deny aid.”
Esperanza blinked. That was too easy. “Councillor- “
“I know how to read people, Esperanza, even when I can’t actually read their thoughts. And I can see how much this means to both of you, and you don’t have any personal stake in this. It isn’t even a matter of loyalty to the president-you both genuinely believe what you’re saying.” He smiled wryly. “And you didn’t make me any offers of concessions.”
Softly, Esperanza said, “We know how important this is to you as well, Councillor. We wouldn’t insult you by trying to buy your vote.”
“But you will buy Nea’s.”
Esperanza grinned. “We are still politicians, Councillor, much as we might wish it otherwise. And that means we have a responsibility-even to those who used to be our foes.”
“I suppose we do.” Enaren sighed. “Thank you both for talking to me. I’ll be on Earth in about three hours.”
With that, he signed off.
Esperanza looked up at Ashante.
“What?” Ashante asked.
“I don’t know what impressed me more, that you had the name David Lloyd George at your beck and call, or that you actually used implacable in a sentence.”
Ashante laughed. “I always liked that word, what can I tell you? As for the first thing-I’m married to the speechwriter for one of the most trivia-obsessed politicians in the Federation. You pick stuff like that up.”
“I guess so.”
Moving toward the door, Ashante said, “I’ll call Dogayn off. Hey, we ready for tomorrow?”
“The Trinni/ek?”
Ashante nodded.
Esperanza felt herself deflating. “How the hell should I know?”
Chapter Twenty-One
AMBASSADOR COLTON MORROW had thought this new assignment would be easy.
Previously, the Diplomatic Corps had sent him to Delta Sigma IV. On that world, two species, the Bader and the Dorset, had managed to live in harmony, despite being at odds elsewhere in the galaxy. As a result, that world was part of the Federation, something neither the Bader nor the Dorset could say nor were likely to anytime soon.
Unfortunately, something had gone wrong. Both species had been suffering shortened lifespans, and an attempt to remedy that had wound up bringing out the worst impulses in Bader and Dorset alike. By the time a solution had been found by a Starfleet vessel assigned to the situation, the entire planet had practically been on fire.
Still, the day had been saved in the end, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Colton Morrow.
In light of that, he had thought the assignment to work out the details of establishing diplomatic relations with the Trinni/ek would be a comparative walk in the park-but also a major step forward in his career. This was a first contact with a new species, the gold standard for diplomatic work in the Federation. Morrow was in a position where he could make history. On top of that, Captain T’Vrea’s reports all indicated a species that was the textbook example of the type of people the Federation liked to deal with, and who might eventually join up.
Until they’d gone insane in the Roth Dining Room.
This time, though, the signs were better. Speaker Ytri/ol had made an effort to be communicative during the journey here, though he had seemed much more tired.
Now Morrow was accompanying them into the council chamber on the first floor of the Palais after just beaming down from orbit. This time the Starfleet escort vessel had been the Hood. Captain DeSoto had been a fine host, and he was now walking alongside Morrow, Ytri/ol, and