Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [12]
Holly’s last report from outside the Federation involved the Tzenkethi. “Our listening posts along the border have picked up some chatter about one of the Tzelnira’s children being sick.”
Jas added, “The Tzelnira are- “
“The appointed ministers of the Tzenkethi government serving under the autarch, yes, I know, Jas.” Nan glowered at her security advisor. “My son-in-law was a relief worker during the Tzenkethi War.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am, I didn’t- “
“It’s not like you see me every day or anything,” Nan said dryly, “but I would think you’d have figured out by now that, if I don’t know something, I’ll ask.”
Jas didn’t sound in the least bit contrite when he said, “I did say I was sorry, ma’am.”
Nan stared at the old Trill for several seconds before turning back to Holly. “Sick with what?”
“We don’t know, ma’am. We’re not even sure it’s true, but there’s been a lot of similar chatter.”
“All right.” She smiled. “If that’s the worst we’re hearing out of Tzenketh these days, I’m just gonna count my blessings. What else?”
Chapter Three
ASHANTE PHIRI WAITED for Z4 to explode.
It didn’t happen in the turbolift down one flight to the fourteenth floor, where a third of the offices of the presidential staff were located, including those of the chief of staff and her four deputies. It didn’t happen while she gave Fred a quick kiss before she, Z4, and Xeldara got off. Fred was heading down to thirteen, where he and the rest of the speechwriting staff were headquartered; Myk was proceeding to the second floor, where Kant Jorel’s office, as well as the press holocom, were.
Xeldara tugged on her left earlobe as the three of them moved away from the turbolift doors. “I’m off for my scolding. What do you figure, Esperanza has five more minutes with the president before she comes down and hits me over the head with a rock?”
Ashante glowered as the three of them exited into the office area. “If she doesn’t, I will. How many times did I tell you not to bring up the travel office again on fifteen?”
“I think it’s an issue, and I think it’ll bite us on the ankle if we’re not careful.”
Z4 made a tinkling noise. “Softs have the most peculiar metaphors.”
Snorting, Ashante said, “You’re only just noticing this now? The point is, Xeldara, it’s not an issue on fifteen anymore. You want to bring it up again, bring it up with Esperanza.”
“Who then won’t tell the president about it. I wanted to- “
“Get yelled at by the leader of the biggest political entity in the Alpha Quadrant?”
Z4 made a different noise. “You certainly don’t aim low.”
“I said my piece, and I’m happy with that.” Xeldara sounded both stubborn and petulant.
“Hope you’re happy with the job market,” Ashante muttered.
Xeldara bore right toward the chief of staff’s office, which was smaller than the president’s and only had about half the view but was still pretty spectacular. Ashante and Z4 moved straight ahead toward their own offices, which had no windows, located as they were in the center of the circle that each floor in the Palais formed. Aside from the chief of staff, members of the cabinet got the other offices that lined the outer walls of the fourteenth floor. The four deputies and their staffs worked in what was generally referred to as the warp core, because it was the center and where all the work that kept the government going got done.
To his credit, Z4 waited until they were in Ashante’s office and the door closed behind both of them before exploding.
“Why did you shoot C29 down?”
“Because he’s a crappy candidate, Ziff.”
Z4’s antennae curled up. “How many times have I told you not to call me that?”
“About the same number of times I told you that C29 Green was a bad choice for the seat on technology.”
“Very funny.”
Ashante sat down on her chair and activated the workstation at her desk. Fourteen