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Whatever else he might have done, he had performed the paramount duty: Keep the organization a secret.

His cause for optimism lay in the knowledge that they acted only when they felt it was necessary, as well as in his faith in Nan Bacco’s ability to steer the Federation onto a course that would keep them from finding that necessity.

The doors slid apart, and William Ross exited the presidential office for the last time.

December 2380

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

Chapter Twenty-Five

THE OBSERVER FOUND the limited beings to be most fascinating. His report to his superiors was almost finished. Over the course of his studies, he had noted that the limited beings would have public discussions about issues that were deemed relevant to their lives, which were disseminated throughout their nation. He had decided to witness one of these discussions, to see if it would provide any additional insight into the limited beings.

“Good evening. This is Illuminating the City of Light, I’m your host, Velisa. The Palais is gearing up for the summit, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Where will it be held? What will be on the agenda? Will the Romulans be involved?”

The person speaking was biologically of the fifth gender that he had catalogued, colloquial name female, and native of Planet AV9, colloquial name Krios. She seemed to be the leader of the discussion. To her left was another gender-five, a native of Planet AQ1, colloquial name Vulcan. To her right were a gender-seven (male) from Planet BT5 (Earth), and a gender-two (shen) from Planet AC1 (Andor). There was also a communication device between the AV9 and the AQ1, which displayed the face of another gender-seven, this one from Planet DO3 (Delta).

“With me tonight to discuss the summit are retired Starfleet Captain Charles Reynolds, who has fought both against and alongside the Klingon Defense Force; former secretary of the exterior under Min Zife, Ythrilasifsa sh’Zathrosia; Councillor T’Latrek of Vulcan, the chair of the external affairs council; and, remotely from Qo’noS, FNS’s Klingon Empire correspondent, Teneso. Welcome, all of you.”

The observer amended his report to include the nomenclature and position, though they all had far too many syllables to suit him. Since what they did was more important than what they were called, he referred to them by position.

The discussion leader turned to the current councillor. “T’Latrek, can you tell us what the president and the council would like to get out of this summit?”

“To build on the cooperative efforts surrounding the investigation of the Klorgat IV disaster and the equally cooperative efforts to maintain peace in Romulan space.”

“That is a forlorn hope,” the former government official said.

The discussion leader turned to her. “Why do you say that, Ythril?”

“The Klingons don’t cooperate. Neither do the Romulans.”

“Short memory you’ve got there, Madam Secretary,” the former Starfleet captain said. “You were in the cabinet during the war, weren’t you-when all three governments cooperated?”

“That was a special case. That was an alliance of convenience. In their entire history, the Romulan Star Empire has never maintained an alliance with any outside power for more than a few years. Their entire culture is based on a belief in their manifest destiny to rule the galaxy.”

The captain nodded his head up and down, which, the observer had learned, was an indication of affirmation. “That may be-and I admit, I fought alongside some damn arrogant Romulans during the war-but it’s not like there’s a shortage of arrogance on our side of the Neutral Zone, either.”

The councillor raised one of her eyebrows, an affectation common among her species. “Captain Reynolds’s point is well taken, if a bit… colorful. But it is important to note that there has not been an all-out war among any of the three major powers since the Organian Peace Treaty was signed one hundred and thirteen years ago.”

The former official’s antennae