Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [131]
The captain interjected a point. “I think that’s only true if you don’t count when the Klingons pulled outta Khitomer a couple years before the war, Councillor.”
“That conflict was between the empire and the Cardassian Union,” the councillor said. “There were skirmishes between Starfleet and Defense Force ships, it’s true, but no formal conflict was declared by the council.”
“A technicality,” the former official said.
“Ythril’s right,” the captain said, “I was in charge of the Centaur then, and let me tell you, it sure felt like a war when those birds-of-prey hammered me to pieces.”
Before any more could be said, the discussion leader turned to the person on the screen behind her, a journalist. “Teneso, what’s your impression of the High Council’s wishes for the summit?”
“Well, Velisa, there are plenty of people on the High Council who would be more than happy to declare war on the entire galaxy. But Chancellor Martok and his supporters on the council know how beneficial the Federation alliance has been for the empire in the long term. Besides, it’s not like the Klingons have been starved for battle in the years since the war. I think that Martok wants to strengthen the alliance, not weaken it, which is something that may cost him a little from some of the hardliners on the council, but which will ultimately work out for him. Martok has the advantage of being incredibly popular with the people of the empire, more than any chancellor since Kravokh, and probably even more than him. He’s credited with winning the war and with continuing the work of Emperor Kahless.”
“T’Latrek, do you think that President Bacco and Chancellor Martok will be able to work together?”
The councillor again raised her eyebrow. “Both the president and chancellor are reasonable. This is not a description that would apply to many Klingon chancellors-nor, indeed, to many Federation presidents.”
The discussion leader’s face changed into what the observer recognized as a smile, indicating agreement and/or pleasure. “What about the Romulans?”
Before the councillor could respond, the former official’s antennae made that odd motion again, and she said, “They shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the summit. This is a meeting of superpowers, and that’s not something the Romulan Star Empire can call themselves since their senate was rather literally dissolved.”
“I wouldn’t underestimate them,” the captain said.
The former official turned toward the man next to her. “And I would not overestimate them, Captain. Nature favors the destructive process. It took that Reman all of a minute to destroy the senate, and it only took him another few days to get himself killed and ruin his own revolutionary government. That will take decades to rebuild.”
Before the captain could say anything, the councillor said, “Your words are not false, Ythril, but just because it will not happen quickly does not mean it will not happen. Witness the Klingon Empire following Praxis.”
“Yes, Councillor,” the former official said in a voice that the observer thought indicated annoyance, “but this summit should not be concerned with what might happen fifty years from now but what is happening now.”
The discussion leader asked the councillor, “T’Latrek, do you think Praetor Tal’Aura should be included in the summit?”
“There are benefits to including her-and to excluding her.”
The former official’s antennae went wild. “How equivocal of you, T’Latrek.”
The journalist spoke up. “I don’t think the High Council will be too pleased with the idea of Tal’Aura being there, Velisa. There’s no love lost between the Great Hall and Romulus, especially after the incident at Klorgat IV.”
The former official once again grew agitated. “Starfleet proved conclusively that Admiral Mendak was responsible for that, and he was a rogue element.”
“Oh come on,” the captain said, “you don’t really believe that, do you, Ythril? Mendak’s always been a loyalist. Hell, I met the man