Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [44]
Nan held up the padd. “Do I take it, Councillor, that you do not regret this particular decision?”
Artrin said nothing for several seconds. “Our people were scared. When Wusekl changed shape, he was almost lynched. Yes, we could have done a medical exam to reveal that he was not a changeling-the Founders are a liquid life-form, and chameloids are basically humanoid. But it wouldn’t have mattered. The people would have called for his blood. I did what I had to do to keep him safe-and to keep Triex safe.”
Nan then looked at the other councillors in turn. Each of them nodded affirmatively. Taking a breath, Nan then said, “For the safety of your political career-not to mention mine-you’re going to go into the press room tomorrow morning, and you’re going to announce your resignation from the Federation Council, and you’re going to tell them why. I want the Palais to control the story for as long as we possibly can. But I also want the word to go out far and wide that we are not this. We were manipulated by an awful foe who did everything they could to break us, to tear us asunder, and to bring about our ruination. We have come dangerously close to sacrificing our ideals, but we will not go over that precipice. And the first sign that this is so will be your resignation tomorrow. Is that understood, Councillor?”
Artrin shook his head. “What I did needed to be done for the safety of Triex.”
Matthew shook his head and chuckled. “There is a saying among my people, Councillor Artrin. It was said six hundred years ago by a great man. He said, ‘They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.’ “
Artrin simply stared at the other councillors. Kell looked aghast, Gleer annoyed (which wasn’t much different from how he normally looked), Matt pitying, Chaoying thoughtful. T’Latrek, of course, was the soul of equanimity.
Finally, the Triexian said, “Very well, Madam President. I will resign first thing in the morning.”
“Wrong. You’ll come to my office first thing in the morning, at 0500, where we’ll go over your resignation speech, then you’ll go with Jorel to the press room.”
“As you wish.”
“That’ll be all.”
Artrin stood at attention. “Thank you, Madam President.”
Then he departed.
Nan let out a long breath. “Nice job with the Franklin quote, Matthew-I’m just sorry I didn’t get to use it.”
“It was not my intention to steal your thunder, ma’am.”
“S’all right. I had plenty of thunder left over.” She looked around the table. “Thank you all for your support.”
“We could hardly do otherwise,” Gleer said. “His actions were appalling. I cannot believe he said nothing.”
“He could hardly have done otherwise,” T’Latrek said with a withering look at Gleer. “By Triexian law, he was not permitted to speak of a classified judicial session in the presence of anyone who did not participate in it.”
Chaoying added, “And he was doing what he felt was right for his people.”
Before anyone else could say anything, Nan said, “Maybe he thought it was necessary eight years ago.” She sighed. “I don’t know, maybe it was-maybe it did keep that chameloid protected. But his resignation is just as necessary, if not more so.”
“Agreed,” Kell said emphatically.
Nan stood. “Thank you, everyone. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Everyone also rose, except for T’Latrek. “May I stay a moment, Madam President?”
“Of course,” Nan said. T’Latrek had served on the council for over eighty years. She hadn’t run for president only because she herself had never felt the need to. Hers was one of the wisest and most respected voices on the council, and Nan was not about to turn down a request for a private meeting.
After the others departed, Nan took her seat again. “What can I do for you, T’Latrek?”
The Vulcan councillor folded her arms on the table, her fingers interlocked. “It was not necessary for you to have the five of us participate in this meeting, Madam President. I am, however, gratified to see it.”
Not expecting a Vulcan to express gratitude, Nan smiled. “It was necessary-for