Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [6]
“Do we know why it became uninhabitable?”
Ross shook his head. “That information’s been lost to antiquity, though their best guess is that the sun went nova. But they were very interested in what T’Vrea and her people told them about the Federation, and they’d like to start diplomatic relations.”
Nan looked over at the secretary of the exterior. “What do you think, Safranski?”
The Rigelian shrugged. “The initial reports seem promising. I haven’t had a chance to go over them in full yet. I was waiting for your recommendation.”
“I can’t recommend anything until you write me a report.”
Fred spoke up. “For what it’s worth, Madam President, I think we should push for this. A first contact and a possible new ally will be a huge PR victory for us. All anybody’s been talking about for the last few years are the Ontailians and the Selelvians and the Trill-we need something that shows us reaching out and welcoming someone in for a change.”
Nan nodded. “All right. Safranski, get Esperanza that report by the end of the day.”
“Of course, Madam President.”
She looked at Ross. “Anything else Starfleet-related I need to know about?”
“The Sugihara is studying a neutron star in Sector 109-G, Starbase 10’s reporting some indications of Borg remains along the Romulan border, the Enterprise is investigating reports of Breen incursion in Sector 204-E, and the Hood’s found some ancient machinery on Gorak IX.”
“What kind of machinery?” Esperanza asked.
“Captain DeSoto’s report wasn’t specific.”
“Well, find out-it’s been my experience that ancient machinery tends to activate and turn everyone on your ship into newts if you’re not careful.”
Nan tapped her fingers on the salish desk. “I’m a lot less concerned about a ship full of newts than I am about the Borg.”
“The indications are remains, ma’am,” Ross said in what the admiral probably thought was a reassuring voice. Then he smiled. “We’ve found remains like that in several other places-here in the Alpha Quadrant, in the Gamma Quadrant by the Defiant, and by Voyager when they were in the Delta Quadrant. I don’t think it poses an imminent threat.”
Nan found herself wholly not reassured by Ross’s words. “Yeah, well, keep an eye on it anyhow, just for my peace of mind. The Borg have attacked this solar system twice already, and I don’t think the third time will be the charm.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Anything else?”
“Council appointments,” Esperanza said.
Nan nodded. “All right. Admiral, Safranski, thank you both. I’ll expect to be hearing from both of you by the end of the day.”
Ross and Safranski both rose from their chairs and said, “Thank you, Madam President.” As they departed through the leftmost of the three doors into the office, which took them to the turbolift area, their footfalls barely registered on the dark green carpet Nan had installed in place of the white carpet that Zife had favored. The other two doors led to the waiting room-which was how people generally came in-and to Nan’s private study, respectively.
“Right.” Ashante pulled a padd out of her pocket as soon as the door shut behind Ross and Safranski. “We’ve got openings on judiciary, government oversight, and interplanetary commerce, and that, in turn, may create more openings.”
Esperanza asked, “What’ve you guys come up with?” Nan knew that Esperanza had assigned Z4 and Ashante to make a list of recommendations for all three seats among the current crop of councillors.
“Judiciary’s Artrin,” Z4 said.
“Definitely,” Ashante added. “He’ll be ratified in a walk.”
“For government oversight, we were thinking of either Sanaht, Jix, or Quintor.”
Nan stroked her chin. Those three represented Janus VI, Trill, and Antede III. Sanaht, a Horta, had served in the council for over seventy-five years but had always