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Bacco did not look pleased at the laugh, but at the light, she nodded and said, “The podium recognizes the councillor from Bajor.”

Krim had one of those faces that looked like it had seen everything the galaxy had to offer and wasn’t especially happy about it. As soon as he reached the floor, T’Latrek inclined her head and said, “I yield the floor.” She returned to her seat.

Gleer, naturally, stood his ground.

“You wished, Councillor Gleer,” Krim said in a voice tinged with amusement, but also with a weariness that Edmund hadn’t been expecting, “to question me regarding my position on Bajor’s membership in the Federation. Frankly, sir, I do not see how it is germane to this discussion. Whether or not I approve of Bajor’s being in the Federation does not matter, because Bajor is in the Federation. What’s more, even if I were still against it, it would continue not to matter, because my function here is not to represent the Federation to Bajor-but rather to represent Bajor to the Federation. I am a patriot, sir. I always have been. It is why I fought the Cardassians. It is also why I accepted the post as head of the Bajoran Militia after the Cardassians withdrew. I was responsible for Bajor’s security at a time when it was at its most insecure. And now I stand before you as the representative of a world that has played quite an important role in galactic politics while having comparatively little voice in those selfsame politics. We joined the Federation in part to change that.”

“Yet you opposed the notion.” Edmund wondered if Gleer would keep hammering that point into the ground.

“Yes, I did. But the time for that opposition has passed. When this council votes on bills and motions and such, do the councillors who voted against it refuse to participate in their implementation? Of course not.” He turned his back on Gleer, which caused the Tellarite to huff. “Councillor T’Latrek has ably described the importance of the Bajoran sector to the security of the Federation. I know the Bajoran sector better than anyone else in this room. I do not believe there is anyone else who is not already on the security council who is better qualified to replace Councillor Artrin.”

“Bah. Perhaps you are qualified to judge the security of the Bajoran sector, but that is but a few star systems-a tiny percentage of the amount of space that falls under the purview of the Federation and its allies. Do you truly claim to be able to handle the duties of forming policy on areas of space about which you know nothing?” Before Krim could respond, Gleer looked to Bacco. “I hereby propose that the vote be postponed so that there can be more consideration and debate.” Gleer then looked right at Beltane.

Beltane suddenly became very preoccupied with her workstation.

Edmund smiled as Gleer looked at several councillors, including Jix, Djinian, Enaren, and Tomorok, no doubt hoping that one of them would second the proposition, which was the only way for it to be considered.

No one spoke up.

Again Krim smiled, then he spoke to the podium with far more respect than his colleague. “Madam President, I hereby propose that the vote be taken at the end of this session.”

T’Latrek quickly seconded the motion.

Well, that’s over, Edmund thought. T’Latrek’s support meant a great deal in this room, and Krim speaking for himself so eloquently-and making Gleer look like an even bigger fool-won the day. Edmund seriously doubted that there would be more than token opposition to Krim’s appointment. Bacco had won too many people over with her apology for them to start stonewalling appointments again.

However, Gleer was not a councillor to be trifled with. Edmund suspected that those councillors he’d turned to to second his proposition would find themselves regretting not having done so down the line.

Chapter Twelve

ESPERANZA PINIERO looked up at Bridge over a Pool of Water Lilies in the vain hope that its tranquil setting would ease her worry.

At that, it failed, which made her wonder why they bothered to hang the damn thing in this meeting room.

That,