Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [63]
“Of course.”
“While we’re at it,” Esperanza said to Roshenz, “let’s get Commander Bowles in on this. She’s at the heart of the situation, and she’ll be able to take the Remans’ temperature.”
Within a few minutes, the screen on the wall opposite the Monet painting was divided into three segments. On top, across the breadth of the screen, was the council chamber on the first floor. President Bacco was standing, facing the screen with her back to her podium. Behind her were the thirteen members of the security council, including Krim Aldos, the newest member, all in seats close to the front. On the bottom of the screen were two separate, smaller images, one of Spock and Rozhenko, the other of a human woman in a Starfleet uniform with a red collar holding three pips. Esperanza assumed the latter was Commander Heidi Bowles of Outpost 22.
Esperanza quickly brought everyone up to speed.
The president spoke first. “So nice to see Ambassador K’mtok took me seriously. I told him we wouldn’t look kindly on them being hardliners, that we wanted them to participate in the process of figuring this thing out.”
Spock said, “The High Council was resolute in their decision, Madam President.”
Then Rozhenko asked, “Ma’am, how did you phrase it to the ambassador?”
Frowning, the president said, “I told him that if they were gonna stick to their guns and insist on the most rigid stance without any negotiating, then I’d be inclined to go for an interpretation of Khitomer that served the Klingons poorly.”
Rozhenko sighed. “That isn’t how K’mtok expressed it to the High Council. Ma’am, it’s my opinion that the hardliners on the council are pushing for a more hawkish stance.”
“That figures,” Safranski said. “K’mtok was appointed as a message to President Zife after Tezwa. He has loyalties to Councillor Kopek, who’s been the biggest thorn in Chancellor Martok’s side over the last few years.”
T’Latrek spoke up from behind the president. “That is consistent with reports from both Ambassadors Worf and Rozhenko regarding the High Council.”
“There’s more,” Rozhenko said. “Based on the reports from General Khegh, there’s no basis to Jianuk’s claims-that Shinzon’s inner circle are revered among Remans, not reviled.” He hesitated. “I also think I know why they’re being so stubborn.”
The president chuckled. “This oughtta be good. Go ahead, Mr. Ambassador.”
“I think-and Ambassador Spock agrees with me-that the Klingons like the relocation idea because it means that it’ll be easier to protect the Remans. And also because- ” Again, he hesitated.
Spock picked up the ball. “The very quality that made the protectorate agreement palatable to the Federation makes it less so for the Klingons. They prefer a Romulan government that does not have a focus for its ire. Chaos suits the empire’s purposes.”
Staring at Abrik, Esperanza said, “Funny-the Klingons’re using the same argument you did, Jas.”
Abrik just scowled at her. As manager of Fel Pagro’s presidential campaign against Nan Bacco, Abrik had encouraged a more hawkish attitude toward the Klingons. Both Pagro and Abrik felt that the Federation shouldn’t be allied with such an imperialistic nation. Esperanza didn’t entirely disagree with the position, but she also knew that the only alternative to being the Klingons’ allies was to be the Klingons’ enemies. More long-term good would come from being their allies, whereas being their enemies could not possibly have a good end. An Organian magic trick had been the only thing to stop an all-out war a hundred years ago, and then Praxis had forced a detente. Neither was something that was likely to happen twice.
“Madam President,” Ross said, “I have to question the wisdom of risking the Federation-Klingon alliance over this.”
“I agree,” Abrik said. “I said this before and I’ll say it again-these are hostile Remans.”
Councillor