Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [81]
Ozla asked several more questions, including how she applied for government funding to run the place, which wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep it going. “I’m not making much money for myself, but it enables me to do something good.”
Tawna then talked a bit about Starfleet, and how helpful they’d been, ending with, “I always knew they’d be here to help us.”
The phraseology struck Ozla as odd. “What do you mean, ‘always’?”
“Well, the Federation’s always been here to protect us. I mean, it became more overt after Kinchawn went crazy, but Olorun told me about how they gave us those cannons.”
Ozla blinked. “I’m sorry, Tawna, but- ” She shook her head. “Say that again, please.”
“Say what again?”
“Major Meboras told you that the Federation supplied the cannons?”
Tawna nodded. “Of course. He told me one night while we were in the bedroom.” She smiled. “I have to say that Olorun was a spectacular lover. He treated me so well.”
Having no interest in Meboras’s sexual prowess, Ozla steered the topic back to the cannons. “You’re sure he said that?”
“I don’t see what the big deal is.” Tawna shrugged. “Olorun told me that the Federation had brokered a deal with Kinchawn that guaranteed that Starfleet would always protect us, and that they’d taken steps to help us protect ourselves. He never said specifically how they did that, but after that Klingon fleet arrived, I just assumed it was those cannons. I saw on the news that they were Starfleet weapons, originally.” She held up her arms. “And look around. Starfleet has been so helpful. I’m kind of sorry they gave us those cannons, to be honest, given what happened, but the Federation’s definitely been making up for it.”
Ozla’s head was spinning. She asked a few more questions but barely paid attention to the answers.
It was possible, of course, that Meboras had been lying in an endeavor to impress his mistress. But that didn’t make sense-what would creating a fictitious secret deal with the Federation get him?
Which meant there was a good chance this was true. Or, at least, that Meboras had had good reason to think it was true.
Rather, to think something was true. Meboras hadn’t actually mentioned the cannons; Tawna had just made a leap in logic. Not an especially big leap, but a leap nonetheless.
I was right-there’s a story here. And it looks like I’m going to be on Tezwa a little while longer….
Chapter Sixteen
IT HAD BEEN NIGHTMARISH, getting through the state dinner without the guests of honor. Throughout the evening, Nan had had to listen to Fred complaining about how his brilliant toast would never be given and various and sundry councillors complaining about the botched diplomatic mission. Everyone wanted to know what had happened, but Nan had had no answers for them, nor had any been likely to be forthcoming during an abortive state dinner.
She had been able to work the room a little, at least. It had been good to talk to the councillors in an atmosphere less formal than on the first floor. For the first time since taking the oath of office, she’d had a pleasant conversation with Councillor Nerramibus of Alonis. They’d discussed the upcoming vote on the Transporter Improvement Act, designed to upgrade public transporters throughout the Federation, of which Nerramibus had been an opponent. In the less tense atmosphere, Nan had been able to make her case to convince Nerramibus to reconsider his vote. Not a guarantee of anything, but a step in the right direction.
In addition, she had discussed the Pioneers’ chances this season with Cestus III’s councillor, Altoun Djinian, as well as Councillor Corices of Huanni, whom Nan had been surprised to learn was a fan. She had talked about the relocation of the Remans with Councillors T’Latrek, Mazibuko,