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"It may indeed be that R'Mor's wormholes were responsible for the destruction of the fleet. But until we know for certain, it is entirely in keeping with Romulan law and custom that we assume outsiders are the troublemakers, not our own people. Sharibor, have you attempted to cross-reference the signals emitted by Shepherd technology with the signal of this obstinate message?"

Sharibor blushed green. "No, Chairman. I had not. The Shepherds are our allies. I thought-"

"The Earthers are fond of sayings, Sharibor. Some of them even make sense. One of them says to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. This to me is wisdom. I would have Lhiau suckling at my breast like a newborn babe if I thought it would help me keep watch on him. Now, set your team to this task, and report to me if you find anything. Report to me if you don't. Have I made my wishes clear?"

"Perfectly clear, Chairman," said Sharibor stiffly. There was more than a touch of the idealist about the homely Sharibor, despite the cynical nature of her job. It obviously rankled to consider Lhiau, who was posturing as the savior of the Empire, under suspicion.

For the briefest of moments, this troubled Jekri. Then she hardened her will. Sharibor was under her command. She would do what Jekri told her to do. Such was ever the Romulan way.

She turned and strode toward the turbolift. Verrak fell into step beside her. She sensed his disapproval, but he said nothing until they entered the lift.

"Deck seventeen," she told it, and it hummed into motion.

"Permission to speak freely?"

"Granted."

"There is no one who understands your reasons for distrusting Lhiau more than I," said Verrak earnestly. "And you know that I share your distrust But he is the Empire's ally and the Empress's special favorite at the moment. Do you think it is wise to set yourself against him so openly?"

The anger, the old familiar friend, rose again inside Jekri, but its heat was cooled by Verrak's undeniable logic.

"No," Jekri said, surprising them both with the word. "You are correct It is not wise to draw such unwanted attention to myself. Thank you for your caution, Second. I shall be more discreet in the future."

He stared at her as the floors rushed by. "Again, if I may speak freely?" At her nod, he continued.

"Chairman, you are different. You hide it well enough from the rest of the crew, but I have served with you far too long not to notice. Do you know something you have not shared with me?"

She could hear it, if she listened for it: the faintest hint of pain that she would keep something from him, from the one who knew her best and served her wholeheartedly. She did not wish to hear, to acknowledge his hurt.

"You are not privy to the innermost thoughts of my mind," she said. "Not you, not Lhiau, no one. You know what I wish you to know, when I wish you to know it."

He stiffened slightly, the old mask of studied indifference dropping into place. "Of course, Honored Chairman."

"Although," she said, though she did not know why she felt compelled to speak, "you do know me better than anyone. And there are things that I have shared with you that I have shared with no one else. Know that, my old friend, and be content"

"I am content," he said, though she knew he lied.

They rode in silence the rest of the way.

Jekri stared at the burning flame of the oil lamp. She sat with her legs crossed, her hands quiet in her lap. Her eyes unfocused, letting the flame lose its distinct shape and become a blur of orange, red, and yellow.

Look within the flame. She could almost hear Dammik's soft voice in her ear. Look and see not its form, but its essence. See the heat, the passion that

is fire. Know it, and take its strength for yourself. Harness fire.

The chime at her door caused her heart to leap into her throat. She had been utterly lost in the fire meditation, and it took her an entire second or two to recover her composure. With a quick breath, she extinguished