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The commander chuckled. There was no bragging in the statement, just a flat proclamation of fact.

Impulsively, he leaned forward. “I’d like your opinion on something, Tuvok. That is, if you don’t mind.”

The Vulcan inclined his head. “Certainly.”

“I hate being away from Beverly,” said Crasher. “I mean, I really hate it. And Wes-damn it he’s practically growing up without me. I have these nightmares about going home and finding out he’s graduating from the Academy; and there I am holding a stuffed Circassian cat and looking like an idiot”

Tuvok’s expression remained impassive.

“Anyway,” the commander went on, “it struck me that there could be a way to accommodate crewmembers with families.”

The Vulcan’s brow creased ever so slightly. “Explain.”

Crusher shrugged. “I thought maybe we’d take them with us.”

What little openness there had been about Tuvok’s features closed up.

“Think of the psychological benefits to the crew,” the human went on. “We would be living full lives instead of just carrying out our assignments.”

The Vulcan frowned. “It would not be wise,” he said. “Starships are military vessels. They are often involved in battle and other dangerous activities. They are not places for children.”

Crusher found he was eager to win Tuvok’s approval-though why that might be, he couldn’t exactly say. “Well, not right now, they’re not,” he answered reasonably. “We’d have to plan for their presence … take advantage of the ship’s ability to separate into a primary hull and a stardrive section. Then, if we anticipate danger, we can deploy all nonessential personnel to the primary hull and get them out of harm’s way.”

The Vulcan’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the plan. But the commander couldn’t read him at all, couldn’t tell if Tuvok liked the idea or thought it foolish.

Damn it, Crusher thought, I’m actually nervous! I feel as if I were standing up in front of my third-year class back at the Academy, presenting my thesis again….

“I see no flaw in your logic,” Tuvok concluded suddenly.

The human felt a grin begin to spread over his face. He tried to stop it, but he didn’t stand a chance. After all, it wasn’t every day that one received a compliment from a Vulcan.

“I’m glad you approve,” he said.

“Your approach will need some refinement, of course,” said Tuvok. “And you should be aware that others may have certain emotions tied up in their analysis of your plan-unlike myself.”

Crusher stood up. “But… it would be nice to have the family with you, wouldn’t it?”

The Vulcan hesitated, then met the commander’s eyes. “Yes,” he said. “It would be… nice.”

Crusher grinned again. “I’ve enjoyed our conversation, Tuvok. Maybe we can talk again sometime.” He shrugged. “I guess I’ll leave you to your message. Sorry to have interrupted.”

Before he realized what he was doing, he had clapped the Vulcan on the shoulder in a display of camaraderie. Tuvok stiffened slightly-and inwardly, the commander cursed himself.

Physical contact was a violation of a Vulcan’s privacy. He had just committed a terrible faux pas.

Oh, well, he thought, it was done.

Of course, the commander still felt an impulse to apologize. But in the end, he thought better of it. It would only make things more awkward. Instead, he turned and walked out of the lounge.

Despite his unintentional error in interspecies courtesy, Crusher felt pretty good about the conversation. In a peculiarly Vulcan way, Tuvok clearly loved his family. So did the human.

It was a start.

Chapter Four

AS PICARD ENTERED the five-sided Grand Council Chamber on Debennius II, he decided that it was as beautiful as any venue he had ever seen. And yet, as he had been told, beauty was not its chief virtue.

After all, the chamber had been built to allow opposing forces to clash over and over again without violent incident. In that respect, it had to be a lot more than easy on the eyes.

Looking up, the captain saw the overarching, transparent dome that let the natural light of the sun shine in, albeit through a glare-softening filter. When debates continued into