Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [129]
“I had no idea what Doctor Phlox was really up to at the time, Archer said. “At least until his constant medical scanning started becoming obnoxious. He didnt feel any pressing need to tell them about Phloxs cover story about the disorder that had supposedly afflicted his third lung, or the doctors good-natured phallic-based putdown.
“Well, thank God that Denobulans seem to have the same capacity for sneakiness that we humans do, Gardner said. “Though using a medical scanner to eavesdrop on so much audiovisual material is a new one even to me.
“So do you agree with me that this information in Phloxs bootleg is vital? Archer asked.
Gardner shook his head. “I agree that it could be vital, Captain Archer. If the Coalition Council believes it, it would certainly be one more nail in the coffin for the Romulans. But you have to realize that some will say that the Klingons faked the whole thing just to get themselves off the hook.
“Begging the admirals pardon, Hernandez said, a look of concern on her face, “but the idea that the Klingons would have gone as far as they havedestroying their own ships, killing their own peoplefor the sake of a propaganda video they had every reason to believe we would never seethats just paranoid talk.
“I wont take offense at your characterization, Captain Hernandez, because I know it wasnt directed at me, Gardner said. “But that still doesnt mean that the Tellarites or any of the other races wont be suspicious of the Klingons.
Perhaps it was the wound in his side or the way his ribs still ached whenever he breathed, but Archer found he was having a hard time keeping his temper in check. “How much more evidence is the Coalition Council going to need, Admiral? Do they need an engraved invitation to war, delivered by a skipping Romulan schoolgirl, before theyll believe the truth?
Gardner scowled slightly. “While Starfleets tech people get busy building countermeasures to this new Romulan weapon, Ill have my analytical staff comb through every shred of evidence weve gotincluding your doctors surreptitious recordingin order to make a presentation to the Coalition Council. But I cant make any promises as to what the politicians will finally decide to do. Especially if the Klingons arent willing to go public with the real culprits behind the attacks on Draylax. Until that changes, its going to be very hard for some not to go right on blaming the Klingon Empire for what happened at Draylax.
“Admiral, Draylax was probably just the start of hostilities, Hernandez said, worry creasing her brow. “If the Romulans can seize control of Klingon ships, then they can disguise any of their own attacks as Klingon aggression.
Gardner moved one hand up to run his fingers through his close-cropped gray hair. “As far as most people in this part of the galaxy are concerned, the Klingons are already aggressive and untrustworthy. So how do you propose we differentiate between normal Klingon aggression and Romulan-controlled Klingon aggression?
“Heres the deal, Gardner continued. “In my judgment, the best use of our forces is for both of you to resume your original tandem mission patrolling the Coalitions shipping lanes.
He held up his hands, palms outward, as if to ward off the arguments he knew must be coming. “I know neither of you thinks that will be helpful, but now at least you know what to watch for. Or at least you know what you might face. Most of the attacks so far, other than the Draylax incident, seem to have occurred in Coalition-controlled space. So while youre out preventing any further attacks that might lead to a Coalition-Klingon war, Ill be doing my damnedest to get the Council