Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [174]
Gral snorted. “Has no one considered that if the Klingons are responsible, that they may be using a Romulan ship in order to misdirect our retaliation? This is only the second piece of evidence we have seen that the Romulans might be involved in anti-Coalition aggression, however peripherally, and yet we have seen many examples of Klingon barbarism!
“Two other attacks occurred just last night, including one in my system, Centauri IIIs Ambassador Jie Cong Li said. “Why has Starfleet not yet made even a preliminary report about either of them?
Interior Minister Haroun al-Rashid cleared his throat, then spoke. “Two other attacks did indeed occur last night. One was directed at the science outpost on Calder II, and the second incident happened near Alpha Centauri. Starfleet dispatched Earths second NX -class vessel, Columbia, to assist in Alpha Centauris defense.
“And what happened after that? Gral asked, wrinkling his porcine nose.
Samuels knew that al-Rashid must have been squirming inside, although his exterior looked enviably cool and calm. Both men had been present at Admiral Gardners secret briefing, and therefore knew the potentially explosive secret that both Earth and Starfleet had deemed it prudent to conceal, at least temporarily, from their Coalition peers: the fact that both Columbia and a source on Calder II had confirmed that Vulcan military ships had initiated last nights attacks.
Vulcan ships that Starfleet now firmly believed had acted under Romulan control, like the Klingon vessels that had attacked Draylax.
Samuels watched as al-Rashid glanced toward the Starfleet brass before spreading his hands and addressing the other Coalition delegations. “We dont yet know exactly what happened last night, he said, dissembling only as much as absolutely necessary. “And we havent heard much from Columbia since just before her engagement with the hostiles near Alpha Centauri.
“And how long ago was that? Thoristhe name that Anlenthoris chVhendreni used most commonly among his diplomatic peerslooked surprised, his antennae cued almost bolt upright.
“Its been approximately ten hours, al-Rashid said. “ Columbia s silence may be due simply to transmitter damage, but Starfleet wont be able to confirm her status until another vessel can reach her and get a report on whats happened out there.
“What about Centauri IIIs defenses? Have you no fleet to protect your own? Gral asked.
Before an annoyed-looking Ambassador Li could respond, Minister Soval stood, holding one hand out to preempt the discussion. “My government dispatched several Vulcan Defense Force vessels to Alpha Centauri III yesterday to reinforce the systems defenses. Like Starfleet, we have heard nothing conclusive from our vessels, as yet, regarding the outcome of the engagement. He sat back down, tucking his hands into his robe sleeves.
So much for Vulcans not being able to lie, Samuels thought, suppressing a sly smile. Even if Soval believes what hes saying, that only means that somebody higher up on Vulcan must have lied to him.
Samuels saw Gardner and Black exchange inscrutable looks in response to Sovals words. He also noted that at least one of their subordinates had surreptitiously pulled out a datapad and was quickly entering something into it with his stylus. He sincerely hoped that the aide was merely researching the veracity of Sovals claim, rather than leaking something to the press; hed seen enough “Worlds at War? headlines during the past week to last several lifetimes.
“So we have missing or incommunicado Vulcan and Starfleet ships at Alpha Centauri, and we already know what happened with Enterprise near Tezel-Oroko, Thoris said. “What has become of the Calder II outpost?
Minister al-Rashid shook his head again. “We have not heard all the details as yet, but the final, fragmentary transmissions Starfleet