Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [20]
“I am surprised to hear from you, TPol, Denak said. “It has been twenty years since the Kishaltriq celebration, has it not?
TPol nodded, knowing that it had, in fact, been longer. But the fact that Denak had mentioned Kishaltriq meant that he was in a safe position to talk. “I hope you and your wife are faring well, she said. That was her verification response, since they both knew that Denak was not only a widower at present, but was also fast approaching the age when not even the fierce hormonal firestorms of Pon farr could furnish any real impetus to seek a mate. TPol understood his insistence that she adhere to such time-honored security protocols whenever they communicated; if either of them were under duress, or not in a safe zone, the personal banter would have seemed innocuous enough to anyone who might be listening in.
Denak nodded curtly, his expression bland. “I truly am surprised to hear from you. Once you resigned your commission, I expected you would sever ties to
“I am Vulcan, Denak, TPol said, interrupting her erstwhile superior. “And I have only a brief time to communicate with you. Speaking plainly, I need to know about any anomalous military or intelligence activity that Vulcan may be undertaking within the Romulan Star Empire.
Raising an eyebrow, Denak shook his head slightly. “Such things are somewhat out of my immediate area of knowledge, TPol, though it is not an entirely unknown subject to me. I do know that we have taken Captain Archers theories about imminent Romulan aggression far more seriously than has the Coalition Council. With this in mind, we have agents investigating all the various acts of interstellar piracy, as well as every recent outworld attack.
TPol nodded, choosing her next words with extreme care. She didnt know whether or not Denak knew about the relationship between the Vulcan and Romulan peoples, nor did she want to jeopardize any mission that Trip was currently involved in during his covert tenure inside the Romulan sphere of influence.
“Are your agents working fromwithin Romulan circlesor are they investigating only in a defensive sense?
Denaks eyes narrowedhis ocular implant made for a fair approximation of his missing eyeand he seemed to study her closely for a moment. “We are engaging in purely defensive maneuvers is the answer most anyone in the Vulcan intelligence hierarchy would give you, TPol. But because youve saved my life on more than one occasion, I shall simply say that it would be illogical for us not to attempt to understand the goals and capabilities of the Romulan Star Empire by studying them from within. Precisely how that is being done is a matter somewhat beyond my clearance level, but I know that such operations are indeed under way. And that they are being done at tremendous personal risk to the individuals involved.
“Could you enlighten me as to which individuals may be involved? she said.
He paused for a moment, then added, “You might look into associates of Captain Sopek of the Vulcan High Command.
She frowned. “Dont you mean the late Captain Sopek, Denak?
Something that almost resembled a small smile came to the older mans lips. “Reports of Sopeks death may have beengreatly exaggerated.
“I appreciate the information, Denak, she said, wondering precisely how Sopek might be involved in Romulan espionage; only two years ago, following the Andorian attack on PJem, Sopek had used his influence with the Vulcan High Command to keep TPol aboard Enterprise . She resolved to investigate Sopek whenever time and duty permitted it.
“I only have a few moments more before the subspace scrambler may be detected, she added quickly. “Please contact me again at this frequency should you discover anything further that you think would be helpful. She tapped the screen, sending him a specific frequency graph.
“I will expect you to do the same, TPol, Denak said. “As I noted, many of us believe that the Romulan threat is significantly more dire than even Vulcans government officials and representatives seem to understand. Or will admit. If you learn