Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [50]
Nijil cleared his throat slightly, and glanced over at Valdore. They had worked together for so long on and off over the years that most gestures between them were unspoken, though Nijil was always aware of the need to appear appropriately obsequious before the admiral in the presence of lower-ranking officers.
“Were the klivam sensors unable to target the buoy effectively? Nijil asked. “I was under the impression, from your reports, that their ships sensor systems were rather similar to those of our own vessels.
The holographic TVoras turned slightly to favor Nijil with his answer. “There is significant spatial debris obscuring close scans of the systems sun. Once the Coalition ship entered the photosphere, we could not easily locate a device as small as a log buoy.
Valdore put his knuckles to his forehead, clearly vexed. “So, what youre saying now is that the buoy might have been sent on an unknown independent trajectory, or it might possibly have dropped into the sun?
Now, TVoras looked a bit more nervous. “YesThe orders wereI was unclear on protocol, sir. In all of our previous attacks on the klivam vessels, we specifically jammed their communications and prevented them from sending out messages. It wasIt seemed prudent to do the same here. And, if I may remind you, Admiral, every other aspect of this operation was a complete success.
Valdore leaned forward, sighing. “ You do not need to remind me of anything, Commander. Nor do I authorize you to punish any of your crew for thislapse in judgment. But to be clear, Commander, we undertook all our previous attacks on klivam ships for two reasons: to test the arrenhehwiua telecapture system, and to seize some of their battle cruisers, both for technological study and covert sabotage.
“ You were engaged in both a technological test and an act of covert sabotage. The log buoy of the Coalition ship you destroyed would have furnished our adversaries with positive proof of Klingon aggression. It might even have been enough to spark a war between the Klingon Empire and this Coalition of Planets. Instead, we are left with no proof of any Klingon attack.
“But the test of our tactical system on the Coalition ship went flawlessly, Admiral, TVoras said. Nijil imagined he could see beads of sweat appear on the commanders heavily ridged brow.
“That is the reason you do not face disciplinary action, Commander, Valdore said, standing. “Yet, he added, his voice lowering to a near growl. “The next mission you undertake will answer whether or not you have a future withwell, lets just leave it at that.
As Valdore stabbed his finger down upon a button on the desk-mounted com system, the holographic TVoras saluted nervously, but the salute wasnt even finished before the image winked out of existence.
“I dont believe that Commander TVorass error in judgment will create any lasting repercussions for your plans, sir, Nijil said, hoping to soothe Valdore, whose head was bowed and shadowed.
Valdore lifted his face, smiling. “Neither do I, Nijil. We still have other tests to conduct, and there will be more than enough time and opportunity to implicate the Klingons or, conversely, to convince the Klingons that the Coalition has destroyed one of their ships. But Commander TVoras had gotten a bit too cocky after our last several triumphs; I needed to remind him that he is fallible, and can be replaced.
Nijil nodded, smiling at Valdores cunning. Although he had designs on furthering his own standing in the power structure of Romulus, for now, Valdore was the right man to back. Of all the officers in the Romulan military, Valdore appeared to be the one who was most adaptable to changing technologies, and to the myriad possibilities of the future.
Despite Valdores failure