Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [59]
“On behalf of all the military forces of the Romulan Star Empire, Valdore said, “please accept my apologies for your confinement.
“Im sorry? the spy said, looking nonplussed.
Valdore assayed a smile he hoped the man would find reassuring. “No. Im sorry. For having allowed you to be arrested and imprisoned, and so soon after the slaying of your mentor. You are free to go, Cunaehr.
“Sir? said Terix, who was still standing with the uhlan s near the office doorway.
“I wasnt addressing you, Centurion, Valdore said, using a tone that brooked no further argument. He kept his gaze fixed upon the spy, whose blunt response took him by surprise.
“Why?
Valdore chuckled. “Contrary to what many of our officers believe, not even the Romulan government is infallible. I stand before you as proof of that. I, too, was once imprisoned. Until my superiors thought better of that erroneous decision, that is.
“I was arrested, the spy said quietly, looking more puzzled by the moment, “by mistake ?
“We thought you were someone else, Valdore said, nodding. “It appears you were the victim of a simple case of mistaken identity. Nothing more.
The spy nodded, a look of hesitancy bordering on suspicion displayed across his face, as though he feared falling victim to some devious psychological trick. “Its a real relief to hear that, Admiral, he said at length.
“I hope this unfortunate incident will not significantly slow down your progress toward accomplishing Doctor Ehrehins objectives.
The spys earlier hesitancy abruptly vanished. “I live only to serve the Empire, Admiral, he said in his hard-to-place, possibly rustic accent.
And serve the Empire you will, my Vulcan friend, Valdore thought. Regardless of your real intentions.
“My chief technologists office will furnish whatever you require to continue the good Doctor Ehrehins work, Valdore said aloud. “You will find that the laboratory in which you and Doctor Ehrehin worked has already been repaired. And it will be under much heavier surveillance from now on, he added silently.
“Thank you, sir, the spy said, lowering his gaze contemplatively in a way that made him look vaguely troubled.
“You may speak freely here, Cunaehr, Valdore said, hoping to inspire the other mans confidence.
“Have you learned the identities of the ones responsible for Ehrehins murder? the spy asked. Valdore noted with some surprise that the mans expression of concern for the dead mentor whose legacy his very presence threatened appeared as authentic as it did. It was a fine performance. Or perhaps he really had developed some genuine affection for the old man, his Vulcan emotional repression and political predilections notwithstanding. After all, despite all their pretensions to the contrary, Vulcans were no less emotional than their Romulan cousins; they were merely far more repressed, and therefore arguably far less saneand thus more dangerousthan the typical Romulan.
“Centurion Terix, Valdore said, his eyes still riveted upon those of the spy. “Since we have established that this man is indeed a loyal Romulan, I believe his question deserves an answer. What have you learned so far about the assassins?
Terix made flustered noises. “Admiral, these are sensitive security matters. I shouldnt
“What you shouldnt do, Centurion, is disobey a direct order, Valdore said, stepping down hard on the young officers protestations. “Give me the general outlines of your report. Now.
Terix nodded, apparently hastening to focus his concentration and gather his scattered thoughts. After a momentary pause, he said, “So far as my people can determine, Doctor Ehrehin was killed by terrorist revolutionaries whose larger goal is to compromise the stardrive project.
“The Ejhoi Ormiin, Ill bet, the spy said, his eyes now riveted upon