Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [60]
“Why are you so certain of that, Cunaehr? Valdore asked, raising an eyebrow and using a tone of voice that had been known to make first-year uhlan sand occasionally even sublieutenants and decurionssoil themselves during inspection tours.
The spy didnt appear to be cowed in the least as he faced Valdore again. “Lets just say I know theyre highly motivated to go after Ehrehin a second time. Its got to be the same dissident group that I helped rescue Ehrehin from in the Rator system two khaidoa ago. Addressing Terix, he added, “I tried to explain that to you when you and your men arrived in the physics labjust a little bit too late to save Ehrehins life.
Terix nodded impassively, not rising to take the obvious bait. “My men immediately began investigating the Ejhoi Ormiin, beginning with a most thorough interrogation of the lone surviving assassin. It was a far more intensive questioning than any such terrorist operative is capable of coping with. Or surviving, as we discovered during last nights, ah, interview session.
As Valdore nodded his dispassionate acknowledgment, he noticed that the spy seemed to flinch ever so slightly at Terixs description of standard military interrogation procedures, which the intelligence experts in the much-feared Tal Shiar had refined almost to an art form. The ousted Vulcan leader VLas, with whom Valdore had once quietly conspired, had had no such compunctions about the prosaic realities inherent in transacting the sometimes-bloody business of espionage. It seemed odd that even the largely peace-loving Vulcans would not have selected someone equally sanguine about the use of aelhihdruusmn equipment for direct mind-scans and other such things to employ as a deep-cover spy inside the Romulan Star Empire.
You should handle that font of compassion with great care, my covert friend, Valdore thought as he studied the spy. It can be as hazardous as raw antimatter in a profession like yours.
“Please give me a summary of the results of your investigation, Centurion, Valdore said.
“We have a high degree of confidence, Terix said, “that the Ejhoi Ormiin terrorists have already managed to acquire a good deal of classified data concerning the avaihh lli vastam stardrive project. We will need to infiltrate their organization directly in order to determine their precise capabilities pursuant to that stolen data.
“I suppose that such an operation would require a great deal of highly specialized expertise in warp-field theory and related fields, Valdore said, stroking his clean-shaven chin. His gaze drifted to the tapestries that adorned the far wall, as was his wont whenever he was deep in consideration of weighty strategic or tactical matters.
“Indeed, Admiral, the centurion said. “I will need the help of personnel capable of recognizing every possible permutation of the stolen data if we are to succeed in tracking down the thieves and their confederates. And if we are to prevent what they have taken from becoming a direct threat to state security.
“The level of expertise required would have to be comparable to that of the late Doctor Ehrehin himself, Valdore added as he fixed his stare back upon the spy, whose face was beginning to pale as understanding appeared to dawn upon him.
Despite his evidently discommoded emotional state, the spys next utterance surprised Valdore yet again. “As I said before, Admiral: I live only to serve the Empire.
“I believe the admiral has just ordered you to accompany me on a field mission to infiltrate the Ejhoi Ormiin terrorists, Terix said, his words tinged with no small amount of incredulity. “The very same people who once took you and your mentor prisoner.
“Correct, Centurion, Valdore said as he studied the spys reactions. “Youve just been drafted to serve the Empire in a way you doubtless hadnt anticipated, Cunaehr.
“Im an academic, the spy said, his jaw setting in apparent determination as he paused and regarded both Terix and Valdore for a long and sober moment. “But I think I can handle that. The stakes in this particular game of trayatik are way