Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [97]
“What about Columbia ? Archer said, squaring his jaw while trying not to look defensive.
“ Two Daedalus- class shipsthe Essex and the Archon will arrive at Draylax within the next few hours. They will continue to assist Columbia with her repairs, and render assistance on Draylax as well.
Gardners look softened a bit as he leaned forward. “Archer, whether you want to believe it or not, I do listen to what you have to say, and weigh your concerns, and present your arguments to my superiors. But you are just a part of this organization. So am I. Starfleet is bigger than either of us. And the Coalition of Planets is immensely bigger, even though its only been around for a few months now. You have been on the edge of discovery, have encountered new civilizations and seen things that most humans would never dream of outside of fiction. I have no doubt that history will record great things about you. Probably a hell of a lot greater than whatever it might say about me eventually.
“But for now, you have your orders, and you will carry them out. Go to QonoS. Impress the High Council. Make certain that we dont go to war. And down the road, when and if the Romulan threat really does become more apparent, you will be able to use all the experience youve gained out there on the edge of the unknownas well as the strength of a more unified Coalitionto stand up to it.
Archer saw Gardner move his hand toward the switch on his desk as he prepared to end the transmission. “Good luck, Captain. And Godspeed.
The computer screen went black
With a roar, Archer smashed his fist into the screen, sending it tumbling off his desk in a short-lived shower of sparks. It crashed into the wall before falling to the floor, where it lay broken and dead.
Archer knew it was a stupid, brutish gesture that TPol would have found appalling. Nevertheless, it made him feel better, at least for the moment. Still, he realized that the isolation and anger he felt now would be nothing compared to what he would experience when he entered the lions den on QonoS to deliver the Coalitions ultimatum.
When he faced that challenge, he would be utterly and terrifyingly alone.
TWENTY-THREE
Monday, July 21, 2155 Qam-Chee, the First City, QonoS
T HE OTHER TWO TIMES that Jonathan Archer had visited the Klingon homeworld had taught him little about the civilization other than the fact that their architecture looked as foreboding and militaristic as nearly every Klingon he had ever encountered. He wondered if there was any room for nonmartial culture and beauty among these severe, warlike aliens. But although high art here seemed largely confined to the production of elaborate edged weapons, he knew there had to be more to the Klingon people than that; even the savage Hun tribes of ancient Earth werent complete strangers to art and culture. When discussing this very matter once with Trip, the engineer had said with his understated Southern humor, “Hell, even cannibals can make some beautiful bone necklaces.
Archer had left Enterprise under the watchful eyes of Lieutenant Donna ONeill. She didnt ask why he was not taking Commander TPol or Lieutenant Reed along, he noticed. By now, the missing shuttlepod had been noted, though Archer had yet to log the incident officially. D.O. wasnt stupid, nor were any of the other bridge personnel; they probably figured that Malcolm and TPol were off on some secret missionwhich, in truth, they were. Its just not a mission that anybody authorized, Archer thought glumly.
He had also decided to leave Phlox behind, given the threats Krell had made. It was better to know that the Denobulan was safe aboard Enterprise than potentially imperiled on the surface of the Klingon homeworld. Archer had left a grateful Hoshi Sato at her post as well; a small, communicator-sized translator unit clipped to his uniform jacket would ensure that he got his point across, and that he wouldnt misunderstand the Klingons when they made theirs. He hoped they