Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [99]
Another older Klingon stood and shouted. “Draylax is not a member of your so-called Coalition, is it?
“Not currently, no, Archer said, addressing him for a moment, before turning his gaze back to the chancellor. “However, Draylax is one of Earths allies, and is a signatory, along with Earth and Alpha Centauri, to a mutual defense pact. Draylax is therefore under Earths protection.
“Under Earths protection? another Klingon snarled. “Were you not barely able to begin interstellar travel only a few short years ago?
Archer ignored the mans hyperbolic comment, concentrating instead on addressing the High Councils leader. “Chancellor, the Coalition does not wish to jeopardize the relative peace this part of the galaxy has enjoyed for so long. But understand that some in the Coalition may choose to authorize retaliation if the Klingon Empire initiates any further unprovoked attacks against
“You accuse the Empire? Do you think us a race of honorless taHqeq? MRek stood and stalked toward the captain. “If we were going to attack, you would know it from the screams of your dying, from the rivers of blood that would drown your cities, from the stench of charred and burning flesh.
He glowered, lowering his voice as he neared Archer. Archer could feel the tension in the MACOs flanking him, and was grateful that they were trained well enough to know to avoid making any overtly threatening gestures.
“What happened over Draylax was directed neither against that world nor yours, Captain, the chancellor said after his face came to a stop only a few centimeters away from Archers. “Apart from a few minor Klingon-human skirmishesincluding those in which you and your crew were involved, Captainthe Empire has spilled no Terangan or Draylaxian blood. At least, not in sufficient quantities to merit a declaration of war.
Archer nodded, hoping that the sweat beading on his forehead wouldnt be visible in the firelight of the chamberand wishing that MReks most recent meal had been less aromatic. “I believe that, Chancellor, and have tried to convince my superiors of that. However, the Coalition Council requires He stopped himself for a moment, then quickly regrouped. “The Coalition Council requests assurances that the Klingon Empire understands its warning that any further hostilities will be treated as cause for war. We also ask you to furnish objective proof that your government neither planned nor ordered the assault on Draylax.
“You request assurances? You require proof? MRek turned his back on Archer. He laughed loudly, as did most of the other Klingons in the room. “And what is it we are getting in return? Other than your Coalitions promise not to initiate a suicidal war with us?
“What is it you want? Archer asked, aware that he might regret that question more than anything he had said in this chamber so far. He recalled that on the day he had first seen a Klingon, the Vulcan ambassador Soval had warned him, “The last thing your people need is to make an enemy of the Klingon Empire. Those words of wisdom reverberated in his head now.
MRek turned back again to face him. “When our children are young, they learn to befriend the lowlier creatures of our world. Targ s, qogh, qaHom they play with them, sleep beside them, find allies in them. And when they attend to the Rite of Ascension, they learn that they must kill the animals that trusted them and feast on them. The animals are not Saj any longer, weaker creatures kept at our sufferance. They exist to be sacrificed. MRek smiled, showing his pointed teeth. “You are a Saj today, Captain Archer. You must decide whether your Coalition Council sent you here knowing you would be sacrificedor whether your sacrifice is born of their stupidity.
“Any act against me or my ship or crew will be considered an act of war as well, Chancellor, Archer said, trying not to imagine what was going to happen next. He was aware that the two MACOs with him were even now assessing every possible mode of attackas they more than likely had been doing from the moment