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Geoff Trowbridge

Prologue

2274

“Ambassador Sarek, it is an honor to receive you,” the Andorian said as he bowed his head and spread his arms in a gesture of respectful greeting, which the Vulcan diplomat returned in kind. “My name is Thelin th’Valrass. Welcome to the Andorian Science Institute.”

Thelin had previously met Vulcans only in passing. Despite having served in Starfleet for many years, including a five-year stint as first officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise among its multispecies crew, never did he have the opportunity to work closely with any of Vulcan’s stoic and reclusive citizens.

“The honor is mine, Thelin of Andoria,” Sarek replied. “I have followed your work with great interest. As you are no doubt aware, the Vulcan Science Academy is awaiting my report on your new research in climate modification.”

Atop his white-haired head, Thelin’s two antennae began to twitch with subtle enthusiasm at the mention of his current project, now having been under way for nearly four years-ever since Thelin had retired his Starfleet commission and returned to his homeworld. Recent experiments had indeed produced some revolutionary results. “I look forward to presenting our findings, Ambassador, and to answer any questions you might pose. Please, if you will follow me.” Thelin turned away from the entrance and strode purposefully toward the interior of the building.

At the rear of the decorative, homelike foyer area, the Andorian placed his palm upon a biometric scanning pad against the wall, and two large doors slid apart in response, revealing a long, sterile-looking corridor. “The environmental lab is, in fact, on the ground floor. But we will arrive much more quickly by using the turbolift.”

“Very well,” Sarek agreed. A quick turn to the right and the doors of the lift slid open before them. Upon entering, the doors resealed themselves and the car began its swift journey in a horizontal direction.

Thelin continued. “As you’re no doubt aware, the gradual cooling of Andor’s temperate climate zones has caused great hardship over the past few centuries for much of our population. While we have resolutely adjusted our habitat, the reduction in our agricultural output has seriously impacted our self-sufficiency.”

“Indeed,” Sarek said. “I am aware that the Andorian trade deficit is a growing concern.”

The lift stopped and the doors opened, revealing a waiting Andorian student in a lab coat-a chan whose white hair was tied into several tight braids that swayed in front of his blue-skinned face. The youth nodded his acknowledgment, and Thelin bobbed his head in return before the two men passed him by and began walking down the hall. “So about fifty years ago, the Presider of the Council announced a plan to warm the planetary ecosystem, using crude greenhouse gases and reflective solar sails, similar to the techniques used on Weytahn centuries earlier.”

“And this, of course, failed to take into account the effects upon the Aenar,” Sarek said.

“You are correct,” Thelin replied. The Aenar, a blind and telepathic subspecies of the Andorians, lived only in the extreme northern wastes of the planet…and as it happened, Thelin himself was of mixed Aenar parentage. “The government’s efforts caused a uniform rise in temperatures across the globe. While this did help to extend the growing season in parts of the world, the effect upon the Aenar habitat was catastrophic. Settlements near geothermal reservoirs began to experience seasonal thaws. Ice canopies housing entire cities became unstable.”

“Yes, I recall an Aenar contingent making a plea to the Federation when they could get no relief from the Andorian council,” Sarek said. “The incident very nearly threatened Andorian membership in the Federation.”

Thelin looked down at his feet and his antennae hung droopily, the conversation having triggered memories that he was not terribly eager to share. “And sadly, race relations with the Aenar have not yet fully recovered. Among members of a warrior race, such disagreements do not end lightly. Technically,