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A light of understanding suddenly flickered on within David’s eyes. “So…then the matrix attempted to compensate for the lack of mass by increasing the intensity of the graviton waves?”

“Correct,” T’Pragh replied. “And we have determined that, below a certain critical mass, the graviton waves will eventually tear apart any unstable planetary form. Furthermore, in lieu of a stable balance between mass and energy, the matrix remains active, driving the extreme biological evolution that you had witnessed.”

A moment passed while David internalized this surprising new information, then his face broke into a beaming smile, and he was jubilant. “That’s fantastic!” he exclaimed. “If the Genesis effect really is viable for terraforming, then…well, we can create new refugee camps, with everything they would need to start their lives over! And you…you can create new ground-based installations in that Klingon territory, to help with the war effort. Right?”

The Vulcan cleared her throat. “Doctor Marcus, please try to keep your emotions under control. We have many questions for you.”

David quickly composed himself. “Right. I’m sorry, it’s just…well, that’s the best news I’ve heard in years. So, go ahead, I’m listening.”

T’Pragh took a deep breath. “Doctor,” she began. “Our simulations regarding surface deployment of the Genesis device have produced conflicting results. How far beneath the surface will the Genesis wave extend its field for molecular reorganization?”

“Er, well, that depends,” David replied. “Lots of factors are involved, including the mineral content of the planetary crust, and the planet’s magnetic field. But the field strength would decay exponentially the further underground you measured.”

The woman set her jaw, beginning to show the Vulcan equivalent of extreme impatience. “What would be the level of biological metastasis at subterranean distances of ten, fifteen, and twenty kilometers?”

“Biological?” David said, his brow wrinkling with confusion. “What, you mean if life already existed there?”

“Correct.”

“But why would you…Oh my God.” David straightened his back, leaning ever so slightly away from the table, a wave of alarm washing over him. “Just what the hell are you proposing here?”

Sensing David’s quickly fraying emotional state, Thelin raised his palm in an attempt to calm him. “David, please try to relax. This is just a discussion here. We’re trying to assess all of the facts.”

“No,” he said, firmly shaking his head. “No, if we’re going to talk facts, I demand to know what exactly is being planned.”

“Doctor Marcus,” T’Pragh said with a tone that could only be described as aggravation. “Any such information is given on a need-to-know basis.”

“It’s all right, T’Pragh,” Ra-ghoratreii quickly interjected in a firm but calming voice. The four faces around the table turned to the president, who sighed heavily. “What we are proposing, Doctor Marcus, is a show of strength that the Klingon High Council cannot ignore. Plans are under development to deploy the Genesis device against the Klingon moon Praxis.”

David’s eyes widened with horror. “Praxis?” he whispered. “I know about Praxis. There are a half million people living there!”

“You’re damn right there are!” West shouted. “A half million people in the employ of the Klingon military, running mining operations to produce energy for the weapons that are killing our people!”

“That’s not true,” David countered. “When I was a prisoner there for two months, there was no military presence at all. That’s why Kruge kept us there-to keep us outside of the High Council’s area of concern. It’s nothing but civilian families living there. Good lord, there are thousands of people living underground-whole subterranean mining towns, kilometers beneath the surface! We can’t possibly know what this will do to them!”

“David,” Thelin said. “You don’t understand the Klingon culture. Years of accumulated intelligence have taught us that you cannot make an arbitrary distinction between a civilian and a military target. The two are fully integrated into every