Myriad Universes 02_ Echoes and Refractions - Keith R. A. DeCandido [75]
“Ambassador Saavik,” Aratenik continued, “do you wish to make an opening statement?”
“I do, sir,” Saavik replied.
“You have five minutes,” he said, returning to his seat. “Proceed.”
“Thank you, sir, but I shall be brief,” Saavik said, bowing her head in respect. She turned around to acknowledge the representatives seated in the rows behind her. “Honored Senators,” she began, and then completed the turn to refocus her attention upon the praetor. “I am of course well aware that the subspace channels have been abuzz with rumor for the better part of a day. So allow me to confirm what will soon be publicly announced: Approximately twenty-one hours ago, Chancellor Gorkon of the Klingon High Council on Qo’noS extended to the Federation an offer to suspend hostilities indefinitely. Plans are under way to convene at a neutral location and negotiate terms for the surrender of the Klingon Empire.”
Whispered voices began to stream forth from the gallery like water from a slowly opening spigot. While no one could rationally express regret at such news, the nervous tension underlying the reaction in the chamber was unmistakable. Saavik waited for the background noise to subside before continuing.
“The Federation acknowledges with regret the catastrophic loss of life in the military operations leading up to the present armistice. But we also celebrate the lives that will be saved by the cessation of further warfare and conquest. Federation relief efforts are already under way, and thousands of medical personnel and social workers have been dispatched to Qo’noS to provide aid in this difficult but hopeful time.
“The Federation once again extends its gratitude to Empress Ael and the Romulan Star Empire for their impartial support during this protracted conflict, and trust that a more peaceful galaxy will produce further cooperation among all the powers of the region, and the flourishing of diplomatic relations. On behalf of the United Federation of Planets, I thank you for your time and attention.”
Saavik remained standing at attention as further mumbled voices rumbled throughout the chamber. Praetor Aratenik stood and raised his hand. “Thank you, Saavik of Vulcan. Now, if you will indulge the lines of inquiry from the seated representatives. We will begin with Proconsul Dralath. You have fifteen minutes.”
Dralath rose from his seat at the praetor’s right hand and fixed his steely gaze upon Saavik. Though appearing absolutely calm, the intensity in his eyes seemed to suggest a volatile zeal bubbling just beneath the surface. A guileful grin broke out upon his face.
“Ambassador Saavik,” he began. “Among the members of this Senate, you of all visiting diplomats are held in the highest esteem, for you are indeed a lost child of Romulus, and your blood no doubt burns with the same passions as our own. It is because of this that your testimony on this day has left me in utter dismay. You were brought here today to explain the Federation’s use of a weapon of seemingly limitless destruction, and yet you hide behind diplomatic bromides, dancing around the issue like a human ballerina.”
Saavik took a deep breath. “Forgive me, Proconsul. I thought my meaning was clear. The Federation’s actions with respect to the re-formation of Praxis served one purpose and one only: to bring about an immediate end to the otherwise interminable pain and suffering caused by this continuing conflict.”
“The re-formation of Praxis?” Dralath exclaimed. “Is this the cloyingly benign term the Federation will use henceforth while it traverses the galaxy annihilating entire planetary civilizations?”
Saavik closed her eyes. How could Aratenik be so spineless as to allow a reactionary like Dralath to begin the questioning? “Sir,” she began, before reopening her eyes and attempting