Myriad Universes 02_ Echoes and Refractions - Keith R. A. DeCandido [76]
“Then tell me, Ambassador Saavik…Once the Federation has subjugated the Klingon Empire, what then? What will be the role of the Romulan Empire in this grand new order? From where shall we receive our assurances of peace and stability when facing a Federation more powerful than this galaxy has ever seen, with weapons capable of destroying entire planets on a whim?”
Saavik took yet another deep breath, struggling to keep her emotions in check. As long as Dralath-and those who deferred to his opinions-distrusted the most basic motivations of the Federation, this wasn’t an argument she could possibly win. “Proconsul Dralath…and Praetor Aratenik,” she said, turning back toward the leader’s center seat. “Might I please suggest that you withhold judgment of our intentions until after the new treaty is signed. The Federation will extend an invitation to Ambassador Nanclus to attend the negotiations and to represent the interests of the Romulan people.”
“I’m not certain that will be possible,” Dralath said. “Empress Ael has already recalled Ambassador Nanclus to Romulus while the future of our diplomatic relations remains in doubt.”
The future of our diplomatic relations? Saavik thought. What the hell is that supposed to mean?
“Clearly, Ambassador, you and the Federation have failed to grasp the severity of the Empress’s concerns. For years, the Federation has given us assurances that they did not and would not produce or deploy weapons capable of destruction on this scale. In fact, I believe you will find that more than a few members of this governing body believe the Federation now to be in violation of treaty. We are faced with no alternative, Ambassador. Our only protection against a weapon of this magnitude is a policy of mutual assured destruction.”
Saavik felt a lump in her throat and swallowed hard. “What are you saying, sir?”
Dralath stepped out from around his table and took several menacing steps toward Saavik’s position on the speaker’s floor. “What I am saying, Ambassador, is that the best scientific minds within our borders are already at work developing our own arsenal of Genesis weapons. We have already successfully produced the effect on a small scale.”
By damnation of Shariel, Saavik thought. At what cost did we stop this war?
“I am truly sorry, Saavik,” Dralath said, his tone suggesting perhaps a hint of genuine regret. “But you of all people should understand the need to ensure the survival of our race.” He turned and marched back toward his seat at the committee table. “I have no further questions for the ambassador from the Federation,” he said with cold finality.
“Very well,” Aratenik said. “Next on the docket is Senator Pardek. You have fifteen minutes.”
Saavik spent the remainder of the session listening absently to the questions asked of her and responding robotically with her prepared answers. She felt drained of all emotion, aggrieved over the damage to the fledgling detente with the Romulans, and in many ways betrayed by the people whom she represented. This was not a simple miscalculation. The galaxy had changed irrevocably, and the future was now more uncertain than ever.
The reports from the Federation News Service maintained an even and somewhat somber tone in the wake of the Praxis mission. Despite the unqualified success of the Federation attack, the deaths of nearly a half million souls in a single nightmarish event was difficult for any objective correspondent to convey in a dispassionate manner. Of course, as always, pundits from all along the political spectrum cast subtlety aside and weighed in for whomever was willing to listen-some claiming that no Klingon lives had value and that Qo’noS should be wiped from the map, others claiming that the Federation’s own unconditional surrender would be preferable to the loss of even one more life.
But when word of the