Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [14]
Then, folding his hands behind his back, Koval spoke again to Zweller. “A wise man knows when it is best to allow his adversaries to speculate about his motivations.”
And so does a good spy, Zweller thought.
As a single guard entered the room, no doubt to conduct him to the briefing, Zweller knew with certainty that he had just made a deal with the devil. He only hoped that, unlike Faust, he’d still have his soul after the bargain was complete.
Chapter Two
Captain’s log, stardate 50390.8. Starfleet Command has dispatched the Enterprise to Chiaros IV, the only known inhabited planet in the entirety of the Geminus Gulf-and a world whose future is now uncertain in the extreme. As the Chiarosan electorate prepares to vote on whether to pursue Federation membership or a formal alliance with the Romulan Empire, pro-Romulan guerrilla groups are attacking the planet’s governmental institutions and civil infrastructure in order to further their cause. This volatile situation could lead to a bloody planetary civil war, disqualifying the Chiarosans for Federation membership-and thereby giving the Romulans control of the Geminus Gulf.
My primary mission therefore is to assist the Chiarosan leader, First Protector Ruardh, in maintaining order and ensuring that the referendum on Federation membership proceeds freely and fairly. While in the system, my crew will also make a thorough search for the Federation starship Slayton, which vanished near Chiaros IV a week ago on the eve of its diplomatic mission there. I agree-The ready room’s door chime sounded, momentarily interrupting Jean-Luc Picard’s train of thought. “Computer, pause log entry,” he said. Shifting in his chair, Picard addressed his visitor. “Come.”
The doors parted with a pneumatic hiss, and a smiling Will Riker entered the room. Picard gestured to one of the chairs in front of the desk. “Have a seat, Number One. I’ll be finished updating my log in a moment.”
As Riker sat, Picard resumed his dictation: “I agree wholeheartedly with Starfleet’s assessment that the only way to assuage the unrest on Chiaros IV is to arrange a negotiated settlement between the government and the dissidents. However, because of my renowned lack of experience in such matters, Starfleet Command is sending us a ‘professional’ diplomat-“
Picard paused again when he saw Riker’s smile expand into an ear-to-ear grin. The captain responded with a wry smile of his own. “Computer, pause log entry.” To his second-in-command, he said, “You’re quite right, Number One. That won’t do at all.
“Computer, delete the last sentence.”
The computer acknowledged, and Picard continued: “To this end, Starfleet has given overall command of the Chiarosan mission to… an expert in the field of interstellar diplomacy.
“Computer, end entry.”
Picard rose from his chair and straightened his tunic. Riker got to his feet as well, his smile persisting. “We’re about to rendezvous with the Thunderchild to pick up our ‘expert diplomat,’ Captain. Has Starfleet Command said yet who they’re sending?”
“No,” Picard said, frankly annoyed at that fact. “But it isn’t the first time a starship captain has been left out of the loop.”
Then he strode toward the door, which parted and admitted him onto the bridge.
“Activate viewer, Lieutenant Hawk,” Picard said, settling into the center seat as Riker took up a position behind the duty station at his right. “Let’s have a look at her.”
Hawk’s fingers sped nimbly across the helm console, his enthusiasm for his job apparent. The dark-haired young man reminded Picard of a decade-younger version of his first officer.
Counselor Troi was already seated at Picard’s left. Her dark eyes were fixed on the sleek, catamaran-like image that had just taken shape on the viewer.
“The U.S.S. Thunderchild,” Picard said. “The new Akira class. One of Starfleet’s latest designs.”
“Thunderchild,” Troi repeated. “What a peculiar