Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [21]
Tabor nodded. “And because First Protector Ruardh’s planetary government has officially invited the Federation in, pending ratification of its decision by a popular vote.”
“There’s also the matter of the Slayton to consider,” Batanides said. “The Chiarosan government claims that the Slayton launched a diplomatic shuttle toward the planet shortly before the starship mysteriously disappeared. But the Slayton’s diplomatic team never made it to the Chiarosan capital. We need access to the planet and the surrounding space to mount a proper search for the crew. But if the Romulans force the Federation out of the Geminus Gulf, then we can forget about ever getting at the truth.”
Or finding Corey, Picard thought. Aloud, he said, “Admiral, are you saying that you believe the Romulans had something to do with the Slayton’s disappearance?”
“I can’t prove it,” she said. “But I wouldn’t put it past them.”
Picard was skeptical. He tried to word his objection as diplomatically as possible. “Admiral, to risk war with the Federation over three sectors of essentially empty space would not appear to make a great deal of sense.”
“Granted,” Batanides said. “But it’s hard to evaluate the Romulans’ logic when we have so little hard intelligence about their agenda here.”
Crusher spoke up then, her brow creased in thought. “Putting aside the Romulans for the moment, how difficult can our mission to Chiaros be? The planet’s government was duly elected by the Chiarosan people, wasn’t it?”
“Of course,” Tabor said, raising an eyebrow. “We would not be considering them for Federation membership were it otherwise.”
“Exactly,” Crusher said. “So if the duly-constituted Powers That Be on Chiaros IV want us in and the Romulans out, then it seems to me that we’d have to work pretty hard to fail.”
Tabor smiled his indulgent smile once again. “I’m afraid it isn’t quite as simple as that, Doctor. Despite their proven ability to unite themselves behind a single government, the Chiarosan social order remains a patchwork of clans and families, some of whom harbor ancient rivalries. It is a fragile coalition, and it can be broken by resource disputes… or by outside alliances made by Chiarosan clan leaders.
“A pro-Romulan dissident faction-run by a man named Falhain-has been launching guerrilla attacks on government infrastructure. It is the opinion of Ruardh’s government that the rebels are using Federation weapons seized from the Slayton to carry out these raids. Needless to say, the citizenry is talking. Whether or not these charges are true, the prospect of Federation weapons getting into rebel hands has made even Ruardh’s supporters question the wisdom of siding with us.”
“Making the Romulans look more and more like the better alternative,” Picard said grimly, his eyes on the slowly turning holographic globe.
“And making us responsible for cleaning up the mess our own weapons may have created,” Riker added.
“Precisely, Commander. Captain, my mission-and therefore your mission-is to help Ruardh and Falhain put their ancient enmities aside and reach an accord, so that Chiaros IV will at least have a chance of taking its place alongside the other members of the Federation.” With that, he lifted the remote and the holographic image of Chiaros IV winked into oblivion. No one else spoke for several long seconds afterward, as the import of his words sank in.
Batanides stood, signaling that the briefing had come to a close. “The Enterprise will arrive at the Chiaros system in approximately twenty-two hours. Captain Picard will assemble a team to accompany Ambassador Tabor to the Chiarosan capital for the initial peace summit between Ruardh and Falhain.”
And to make certain that everyone gets out of the proceedings alive, Picard thought.
Picard lingered in the observation lounge after his officers had left. Besides himself, only Batanides and Tabor remained.
Tabor took one of Batanides’s hands between his own. “I’ll be in our quarters, my dear. I have a great deal of reading and preparation to do before tomorrow.”