Section 31_ Rogue - Andy Mangels [90]
“It all happened very fast. I grabbed the combadges because I thought Ruardh’s people were behind the attack. I already told you: They could have used the combadges as automatic target locks and killed Riker and Troi. You have to admit that the creation of Federation martyrs would have given Chiaros IV’s pro-Federation faction a real boost.”
Picard wasn’t entirely convinced by the argument. But Zweller’s easy facility for providing plausible-sounding answers impressed him. The captain leaned forward and pitched his voice low. “Corey, did you come to believe in Falhain’s cause?”
“Do you mean did I think that Ruardh’s regime was an oppressive, murderous, genocidal government that the Federation shouldn’t ally itself with?” His eyes narrowed. “Yes.”
Picard sat back in surprise as Zweller stood and began pacing. “I saw what they did to the Chiarosan villagers,” the commander said. “So did Riker and Troi; they witnessed what was left of one settlement. They told you about it. There are only so many charred bodies of men, women, and children you can see-slaughtered for no reasons other than resource-greed and politics-before you begin to know that something is fundamentally wrong.”
Zweller turned to look at Picard. “The Federation wasn’t thorough in their investigation of this world before they began the process of acceptance, Johnny. They were more concerned with beating the Romulans to the punch. But they chose the wrong side this time. And not everyone at Starfleet disagrees with me.”
He paused for a moment, and looked Batanides squarely in the eyes. “Not even everyone in Starfleet Intelligence.”
“What?” The admiral stood, an expression of amazement on her face.
Zweller appeared unfazed. “You haven’t asked me about the Romulans yet. Did I know that they were working with Falhain?”
Picard’s mind raced as he tried to formulate a line of questioning for this new revelation. He went with the most obvious choice first: “Did you know about them?”
“Of course I did. Certain echelons of Starfleet knew about them. You’d have to be dense not to at least suspect it.”
“There’s a fine line between suspecting and knowing,” Picard said harshly.
“You keep bringing Starfleet into it as if that justifies your actions,” said Batanides. “I hate to be so blunt, Corey, but you’re only a science officer. I think that Johnny, as a starship captain, or myself, as a vice-admiral in Intelligence, might have some better firsthand knowledge of Starfleet’s intentions.”
Zweller took a deep breath, closed his eyes, then opened them and spoke in a quick, precise cadence. “I was billeted to the Slayton to help facilitate my other assignment. My real assignment. That mission was to find out what was really happening on Chiaros IV, by any means necessary-including infiltrating the rebel factions-and to let the Federation know exactly who they were getting into bed with.”
Batanides’s eyes widened. “Your mission for whom? What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss my orders, or exactly to whom I’m reporting,” Zweller said coolly. “Let’s just say that I’ve been working on behalf of an unspecified branch of Starfleet Intelligence, and leave it at that.”
“So you’ve lied to us again,” Picard added, feeling pained and more than a little angry. “Everything you’ve told us thus far is just another string of-“
Zweller interrupted. “I’ve told you what you needed to know, Jean-Luc. In fact, I’ve probably told you too much.”
“Too much?” Picard said, his ire threatening to boil over. “Your ship was destroyed. Your people were taken captive, as were some of mine. I’ve narrowly escaped death twice, and Marta’s fiancé was not so fortunate. The Chiarosans are voting right now to reject Federation membership, which will leave this entire sector at the mercy of the Romulans, who have just found a way to use this system to make their fleets unstoppable!” Picard paused, letting the enormity of his accusation sink in. Glaring, he continued. “I think you haven’t told us nearly enough, Commander.