Spirit Walk_ Enemy of My Enemy (Book 2) - Christie Golden [22]
“That’s Clan Leader Kai,” Paris replied promptly. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard after all. “He’s got all four of his hands full. He and his advisers want to stay in the Federation, but his people want to secede.”
He looked around, and suddenly grinned.
“And that,” he said, “is Admiral Montgomery. He’s very gruff and bristly but a softie when it counts.”
“I heard that,” Montgomery growled, turning around to glare at him, and Paris went pink. “You don’t look quite so dashing with that foot in your mouth, Paris.”
“Sorry, sir,” Paris stammered, snapping to attention and feeling nervous perspiration dewing his forehead. “I was attempting to inject a little levity into the situation. My apologies if I’ve offended you.”
“God knows this gathering could use a little levity,” Montgomery said as he strode toward them, snaring a glass of champagne from the seemingly ever-present waiter. “You look as red as a Skakarian tuber, Paris. Consider yourself properly chastised.”
“Aye, sir,” Paris replied, relieved. Underneath it all, Montgomery really could be a softie.
“Any updates, Ken?” Janeway asked.
Montgomery grimaced and knocked back the champagne. “Unfortunately, yes. I’ve just received word that the governing body of Parnasi has refused to come.”
Paris searched his memory. The Parnasi, the Parnasi…oh, yes, the joined species. It took three of them to form a single entity. This interesting fact made “governing body” a more revealing, and literal, term than usual.
“That’s unfortunate,” Paris said. “The Parnasi have great influence in their sector.”
“And there are at least two other neighboring planets considering secession,” Tuvok said. “Unfortunate indeed.”
Montgomery sighed and helped himself to a small, unidentifiable appetizer from yet another omnipresent waiter. Popping it into his mouth, he said around the morsel, “This is a tough call. On the one hand, you want each species, each world, to do what’s really right for them. On the other, it’s hard for me to understand how withdrawing from the Federation can be right for anybody.”
Janeway smiled gently. “We’re slightly biased, Ken.”
Montgomery grunted. “Maybe. But we’re no starry-eyed fools, either. All you need to do is look at the history of the Federation to see how much better things are for its member planets.”
“Such a statement is subject to interpretation” came a cool, smooth female voice from behind them. Startled, Tom looked to see a woman with orange-red skin and hair in the most elegant garb he’d ever seen. The gossamer-like silver material hugged her figure in the places where it ought to, but seemed to float to the floor from her back and hips. Her mouth was quite wide, covering most of the lower half of her face, and as she delicately clasped a glass of champagne, he saw that she had only four fingers on each hand.
Janeway turned, her face composed. “Amar Kol,” she said in a pleased tone of voice. “I’m delighted to finally meet you in person.”
The wide mouth widened further in a smile. “Admiral Janeway,” Kol replied. “I assure you, the pleasure is all mine.” She extended a hand and Janeway grasped it.
“Amar, may I present Admiral Kenneth Montgomery. Admiral, this is Amar Merin Kol, the leader of Kerovi.”
“Admiral,” Kol said graciously. “I understand you are a famous war hero.”
Montgomery looked slightly embarrassed. “I did what I had to do. What my duty demanded of me.”
“As do we all,” said Kol in her pleasant voice.
“This is Commander Tuvok, my former security officer, and Lieutenant Commander Tom Paris, my former pilot.”
Kol greeted them all in turn. “I see you agree with a quote from my world, Admiral Janeway: ‘Old friends are the best friends.’ ”
“Kerovi is an old friend of the Federation indeed,” said Janeway smoothly. “I do hope that we won’t see that friendship severed.”
“Perhaps it will be strengthened even as it changes,” Kol said.
Tom was suddenly and peculiarly reminded of an ancient dance form called a minuet. It was formal, precise, elegant, and usually performed by people who were just as formal, precise,