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Silok nodded very slowly, taking in Minister Kuvak’s meaning. “I understand, Minister.”

“And I understand the logic of thoroughness and stealth,” Kuvak said, his expression growing even sterner than was customary. “However, I trust I need not caution you what a mistake it would be to underestimate the capabilities of the Romulans. Including their alacrity. You must do everything possible to expedite your handling of this matter, short of compromising its success.”

An idea suddenly occurred to Silok as he recalled a report he had just received from a field operative working in the Gamma Hydra sector. “I agree completely,” he said. “And I believe I may already have the ideal intelligence assets nearly in position and ready to deploy. You can trust my agency to treat this problem with the utmost urgency.”

And secrecy, he thought as Kuvak’s image vanished. It was clear to him that no one other than himself, Kuvak, and the field operatives involved needed to know anything at all about the Achernar affair, including the very fact of its existence. The list of personnel with a “need to know” was to be a short one indeed.

And it had not escaped Silok’s notice that Kuvak had pointedly excluded Administrator T’Pau from that list.

FOURTEEN

Vulcan Cargo Ship Kiri-kin-tha

“THINK HE’S GONNA MAKE IT, Doc?” Trip asked.

Doctor Sivath turned her steely gaze upon the unconscious Vulcan man who lay supine upon the infirmary bed, then checked a reading on her handheld scanner before nodding once in apparent satisfaction. “He seems to be recovering well from his crash injuries,” she said. “As well as from the stunning he received during his ‘rescue.’”

Ych’a, who was standing beside Captain T’Vran on the opposite side of the bed from where Trip and Sivath stood, responded before Trip could get out a word. “Unfortunately, circumstances forced us to fire our weapons, Doctor. He appeared to be preparing to open fire on us when we encountered him.”

Sivath looked unimpressed by Ych’a’s story, though Trip was prepared to back it up completely, having wielded one of the phase pistols in question. T’Vran displayed an unreadable, typically Vulcan expression, keeping her own counsel.

“Nevertheless,” the doctor continued, “I expect this man to make a complete recovery.”

Ych’a nodded, then focused her gaze upon Trip. “Commander Tucker, Doctor Sivath has confirmed your contention that this man is indeed a Romulan rather than a Vulcan. As is our previous... guest.”

“Like I already told you, he’s a centurion in the Romulan military,” Trip said, hiking a thumb toward the insensate man. “His name is Terix. And I’d make damned sure never to let him out of my sight if I were you.”

“I never doubted you, Commander,” the V’Shar agent said. “And I fully acknowledge your warning.”

Trip favored her with a sidewise grin. “Glad to hear it. I know trust doesn’t come easy to you folks, especially when you never know when you might find a Romulan hiding in your midst.” Or a human who’s been hiding among the Romulans, he added silently.

He focused his attention back upon the pointed-eared man slumbering on the infirmary’s sole occupied bed—which, Trip suddenly realized, meant that all the other beds were now empty, a fact that he confirmed with a couple of quick turns of his head.

“What happened to Sopek?” he said, all at once unsure whether to root for the double agent’s recovery or for a new notch on the grim reaper’s holster.

“Our other... guest regained consciousness during your extravehicular excursion, Commander,” Captain T’Vran said. “He has since been released from Sivath’s care, and therefore has passed into mine. I have placed him in guest quarters, under guard.”

“The captain has also agreed to expedite his delivery to the proper authorities by putting the Kiri-kin-tha on a direct course for Vulcan,” Ych’a said. “Once there, Mister Ch’uivh will be processed and interrogated, and thereafter a magistrate will