The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [19]
Again, Edal smiled, though he felt no humor. Much of the same passion and ambition that once had driven him was visible in Malir’s eyes. That fire was long extinguished, snuffed out by years of unremitting conflict with numerous peoples who disagreed—sometimes vehemently—with the notion of living under Cardassian rule. While he once had shared beliefs similar to those harbored by his younger counterpart, age and experience had made Edal weary of war, teaching him that reality rarely conformed to such stark perceptions.
“We have been at odds with the Federation since I was a child, Malir,” he said. “After all that time and despite our best efforts, we have achieved little more than a stalemate, and at what cost? Worlds stripped of resources in order to support the war, entire populations dying for simple lack of food and medicines. Our civilization wavers on the brink of collapse. No, my friend, peace is the better course.”
Grunting more in acknowledgment than approval, Malir said, “If our leaders decide as much, then I’ll obey. Until then, are we not better served by maintaining our vigilance, seizing every advantage and allowing no quarter until an accord is reached?” He nodded toward the infirmary doors. “They may possess valuable information about their ship and its orders, something we can exploit.”
“I granted them safe passage,” Edal said, checking himself as he realized his voice was loud enough to be heard by the guards still posted before the infirmary entrance. “I gave my word to Daret,” he continued in a softer tone. “The humans will be allowed to treat their patients and leave in peace.”
“And what of Central Command?” Stepping closer, Malir’s next words were little more than a hissed whisper. “You have no authorization for this action. How do you think they’ll react when they learn of this? What of the crew? Many will see this as treason.”
“I will see to Central Command,” Edal snapped. “As for the crew, they will follow my orders. Your concern is seeing that they do so.” He knew that his decision to let the human prisoners receive Starfleet aid was an unpopular, even risky proposition, which was the reason he had acted without first seeking clearance from his superiors.
“Malir,” he said after a moment, “we have a duty to act in the best interests of the Cardassian people. Bringing the humans here is consistent with that duty, even if you don’t realize it at this moment.”
Though he may not have been satisfied with that answer, Malir offered a formal nod. “Very well, Gul Edal. I only hope you’ve not made a grave mistake.”
“Should that prove the case, then I will endure the consequences,” Edal said, tiring of the conversation and deciding that he had indulged his subordinate long enough. “Return to your station.” To his credit, Malir said nothing else, instead turning and walking away and leaving Edal to stand alone in the corridor.
Closing his eyes, the gul found himself listening as he frequently did to the steady thrum of the Kovmar’s engines, feeling their power reverberate through every surface of the ship. It always comforted Edal to hear the vessel’s steady pulse of life, and he now allowed that gentle rhythm to ease his momentary irritation.
When he opened his eyes, he saw the security guards regarding him. Their expressions were unreadable, though he sensed in them the same doubt Malir had voiced. Was their uncertainty but a representation of the crew’s? Had he made a mistake? If so, what cost would that blunder exact?
Such questions would demand answers, Edal knew, one way or another.
“Doctor!”
Crusher turned away from Weglash, who after nearly three hours had just begun to show positive response to the correctly synthesized vapors he now was breathing, toward the new call of alarm. She saw one of Daret’s assistants turning T’Lan’s head to one side as foamy vomit sputtered from the Vulcan’s mouth.
“She’s seizing,” Crusher said, rushing to T’Lan’s side and using her fingers to clear the quivering woman’s airway. Eyeing the portable diagnostic scanner positioned at the head of her bed, she shook