Unification - Jeri Taylor [44]
Spock knew that most of his countrymen, and most Federation members for that matter, would find the dark, somber passageways of this city bleak and depressing. Ironically, he did not. The vast, rugged beauty of Vulcan, with its ocher deserts and its jagged red mountains, had instilled in him a love of spacious-ness and light. Why, then, his appreciation of these squalid passageways where little light intruded? The dark facades of the structures were ominous, the corridors narrow and constricting. The people all dressed in pallid clothing and their expressions were quietly despairing. There would seem to be little to cherish in these desolate streets.
But Spock had a palpable sense of the spirit that lurked beneath; a knowledge that, behind those joy-less faces, burned the eagerness for a new order. There was a river of desire that ran unseen beneath this city, a wellspring from which more and more would soon be drinking. That such a flame could burn in these woeful alleyways seemed remarkable to him, and imbued the surroundings with a unique beauty whose essence was almost tangible to him.
The three men walked the street, heads down in
Romulan fashion. Pardek cast a glance toward Picard.
“And what do you think of your enemy, Captain
Picard?”
Picard gave him a look that was not accusatory yet had an intensity that surprised Spock. “These people are no one’s enemy, Senator.” How true, thought Spock, and if only someone wouM tell that to all the governmental authorities and all the military leaders. The people were rarely each other’s enemies…
Pardek smiled an acknowledgment. “Many of my colleagues fear what the people have to say. But I have learned to listen carefully.” Pardek paused a moment, formulating his thoughts. “Children like D’Tan are our future. Old men like me will not be able to hold on to ancient prejudice and hostility. These young people won’t allow it.”
Spock glanced at Picard, to see what effect these words were having on him. Picard seemed to be listening intently.
“Now that they’ve met their first real Vulcan,” continued Pardek, “it has only inspired them more. I’m sure that is evident to you, Spock.”
“I did not anticipate such a passionate response to my arrival,” admitted Spock, remembering the near delirious joy with which some people at meetings had greeted him,.
Pardek smiled. “Romulans are a passionate people. Vulcans will learn to appreciate that quality in us.”
“If we are successful,” added Spock, curious that Pardek seemed so optimistic today. Were there new developments? That question was answered an instant later when Pardek looked at him with a smile that crinkled his merry eyes. “We will know soon,” he declared, not without a certain pride. “The proconsul, Neral, has agreed to meet with you.”
Spock was pleased to note that Picard seemed amazed by this announcement.
Chapter Thirteen
FOR RIKER, the week at Qualor Two had passed like a day. After the astonishing explosion of the smuggler’s ship, the Enterprise had gone into synchronous orbit around the planet in order to investigate. Klim Dokachin had put the full resources of the formidable Zakdornian computer system at their disposal, as well as the combined sensibilities of several dozen of his colleagues to whom the desecration of their surplus depot was tantamount to sacrilege.
Riker found, after his initial period of discomfort with Dokachin’s officiousness, that the rotund little man was a treasure. He had taken the theft of his ships and his materiel as a personal affront, and would leave nothing undone in order to uncover the perpetrator. The Zakdorn were methodical and fastidious to a fault, but in a case like this they were of inestimable value.
He and Gretchen Naylor had spent hours with Dokachin at a computer console, tracking manifests and logs. They had uncovered a trail of lost materiel that went back well over a year, and which included sensor arrays, deflectors, computers, armament, and almost anything else