They’re here because of us. Everything that happens here is our fault.
While he acknowledged the need to tread with care through the political and military minefield that the Taurus Reach represented in order to avoid inciting an interstellar incident—with the Klingons or the Tholians—Reyes had no intention of allowing that reasoning to cloud or gloss over the simple fact that innocent parties would suffer because of the Federation’s encroachment into this part of the galaxy.
Whatever we end up finding out here, it better damned well be worth it.
“If it was an accident,” he said after a moment, “they might well have simply activated the wrong piece of equipment.” A chill wormed its way down his spine at the thought of the eager Lieutenant Xiong committing a similar tragic mistake. Reyes made a note to ensure that a full report of this incident was transmitted to the lieutenant within the hour, well before the Endeavourand the Lovellreached Erilon.
“However,” he continued, “if it was a deliberate act, then why? Were the Klingons the target? Are we talking about something like what happened at Erilon?” Even as he spoke the words, he felt a twinge of remorse at the thought of what had happened to Captain Zhao and the research team on that ice-bound world.
“None of the communications transmitted from the Klingon ship to their base suggested any contact with unknown alien entities,” T’Prynn said as she stepped away from the viewer. “That does not rule out such a possibility, of course.”
As she crossed the room to stand before the commodore’s desk, her hands still clasped behind her back, Reyes for the first time noted what he thought to be hints of fatigue in the commander’s eyes. He knew that Vulcans did not require sleep with the same frequency as humans, just as he also was aware that they could be quite stubborn when it came to seeing to their own basic health needs.
She’s a big girl,he reminded himself. She can take care of herself.
“Perhaps the Klingons destroyed the planet to protect the secret of what they’d found,” Jetanien said. “However, a scenario worth considering is that whatever attacked our people on Erilon staged a similar assault on Palgrenax, only this time they felt the need to initiate more drastic measures.”
Despite himself, Reyes felt his eyes widen as he digested the ambassador’s theory. “That’s a hell of a leap to make, Your Excellency. On what are you basing this?”
“Logic,” the Chelon said. Turning to T’Prynn, he added, “My apologies for stepping into your realm of expertise, Commander, but Captain Zhao and his people were attacked after discovering and activating components of the ancient alien technology discovered on Erilon. Based on the Klingons’ sensor readings, we can conclude that similar technology was found on Palgrenax, after which it was apparently used as an instrument to destroy that planet.” Rolling his massive shoulders, he released a burst of clicks before saying, “To employ one of your people’s idioms, Commodore, someone or some thing does not want anyone playing with their toys.”
“You’re suggesting someone has interests on both of these planets,” Reyes said, making no effort to hide his skepticism, “light-years apart, and with no detectable mode of transportation between those two points? Who? Why?”
The ambassador shook his head. “I am not in possession of all the relevant facts. I merely posit a theory based on what information is available at this time.”
Just what I need,Reyes thought. Another mystery.
As if reading his mind, Jetanien said, “Given our current situation, however, we cannot afford to waste time with idle speculation. Both the Klingons and the Tholians are ratcheting up the rhetoric after this incident, Commodore. Anger and posturing are—as you can imagine—laced with fear, given that each side is now worried that they can be obliterated by the other. For the moment, they seem content to simply point accusatory fingers at one another, but we can be sure that will not last.”
Releasing a heavy sigh as he leaned back in his chair, giving in only slightly to the protests his body was staging in reaction to his lack of sleep, Reyes said, “Tell me about it.” He reached for one of several data slates littering his desk and held it up for emphasis. “Have you seen this report from the Sagittarius? Captain Nassir broke up what was about to become a fistfight between a Tholian patrol ship and a Klingon D-5 battle cruiser.”
“An impressive feat,” T’Prynn said, bowing her head in appreciation, “considering the limitations of his ship.”
“It’s only limited if your enemy knows that,” Reyes replied, allowing a wry grin to creep onto his face. The Sagittarius,an Archer-class scout ship, was not equipped or armed for combat—particularly when outnumbered. Still, that had not stopped her captain from stepping into the line of fire, a decision which had yielded quite a lively after-action report. Nassir’s chief engineer had devised a “fake-out” whereby the small scout had appeared on the aged Klingon vessel’s sensors as a larger and far more intimidating Constitution-class starship. The tactic had proven effective to the point that the Klingon cruiser broke off its attack and retreated at high warp.
“Remind me to buy Master Chief Ilucci a drink when they get back,” Reyes said as he tossed the data slate onto his desk. “Unfortunately, head fakes and other cute tricks aren’t going to be enough for the long haul. We’re getting other reports of scuffles between Klingon and Tholian ships. So far it’s just isolated, limited engagements, probably because neither side has any appreciable ability to project force into the region, but you can bet that won’t last long.” He looked to Jetanien. “We need a permanent fix, and fast, Your Excellency. Any progress on the diplomatic front?”
The ambassador shook his head, the blunt beak of his mouth clicking in what Reyes had come to recognize as an expression of dissatisfaction. “To this point our overtures to the Klingon and Tholian delegations have been most disappointing.” Indicating the viewscreen with a nod of his oversized head, he added, “However, this incident may well have provided us with a unique opportunity. I have already been in contact with my esteemed counterparts, and both seem at least somewhat eager to explore some form of peaceful solution. Both the Klingons and the Tholians have agreed to send envoys to meet with me.”
“And this is supposed to make me happy?” Reyes asked, shaking his head at the thought of three headstrong ambassadors locked in a room for however long it took to broker a diplomatic solution to the touchy political situation they all faced.
Or kill each other— whichever comes first.
“There may be no better time to seize this initiative,” Jetanien said. “Further, if there is another, larger threat to consider, then it would seem to be a threat to all of us. Perhaps we might join forces against a common foe.”
It sounded good in theory, Reyes admitted, though his gut told him the reality of the situation would likely resist the ambassador’s good intentions. Regardless, he was confident Jetanien could handle whatever the Klingon and Tholian delegates threw at him. Besides, whatever he dropped, Lieutenant Jackson and the rest of the station’s security contingent would be there to catch. Reyes would see to that himself.
“Well, you’re going to have your hands full, there’s no doubting that,” Reyes said as he rose from his chair and made his way around his desk and crossed his office until he was standing once more before the viewscreen. Again his attention was focused on the computer-generated star chart depicting the solar system which once had been home to Palgrenax. “But, so are the rest of us, I think.”
“You are concerned that the ambassador’s theory might be correct,” T’Prynn said as she moved to stand next to him.