100 A Time for War, a Time for Peace by Keith R. A. DeCandido

Author:Keith R. A. DeCandido [DeCandido, Keith R. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Media Tie-In
ISBN: 9780743499972
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2004-09-30T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Earth

"A HOLOGRAM?"

Worf was back on Earth and in the heart of Paris, sitting in Councillor Ra'ch's office. Although she still served as president pro tem, Ra'ch steadfastly refused to use the presidential office on the top floor of the building. Unlike that of the president, councillors' places of work on Earth were small and practical. However, while T'Latrek--the councillor whose office Worf most often visited when on Earth--displayed no personal items or decoration of any kind, Ra'ch's office was filled with them, from the painting of the sunset over Damiano's capital city of Iaron on the side wall to holographic representations of her mate and all three of her parents on her desk.

"Yes, Councillor," Worf said. "I have seen the hologram with my own eyes, as well as the mobile emitter that powered it."

"Mobile--Oh for Ho'nig's sake, the Klingons got their hands on that?"

"The Klingons did not--whoever replaced Kahless did. In fact, there is great concern on the High Council that this is a Federation plot."

"You're not serious."

Worf simply looked at her.

"Sorry, forgot who I was talking to."

"The terrorists who seized the embassy did so in part because they believed the Federation kidnapped the emperor and replaced him with a hologram that was programmed to advocate a Federation agenda."

Ra'ch put her head in her hands, her fingers splaying around the horn that protruded from the center of her forehead. "This is all we need right now." She looked up. "What does the High Council want?"

"Several things. The first is a written assurance from you and the council that this is not a Federation plot."

Ra'ch shrugged. "Since it's true, that ought to be easy enough. Honestly, I doubt the idea would have occurred to any of us."

"A similar assurance from the admiralty would be prudent as well. Many on the council believe that Starfleet is the true power of the Federation."

"Really?" Ra'ch's lips twisted into a frown. Then her face softened. "Actually, I can kind of see why they might think that. Fine, I'll talk with Nakamura tomorrow. What else?"

"The High Council would also like the Federation's aid in attempting to locate Kahless. The Defense Force will share what information it has regarding the emperor's whereabouts." What little information there is, he thought dolefully.

"Of course, we'll be happy to help." She smiled. "I suspect that will cause more goodwill than the written assurances, but we'll do both. The last thing we want to do right now is kill the alliance."

"That leads me to the council's final request."

Ra'ch's face fell. "Uh-oh."

"There is--concern among some members of the council that the Federation intends to dissolve the Khitomer Accords."

"Based on what?" Ra'ch asked, straightening.

"Special Emissary Pagro has--"

"Fel Pagro's a presidential candidate making speeches to try to get himself elected!"

"You and I are aware of this, Councillor, but Chancellor Martok and the others do not understand that distinction. As far as they can see, the person most likely to rule the Federation is calling for Klingons to change their ways or face war."

"Yeah, I can see how they'd think that, too.

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