Star Trek: The Lost Era: 2328-2346: The Art of the Impossible by Keith R.A. DeCandido

Author:Keith R.A. DeCandido
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction, Star Trek, Fiction
ISBN: 0743464052
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 2003-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

The tik’leth went flying from Kravokh’s opponent’s hands, clattering to the wooden floor. Kravokh stood with his bat’leth, smiling, ready to strike the killing blow, when Ruuv, his aide, entered the large practice room.

“Oh, good, you’re practicing. You’ll need it. Ditagh is dying.”

Kravokh snorted. “Ditagh’s been dying for years. His inability to actually take the final step has grown tiresome.”

The councillor touched a control on his belt, and his opponent disappeared in a puff of photons. The holographic technology was every bit as good as the human merchant said it would be.

“What was that?” Ruuv asked.

“A holographic opponent. The Federation has perfected the technology to the point where one can create a solid object. Makes a fine sparring partner, if programmed right.” Kravokh walked over to where the tik’leth had landed and picked it up. “We should be trading for such technology, not holding the Federation at arm’s length.”

“You may have your chance to implement that plan soon.”

Kravokh hung the long sword and the bat’leth in their respective cradles on the eastern wall of the practice room. Said wall also contained a mek’leth and half a dozen other weapons—some of Romulan, Vulcan, Kinshaya, and human design. The opposite wall was a giant window that looked out over the Qora forest. The array of sepia leaves and red bark against the blue-and-white sky provided a fine backdrop for his combat drills.

He regarded his aide. Ruuv was lanky, tall but with skinny shoulders. Still, Kravokh knew he was reliable in battle, and he was also a keen observer—which was why he’d made him his top aide in the first place. “Ditagh is really dying this time?”

“The doctors do not think he will last the night.”

Another snort. “These same doctors said he was due to cross into Sto-Vo-Kor ‘any minute’ three months ago.”

Ruuv smiled. “In fact, it is a different doctor, and she is quite sure of her diagnosis. She was convincing enough that Ditagh has named an Arbiter of Succession.”

Kravokh started pacing across the wooden floor toward the window. When a chancellor died in a manner other than in combat, an Arbiter was chosen, who had the task of determining the two most qualified candidates to become the new head of the High Council. Those two then fought each other for the right to rise to the chancellorship. “Who has he named?”

“K’Tal.”

Kravokh whirled away from the spectacular view to give Ruuv a shocked look. “That child?”

“I suspect that is why Ditagh chose him. He is new enough not to have any prejudices.”

Laughing, Kravokh said, “Ditagh must be dying—it’s addled his brains. Since when has he preferred those with no prejudices?”

Ruuv joined in the laugh. “It is a wise move. K’Tal may be young, but his House is strong, and he will be the head of that House before long. Making him Arbiter gives him a position of respect, and will indebt the next chancellor to his House even more so.”

Kravokh fixed his aide with a look. “I know why it is good for K’Tal, I am merely surprised that Ditagh chose him.

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