TOS - Federation (b) by Star Trek

Author:Star Trek [Star Trek]
Language: deu
Format: epub
Tags: \Star Trek
Published: 2011-01-02T07:58:49.594000+00:00

“I will make the following arrangements,” Picard said to Commander Tarl. He hoped that in the past few minutes he had recovered enough from the staggering discovery within the Borg artifact that his voice sounded normal and unremarkable. So far, at least, Tarl and the others of her crew seemed to suspect nothing. He continued reading the points he had entered on the small padd Riker had given him. La Forge, Worf, and Data remained by the Borg artifact, running a structural load analysis to devise a method to take it to the Enterprise.

“To begin: Immediate transport, under cover, for yourself and your crew to Starbase 718,” Picard said.

Riker added, “I’ve already requested four high-speed transports to rendezvous with us back at Legara IV, for your journey.”

Tarl regarded the captain and his first officer without expression, arms crossed.

“At Starbase 718,” Picard continued, “you will be provided with a Nautilus-class colony ship, fully equipped for the [227] automated construction of a self-sustaining, class-M-world, farming and mining community, with a range of two thousand light-years at warp six before refueling. That should take you far beyond the Federation’s boundaries, and the Empire’s.”

Tarl stared at the deckplates. “Farmers and miners.” She shook her head as if she could imagine nothing worse.

“Other options are available,” Picard reminded her. “But they would require you to remain within the Federation. In time, should the Empire discover what you have done, we might be asked to extradite you for charges of piracy and ... treason.”

Tarl unfolded her arms. “The Empire already knows what I have done, Captain. Your assistance is ... acceptable.” She didn’t sound convinced, but Picard knew she had no other choice.

“Your assistance is most appreciated,” Picard replied. “And when the time comes, I shall personally see to it that you receive the honor that is due you.”

Tarl looked as if she hadn’t understood a single word. “When what time comes?”

“When the Federation enjoys the same relationship with the Romulan Empire as it does today with the Klingon Empire.”

Tarl reacted with amazement. “You actually believe that will come to pass?”

“Of course,” Picard said. “It is inevitable.”

Tarl stepped closer to Picard, making him look up at her. “The Federation will never conquer my people.”

Very calmly, Picard replied, “The Federation does not conquer, Commander. It invites. There is a considerable difference. And someday, when your rulers are convinced that the Federation’s ideals are their own, shared by thousands of worlds and cultures, they will ask to join and the invitation will be extended to them as it has been extended to so many others for more than two hundred years.”

Tarl stared down at Picard for long moments. Then she said, “You humans truly are the most arrogant life-form the galaxy has ever seen.”

“Humans are not the only species in the Federation, Commander. Therefore, your argument is not logical.”

[228] “Logical,” Tarl sneered. “The corrupt Vulcan influence is everywhere.” She then strode away, her boot heels clicking loudly on the deckplates.

“ ‘Not logical’? I take it Ambassador Sarek is still with you,” Riker said.

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