Star Trek - Diplomatic Implausibility Part 13

"What I think does not matter. Anyone less than the first officer would be construed as an insult by Governor Tiral. Appearances must be maintained, so I have been forced to settle for you. You will report to the governor's satellite immediately."

Snorting, Drex turned and left Worf's quarters.

have done what I can, Martok, Worf thought to his House head. Either Drex will excel in this task-to spite me, if for no other reason-or he will fail and prove his worthlessness. I hope for your sake that it will be the former.

"What of me?" Toq asked.

"I need you to search through unclaimed and Federation s.p.a.ce in this sector for a planet similar to tad."

Toq frowned. "May I ask why, sir?" he asked.

"It may be necessary to relocate some or all of the al'Hmatti. I need to know if that is a viable option. Limit the search to locations no more than two weeks away at Warp 6." That was the most they could expect out of a Starfleet colonization ship-huge vessels equipped to move vast numbers of people.

"Very well," Toq said. He sounded as if he wanted to ask why that was considered any kind of option-it was not a very Klingon solution-but he refrained from doing so. At least Toq understands the chain of command, Worf thought sourly.

Relocation was not an ideal solution, and Worf-remembering his recent mission on the Enterprise to the Bak'u planet-certainly would only pursue it if the al'Hmatti themselves agreed. But before he could even propose it to them, he needed Toq to determine if it was even feasible.

As Toq left, Wu entered. "Mr. Amba.s.sador, we have a bit of a problem.

The rebels just attacked a top aline refinery."

Chapter Six.

Worf observed the wreckage of a top aline refinery through the viewscreen of Governor Tkal's shuttle. Most of the roof of the ma.s.sive, rectangular structure was gone, exposing the inside to the elements. Green emergency lights still lit parts of it, illuminating the shattered machinery that lay strewn about those floors that remained intact-a large hole had been made through three levels. Worf saw al'Hmatti workers scurrying back and forth trying to survey and repair the damage, many at the direction of thermal-suit-wearing Klingons. Several other shuttles flew in and out of the area, evacuating injured personnel and bringing in repair crews.

"What was it you said, Amba.s.sador?" Tlral said angrily. "That the rebels were keeping a low profile because you and the Gorkon had arrived?"

"That was speculation on my part," Worf said calmly. "Obviously, that speculation was erroneous."

"Obviously," Tiral said.

Worf, Drex, and Krevor had beamed over to the governor's satellite as soon as Wu had advised them of the attack. On their arrival, Drex had commenced his new duties as Tiral's temporary aide, and Worf and Krevor accompanied the governor to survey the destroyed refinery. Tiral saw no reason for the amba.s.sador to go, but Worf insisted.

Worf was getting tired of having to insist every time he gave an order.

The shuttle pilot said, "Lord Governor, I have Supervisor Grul."

Tiral nodded. "On screen."

The visage of an older woman appeared on a small screen to the right of the flight console. For the first time since Worf had met him, Tiral's pudgy face softened. "What happened, Grul?"

"What in Kahless's name do you think happened, you stupid petaq? d.a.m.ned rebels is what happened. Did they take your brains when they made you governor?" She looked at Worf, standing next to Tiral. "Who's that?"

"This is Worf, the Federation amba.s.sador. This is what the High Council finally sent in reply to my calls for help."

Grul snorted. "About time the Federation showed some sense and got another Klingon to be amba.s.sador. Well, let me tell you what will solve the problem, boy-crush the d.a.m.ned rebels."

"One cannot crush what cannot be found," Worf said neutrally.

"Yeah, well, wish I could help you there."

"What happened, Grul?" Tiral asked again.

"They came out of nowhere. One minute we're processing the latest batch from the southern tap, the next there's a bunch of al'Hmatti with shaved cheeks all over the place. No warning, no alarms, nothing until after they were deep inside. One of them planted a bomb. Kiln and Takus tried to disarm the thing, but they couldn't do it. And if those two couldn't, n.o.body could." She sighed. "Now they never will."

Tiral growled. "They died well, at least."

Grul waved her right arm in a dismissive gesture. "Bah. They're probably already in Sto-Vo-Kor, getting drunk."

Worf scowled. "And there was no sign of how they penetrated your security, nor where they went after they planted the bomb?"

"That's what I meant when I said, "They came out of nowhere, "boy Grul snapped.

Letting the comment go, Worf asked, "Any prisoners?"

"None breathing. They killed four others, too-three guards and one of my supervisors. Good people. Not how they should've died."

"Were any al'Hmatti killed or injured?"

Grul snorted. "Does it matter?"

"Yes. How many?"

" A couple were injured when the bomb went off. But the only fatalities or major injuries we've found so far were Klingons," Grul said bitterly.

Tiral nodded. "There's a Defense Force commander named Drex at the satellite. He's helping me out for the time being. Send your report to him."

"Fine. Can I get back to work now? "

"Of course, Grul, thank you. I'll check back later. Tiral out."

The screen went blank.

"She raised me," Tiral said suddenly. "My parents were killed at Narendra I'll. She was my nursemaid. When I was appointed governor, I put her in charge of the refinery. She is the main reason why top aline production has increased since I took over here. If the rebels had killed her ..." Tiral closed his gray eyes for a moment, then opened them and stared straight at Worf. "You had best accomplish your mission with dispatch, Amba.s.sador." He turned to the pilot. "Bring us to the capital. I wish to announce the next round of executions."

"That would be foolish," Worf said.

Whirling, Tiral said, "I suspected you would be squeamish about this kind of thing, Amba.s.sador. After all, you were raised by humans." He spat the word out as if it were chilled blood wine "If you wish to spare your stomachs, you can return to the satellite. There's a transporter right behind you."

"You misunderstand," Worf said coldly. "I am not human. I fully comprehend the laws regarding the treatment of jeghpu'wl', including the policy of random executions to keep them in line. My objections are not moral, but tactical."

Tiral gave Worf a questioning look. "What?"

"Using random executions against sedition will either deter it or encourage it-allow it to be used as a rallying cry. It should be obvious to you by now which is the case here."

"It is policy-" Tiral started.

"Governor, have you ever read any of the publications you instructed em'Rlakun to suppress?"

"No. Why should I?"

"Because when fighting a battle it is generally wise to know your enemy." He pulled a padd out of a pocket in his thermal suit, and thumbed through several displays to the one he wanted. Handing it to Tiral, he said, "The rebels have been using the executions as a propaganda tool against you and the empire."

As Tiral read the display, his mouth twisted into a vicious snarl.

"d.a.m.n them!"

"It may be policy to kill random citizens in response to this bombing.

But it will also aid your enemy's cause and weaken yours. That is a poor position to take."

Tiral handed the padd back to Worf. "Very well," he said, nearly choking on the words. He turned to the pilot. "Return us to the satellite. There is nothing more we can do here."

Tiral didn't even look at Worf for the rest of the journey, which suited Worf fine. He had much to ponder.

Something is wrong, he thought. It does not make sense for the rebels to make such a high-profile move when they are finally getting what they want. The symbolism of the attack was as important in this case as the attack itself. The slowdown in top aline production mattered less than the fact that they had damaged a major refinery a symbol of the empire's presence. After all, the Klingons would never have come here in the first place if not for the top aline But they know that I am here to negotiate a peace at their request, he thought. So why continue with the a.s.saults?

Perhaps the rebels were factionalized-the group that had advocated contacting the Federation differed from the group that had attacked the refinery. That would be unfortunate.

However, aside from their illfated a.s.sault on Tiral's satellite-the fight that the Gorkon finished off-the rebels' campaigns had been fairly successful and well organized. That, in turn, bespoke an organized group.

So why continue? What has changed?

And then, in a sudden moment of clarity, he saw it. It was obvious, really.

Worf almost smiled.

As soon as the shuttle docked at the satellite, Worf disembarked and headed for commandin-control, Krevor silently on his heels. Drex was at the workstation Tiral had a.s.signed him.

"What do you want?" Drex asked at Worf's approach.

"You should shortly be receiving a report from a Supervisor Grul about the refinery attack. Study it carefully. I want to know how the rebels got in and out. However they did so, they used a tactic undetectable by Tiral's people."

Drex glowered at Worf. "And you expect me to find what the governor could not?"

"I expect you to follow my orders, Commander."

"Yes, sir. Anything else?"

"No. Carry on."

Martok, if Drex does not find his own honor soon, House-mate or not, I will have to kill him.

Wu was waiting in the Gorkon's transporter room when Worf and Krevor materialized in a red glow several minutes later. "Report," Worf said as he stepped off the platform and moved toward the exit.

Reading off his padd as he and Krevor followed the amba.s.sador, Wu said, "You've received a few correspondences. Nothing major, but a couple regard matters you'll need to deal with once we get back to Qo'nos, so you may want to look them over. Also, Lieutenant Toq has found only one suitable world to match your search. It's located outside Klingon s.p.a.ce-the only planet surrounding a blue giant. Like tad, it's mostly covered in ice over a saline sea. There was an archaeological survey done about ten years ago-the natives called it Koosbane, apparently, before they died out about seven million years ago."

"How far?"

"A week at Warp 6."

Worf nodded. That was something. "Compose a message to Minister T'Latrek. Suggest to her the possibility of the Federation relocating the arhmatti."

"To Koosbane?"

"Yes."

"Very well."

"Let me see the message before you have it sent," Worf said as they arrived at their quarters. Krevor took up her position outside while Wu and Worf entered.

Wu made some notes on his padd, then said, "Also, I finished compiling the report on Kreel raids in this sector. There have been four attacks on Klingon ships in this area in the last six months."

"Any commonalities?"

"Rather a big one, actually. Every single vessel they attacked, including this one, had either visited this star system or had it on their itinerary before they were attacked."

Worf looked up sharply at Wu.

"Quite a coincidence, eh, sir?" Wu drawled.

"Hardly," Worf rumbled.

Evidently, realizing his sarcasm was ill-timed, Wu cleared his throat and continued "The encounter with the Gorkon was the first time the Kreel had the added defensive capability of the Breen shields, but the other three were freighters and cargo vessels that couldn't put up quite the same fight that we did."

Worf nodded. "Very well. Have you sent the report to Starfleet Intelligence on the Kreel yet?"

"Not yet. Commander Kurak is supposed to give me comm access later today."

"Good. Add this information to that report. Commander Drex should be sending a report on the refinery raid. I want to see it the moment it is ready."

"Of course. Is there anything else?"

Feeling his stomachs growl, Worf realized he hadn't eaten anything all day. With an internal smile, he thought, Mother woul d be aghast.

"Fetch me some food from the galley. I will be catching up on those correspondences."

"Very good, sir."

Kurak headed to her quarters at the end of her shift in an even worse mood than usual. Lieutenant M'Rep had misaligned the warp coils during the last maintenance cycle and had nearly blown up the ship. She had killed M'Rep for his incompetence herself, which was responsible for worsening her mood-it would take weeks for Command to send a replacement.

Then that imbecile human came mewling after communications access. She was in no mood to deal with one of his kind, so she sent him off with some excuse or other.