Part 11 (1/2)

”The Valdore, Valdore,” Spock said. ”Donatra's s.h.i.+p.”

”Yes,” T'Solon said. ”R'Jul served in her crew on the security staff, eventually working his way up to security chief.”

A large inflatable ball skittered across the gra.s.s toward the bench, a young Romulan girl chasing after it. Spock stood up and collected the ball, then handed it to the girl when she reached him. She could barely spread her arms wide enough to hold the ball. ”Thank you,” she said, then scampered off.

Spock glanced over at Dorlok, who had apparently watched the episode closely. Although the security man did not appear to be carrying anything, Spock inferred that he must have used a portable sensor to scan both the girl and the ball. If he hadn't, Dorlok would have run over and intercepted both.

Returning to the bench, Spock asked, ”For how long did R'Jul serve under Donatra?”

”We haven't found enough doc.u.mentation to determine a precise timeframe,” T'Solon said, ”but for at least two years.”

”When did he leave her command?” Spock asked. ”And did he move directly from the Imperial Fleet into Romulan Security?”

”We haven't been able to ascertain those details,” T'Solon said. ”But we do know that he was aboard the Valdore Valdore as late as five days prior to s.h.i.+nzon's a.s.sa.s.sination of Praetor Hiren and the Senate.” as late as five days prior to s.h.i.+nzon's a.s.sa.s.sination of Praetor Hiren and the Senate.”

Spock nodded, trying to make sense of the information. ”Is there anything further?”

”No,” T'Solon said, deactivating the tablet.

”The implication is clear,” Spock said.

”Because of R'Jul's affiliation with Donatra,” T'Solon said, ”it seems possible, maybe even likely, that he acted on her orders to kill the Reman.”

”Which would in turn imply that Donatra employed the Reman to a.s.sa.s.sinate me,” Spock said, ”and that once he failed-or even if he had succeeded-she wanted to silence him.” He pondered the matter. ”But does all of that follow?”

”I think it does,” T'Solon said. ”Donatra gained the loyalties of a significant portion of the military, enough to allow her to take control of a number of Romulan worlds and declare them a new nation. But while she commands a force strong enough to defend her Imperial Romulan State, she does not have enough firepower to seize the rest of the Empire. Tal'Aura also enjoys some significant advantages, in that she controls Romulus, at least a marginally stronger military, and a greater population. Also, she has rebuilt the government, even ceding political power to a new Senate that she herself reinst.i.tuted. Donatra might therefore want to minimize any sentiments championing the reuniting of the two powers, since a return to a single Romulan government would be far more likely to put Donatra's position at risk than Tal'Aura's.”

”And because a popular Vulcan-Romulan Reunification Movement would likely empower a Romulan unity movement,” Spock said, ”she chose to weaken the cause of reunification by removing its head.” Spock had argued to the praetor that his his cause would benefit cause would benefit her her cause, and indeed, that had happened to a large degree. While Vulcan-Romulan reunification rallies had drawn more and more interest across Romulus, many more voices had called out for the Romulan Star Empire to be made whole. ”Logical,” Spock said. ”But if Donatra did employ the Reman to kill me, and if she then wanted R'Jul to kill the a.s.sa.s.sin, it would seem coincidental that I happened to deliver the Reman directly to the protector.” cause, and indeed, that had happened to a large degree. While Vulcan-Romulan reunification rallies had drawn more and more interest across Romulus, many more voices had called out for the Romulan Star Empire to be made whole. ”Logical,” Spock said. ”But if Donatra did employ the Reman to kill me, and if she then wanted R'Jul to kill the a.s.sa.s.sin, it would seem coincidental that I happened to deliver the Reman directly to the protector.”

”Coincidences do do happen,” T'Solon said. ”But if Donatra had wanted R'Jul to kill the Reman all along, I would a.s.sume that he did not simply wait for him to appear in the security station; presumably he employed a more active search. And perhaps he was just one of a number of individuals employed by Donatra to eliminate the Reman.” happen,” T'Solon said. ”But if Donatra had wanted R'Jul to kill the Reman all along, I would a.s.sume that he did not simply wait for him to appear in the security station; presumably he employed a more active search. And perhaps he was just one of a number of individuals employed by Donatra to eliminate the Reman.”

”Perhaps,” Spock said, not convinced either way. ”But if you were able to locate this information, surely the praetor's staff must have uncovered it as well. If they have, if they can make this link to Donatra, then why haven't they made that information public? Any a.s.sa.s.sination attempt by Donatra made on Star Empire soil could readily be regarded as an act of war, and perhaps of greater importance, it could sway public opinion within the Imperial Romulan State away from Donatra.”

”Maybe Tal'Aura is waiting for the most opportune moment to reveal all of this,” T'Solon suggested.

”Perhaps,” Spock said again, ”or perhaps the link that you and Vorakel found between the Reman's death and Donatra is itself a coincidence.”

T'Solon remained quiet for a few moments, evidently considering the situation herself. Finally, she asked, ”What are we going to do?”

”I would ask that you and Vorakel continue your efforts to learn more about Protector R'Jul,” Spock said. ”Also, to continue searching for anybody else who might have killed the Reman.”

”We will,” T'Solon said. ”We'll get right back to it.” After Spock nodded his acknowledgment, T'Solon stood from the bench and headed away.

At once, Dorlok made his way over to Spock. ”Is everything all right?” he asked. ”Have they learned something important?”

”I do not know,” Spock said as he rose from the bench. ”But I intend to find out.”

20.

Captain Benjamin Sisko sat behind the desk in his ready room, his gaze directed to the personnel file displayed on his computer interface. He read through the record, which began with Lieutenant Sivadeki's time at Starfleet Academy and continued through her postings aboard Starbase Icarus, U.S.S. T'Plana-Hath U.S.S. T'Plana-Hath, and U.S.S. Fort.i.tude U.S.S. Fort.i.tude, as well as her two years serving aboard Robinson. Robinson. As he consumed the details of her life in Starfleet, a hand reached in and tapped at the screen. As he consumed the details of her life in Starfleet, a hand reached in and tapped at the screen.

”She's been awarded a Ribbon for Meritorious Service,” said Commander Rogeiro in his lyrical accent. ”Consistently high marks for performance at the conn. She's-”

”Commander,” Sisko said, perhaps a little too sharply. He knew that he'd been a bit hard on his senior staff during his seven months commanding Robinson Robinson, but he also understood his reasons for doing so. Sitting back in his chair, he turned slowly toward the s.h.i.+p's first officer, forcing the younger man to take a step back. Rogeiro stood about the same height as Sisko, with an olive complexion, wavy brown hair, and dark eyes. ”Commander, I've taken your recommendation under advis.e.m.e.nt. I will finish reviewing Lieutenant Sivadeki's record and make my determination.”

”I know, sir,” Rogeiro said. ”Pardon my enthusiasm, but it's just that Sivadeki's gone far longer than she should have without a promotion in rank.”

”Maybe there's a reason for that,” Sisko said.

”There is, but it's not a good good reason,” Rogeiro said. ”Since I'm relatively new to the s.h.i.+p, and since the time that this should have come up for review more or less coincided with the s.h.i.+p's transition in executive officers, I mistakenly overlooked it.” Rogeiro had been a.s.signed to reason,” Rogeiro said. ”Since I'm relatively new to the s.h.i.+p, and since the time that this should have come up for review more or less coincided with the s.h.i.+p's transition in executive officers, I mistakenly overlooked it.” Rogeiro had been a.s.signed to Robinson Robinson at the same time that Sisko had taken command. Before that, Rogeiro had served as Vaughn's first officer aboard at the same time that Sisko had taken command. Before that, Rogeiro had served as Vaughn's first officer aboard James T. Kirk James T. Kirk, surviving their encounter with the Borg at Alonis.

The mere thought of all those lives lost to the Borg and, closer to home, the effective loss of Elias Vaughn, tore at Sisko's spirit. He regarded Rogeiro and, knowing what he had been through, suddenly felt sympathetic toward him. Motioning to the sofa off to the left, Sisko said, ”If you'll have a seat for a few minutes, Commander, I'll give you my answer.”

”Aye, sir,” Rogeiro said, with a smile that immediately made Sisko regret his offer. He turned away from the commander, who quickly and quietly crossed in front of the desk and sat down on the sofa.

Sisko returned his attention to his computer interface, where he resumed evaluating the appropriateness of promoting Lieutenant Sivadeki. The Tyrellian conn officer had an unblemished, if unspectacular, record. Several accomplishments did stand out, though, including several instances where her stars.h.i.+p had encountered conditions considered virtually impossible to navigate, and yet she had somehow managed to do so.

After about ten minutes, Sisko reached the same conclusion that Commander Rogeiro had-namely that, given the steadiness and length of Sivadeki's Starfleet service, she warranted an increase in rank. Sisko made that notation in her file, then said, ”Commander.” Rogeiro immediately rose from the sofa and stood at attention before the desk.

”Yes, sir.”

”I've approved your recommendation for Sivadeki's promotion to lieutenant commander,” Sisko said. ”It will take effect as soon as you notify her.”

”Yes, sir,” Rogeiro said, a smile again appearing on his face. ”Thank you, sir.”

”Dismissed.”

Rogeiro headed for the bridge, and Sisko picked up a padd, intending to record the promotion in his captain's log. He waited for the sound of the doors opening and closing, but it never came. He looked up and saw that the s.h.i.+p's first officer had stopped, and stood peering back at him. ”Commander?”

”I was just wondering if you you might like to deliver the good news to Sivadeki, sir,” Rogeiro said. ”She's on s.h.i.+ft now. I can send her in.” might like to deliver the good news to Sivadeki, sir,” Rogeiro said. ”She's on s.h.i.+ft now. I can send her in.”

”No, thank you, Commander,” Sisko said. ”It will be sufficient for you to notify the lieutenant.”

”Understood,” Rogeiro said, but still he made no move toward the doors.

”Can I help you with something else?” Sisko asked.

”Sir,” Rogeiro said haltingly.

He appeared to have some difficulty deciding what to say-or perhaps whether he should should say anything. Sisko waited, offering him no help, and hoping that the commander would think better of whatever difficult subject he considered broaching. Instead, Rogeiro marched back toward the desk. say anything. Sisko waited, offering him no help, and hoping that the commander would think better of whatever difficult subject he considered broaching. Instead, Rogeiro marched back toward the desk.

”Sir,” he said, ”I wonder if I might ask you a personal question.”

Sisko did not hesitate in his response: ”No, Commander, you may not.”