Part 12 (1/2)

”You may address me by my t.i.tle,” she said. ”Nim.”

”Very well, Nim,” Dor said. ”And that means that Gar Gar is your . . .?” He let his question trail into silence, inviting Alizome to answer it. She didn't. Before the moment could grow uncomfortable, Dor completed his question himself. ”Caste, is it?” is your . . .?” He let his question trail into silence, inviting Alizome to answer it. She didn't. Before the moment could grow uncomfortable, Dor completed his question himself. ”Caste, is it?”

Alizome had heard that characterization before from outsiders, who apparently believed that the Tzenkethi employed a system of social cla.s.ses. Such a notion only underscored how little others understood her people. n.o.body in the Coalition found themselves relegated to a particular function in life as an accident of being birthed by members of that function. Biologists confirmed the genetic composition of every Tzenkethi in utero in utero, allowing the a.s.signment of individuals to the echelon in society to which they were physiologically best suited, and which therefore best served society. Tzenkethi culture did not prevent people from overachieving and moving beyond their echelon, nor did it allow underachievers to retain an unearned position. Because of the quality of Tzenkethi genetic examination and cultural placements, though, such repositioning from one echelon to another rarely occurred.

Alizome explained none of that to Dor. Instead, she simply said, ”Essentially, yes.”

”And so Gar Gar would equate to what in Romulan society?” Dor asked. would equate to what in Romulan society?” Dor asked.

Alizome looked down, wanting to imply that she felt a level of embarra.s.sment. ”Pardon me, Senator, I do not wish to be rude, but what you're asking about is considered a private matter on Ab-Tzenketh.” Looking back up at Dor, she attempted to sell the lie by saying, ”I think it is rather like the complex practice of naming that takes place on Romulus.”

The senator did not look away, as Alizome had, but his facial expression changed subtly, and he appeared as embarra.s.sed as she had. ”My apologies then.”

”None are necessary, Senator,” she said, ”but thank you.”

”I understand that you have been-”

The doors opened, and Ritor returned bearing a silver tray. He set it down on the table, revealing a large decanter filled with a pale-yellow beverage, along with a set of gla.s.ses. As Ritor began pouring, Dor said, ”I don't know if you're familiar with carallun carallun, but it is a citrus drink made from Romulan fruit.”

”I do know it,” Alizome said, ”and I like it.”

”Good,” Dor said. ”I thought you might have tried it since you've been on Romulus for so long.”

”That and many other things,” Alizome said, taking note of the senator's artful means of informing her that he had looked into the details of her stay-and probably her background-before meeting her. ”I was sent on this trade mission just after our governments allied in the Typhon Pact. It seemed like a good opportunity to reach out to new markets.”

Ritor finished handing out gla.s.ses of carallun carallun by giving one to her and one to Dor. He then left the office once more. Alizome sipped at the drink, then said, ”I've spoken with a great many people all over Romulus, both on the business side and on the government side. I've even spoken to members of your own clan.” Dor would know all of that, but Alizome wanted to project the notion that she had nothing to hide from the senator-though of course she did. by giving one to her and one to Dor. He then left the office once more. Alizome sipped at the drink, then said, ”I've spoken with a great many people all over Romulus, both on the business side and on the government side. I've even spoken to members of your own clan.” Dor would know all of that, but Alizome wanted to project the notion that she had nothing to hide from the senator-though of course she did.

”And have you had much success?” he asked.

”I have had some,” she said. ”Small successes, mostly. Since I'll be returning to Ab-Tzenketh soon, I'm hoping that I can accomplish something more lucrative in one of my last few meetings.”

”As you've already spoken with the Ortikant, then you must be aware of our extensive holdings,” Dor said. ”As a member of the Romulan Senate, I also have access to certain other resources.”

”Then I'm sure we can find some business that would benefit us both,” Alizome said. Turning to her aides, she asked for a data cube. Bezorj brought one over to her. She activated it and called up an inventory of Tzenkethi merchandise. Then, to Senator Dor, she said, ”Let me show you what we have to offer.”

Xarian Dor examined his data tablet, reading through the details of the transaction. Even as it had developed, its size had surprised him. He had been given to understand that the Tzenkethi could make problematic business partners, but while a determined negotiator, Representative Alizome Nim Gar-A had also been reasonable. She had balked at some of Dor's more lopsided proposals, but she'd seen value when he'd offered it. Overall, the deal would benefit both the Romulan and Tzenkethi governments, at the same time proving lucrative for the interests of the Ortikant and for whomever the representative acted.

”There is one more thing, Senator,” Alizome said. ”We've had major interest in Barajian fleece. Would it be possible to acquire a significant amount?”

Dor peered up from his tablet and over at the representative. The gentle golden glow of Alizome's flesh fascinated him, as did her arresting green eyes. Rarely did Dor find aliens attractive, but the Tzenkethi representative possessed a quality that drew his attention. Even the two men who attended her, though radiating a light green color, seemed exceptional physical specimens.

”Barajian fleece, I'm afraid, is virtually impossible to acquire within the Empire these days,” Dor said. ”It is a commodity cultivated exclusively on Achernar Prime.” He had mentioned the source of the fleece as an explanation for its unavailability, but Alizome gave him a questioning look.

”Achernar Prime?” she said.

”The seat of Donatra's illegal government,” Dor told her.

”Oh, I see,” Alizome said. ”I take it that you do not approve of the Imperial Romulan State.”

Dor felt his features harden. ”Would you approve if one of your military leaders co-opted a faction within your fleet, then took control of several important worlds and deemed themselves their own nation? Would you approve if that so-called nation then threatened to cut off food and medical supplies to your people if their irrational demands were not met?”

”Forgive me, Senator,” Alizome said, appearing duly chastened. ”I did not mean to offend.”

Dor took a beat to calm himself. ”No, you did not offend,” he said.

”Good,” Alizome said. ”It would seem to me, though, that the Star Empire's entry into the Typhon Pact should mitigate any threatened shortages in food and medicine.”

”It does,” Dor said. Such considerations had actually aided him in making his choice to vote for ratification of the treaty.

”It would also seem to me,” Alizome said, ”that the substantial military might of the Typhon Pact could make reclaiming those seized worlds an easier matter.”

Dor hesitated to respond. As an official of the Empire, the voicing of his opinions required circ.u.mspection, even in private conversation. He returned his attention to his data tablet.

”It would be unfortunate to miss an occasion for such a large profit,” Alizome went on. ”Barajian fleece has become a sought-after commodity within the Coalition.”

The Tzenkethi representative seemed to be reaching for something-something beyond their business dealings, Dor thought. ”I didn't know that the fleece was so popular on Ab-Tzenketh,” he said.

”It is for now,” Alizome said. ”But if the demand goes unfulfilled for any length of time, I doubt that it will last.”

Dor readily followed the representative's implication. ”The shortage of Barajian fleece within the Empire, I am quite sure, will not last.”

”How can can you be sure?” you be sure?”

”Because there is growing sentiment within the Romulan Senate that such valuable commodities should be returned to the Empire in the near term,” Dor explained, continuing with the metaphor Alizome had introduced.

”And if the Imperial Romulan State should resist such measures?”

”The Senate would favor a.s.sistance from our newly gained allies,” Dor said. ”I would favor such a.s.sistance.” would favor such a.s.sistance.”

”That is good to hear,” Alizome said with, Dor thought, a visible degree of satisfaction. From his own viewpoint, it gratified him to learn that at least one faction within the Tzenkethi government-and therefore a faction within the Typhon Pact-supported military intervention to rip Donatra's rogue state from her traitorous grip.

Dor looked down again at the tablet in his hands, and at the trade agreement spelled out on it. ”This appears to be in order,” he said. He signed the contract with his imprimatur, then transmitted the endorsed doc.u.ment to Alizome's data cube.

”Excellent,” said Alizome. She rose from the sofa, and her two aides followed her lead. Dor stood as well and faced her. ”Thank you for your time and effort, Senator.” She held up the data cube. ”I am confident that our agreement will be advantageous for all involved.”

”As am I,” said Dor.

Alizome reached a hand forward, the loose sleeve of her gossamer outfit slipping away to reveal the gentle, golden curve of her arm. Without thinking, he took her hand in his, the gesture clearly intended to show appreciation for the work they had completed together. Only later, long after Alizome and her aides had departed, did it strike Dor as odd that a Tzenkethi would practice the human ritual of a handshake.

22.

Spock descended from the personnel transport Ragul'tora Ragul'tora and stepped onto the landing stage. In the terminal, he walked amidst other arriving pa.s.sengers, who comprised a wide mix of species, including two of which he knew, but that he'd never before seen in person. Both subject races of the Star Empire, the Teluvians and the Innix had never been permitted, as far as he knew, to range beyond Romulan s.p.a.ce. Apparently, though, they had leave to travel within the Empire's borders. and stepped onto the landing stage. In the terminal, he walked amidst other arriving pa.s.sengers, who comprised a wide mix of species, including two of which he knew, but that he'd never before seen in person. Both subject races of the Star Empire, the Teluvians and the Innix had never been permitted, as far as he knew, to range beyond Romulan s.p.a.ce. Apparently, though, they had leave to travel within the Empire's borders.

Among the travelers, about half of them Romulan, Spock saw Ferengi, Carda.s.sians, and Son'a, among others, as well as a number belonging to several of the Typhon Pact signatories: Breen, Gorn, and Tzenkethi. That pleased him, as it would render his behavior less suspicious when he did what he'd come to do on Terix II. He had little doubt that he would be observed, and that he had been ever since emerging from hiding on Romulus. Tal'Aura would have kept a set of eyes on him, and if she hadn't called upon the Tal s.h.i.+ar to perform that task, then the covert intelligence apparatus would likely have employed their own agent as well.

Spock followed a line of pa.s.sengers through a security checkpoint, which he moved through quickly. Because of his understanding with the praetor, he possessed legal doc.u.mentation to travel within the Empire. Intending to return to Romulus in just two days' time, he carried with him only an overnight bag and a data tablet.