Part 19 (1/2)
Chapter Fourteen.
FIVE OF THE SIX surviving members of the Council of Ministers of Nem Ma'ak Bratuna were seated around the table in the conference room at Government House, which still stood. One or two of the men at the table looked determined, while the others seemed frightened and uncertain. Three of their number were dead or missing as a result of the Krann raid-a raid that the Council itself seemed to have precipitated.
For his part, Picard was seething, but he was hiding it well. He remained seated in his chair in the bridge command area, hoping that doing so would send an unspoken message that would soothe the Lethantan leaders.h.i.+p and calm the ministers down a bit. It was the kind of subtle thing that had worked before-the Picard touch. Unfortunately, it was not working very well now.
”First Among Equals,” the captain began, ”it was not helpful for you to have declared a planetwide military alert-even if, as you say, it was for defensive purposes only. As I have told you, Presider Hek of the Krann took your move as an aggressive one and authorized an initial strike on Nem Ma'ak Bratuna. That offensive continues even now with heavy losses on both sides. I must also tell you that a promising avenue for negotiations to resolve this crisis peacefully has simply evaporated away. The most that can be done now is to try to stop the fighting. I suggest a truce in place-”
Kerajem opened his mouth to speak, but Security Minister Jemmagar interrupted him. ”Pardon me, First, but the captain has issued a direct challenge to the authority of this body, and I must respond to it.” Kerajem nodded without looking at Jemmagar.
”Captain Picard,” the security minister began, ”I'm sure we all appreciate your efforts on behalf of peace-”
”I'm certain you do, Minister Jemmagar,” Picard said blandly.
”Er, yes, yes, we do, but we of the Council of Ministers have a grave responsibility to a.s.sure that our people are prepared to deal with the undeniable threat from the Krann. The defense drill was long scheduled-”
Picard's mouth tightened. ”Minister Jemmagar, your practice alert was sheerest folly. It appeared to the Krann that you were undertaking a preemptive strike on the forward units of their fleet-units you could detect, although we could not, because you chose not to share with us your discovery that the Krann had adjusted their camouflage techniques to foil our sensors. We might have been able to avert this war if you had.” He paused. ”I must ask you to refrain from declaring military alerts and taking similar actions from here on. I cannot be held responsible for the consequences if you do.”
”The council has a responsibility to the people,”Jemmagar said ponderously. ”We will not be, be scolded by you, Picard, as if we were schoolboys.”
”Yes,” Picard replied bitingly. ”Yes, you do have a responsibility to your people, Minister Jemmagar. Let me suggest to you that it lies in getting them through this crisis and out the other end as safely as possible while your civilization remains relatively intact.” He s.h.i.+fted his attention to Kerajem. ”First Among Equals, which is it to be? Do we get the chance to resolve this situation without further loss of life, or do we abandon all hope, thanks to sheer stubbornness? Peace is still possible, but not if either party continues to act precipitously.”
Kerajem paused for a moment, and then nodded. ”There will be no more drills,” he said. ”We will provoke the Krann no further. You have my word on it, Picard.”
”But, First-” Jemmager began.
Kerajem held up a hand. ”No more. You have my word on it, Captain Picard-but this concession on our part presupposes that the Krann will cease hostilities and offer no further aggressive moves of their own.” He hesitated. ”Please offer the respects of the High Council to Presider Hek and the members of the Fleet Congress.”
”I will certainly do so,” Picard said quickly. ”Thank you, Kerajem. I will relay this news to Presider Hek immediately. Picard out.” The captain did not allow himself a sigh of relief until the view of the conference room was replaced by the usual starfield. ”Mr. Worf,” he said after a moment, ”hail the Krann flags.h.i.+p. I want to talk to Presider Hek.”
The crowd in the bistro was mumbling again, but for a different reason. ”Hull, the rhythm's changed,” Bitt said, looking up at the lights. ”Three-three-three now. I think that means-”
”Alert canceled,” Wiggin slurred. ”Everything's over. You're not the only one who knows his alert signals, my friend. Hey, what's the alert for an empty pitcher, anyway?” He held it up and waved it around. ”C'mon, facilitator. Facilitator! Show's over, and my friends here want another drink.”
”Actually,” Bitt said, ”I think Lettana and I would like to leave now.” He glanced up at the lights. ”I just realized I haven't talked to my parents for quite a while, and I expect the lines will be tied up.” He addressed Wiggin. ”If you'll excuse us-?”
”Oh, sure, sure,” Wiggin replied. ”Thanks for the gift of your company, and all that. Happy Posting Day. 'Bye.”
”I think we'll leave, too,” Nozz said, taking Sharra's hand. ”We thank you for your hospitality, Wiggin, and we hope we can repay it in kind before long.”
Bitt turned to Riker and Troi. He tapped his breast one-twice-thrice. ”I am glad we met, Dex, Pralla. I am glad we have formed a friends.h.i.+p.”
The two disguised Enterprise officers rose from their seats and returned the tapping gesture. ”So are we, Bitt. Happy Posting Day to you and Lettana. Nozz and Sharra, the same to you.”
”And to you, Dex and Pralla. Good-bye.” The two couples turned and began to snake their way through the crowd.
”Nice folks,” Wiggin said. ”Too bad they had to rush off like that.” He winked at Troi. She smiled and winked back.
Riker bent close to Troi's ear. ”What's going on now?” he asked her, his voice low.
”Our friend Wiggin wants to get me alone,” Troi replied, ”and I intend to let him. Go to the bathroom, Will. It's in the back, just to the right of the bar. There are two of them. They're s.e.xually segregated here. Yours has a symbol on the door that looks like a figure eight.”
”Good idea. It'll give me a chance to call the captain and find out what's been happening.” He raised his voice. ”If you will excuse me, Wiggin,” he said pleasantly, 'I'll be back in a few minutes. How about getting that pitcher refilled while I'm gone?”
”Got to see a journeyman about the plumbing, eh?” Wiggin said loudly, and heads turned. ”Hope everything comes out all right, Dex.” He laughed hysterically at his own joke.
Riker glanced at Troi and, shrugging, gave her a wan smile as he walked away.
Wiggin smiled drunkenly at Troi, which somehow made him look even more boyish. He suddenly leaned forward, putting his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hands. ”h.e.l.lo, Pralla,” he said. ”Fancy meeting you here. I'm glad.”
Troi smiled. ”I'm glad I met you, too, Wiggin. It's a great day all around.”
”Best Posting Day I've ever had, that's for sure. Look, do you mind if I tell you something?”
”Go ahead.”
”You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.” Wiggin gave Troi what he must have thought was a sensual look, but it was all the counselor could do to keep from laughing.
”You know, Wiggin,” Troi said after a moment, ”there's an empty chair right here next to me. I don't think Dex will be back for a while.”
Wiggin seemed startled, and then he smiled. ”All right.” He s.h.i.+fted over. ”This is better.”
”Yes, it is.” She patted Wiggin's hand. ”This is much better.”
”You were worried during the alert,” Wiggin told her. ”I could tell.”
”A little,” Troi said, putting just the right amount of nervousness into her voice. ”It was very unusual, wasn't it?”
”It sure was,” he replied. ”I've never been through an alert before.”
Troi smiled. ”Well, to tell you the truth, neither have I.”
Wiggin waved a hand. ”No need to be scared. There's nothing that can hurt us.” He moved closer to her. ”I wish I could talk about it, but I can't.” He put a finger to his lips.
”Oh? Well, I can certainly respect your privacy-”
”Nope,” Wiggin said, shaking his head firmly. ”Can't talk about it, not even a little. Orders. They've got us working heel-and-toe watches in weapons design, you know. They'd get pretty mad at me if I ever talked about it. You know, I've got no social life at all.”
”I'm sorry about that. I really am.”
Wiggin seemed to be lost in thought. ”Maybe I could show you.”
”Excuse me?”
”Maybe I could show you the section where I work, I mean. People are brought through sometimes. Relatives, people like that. You know. Wait a minute. How much trouble could I get into? Hull, you're the spouse of a supervisor. You must have a security clearance, right?”
Troi nodded quickly. ”Uh, that's right. Of course I do.”
”And the watch is young,” Wiggin said. He winked at Troi again. ”It could be a magic one.”