Taking Wing Read online

  “Ah,” Akaar said with a knowing nod. “You are speaking of the opportunity to neutralize the Romulan Empire’s potential as a threat to us by splitting it up. The same opportunity that some say we failed to exploit with the Klingons nearly a century ago, after the Praxis explosion threatened Qo’noS itself with destruction.”

  Troi shook her head, intensely uncomfortable with being compared to the flinty-eyed cold warriors of a thankfully bygone era. “Not precisely, sir. But surely some of the Empire’s former subject worlds—Nemor, for example, or perhaps Miridian—might be amenable to voluntarily entering the Federation sphere of influence now that Romulus can no longer effectively rule them.”

  “True enough,” said Akaar. “And had Arafel Pagro prevailed in the recent presidential election, our current mission might well have been to secure exactly that result. But President Bacco has chosen instead to build trust with the Romulan Empire by assisting it in its efforts to remain essentially intact, in no small part to maintain the Federation’s security along the Neutral Zone.”

  “Meaning we’re just going to prop up Praetor Tal’Aura’s regime?” said Vale, clearly unhappy with that prospect and apparently addressing the entire room.

  T’Sevek shook her graying head. “That is a gross over-simplification of our mission, Commander. The goal of our task force is to assist the new praetor in reaching an accord with several rival factions that have emerged to fill the dangerous power vacuum created by the sudden absence of the Romulan Senate.”

  T’Sevek’s fleeting mention of the task force reminded Troi that Akaar still had yet to fill anyone in on precisely which other starships had been assigned to accompany Titan into the Romulan Neutral Zone, aside from the trio of aging Miranda-class supply vessels that had escorted her all the way from Utopia Planitia Station. It seemed rather late in the game for this particular detail still to be unannounced. Was it possible that Starfleet Command actually expected Titan to prevent the dissolution of the Romulan Empire essentially on her own?

  “I was under the impression, Admiral,” Dr. Ree said, interrupting Troi’s reverie with his oddly sibilant almost-purr, “that Romulan praetors never share power willingly.”

  “You are correct, Doctor,” Akaar said. “But Praetor Tal’Aura is nothing if not a pragmatist. Both she and the newly appointed Proconsul Tomalak are creatures of necessity, well aware that today’s oppressed dissidents can be tomorrow’s desperate assassins—like Shinzon. Along with a few key survivors among the behind-the-scenes backers of the now-defunct Senate, they understand that it is better to strike deals with their political opponents sooner, rather than risk sharing the Senate’s fate later.”

  T’Rel shot an expectant look in the direction of Akaar, whose silent nod invited her to resume the prepared briefing. “Over the past two weeks, a number of rival political factions have gained prominence on Romulus.”

  Two weeks, Troi thought, coming to a sudden realization about Akaar’s presence aboard the ship. No wonder the admiral has spent so much time alone in the stellar cartography lab since he came aboard. She reasoned that he must have been using it as a “war room” for modeling the volatile Romulan geopolitical situation—and that Akaar’s strangely unhurried attitude toward Titan’s departure date had a purpose behind it as well. Maybe he didn’t want to get us under way too quickly. Perhaps he preferred to allow Tal’Aura’s opponents some additional time to gather their strength—or wanted Tal’Aura herself to simplify the game by taking a few of her rivals out of the picture.

  “These rival factions,” continued T’Rel, “had heretofore lived in fear of both the Romulan Senate and the late Praetor Hiren. Despite Tal’Aura’s emergence as the first praetor of the post-Shinzon era—she may have actually aided Shinzon in assassinating her Senate colleagues—these factions now seek to pick up the Empire’s pieces and seize the reins of power themselves.”

  Sorok spoke next, as though the Vulcans had decided in advance to take turns during the presentation. “The most powerful of these factions is a breakaway party of former Senatorial backers. This group previously supported a ‘war hawk’ minority camp within the Senate, which endorsed preemptive attacks against both Vulcan and Earth. In the past, the Senate’s moderate majority kept them in check. I trust I needn’t explain how dangerous it would be to Federation security should this group gain any significant influence over the Romulan military. Pardek, a former Romulan senator, has emerged as the most visible advocate for these political hard-liners.”

  “Pardek?” Will said, frowning. “I remember Captain Picard having some dealings with him. Pardek never struck me as a hawk, or as aggressive toward the Federation. I thought he was a peace activist, and a populist.”

  “That may have been true at one time,” Sorok said with apparently strained patience. “Though he was always a loyal subject of the Romulan Star Empire, his participation in the Khitomer conferences of 2293 was instrumental in the creation of the initial peace accords between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. However, his attempt eleven years ago to disrupt the Vulcan Reunification movement on Romulus made plain that Pardek was far from incorruptible. And Starfleet Intelligence believes that he blames his daughter’s murder more than five years ago on alleged Federation–Tal Shiar intrigues. As a result, Pardek has become a staunch enemy both of the Federation and of his own Empire’s intelligence service.”

  Stepping into Sorok’s brief pause, T’Sevek spoke next, apparently trying to keep the briefing moving along. “The Romulan military comprises the next faction. Intelligence reports that Commander Donatra and Commander Suran, both former followers of Shinzon, have emerged in co-leadership roles since the recent death of Admiral Braeg.”

  Will allowed himself a grim smile. “Donatra. I’m glad there’s going to be at least one friendly face among the rival faction leaders.”

  Troi recalled that Donatra had risked her own life—as well as the lives of her subordinates aboard the warbird Valdore—to help the crew of the Enterprise defeat Shinzon.

  “Do not count on Commander Donatra’s easy cooperation, Captain,” T’Rel said with a deep scowl. “She appears to have had a. . . domestic relationship with Braeg. Since Romulans are notably vindictive people—blood feuds are quite common among them—Donatra may therefore continue the late admiral’s bitter opposition to Tal’Aura’s praetorship.”

  One of T’Sevek’s silvered eyebrows shot skyward at this. “Or she may not. All we know for certain about the military faction represented by Donatra and Suran is that it has yet to throw its support behind either Tal’Aura’s praetorship or the so-called ‘war hawk’ contingent.”

  “The military faction may merely be waiting for its own chance to seize power,” T’Rel said.

  T’Sevek shook her head. “I believe we should regard the fact that Donatra turned against Shinzon in order to assist the Enterprise as a hopeful sign, an indication that the Romulan Empire—specifically its military—is capable of changing for the better.”

  Obviously trying to dampen the rekindling of an old argument between his two colleagues, Sorok seized the conversation, speaking loudly. “The fourth most significant faction is also the least visible one: the Tal Shiar, the Romulan Star Empire’s elite intelligence bureau. For many years this covert, semi-independent organization has been the most feared bureau in the Romulan government. The Tal Shiar seems to have been thrown briefly into disarray by the fall of the Senate. A man named Rehaek has figured prominently in recent Starfleet Intelligence reports on Tal Shiar leadership. As Tal Shiar director Koval’s successor-by-assassination, Rehaek’s importance in whatever power-sharing arrangement eventually emerges on Romulus cannot be overstated.”

  Troi could not help but agree. Ten years earlier, Romulan dissidents had forced her to impersonate a Tal Shiar officer. Though a Romulan commander named Toreth had ultimately seen through her disguise and exposed her imposture, Troi had tasted in others the hot fear that a Tal Shiar operative could generate, even among hard-bitte
n Romulan military veterans.

  “Two other important factions remain to be discussed,” T’Rel said. “The first of these has benefited hugely from the power vacuum created by the sudden removal of the Senate, as well as from the deaths of Praetors Hiren and Shinzon. I speak of the newly emancipated Remans. Formerly exploited by the Romulans as slave laborers in the dilithium mines of their all-but-uninhabitable homeworld of Remus, the Remans have used the current political turmoil to add to the pool of ships and weaponry they apparently began assembling quietly during the manifold distractions of the Dominion War. The Remans are quite angry, and their leader—one Colonel Xiomek, a decorated Dominion War veteran who fought for the Alliance alongside Shinzon—expects to accomplish a great deal of very rapid social change on his people’s behalf.”

  Akaar spoke at this point, apparently surprising T’Rel and the other two Vulcans. “The final group has also taken advantage of the recent social upheavals in order to obtain political prominence.” The admiral fixed his gaze squarely upon Will. “I believe both you and your former captain are well acquainted with its leader.”

  Will answered with a sober nod—and a single syllable.

  “Spock.”

  After Akaar signaled with a hand gesture that he was finished for the moment, T’Rel resumed the briefing. “This group, which was founded some thirty-five years ago and has since come to be known as the Unification movement, has been an underground, countercultural force until recently. Federation ambassador Spock assumed its mantle of leadership more than eleven years ago, and since that time the movement has come to venerate Vulcan logic above the traditional martial values of Romulus.”

  Sorok chose that moment to make it clear that he did not share T’Rel’s apparent approval of the Unificationists. “Ambassador Spock’s faction claims to seek the cultural, political, and philosophical reunion of the sundered worlds of Vulcan and Romulus. It is Spock’s stated belief that this development represents the only viable path toward a permanent peace between the Romulan Star Empire and the Federation.”

  “I take it you don’t exactly agree with Spock’s appraisal of Romulan-Vulcan relations, Sorok,” said Commander Ra-Havreii, a wry smile crossing the Efrosian’s usually melancholy countenance.

  After exchanging cryptic yet clearly significant looks with both T’Sevek and T’Rel, Sorok turned to face the starship designer. “Proponents of Ambassador Spock’s Unificationist viewpoint see remolding Romulus in Vulcan’s image as necessary and desirable—”

  “As well as inevitable,” T’Sevek said, interrupting.

  Troi noted that Sorok’s composure remained unassailable—but only on the outside. “That inevitability is open to debate, T’Sevek. In truth, any effort at reuniting Vulcan and Romulus may just as ‘inevitably’ lead to Vulcan’s transformation into a second Romulus. In fact, a poll taken only days ago reveals that a majority of Vulcans stands with me on this issue. That is to say, most Vulcans believe that Spock’s endeavors on Romulus are far too risky.”

  “A political majority can be transitory,” T’Sevek said coolly. “Particularly such a narrow one.”

  T’Rel remained silent, though the cold glare she was casting at Sorok betrayed a deep belief in Vulcan logic—a belief that wouldn’t yield to Sorok’s obvious apprehensions about Romulan conquest, however well justified they might be.

  Vulcan must be split right down the middle on this, Troi thought. And she wondered, not for the first time, why her first official mission as Titan’s diplomatic officer had to be such a damned tough one.

  “The debate regarding Vulcan-Romulan unification is not confined to Vulcan,” Akaar said, reasserting control over the proceedings. “Since the fall of the Romulan Senate, even the Federation Council has begun considering the issue very seriously. In the wake of the political instability within the Empire, some on the Security Council have even suggested withdrawing the official assistance the Federation recently offered to the Unificationists. That, in my view, would be an enormous mistake, since the Unification movement may well prove to be the only Federation-friendly political bloc able to wield power of any consequence—assuming we are there to assist them when they need us.”

  “For what it’s worth, Admiral,” Will said, “I agree with you completely. We have to help the Unification movement gain enough political traction to become a major player in whatever power-sharing arrangements emerge on Romulus.”

  “I hate to be the one to bring this up, Admiral,” said Science Officer Jaza, a Bajoran, “but we technically haven’t even been invited to Romulus yet. As far as I can tell from the background briefing material, the new praetor has agreed only to have her representatives meet us and the other ships in our task force at specific coordinates inside the Neutral Zone.”

  Once again, Troi was tempted to ask Akaar whether any more ships were coming to join them, but she held her tongue as Jaza held his ground against Akaar’s stony stare.

  “Fortunately, Commander,” the admiral said in measured tones, “I have access to somewhat more up-to-the-minute information than you do about the Romulan praetor and her willingness to do business with us—as well as the temperament of the other faction leaders. With the assistance of members of the Federation Council, I have already set up an introductory meeting on Romulus between Captain Riker, Praetor Tal’Aura’s faction, and the senior Reman leadership.”

  Speaking directly to Will, Akaar added, “Your first task, Captain, will be to run that initial meeting and see to it that everyone is still willing to negotiate and compromise at the end of it. You will carry the negotiations forward from there, with the full support of me and my staff.”

  And make sure the Romulans and Remans don’t immediately start killing each other, Troi thought, swallowing hard.

  “I’m looking forward to it, sir,” Will said without hesitation. Then he turned slightly to his left and cast an almost pleading glance directly at Troi, who could feel apprehension radiating from him in waves. She had to admit that she was producing a goodly quantity of that same emotion herself. I’m going to need you like I’ve never needed you before, Imzadi, he seemed to be saying, though he hadn’t spoken aloud.

  “I’m curious, Admiral,” said Vale. “Why isn’t Ambassador Spock’s group being represented at this ‘pre-meeting’?”

  Troi immediately felt herself responding to a surge of renewed hope coming from Will. Surely the former Federation ambassador’s vast experience would be an asset at any Romulan power-sharing meeting, however preliminary it might be.

  But Will’s newfound sense of optimism began receding like the tide as Akaar sadly shook his head. “Ambassador Spock’s communications with the Federation have been sporadic at best since his most recent sojourn across the Neutral Zone more than two standard years ago. And we appear to have lost contact with him altogether some six weeks ago. He failed to show up for a scheduled meeting with President Bacco, but sent no messages to explain his absence.”

  “Do you think he’s dead?” Will asked.

  “Just prior to the slaying of the Senate, one of our on-site operatives confirmed that Ambassador Spock was alive and still in charge of the Unification movement. After President Bacco was sworn in, Spock once again contacted the Federation to schedule meetings with the president and the security council. But he never attended those meetings, and never contacted anyone to explain why.

  “What has become of him during the intervening seven weeks, we simply do not know. Every subsequent attempt to contact the ambassador, or to ascertain his condition, has met with failure. Even the operative who made the most recent face-to-face contact with him—a meeting confirmed by Spock himself shortly before his own disappearance—has vanished.”

  “If I may, Admiral,” said Sorok, who patiently waited for Akaar’s nod before continuing. “Even if Ambassador Spock were a confirmed participant in the upcoming diplomatic meetings with the Romulans, I believe it would be a mistake to place too much reliance on his political influence.”
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  Troi couldn’t resist following up on this. “Why?”

  “Because Ambassador Spock was merely a figurehead for a charismatic movement. Such causes tend to lose momentum in the absence of the strong influence of their founder-leaders.”

  Do you mean charismatic, flash-in-the-pan “founder-leaders” like Surak? Troi wondered wryly. She was tempted to ask the question aloud, but saw no reason to go out of her way to bait Sorok or the other Vulcans. They seemed peevish enough without being needled deliberately. Though Vulcans generally worked hard to present a phlegmatic aspect to outsiders, Troi ranked them among the most emotional species she had ever encountered.

  “Even if he still lives,” the male Vulcan continued, “Spock cannot lead the Unificationists forever. He will inevitably succumb to old age, or the frequently lethal intrigues of Romulan politics.”

  Troi picked up an immediate and strong undercurrent of sadness coming from Akaar in response to Sorok’s words. That didn’t surprise her in the least; from what she’d read of his service record, the Capellan admiral had always maintained close ties not only to the Vulcan ambassador, but also to many of Spock’s closest friends and colleagues. It was a relationship that went all the way back to Akaar’s birth 112 years ago.

  “Spock is not yet ancient enough for natural death to draw near to him, Mr. Sorok,” Akaar said. “And I sincerely hope that he has yet to fall prey to the other dangers you describe.”

  “As do I, Admiral,” the Vulcan replied, his voice appropriately quiet and grave. “As do I.”

  Troi’s attention was suddenly drawn back in Will’s direction. His emotional “color” strongly resembled the hope and optimism she had read in him moments earlier. But another, even stronger sentiment burned brightly beneath it all, and she felt heartened when her mind touched it.

  It was determination.

  “Until I am presented with proof to the contrary, Admiral,” Will said, “I’m going to consider the ambassador alive and well. I find it difficult to believe that a man of Spock’s accomplishments would allow his enemies to sneak up on him. Especially when he’s in the company of people as courageous as the Romulan dissidents who risked everything to follow him over the past eleven years.”