Sulu nodded. “We noticed that as well, Admiral. Our intervention in the other vessejs attack saved many Tholian lives.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not,”Yilskene repeated.

“Surely you can’t believe wehad anything to do with this attack,” Sulu said. “The Federation Council has a great deal invested in normalizing diplomatic relations with the Tholian Assembly. Talks initiated by yourpeople.”

“Undisputed. But we are long accustomed to treachery and deceit from humanoid species such as yours.”

Sulu ruefully considered his covert surveillance mission, as well as the undeniable kinship between the Neyel and humanity. The latter fact, if revealed, would no doubt make matters far worse. You don’t know the half of it, Admiral. And let’s make sure we keep it that way.

Chekov stepped forward. “You’ve scanned both our vessel and the Neyel ship, Admiral. Surely you can see that their vessel and ours have recently exchanged fire.”

A second Tholian officer stepped into the viewscreen’s [185] field of vision, apparently to whisper something into whatever Yilskene used as an auditory organ.

After listening for a few seconds, the Tholian admiral shoved his underling aside, throwing his head back to release a cacophonous noise that Sulu could interpret only as a thunderclap of pure rage. The external view of Yilskene’s vessel returned as the channel was interrupted, no doubt on Yilskene’s end.

“The Tholian flagship appears to be powering up its weapons systems,” Tuvok said. “And I am detecting similar energy signatures emanating from the other three vessels.”

“Evasive maneuvers, Captain?” asked Lieutenant Asher. “What if they deploy their energy web?”

“Steady, Lieutenant,” Sulu said quietly, a practiced calm borne of countless similar crises descending upon him. “I’ve seen the Tholian energy web in operation, and it took hours to deploy. So we’re going to sit tight. If we try to run before Yilskene does anything aggressive, then we’re sure to have a firefight on our hands. But we’ll keep our shields up. Just in case.”

“Aye, sir,” said Asher, apparently reassured.

On the viewer, Sulu saw a blinding shaft of golden energy lance out from the Jeb’v Tholis.He raised a hand to shield his eyes, as did everyone else on the bridge, before the computer automatically muted the intensity of the light.

The bridge shook and jumped, as though Excelsiorhad collided with something.

“Tactical!” Sulu shouted, grabbing the arm of his chair to steady himself. Rand tapped in a quick series of commands, and the image of Yilskene’s flagship was replaced by a small wire-frame representation of Excelsiorand the damaged Neyel vessel, both of which were surrounded by four orange, wedge-shaped icons that stood in for the Tholian ships. Bright lines linked each of the Tholian craft, trapping Excelsiorand the Neyel ship within a large tetrahedral volume of space.

[186] Not again,Sulu thought, taken aback at how quickly the Tholians had deployed their energy web. Being on the Enterprise when Tholian Commander Loskene had unleashed a similar but much more slowly woven weapon had been a nerve-wracking experience. The Tholians’ energy webs had obviously become far more effective over the past three decades.

Sulu rose and walked to the railing behind Rand’s station. She was ashen-faced as she watched the tactical display. “Raise Yilskene again,” Sulu said.

The captain turned back toward the viewer, from which Yilskene radiated hostility. “This attack is not necessary, Admiral,” Sulu said, trying to keep the anger out of his voice, but without complete success. “We have demonstrated no hostile intentions toward you.”

“Really, Captain Sulu? Need I remind you that your own envoy has already implicated you as a spy? And can you explain the discoveries my knowledge-caste subordinates have just made?”

Sulu kept his expression impassive. “What discoveries?”

“My specialists have just examined several human and invader bodies we discovered drifting in the space near your two vessels.”

“That should help prove to you that we fought the Neyel—the invaders—on behalf of your colonists.”

“It might, Captain, except for one salient fact: the invader and human genomes, when compared, are identical. My specialists have assured me that this would not be possible unless Terrans and these aliens both belonged to the same species. Can you explain this?”As he spoke, Yilskene’s chorused voices rose steadily in intensity, and his crystalline skin became progressively more red.

“We’ve noted those same genetic similarities ourselves,” Sulu said, keeping his voice carefully even. “But we haven’t yet been able to explain them. We’re not that familiar with these beings yet.”

[187] Yilskene did not seem mollified in the least. “And can you account for the presence of a live invader aboard your vessel?”

Sulu decided he’d best stick to the truth as closely as possible. “Admiral, we’ve never encountered the Neyel—the ones you refer to as ‘invaders’—before today. When we brought this individual aboard, we believed him to be dead. If you’re beaming their bodies aboard, you might want to double-check their condition.”

“Your story strains my credulity, Captain. Nothing living survives in a vacuum—even hardy beings such as ourselves quickly explode under such conditions. I believe that our diplomatic and political castes may have seriously misjudged the trustworthiness of your species. And that your apparent clash with the invaders is a mere ruse intended to conceal your true intentions.”

Frustrating as it was, Sulu had to admit to himself that Yilskene was at least partly right. Excelsior’simbroglio with the Neyel had been entirely incidental to Starfleet’s clandestine order that he reconnoiter the Tholian Assembly’s recent military buildup. In spite of that, Sulu somehow had to convince the admiral of the simple truth of the Federation’s overall benevolent intent.

“Please speak plainly, Admiral,” Sulu said. “What do you believe our ‘true intentions’ are?”

“I believe that you and the invaders are secret allies, Captain Sulu. And that your vessel’s unauthorized incursion on Tholian Assembly territory may be part of a joint invader-Terran plan to conquer my people and annex our worlds.”

Still staying as close as he dared to the real truth, Sulu replied, “Prior to today, no Federation species— includinghumans—has had contact of any sort with the ‘invaders.’ I assure you, Admiral, their genetic similarities to humans are a complete mystery to us.”

“Again, I find that assertion difficult to believe.”

He’s hesitating,Sulu thought, continuing to keep his expression blank. If he truly believes everything he’s saying, he[188] ought to open fire. Or snap his energy web shut. There has to be a good reason why he’s holding back.

Aloud, he said, “If what you’re saying were true, Admiral, then you would be justified in simply destroying us here and now.”

The Tholian regarded him silently, and Sulu felt the level of tension on the bridge steadily escalating. To his crew’s credit, no one so much as murmured.

“Indeed, I would be more than justified,”Yilskene said at length, evidently still contemplating his next move.

Recalling Burgess’s earlier briefings on the Tholian social structure, Sulu pressed what he hoped would prove to be an advantage. “But that would require unilateral action on the part of the warrior caste, wouldn’t it? I think your counterparts in the political and diplomatic castes would have something to say about not being consulted before you did anything ... precipitous. Tell me, Admiral, is Ambassador Mosrene still aboard your vessel?”