He paused, then added, “But I would ask you to keep our conversation confidential, even from your partner. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the very safety of the Federation depends upon Section 31’s continued secrecy. And I’m trusting youwith an enormoussecret.” Tabor stood, and offered his hand to the young man.

“I understand, sir,” Hawk said, standing as well. He gripped the ambassador’s hand firmly and shook it. “I just need some time to think.” Probing gently, Tabor noted with relief that Hawk had made no plans as yet to inform his superiors of this meeting.

“Certainly. But I hope you can decide soon. I believe that something may have gone terribly wrong in the Chiaros system. We could discover things there that we didn’t anticipate. And such surprises could jeopardize not only the bureau’s Chiarosan mission, but also the Federation’s vital interests elsewhere. If you truly care about the Federation’s security as much as I think you do . . . well, I hope we’ll be talking again soon.”

Aubin Tabor turned and walked away, his eyes and nose taking in the lovely sights and smells of the arboretum, while his mind drank in the thoughts of a very conflicted Lieutenant Hawk.

As the bridge turbolift doors hissed open, Captain Picard saw Commander Will Riker stand abruptly from the captain’s chair, tugging at his tunic. With Admiral Batanides at his side, the scowling Picard strode toward the center of the bridge, looking at the viewscreen.

“Is that what I think it is, Number One?”

“Yes, sir. It’s wreckage from the Slayton.It seems to be scattered throughout this region of space. It might have been spread out by radiation pressure, or maybe by a spatial distortion wave of some sort.”

Data, already at his post, looked down at the computer panels upon which information scrolled. “These specific pieces are hull plating from the starboard side. Scans show a distinct pattern of disruptor weaponry. The type is indeterminate. I am attempting a more complete scan to match any residual disruptor particles with–”

“Data, are there any survivors?” Picard asked, interrupting.

“Unknown, sir. The dispersal of the wreckage over such a wide volume of space has made it impossible for us to tell if any escape pods were jettisoned.” Data turned, looking over his shoulder toward Picard. “If there are any survivors, it is likely that they would have traveled to Chiaros IV.”

Batanides spoke up. “Have you been able to trace any combadge signals?”

“The planet’s atmosphere appears to be impenetrable to combadge signals and disrupts most other subspace traffic as well, including transporters and sensors,” Data said. “Ship‑to‑ground communication is possible only through the Chiarosan government’s orbiting communications tether.”

“Have the Chiarosan authorities made any progress searching for survivors?”

“They have been conducting searches ever since the delegation from the Slaytonfailed to arrive in the capital city. However, the authorities report that no Starfleet personnel have been located anywhere on the planet’s surface, either on the Dayside or the Nightside.”

“We can’t give up on them, Mr. Data,” said Picard. “Continue searching for survivors any way you can.”

A voice came from behind them. “There are other concerns, Captain.” Picard turned to see Ambassador Tabor, standing just outside one of the turbolifts. He had not heard the doors open, nor did he know how long the ambassador had been standing there.

“With all due respect, Ambassador, the Chiarosan negotiations can–”

“Captain, was not your primarymission to this system a diplomatic one?”

Picard seethed inwardly, resenting the ambassador’s intrusion. “Yes, it is. But there are missing Starfleet personnel who may be alivein an extremely hostile environment.” He pointed to the aurora‑swept surface of the planet on the viewscreen, the backdrop to the floating debris from the Slayton.

“I’m well aware of that, Captain. One of those missing is an old friend of yours, and of Vice‑Admiral Batanides. But since there seems to be little you can do at the moment to expedite the search, the preparations for my mediation between First Protector Ruardh’s government and Falhain’s dissident faction should take precedence. It’s entirely possible that the Slayton’s survivors are safe and sound in the company of the Chiarosan rebels.”

Such a development didn’t quite fit with Picard’s notion of “safe and sound.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the ambassador’s words. He turned, addressing Riker.

“Number One, prepare a shuttlecraft. We’ll depart for the planet just as soon as it’s ready. We’ll be arriving a little early for the peace talks, but we can spend the extra time searching for survivors.”

“Here’s hoping we’ll find out what happened to the Slaytonby talking to her crew,” Riker said, as he left for the shuttlebay.

“Amen to that, Number One,” Picard said quietly to Riker’s back. He turned again toward Tabor. “I trust this will be acceptable to you, Ambassador?”

“Certainly, Captain,” Tabor said, smiling graciously. “It seems you have devised a wonderfulsolution.”

“I’ll be in my ready room,” Picard announced curtly, and exited the bridge.

Chapter Four

The search had proved fruitless, with not a single trace of wreckage from the Archimedes–nor any combadge signals–showing up on the sensors, even once the Enterpriseshuttlecraft Brahehad gone below the worst of the roiling atmospheric storms. As Picard and his away team traveled to the Chiarosan capital, sensors had picked up faint traces of energy signatures which couldhave belonged to Starfleet weaponry, but the ion‑charged air had dispersed the particles so much that nothing conclusive could be found. Still, Picard was wary, remembering Marta Batanides’s assertions that the rebel factions were using stolen Starfleet weapons.

The shuttle had been joined by a Chiarosan escort as it neared the capital city, HagratИ, a glittering collection of low‑built monolithic towers and spires. The ships had threaded their way between the buildings, flying just above the tallest of them; since the winds buffeted the shuttle even at this low altitude, Picard understood why no building stood higher.

The tallest of them appeared to be religious temples or churches; when the captain had mentioned this, Tabor confirmed that the Chiarosans worshiped multiple deities, and that the more affluent were seen as blessed by the gods. Religious classism,Picard thought, glad that Earth’s society had long ago evolved beyond such artificial stratification.

Throughout the city was a vast tangle of pipes and aqueducts, which Picard guessed carried water from whatever processing stations or reservoirs existed. He suspected, given the planet’s known shortage of agricultural resources, that the most heavily guarded buildings they had passed on the outskirts of HagratИ might be the water‑pumping stations, vapor‑extraction facilities, and soil‑enhancement plants.

Upon landing, Picard’s team–Commander Riker, Data, Counselor Troi, and Ambassador Tabor– disembarked from the Brahe,and were greeted by an armed escort, each carrying bladed weapons hung from ornate sashes. Picard tugged at his formal dress‑uniform tunic, straightening it, as a female Chiarosan stepped forward, from behind several of the guards. “I am Senator Curince. Welcome to Chiaros IV.”

Picard smiled slightly, gesturing to his companions. “I’m Captain Jean‑Luc Picard, of the U.S.S. Enterprise.This is my first officer, Commander Will Riker, and two other members of my senior staff, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Counselor Deanna Troi. And this gentleman is Federation Ambassador Aubin Tabor.”