Ambassador shRothresss next utterance almost made al‑Rashid wonder if the Andorian woman had somehow read his thoughts. “Andoria, likewise, will be pleased to dilute the resulting overly strong human plurality in the Council vote by adding anothernew nonhuman member to our alliance, she said, nodding toward Grethe Zhor, who stared back in silence, her vertical pupils revealing no emotion; Ambassador shRothress seemed to be trying to demonstrate that her people were most definitely notkowtowing to Earth or any other world, in or out of the Coalition.

“I trust this new Coalition member will prove far less disagreeable than have my esteemed Andorian colleagues, said Gral, who bowed his porcine, gray‑maned head toward Grethe Zhor with uncharacteristic deference. Then al‑Rashid noticed that the Tellarites gaze lingered a little too long on the Draylaxian womans conservative gray tunic, and the three breasts it concealed. Why that particular anatomical detail seemed to fascinate Gral escaped al‑Rashid completely; he thought it unlikely that Draylaxians would be considered attractive by the esthetic standards of Tellarites, who considered six nipples the norm as far as he knew.

Though she made no reply to Gral, shRothresss antennae flattened slightly against her scalp, signaling her displeasure with the Tellarites insult. But such exchanges were nothing new, al‑Rashid reflected; as long as the Andorians and the Tellarites werent reaching for knives or phase pistols, he wouldnt worry.

Maybe my plan wont go down in history alongside the Missouri Compromise,al‑Rashid thought, looking down at his hands, which remained placidly folded on the tabletop. But it should keep the Coalition from coming apart at the seams, at least for another few months.

He heard several sets of footfalls approaching rapidly from the back of the auditorium. Looking up, he saw a small group of uniformed humans walking almost at a march directly toward the council tables. At the forefront of the group were four gray‑haired men, three of whom wore formal Starfleet uniforms, complete with neckties, while a fourth was attired in MACO dress whites. All four men were distinguished from the small cluster of aides and security personnel that partially surrounded them not only by their bearing, but also by the impressive array of medals and ribbons displayed on their chests.

Right on schedule,al‑Rashid thought. The time had finally arrived for the military briefing that might well prove to be the basis for a horrific war. He knew he could do little now other than pray that whatever was to come next, the coolheadedness of the Vulcans would prevail over the excitability of the Andorians and the Tellarites.

May whatever these men have to share with us today not tear open the wound of blind fear we all have worked so hard to suture,inshallah.

Admirals Gregory Black and Sam Gardner formed almost matching bookends flanking Captain Eric Stillwell of Starfleets tactical technological branch and the commandant of United Earths MACO forces, General George Casey. Since all four military officers were already familiar to the assembled delegates, Gardner wasted no time on introductions, opting instead to plunge straight into his much‑awaited briefing about the latest news concerning the Klingon situation.

“Captain Jonathan Archer has just uncovered critical new information while he was on the Klingon homeworld of QonoS, Gardner said without preamble. “In short, Captain Archer has determined that the Klingons are notresponsible for the recent acts of aggression that have occurred in the Draylax system.

“Allah be praised, al‑Rashid muttered as the Andorian and Tellarite delegates erupted in a gabble of surprise and consternation.

“It would appear that Captain Archer has once again performed a great service to this alliance, Soval said, raising his voice slightly in an effort to restore decorum to the room.

“May we assume that you have hard evidence to back up thisextraordinary claim? Gral asked, his piggy eyes overflowing with suspicion. The Andorian contingent seated near him appeared equally skeptical.

“We do indeed have such evidence, said General Casey, nodding. “The audiovisual records supporting Captain Archers findings will be made available to each of you later today. He paused momentarily before adding, “I must admit up front that the quality of the images is less than optimal; as with many intelligence finds of this sort, it had to be obtained using less‑than‑optimal means, and under less‑than‑optimal circumstances.

Something in the MACO generals tone warned al‑Rashid that pressing him on those “less‑than‑optimal means and circumstances would be less than welcome.

After the two Starfleet admirals had finished spending the next twenty minutes furnishing the details of Archers fateful discovery, Soval said, “Attacking the Klingons would have been a grievous error on our part. Despite his peoples vaunted emotional control, the Vulcan foreign minister looked somewhat rattled by the enormity of what the Draylax affair had nearly caused.

“Wewould have been the aggressor, said Samuels, his expression mirroring Sovals, only without the hard veneer of Vulcan composure. “The Klingons would have felt entirely justified in striking back at us, and hard.

“There will be no war with the Klingon Empire, al‑Rashid said, sinking back into his chair as he allowed a tremendous sensation of relief to take wing; his words, which he had aimed at no one in particular, sounded almost like a benediction in his own ears.

A womans voice sliced through al‑Rashids joy like a hot blade. “Why do you seem so happy about this?

He found himself blinking his incomprehension at the official observer from Draylax, who regarded him with undisguised puzzlement from across the table.

“Im afraid I dont understand, al‑Rashid said. “The Klingons werent behind the attack against your people. You dont wantwar with them, do you?

Grethe Zhor shook her head, sending a cascade of golden hair tumbling around her leonine face. “Of course not, Minister. But instead of an easily conceptualized enemy to rally my people to straightforward action, we now must contend with a mystery attack by phantoms disguisedas Klingons.

“Which is why Starfleet is already busy planning tactical countermeasures against the new Romulan weapon, Samuels said.

“Until those countermeasures become available, the Draylaxian said, “and perhaps for a goodly period afterward, we willbe at war with phantoms, Minister, make no mistake. Against whom shall we rally the varied peoples of the Coalition in such a phantom wara struggle in which one cannot even see the enemys face? At whom shall we point the Coalitions guns?

“Pfagh, Gral said. “Romulans are no more phantoms than are Klingons. And there is no more reason to fear them than the Klingons.

The silence that came from both the Andorian and Vulcan delegations spoke more eloquently than any counterargument al‑Rashid could have devised.

Recalling the terrifying holovids he had seen of the charred bones and burning seas of Coridan Primethe handiwork of phantomsEarths interior minister began to believe that the Draylaxian had the bleakest vision of the future of anyone in the room.

He also thought it was probably the clearest.

THIRTY‑FIVE

Day Thirty‑nine, Month of KriBrax The Hall of State, Dartha, Romulus

N IJIL TRIEDto affect a look of cool composure as he watched Valdore rise from behind his massive sherawood desk. The admiral remained quiet until his impressively broad form had finished unfolding to its full height.

“I have given you all the time I can spare, Nijil, Valdore said. “Praetor Dderidex and First Consul TLeikha are both growing restless, as are the admirals of the fleet. Is the arrenhehwiuatelecapture system finally ready for general deployment?