What Judgments Come

How much longer could Starfleet hope to keep this information hidden? The Klingons, though lacking in-depth knowledge as to the true nature of the meta-genome, still had acquired sufficient information about the Shedai and their technology that they too sought artifacts or weapons for their own use. According to the latest intelligence reports, the Romulans, while understandably interested in the concentrated Federation activities in this part of space, appeared to harbor no direct information about the Shedai. As for the Tholians, there was no way to know what knowledge they possessed, or wanted to possess. Whatever public face the reticent, xenophobic race deigned to present to its interstellar neighbors offered no clues to their real agenda. The discovery that the Tholians were genetically linked to the Shedai and that their ancestors once had been slaves to the immensely powerful civilization had served only to make them withdraw further. Their isolationism was only intensified by the nightmarish possibility of the Shedai returning and using their influence to once more subjugate the Tholians, along with anyone else who stood in their way. Despite any token diplomatic overtures the Assembly might put forth, Nogura held no illusions that the Tholians would soon forgive the Federation for the strife it had unwittingly provoked when it stumbled into this part of space and disturbed the sleeping giant that was the Shedai.

“I am aware of efforts which have been under way for some time to perhaps secure possible allies in the event it becomes necessary to defend against a Shedai offensive,” T’Pry

At first, Nogura said nothing. Following her court-martial, the Vulcan had been reduced two steps in rank and her security clearance had been downgraded so that she no longer had access to the volumes of sensitive intelligence information pertaining not only to Operation Vanguard but also to any number of classified subjects. Limiting her ability to obtain such information did nothing to erase the knowledge she already possessed, of course, nor could it prevent her from extrapolating any developments arising from the continued use and updating of that information as various operations continued.

One such effort involved those few persons in the Starfleet command hierarchy who possessed full knowledge of Operation Vanguard and the truth behind the Shedai and the Taurus Reach. At the behest of Diego Reyes while he was still in command of Starbase 47, those individuals had formed a small, top-secret task force with a single objective: sifting through and analyzing information from myriad sources in the hope of finding something that might prove useful in the event a battle with the Shedai seemed inevitable. Records from first-contact missions with advanced cultures, reports of any weapons or other artifacts found on planets that might once have been home to a civilization with a high level of technological advancement—all of it was being scrutinized. While starships on extended exploration missions had come across any number of societies that were on a par with or below that of the Federation, it was only on rare occasions that a civilization possessing superior technology was encountered. In several of those instances, the meetings had been less than peaceful, although those cases were exceptions.

Reaching for a data slate on his desk, Nogura held it up for T’Pry

“Their level of technology is more advanced than ours in some areas,” ch’Nayla added, “and the captain’s report states that they’re also extremely powerful telepaths.”

Nogura nodded. “It’s very possible they might have a trick or two up their sleeve that could come in handy.”

Her right eyebrow cocking again, T’Pry

Vulcans, Nogura reminded himself. “T’Pry

“I apologize, Admiral,” the lieutenant said. “I was under the impression that this was the point in our conversation in which a humorous observation might be welcomed, as a means of defusing any stress or discomfort generated by discussions involving unpleasant topics.”

There was no stopping the chuckle that provoked, and Nogura leaned back in his chair, allowing himself to set aside, if only for a moment, the weight of responsibility and the current issues on his table. “Well played, Lieutenant.” After another moment, he returned his attention to the matters at hand. “All right, back to business. Reyes: your first shot at having him hack the Omari-Ekon’s computer was rather bold on your part. I’m amazed he wasn’t caught, trying that out in the open like he did, and it seems naпve to think you’d have that kind of luck again.”

“Agreed,” T’Pry

Nogura was not sure he liked the implications of that. “To me, that sounds very much like something that could get Reyes killed if he’s discovered.”

“There’s certainly a risk,” ch’Nayla said, shifting in his seat, “but we believe that with the translator device to assist him, Reyes will have an easier time accessing and navigating the computer system, and the actual time spent performing the data retrieval task should be much less than had he proceeded according to the original plan.”

Seeing no other viable, timely alternative, Nogura nodded his approval of the plan. “Let’s hope so, and let’s hope he doesn’t get caught this time.” There had already been enough good fortune expended to this point with respect to Diego Reyes, as evidenced by the fact that he was still alive. Believing that condition to be anything but temporary was foolhardy, Nogura knew, just as he knew that, for the moment, there was precious little he could do to affect the situation.

Of course, if it all goes bad, he reminded himself, you’ll have plenty to do.

15

Reyes sensed he was not alone in his quarters the instant he stepped into the room.

Waiting until the door slid closed behind him and without looking, he pivoted to his left and ducked his head, driving forward with his left shoulder until he collided with the person lurking against the bulkhead just inside the door. His action caught his unknown visitor in the chest, and Reyes heard a grunt of surprise at the sudden action. No sooner did he co

What the hell? It was all he had time to think as he felt another pair of arms wrap around him and lift him off his feet in order to pull him away from his opponent. Whoever it was, he also was human, with muscled arms partially exposed thanks to beige sleeves rolled to a point just below the elbow. Reyes tried to squirm free or at least loosen the new attacker’s grip, but the effort was fruitless. He managed to kick his holder’s shin, eliciting another grunt of pain, though the grip on him did not weaken.