Chapter 4

When we were about halfway to Defera, I received a call from Denam to come to holodeck 2. The Andorian chief engineer met me outside the deck. "We're ready, sir. It was an interesting challenge to say the least. You humans had such a variety of weapons of war throughout your history."

I suppressed a laugh. "Not enough of a challenge, commander?"

"No sir, not at all. I'm just a little surprised by everything that was apparently possible with those old weapons." He then motioned in the direction of the door. "Shall we."

I nodded "Lead on."

When I entered the holodeck, I walked on to a pasture which wouldn't have looked out of place nearly anywhere in the northern hemisphere on Earth. A brief look at the sky told me that it was somewhere in the summer. Up in the distance a number of tables had been placed in a rectangular formation for ease of access and viewing. I could also see a number of objects on the tables. A short distance away and directly opposite was a wooden fence. Some distance away I noticed a bunch of dolls, resembling a cross section of the Federation enemies. Even the Breen had made it in.

"Not a bad setup, for a demonstration. Now let's see what you really have for me, Denam." the Andorian produced a smile that showed he wasn't only proud, he was really looking forward to what was going to happen here.

I noticed that the rest of the command crew was already studying what had been put out for display on the tables in front of them. In some cases, something that was on display was taken in hand and aimed at the sky or at one of the dolls. There was also a marked difference between what was on the tables. At the furthest end, were heavier weapons like machine guns. Next to that several types of rifles and a rifle looking type of weapon that I didn't immediately recognize were on display. The final two tables carried pistols, and something I had seen before, on a historical recording.

Kenahov noticed my stare "Admiral?"

"Is that..?" the object itself was clearly a weapon, but it wasn't like the others on display, for it had an older appearance to it. It had a stock like a rifle and a long barrel that had a pistol like grip fitted under it. A second pistol like grip encompassed the trigger. The weapon itself was laying on its side and a couple of drum shaped magazines were right next to it.

"Number one wasn't able to resist sir. Takerra pulled this straight out of a number of holonovel classics."

I did not quite succeed in suppressing a chuckle. "I take it the rest are early 21st century?"

The burly Klingon nodded. "Indeed they are. You humans and your wars..."

"I know. We've had a few too many people thinking they could be Kahless the unforgettable. They weren't, and people paid with their lives as a result." I sighed. "Sorry, didn't mean to.."

This time, Kenahov laughed. It was one of his famous belly laughs he used when he was genuinely entertained."No worries admiral. You're an honorable woman and I am honored to stand at your side in these... troublesome times."I felt happy to have a crew like that. It made some of the stuff I faced before somewhat more bearable. It also made me put more effort into inspecting the weapon designs the engineers and tactical guys had come up with. I felt that I wasn't going to be disappointed. The next table I got to had a number of pistols arranged on it. Several models were out on display. And this time I was certain Denam and Takerra had cooperated. Because to me it looked like they had selected a bunch of pistols that could be adapted to certain situations.

I glanced over at Takerra, who seemed to be lusting over an assault rifle type that I didn't recognize. She looked back and in her eyes I could see the confirmation. Modification was exactly what she had in mind, and it wasn't just for the pistols. From the look I received in reply I was already convinced my number one wanted to modify all the weapons we were going to select.

As I looked around again, I finally noticed we were missing someone. "Where is the doctor?"

"The doctor is preparing a medical lecture, apparently it has been a long time since anyone has seen slug thrower wounds." Ah yes, the other side of the scale had to be prepared for as well. I did make a mental note that I was going to have to tell Ozloe all of her field medics were going to have to take the course we were going to establish as well.

I joined Takerra at the machine gun table. "Nice selection."

"Thank you, sir. Based on the specifications in the study request we'll work out a few tactics and a training schedual. I take it you ll want both security and the assault team to cross train in this?"

"And the field medics. I want all of us to have a better chance next time we're down on a planet and the enemy is blocking our energy stuff."

A very thin and very creepy smile now appeared on the Andorian her face. "I do believe I can arrange that." I didn't bother asking any more. Takerra and Denham had things well in hand. I would make my own choice with regards to what weapons I would use later, when the training program was about to start.

In the meantime, I had to prepare for a meeting. A meeting with an ambassador that I wasn't looking forward too, at all. You see, I was one of the people that was there when the Preserver archive on Lae'nas III was destroyed by the Iconians. I failed to prevent that from happening. And that failure, didn't sit well with me, because ultimately it meant the Iconian war got harder, to the point where we faced annihilation.

I barely managed to suppress the dark thoughts I had about those days. I really didn't want to go through another session with one of Ozloe her counselors either. I could do without that distraction.

There was nothing spectacular going on the bridge as I got back there, so I retreated to the ready room, grabbed a snack and a liquid refreshment from the replicator. Then I sat down to read. I was still reading when the bridge signaled we were pulling into standard orbit of the Deferi homeworld.

In contradiction what had been set up I beamed in at one of the pathways out of the city that led to the Preserver ruins that lay to the East. One of the ambassadors assistants had acknowledged a message from Takerra that I was going to be late and wanted to meet in a different location. The assistant had agreed to the request, especially when Takerra impressed upon the assistant that I required an area where we would not be disturbed.

It was ambassador Surah himself and he was but 5 minutes late, and when he saw me, he hesitated, as if something had 'unbalanced' him. I walked forward to meet him, but as I got closer, he fell back. What had happened to this Deferi to cause this?

"Please admiral, no further." I was glad surah finally spoke and just like he asked I held my step.

"Ambassador?"

"This imbalance...this is not possible!"

"Ambassador?" I could see he was distressed about something, or in this case someone, and that someone, was me! But why?

"Ambassador Surah, please explain to me. What is happening? Why am I causing this imbalance?"

By now Surah had his hands buried in his head, as if he was trying and not succeeding in forcing something out of his head. "Why couldn't you have told this?" It almost sounded as if the ambassador was ready to start crying.

I repeated my question again "Please, ambassador, I haven't been to Defera in months due to the war. What happened?" I added a bit more insistence to my voice, as if I was correcting a junior officer's infraction. I was starting to get unhappy myself. I was not only being blamed for something I hadn't done, in the same turn I was also being blamed for something that I knew I would never do in sensitive situations such as these.

"You happened, Admiral." Surah finally answered me "You...you yourself stated that every thing would one day belong to the Federation, and that we as a species would be forced to accept such incomprehensible changes..the balance would be shattered. It is simply unthinkable! Why did you do this, Admiral Torvan?"

It was the beginning of pure unadulterated hatred, oozing in droves from that one question, to which I did not have an answer yet. Everything I had done in the presence of the ambassador was so diametrically opposite from what was taught at Starfleet Academy and the command courses.

Only then did I begin to feel the slow chill that was slowly finding its way down my spine. I then heard two things. The first was me activating my combadge. The second was a sentence.

"Admiral Torvan to Huallaga. We have a problem."