2128, January 12th: Palais de la Concorde, Office of the United Earth Council
"I thank you all for coming in person", started Harmon Axelrod, "but a problem has arisen with the Vulcans."
"What problem", the German, a woman in her mid-forties was amused, "Sasav didn't like that the Sun went up again, or did Soval loose his way again?"
"It not so funny", sighed Axelrod, "we received intelligence from Vulcan, that some elements on Vulcan are no longer happy with holding us back and are now sending agents here to sabotage the work at the Warp 5 complex. It seems we are moving along too fast for their liking."
The Chilean was surprised: "How is that possible, we have followed the plan as was proposed by our predecessors and Gaia at that time, does Terra have any input on this?"
A pleasant voice sounded: "Yes, I have some proposals, but they are not pleasant."
"So out with it", replied Axelrod.
Terra explained: "I would recommend that the agents be left to carry out their mission, the development be slowed down for the next 10 years and even shortly before a successful test several disasters have to be planned to ease the Vulcans' suspicion. Please, let me explain. I communicated with the AI on Vulcan and he informed me of growing irregularities in the Vulcan people, they seem to be growing distant from what we believe to be Surak's teachings and becoming more arrogant then before, but you can read that in your reports too. Plus Athena should shortly announce the development of the Beta 7 computer, so I believe that Cerberus should be upgraded and receive additional tasks. Not only to search for Augment devolution, but also to profile Space Forces personal and locate alien agents."
The Korean was also not sure: "But such slowing could force us to fall behind our long term plans, what if a force, even Vulcans themselves, choose this time to attack."
Terra had an answer: "Both Thor and Hermes agree, that there is no military force that could match successfully against the UE Forces on domestic ground, so both colonies and the trade are, even in case of war, if not safe then at least protectable. And in case we would need the speed, as Athena says we can refit the ships with Vulcan warp generators."
Axelrod sighed: "Alright, we should vote on it, but we are forced to agree. What dangerous times we live in. Also we all should go personally visit Henry Archer and explain to him why we cannot allow him to finish his engine, but I fear we are stealing the last years of his life."
"Can't we just transfer him to a secret project?", asked the Maori.
"It is an option", responded Axelrod, "but he is just too high-profile for that. Perhaps that is the answer, why can't he visit the warp-development facilities located on the colonies. But I worry about his health. Why don't we put the options before him and let him decide, that would be for the best."