Chapter-8 Speculation and Suspicions
Despite the similarities between the disturbingly close Tau'ri entertainment program, and this very existence, Vulcan politics were very different. The high council were still the government body over the confederation, but it was nothing like the gathering that existed in the not so fictional reality that Tau'ri have been observing for several decades. The Vulcan people have truly taken the teachings of Surak to heart, and despite Aschen claims, were not responsible for this war.
When the attack came by the Aschen fleet, they announced it was in retaliation for the bombing of several Aschen Confederation worlds, an act that was not ordered by the Council, or anyone in the fleet for that matter. Intelligence was poured into this claim, in a hope to convince the Aschen of it being false, but the significant evidence to contrary proved it their doing.
Vulcan ships orbited the world, Vulcan disruptors were used in the attack, Vulcan ground troops wiped out any survivors, and Vulcan anti-matter bombs cleared the surface of remaining life. It was either an attempt at genocide on the Aschen by a rouge captain, or an extremely well done cover-up.
All 8 of the council members knew who would have done such a thing, only another subspecies of their, historically remembered as those under the wings of the raptors. It was a secret that very few knew, for the reason of shame of the Vulcans behalf. The banishment of the emotional vulcanoids was long considered taboo to even communicate about, and now the threat they represent is one that rivals the Aschen they had manipulated.
"We must prepare, word has been sent that the Tau'ri are building a fleet for our defense, our envoys to Andoria are being met with concern." Defense Minister T'Poc reported to her associates, "Several of our cruisers from the inner colonies are also moving in to the defense, it is logical to assume that they will strike here first." she continued.
"How can you be so sure?" Ambassador Su'vok asked, as the minister of Colonial Relations was killed in the attack on an out lying colony, the ambassador was logically the best choice for a replacement on short notice, he was living up to the position and was considered a candidate for the permanent position, if and when the vote comes. He continued "The Aschen have taken a seemly random and erratic path of destruction, it is illogical, and there form they would assume we would not follow it."
"They are correct in that assumption, too many deaths have come from this conflict, all because of manipulation on the manipulator." Minister Serak, he knew all too well the feeling of loss, it was a feeling that was hard to be controlled even by the strongest of minds. In a way, every person in this chamber has felt loss, caused by this war, be it the loss of a family member, or the feeling of failure to their people and the 85 million dead.
"Even if this conflict ends in our victory, we have many more battles to face, the Romulan threat is what concerns me most, they must have planned this over a long period of time, and we have very little intelligence on their capabilities." Su'vok, "The Tau'ri will not be able to defend our entire space, and maybe not even our home world, they have conflicts of their own, it is my belief we should attempt to acquire their weapons technology in exchange for our own."
The first minister, who so far had been silent throughout the entire meeting had asked the question that was on every bodies mind "can we survive the battle?" he stood out amongst the other representatives, his robes were of the same trim, he processed the same silver-grey hair of the other members, but he stood out clearly for the position of control he gave off. It was not known well, but the first minister was a former priest, who still lived up to his former duties, one of which is the carrying of the katra of Surak. It offered him amazing insight and wisdom, which added to his already extensive wisdom. This led him to becoming a candidate for first minister last term, the election he obviously won. "Even with additional aid from the Tau'ri and possibly the Andorians, will it be enough to stop a full concentrated fleet assault?"
The Defense Minister answered "It would be a long and difficult battle, but it would not be one without serious loss of life, from the reports we have seen, it requires 2 of our heavy cruisers to eliminate a single Degerus, and we have yet to win an engagement against a Mothership." She stopped and looked outside to the surroundings of the vast capital city, the home of millions. To the towns beyond that where millions more lived, she stopped to think of them, continuing with the words "But I will never let them touch this world or any of its people while a draw breath."
The first minister merely nodded in approval.