Per Admiral Greer's request, the three heads of the Federation gathered once more, after the public meeting was over. Greer had requested the virtual meeting room to look like an old, Earth-style ice cream parlor from the mid twentieth century. The room was, perhaps, thirty meters by twenty, dominated by a large, L-shaped counter that spanned two of the far walls. Its accoutrements were all a bright white or black and white checkerboard pattern. Several signs of various colors illuminated the wall opposite the long side of the counter. A large, box-like device with a curved top adorned the wall near the glass door in the front. It was dominated in front with three large, colored tubes that followed the front of it and had bubbling water moving through them. A small window just under the curved part of the tubes revealed a number of thin, black disks, one of which was spinning on a turntable beneath the rest. Strange music emanated from a black cloth under the window.

Although the music was quite alien to Eladra, she found it quite amusing, as well as the rest of the ambiance. Both Director Khent and Ambassador V'Driss sat upon tall, round, overstuffed stools facing the counter. Eladra had taken up Greer's offer to try the food from the time period in question. Before her was a tall, fluted glass with some thick, pink liquid Admiral Greer called 'strawberry milkshake' and a plate of pale strips covered in a smooth, yellow sauce. He called those 'cheese fries'. V'Driss, per her behavior, repectfully declined. The admiral stood behind the counter, having served the food and was drinking a beverage called a 'chocolate malted'.

"These virtual meetings are almost heaven. You can eat and eat, and not worry about your figure," Eladra commented with a smile.

"Yeah," Greer took another drink. "I've never quite figured that out. I mean, we're really not eating or drinking anything. When we disconnect, we'll be hungry again."

"The virtual interface is sending signals to your mind that fool you senses into thinking objects and experiences exist that don't," V'Driss answered. She looked around. "I fail to see the logic in hosting our meetings on the Enterprise's communication system." Although her face was placid, there was a hint of frustration behind it.

"Well, I have two reasons for that," Greer offered. "First, the Enterprise has a more sophisticated communications system that was specifically built to allow for distant communication. Second, I want our discussions recorded someplace that will withstand another attack."

"Very logical reasoning," V'Driss admitted.

"What did you want to talk about that couldn't be shared with the rest of the group?" Eladra asked, taking her first sip of the beverage. Although the sensation appeared shocking to her at first, she quickly recovered and took several more drinks.

"Well, V'Driss and I have been in discussions with some of the remaining Federation worlds. She shared some things with me, and I shared a few back. The bottom line is; what we've discovered really isn't meant for public consumption yet... and it's not good." With that, Greer took his drink and walked around the counter to the main floor. He motioned for the other two to follow him as he sat down at a black, iron cafe table with a glass top. They followed suit with Eladra taking her food with her.

"What do you mean 'it's not good'?" Eladra asked, sitting down.

"It has been less than fourteen hours since the attacks, and a number of Federation representatives have already held three emergency meetings." V'Driss answered.

"Were either of you invited?" Eladra asked. Both Greer and V'Driss shook their heads. "That's odd," she commented. "Why not?"

"It would seem certain people are anxious for the Federation to move on without us," Greer added with a certain level of disdain.

"That doesn't make sense," Eladra looked genuinely perplexed. "We're still here."

"To be perfectly upfront, no... we're not," V'Driss countered. "Our worlds, our representative systems are gone. With that, so is our voice in the Federation."

"That's silly," Eladra chuckled nervously. "Are you saying I'm not the Industrialization bureau director?"

"Well, with the destruction of both the Federation Headquarters and Starfleet Command, those who are left are vying for control. After all, Earth can't be a member if it doesn't exist. Neither can Vulcan, Denobula..."

The expression of shock on her face was obvious. "That can't be... that's rediculous. I mean... just because our home is..." Her eyes looked absently down at the fries in front of her.

"It's actually quite logical and reasonable," V'Driss offered. "Vulcan no longer exists. Why should it require a delegation or ambassador?"

"Because VULCANS exist!" Eladra replied emphatically, "As do Andorans, Earthers, Denobulans, and a hundred and six other races!"

"Well, those numbers aren't entirely accurate, Madam Director," Greer replied dejectedly.

"What do you mean?" She asked, her eyes narrowed.

"I mean... four of the worlds had species that rarily left their planet. We don't have any survivors. Another eleven species have survivors, but not enough of them to continue the species past a generation or two... some, like the Andorans, may go three generations, but that'll be it. Unless there's inter-species breeding..."

Eladra shook her head slowly. "This can't be happening."

"A proposal has already been put before the Federation Assembly that if the survivors can re-settle on a new world, it can be admitted to the Federation and avoid most of the process." V'Driss offered weakly.

"They were awfully quick to write us off," Greer commented angrily. Absently, he ringed the edge of his glass with a finger. "Unfortunately, it gets worse."

Eladra closed her eyes. "Now what?"

"A number of Starfleet ships were in the unharmed systems at the time of the attacks. Now, several of them left immediately to try to render aid. Those are currently stationed at one of our refuge points. Most of them stayed where they were, though. Obviously, there's been a bunch of political maneuvering over the past several hours. In the past hour, a new, interim Federation Council has been formed. Ambassador K-oth'rek Del Kat-ne of Norica IV is the interim head of the council. He's ordered all non-Federation personnel off the starships. I talked to the new 'fleet admiral' just before the meeting. We're allowed to send transports to come pick them up."

"For gods' sakes, why?" Eladra insisted.

"This was why I brought up the notion of negotiations with our enemy," V'Driss replied emotionlessly. "This new Federation is uncomfortable providing harbor to people who have already been targeted by solar system-killing weapons. They are theorizing that if they can distance themselves from those being targeted for extinction, they can avoid becoming targets themselves."

Eladra stuffed a cheese-covered fry in her mouth, completely ignoring its foreign taste. "This is what I get for not having connections. Why didn't you tell me this before the meeting?"

"Quite frankly, I wanted to see if anyone else knew anything," Greer answered with a shrug.

"The emotional impact of this information would have been counter-productive to our agenda," V'Driss added. "Our purpose wasn't to linger on what others were doing, but on what we were doing."

"So, we're on our own... is that what you're saying? All those worlds we helped... all these governments... all the good we've done for hundreds of years... all thrown away in a matter of hours. We're stuck having to start over again without any of their help. Is that what you're telling me?" Eladra asked, desperately hoping she was wrong.

Greer nodded slowly. "It looks that way... at least, until we can remove the threat. We may have more negotiating power once they're gone." His speech slowed even further. "They hinted that the sooner we got our people out of there, the better. They're willing to help transport them, if necessary."

"It's a shame we don't have anywhere for them to go just yet," Eladra remarked sarcastically. "How many people need to be moved?"

Greer chuckled as he pursed his lips. "By their numbers, give or take... about four million."

Eladra's jaw dropped.