"Mr. President, we have to act."
"What do you suggest, Tom?" Okeg's voice was calm and polite.
Harriman turned on his heel to face the President. "Just say the word, sir. We can insert a MACO commando unit into ShiKahr within twelve hours. Just say the word!"
"To do what, Tom? Overthrow the government of Vulcan?"
Harriman slammed his fist down on the desk. "To restore the legitimate government of Vulcan!"
Okeg nodded. "Sound idea, Tom, but tell me - who decides which is the legitimate government?"
"Not that son of a - that - Stiak!" Harriman roared.
"He has more right to it than we do," Okeg murmured. "He is Vulcan, after all."
"Mr. President, they can't do this. You know they can't do it. They have got to be stopped."
Okeg sighed. "The issue is not what they can't do, Tom. The issue is what we can't do. We can't violate the principles the Federation is founded on. Non-interference, Tom. The legitimacy of the Vulcan government is not something we get to choose." His golden eyes turned towards the Federation symbol on the office wall. "If we discard that principle, Tom, we become no better than any other expansionist empire. No better than the Klingons."
"Mr. President, I could live with that."
"The Federation couldn't, Tom." Okeg's gaze turned to the aide, and sharpened. "And, please... if your friends in a certain prime-numbered agency should happen to call, tell them their services are not required."
Harriman made an exasperated gesture with a clawed hand. "So what are we going to do?"
"If we're going to win this one," Okeg said, "we will win it on principles, Tom. We're dealing with a culture that respects principles... besides, principles are why I went into politics." He smiled slightly. "I know that seems strange to you, Tom, but it's true. Now, then. Time for my statement."
Harriman stepped, automatically, out of the camera's field of view. Okeg sat behind his desk, faced the unblinking eye of the machine, and waited for the status light to give him his cue.
The light pulsed. Aennik Okeg took a deep breath.
"I am speaking today," he said, "in response to the statement issued by the Vulcan government - a statement whose content we all know well.
"I will not disguise the fact that we are faced with a grave situation. The Vulcan people were founders of the Federation; their culture, their philosophies, their efforts gave it the shape it now has. For us to lose all that, with the withdrawal of Vulcan, is a terrible blow.
"But, when they helped put the foundations of the Federation in place, the Vulcans themselves helped codify its fundamental principles - non-interference by the Federation government, self-determination for all its peoples.
"We abide by those principles. The loss of Vulcan will be keenly felt, and we will seek every avenue we can to persuade our Vulcan friends to return to us - for I do not believe, even at this stage, that our differences are irreconcilable. But there will be no coercion, no threats of legal or military action. If Vulcan truly chooses to leave the Federation, all the Federation can do is wish the Vulcan people well.
"But, I will add this: even if Vulcan desires this separation, we do not, and we will take every measure open to us to soften the blow. For the present, the place of Vulcan on the Federation Council will not be filled with any other world's representatives.
"Further, the already existing dual citizenship programme will be extended in this special case. For any Vulcans who wish to remain as Federation citizens - the Federation will take no action to deprive you of your citizenship. No Vulcans serving in Starfleet or working for any branch or agency of the Federation government will be dismissed from their post. Any Vulcan wishing to exercise the rights and privileges of a Federation citizen will be fully entitled to do so.
"If the people of Vulcan desire to part ways with the rest of the Federation, then that is their inalienable right. But to those who leave, I will say this - the door is always open for your return. And I pray that day will come, and soon."
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