The Three-Handed Game 6

The Chancellor was in a foul mood. The Yan-Isleth guards stood rigid and perfect at attention, all around the big audience chamber; the political and military aides moved, if not fearfully, at least quietly and cautiously, around the burly figure.

J'mpok scowled up at the tall figure in bladed armour who stood before him. The Nausicaan envoy was good; he stood his ground, without trembling.

"I have received," he said, "a diplomatic protest. An attack, by a Nausicaan commando squad, on Starfleet Academy, aimed apparently at one Vice Admiral Shohl.... Shohl," he repeated. "I know that name. Where have I heard that name?"

"I have Shohl's record," said an aide, hastily. "She cooperated with your agent in the investigation of the Bercera IV matter."

"Ah." J'mpok grunted. "I knew I had heard the name. So. A reasonably competent officer. Our allies, Starfleet, need competent officers." He skewered the Nausicaan with a glare. "We have declared an armistice with the Federation. We fight with them together, now, against the qameH' Quv and their demon puppet masters. We have declared peace with the Federation, and the Klingon Empire keeps its word."

"Chancellor, we -" The Nausicaan took a deep breath. "We are at fault," he ground out, as if each word were being forced from him with painstiks.

"Not good enough," J'mpok snarled.

The Nausicaan replied, slowly and reluctantly, "What does the Empire require?"

The scowl deepened on J'mpok's scarred face. "I must go in to negotiate with the Federation over questions of boundaries," he said. "There are many such questions, and the Empire's interests must be defended - even in time of peace. Every incident like this hands the Federation negotiators another weapon with which to fight me. They are diplomats, the negotiation table is their preferred battleground. They have advantages already, they do not need more. I do not need additional handicaps." He raised his voice. "If the Federation demands the extradition of this fool Gvochkorr, will your government acquiesce? Or will they hand the Federation another rod for my back, instead?"

"Sir." Light glinted on the Nausicaan's armour as he squared his shoulders. "I have reviewed the - the background."

"And?"

"Former Governor Gvochkorr acted on his own initiative in hiring a mercenary assault team. He did not have the permission or support of our government. We will not protect him. Sir -"

"What?"

"We are a warrior people," said the Nausicaan. "We know how to fight - and how to accept the fortunes of battle. Sir... this Shohl and our people fought, and Shohl won. That is all there is to know. There is no claim of - of honour, of clan-rights - to make against her. Gvochkorr had no just cause for his action." The Nausicaan's eyes gleamed. "Sir, you may tell the Federation that if they do not want his extradition, we will deal with him."

There was a moment's silence. "Acceptable," said J'mpok. "Barely acceptable. I want no more such incidents, no more such complications. The situation is complicated enough."

"Yes, Chancellor," said the Nausicaan. He inclined his head, the nearest his own pride would let him come to a bow. "I will so inform my government."

"See that you do." J'mpok rose. "I have a meeting with the Federation's representatives," he said. "It will last a long time. They always do. Before I go, are there any other matters requiring my attention?"

"Chancellor." An aide in general's uniform stepped forwards, a datapad in his hand. "An incident in a frontier system - Dolsulca, home to the Siohonin species."

"Yes?"

"The IKS raD Hol, despatched on a tribute collection mission, has failed to return from that system. We should investigate -"

J'mpok waved aside the proffered datapad. "Deal with it," he growled, and stalked out of the room.