Star Trek: Brinkmanship Read Online Free PDF Page A

acknowledges with gratitude your commendation,”Efheny said quickly. “She assures you of her dutifulness.” He could take that, she thought, whichever damn way he wanted.
    Their cups of steaming leti arrived together, with two savory biscuits for Hertome and one for her. Hertome drank the shot of leti in one go but left the biscuits. He tapped his fingers against the cup, then stood up abruptly, knocking the biscuits to the ground as he did so. Efheny, as her status required, bent to pick them up for him—and, shockingly, he did the same. Their heads almost touched below the level of the tabletops. Efheny almost shuddered to think of the number of taboos that were being violated.
    “It’s not so bad, you know.” His eyes were alien—human—once again. “We’re in this together. Perhaps we should think about working as a team.”
    He stood up, keyed his credit code into the table, and left. Perhaps we should, Efheny thought. But we still have to be careful. She didn’t watch him leave and sat holding her mug in both hands, keeping her lowered eyes on a Ter Ata-B workman sitting at a far table. Had he been watching them throughout their meeting? Or was she simply being paranoid?
    •   •   •
    Glinn Ravel Dygan spruced up his uniform and headed toward the transporter room to meet the Cardassian delegation to the Venette Convention. This was a significant day for Dygan, who was looking forward to welcoming his compatriots on board. He felt welcome on the Enterprise, but nothing compared with havingyour own people around you, sharing jokes about the same childhood holovids, complaining about the same politicians, understanding the Cardassian way. Moreover, Dygan was quietly proud of the work that he had done on the officer exchange program to build bridges between Cardassia and the Federation. He wanted to introduce more of his people to this remarkable ship and its exceptional crew. Like many before him, Dygan was honored to be serving on the Enterprise. Unfortunately for the young glinn, his day was about to take a turn for the worse.
    When Dygan reached the transporter room, Commander Worf was already there. He acknowledged Dygan’s arrival with a curt nod and his customary frown. “The cruiser Ghemor docked at Starbase 66 half an hour ago,” Worf said. “Your people are on their way.”
    A quick communication between the transporter chief and his counterpart on the starbase established that the Cardassian contingent was ready to come aboard. The transporter chief operated the controls and the Cardassians materialized.
    Four Cardassians. One too few. Worf’s frown shifted down a level from “situation normal” to “potential problem.” Dygan’s day began to go off the rails.
    One of the insufficiency of Cardassians stepped forward and offered his palm in greeting to Worf. “I am Sub-Negotiator Gerety of Cardassian External Affairs,” he said. “On behalf of my government, I would like to thank you for accommodating us on this mission.”
    “You are one fewer than we were expecting,” Worf said brusquely, pressing his palm against Gerety’s as quickly as he could. Dygan squirmed, guessing the commander’s thoughts. Cardassians. Always a complication.
    Gerety gestured apologetically. “Our head of mission, Negotiator Detrek, has been called to take an urgent message.” Gerety jerked his thumb upward. “From the powers above.”
    Worf glanced up at the overhead.
    “I think he means the castellan,” Dygan murmured.
    A low growl, barely audible except to the trained ear, escaped Worf’s throat. His frown-level plunged to “irritated.” Dygan quickly said, “I imagine Negotiator Detrek will inform us as soon as she’s ready to come aboard?”
    “Naturally,” Gerety replied.
    “Then, Commander, perhaps we should simply proceed as planned and escort our guests to the reception?” Dygan said. “I’ll be happy to return here as soon as Negotiator Detrek arrives.”
    “That, ah, may