Star Trek: ALL - Seven Deadly Sins Read Online Free Page A

military liaison to the Senate, Toqel had always been committed to using her influence as a means of seeing that those who served the Praetor in uniform were provided the proper resources to ensure the safety and security of the Romulan people. In the time since her daughter’s death, her resolve had only strengthened in this regard.
    Despite her convictions, Toqel knew that the Senate’s moreconservative members would likely view her next words and the ideas they conveyed as controversial, to say the least. Glancing to Vrax for affirmation, she saw the Praetor offer a slight nod for her to continue
    “The truth of the matter is that while the Klingon Empire may well prove to be the more formidable enemy, besting them yields no tangible long-range results. We all know that their warrior ethos demands that they subvert weaker enemies to their rule, but the harsh reality is that the Klingons pursue their program of subjugation simply to survive.” It was common knowledge that the space currently controlled by the Klingons was lacking in planets with sufficient natural resources to sustain enduring growth, and their efforts at expansion had been hampered by the Federation. As with the Romulan Empire, the Klingons also faced the prospect of having to combat the Federation as both sides continued to move toward the denser regions of the galaxy, where allies and resources awaited whoever should make it there first.
    D’tran held his hand to his mouth in order to stifle a raspy cough before asking, “You’re suggesting the Klingons may have more in common with us than the Federation, and less reason to fight us if we were to reach some form of agreement?”
    “Not simply an agreement, Senator,” Toqel replied, unable to keep a slight hint of satisfaction from creeping into her voice. She then smiled, if only slightly. “I’m proposing an alliance. According to data obtained by spies we’ve placed within the Empire, their newest class of battle cruiser is capable of meeting the power requirements for our new model of cloaking field generator. If a pact can be reached, we might avail ourselves of such vessels, at least long enough to study them and use that knowledge to design ships to meet our own needs.”
    “Why would the Klingons enter into such a pact?” Senator Anitra countered, her expression one of undisguised skepticism. “What do they gain from it?”
    Before Toqel could reply, Ditrius interceded. “We will of course have to offer something of value to them, Senator. It may be something as simple as unobstructed passage through our space to an area they wish to explore for potential conquest. They may well want access to our cloaking technology.”
    “We have not yet refined this part of our proposal,” Toqel said, suppressing the urge to rebuke the vice proconsul for his brash interjection in front of the Praetor and the Senate. “But these are Klingons, after all. Surely we are capable of standing up to them at the negotiating table?”
    “Take care, Proconsul, that you don’t underestimate our enemy,” Levok said, making no effort to hide his disapproval at what he was hearing. “Such thinking led to our defeat at the hands of the humans during the war. By sharing such a major tactical advantage with a sworn enemy, what does this mean for the security of Romulan territory and interests? The Klingons are conquerors, not collaborators. It is what they’ve always been. Mark my words, Proconsul; time and history will bear this out.”
    “Despite the generally constructive nature of my meeting with the Klingon ambassador on Nimbus III,” D’tran offered, “I am forced to agree with you, Levok. That said, perhaps there is an opportunity here for us to gain even a temporary advantage, which we can then exploit for further, lasting value.” Turning to Vrax, he added, “My Praetor, you know my stance with regard to the Federation. While I believe there is potential to build an enduring peace, I do not