Zweller rose as he spoke, his tone more strident. “None of that was part of the plan! The Slaytonwas destroyed, apparently, because she stumbled onto the secret the Romulans were hiding.” His voice softened. “I told you what my initial mission was. My own secondary objective was to help Falhain and his Army of Light in their struggle against Ruardh. Her regime is brutal by anysociety’s standards. In my judgment, my aiding her opponents was compatible with Section 31’s plan for Chiaros IV and the Geminus Gulf.”
“But in doing so, you were helping the Romulans!”
Zweller smiled slightly. “Not exactly. Falhain’s rebels were anti‑Federation already, and weren’t terribly open to persuasion. Most of them saw us as friends of their enemies, after all. At least until I aided them in their struggle for freedom. Given some time, though, more of them might have come around. Even the Chiarosan electorate might be friendlier to the Federation later on–especially once they’ve experienced a few years of Romulan oppression firsthand.”
“That’s an awfully big ‘might be,’ ” Hawk said.
“Yes. More than likely they’ll first begin to fight against the Romulans,” Zweller said, sighing. “A long shot? Maybe. But they’ve been beating the odds just by evolving on that gods‑forsaken planet. And perhaps having to face an enemy like the Romulans will do more to unite the squabbling Chiarosan tribes than their world’s harsh environment ever did.”
Hawk gathered his thoughts for a moment. “You know that if you and Tabor had succeeded in your mission withoutall these complications, the Romulans would have gained control of the Geminus Gulf andthe singularity. So who would have been guilty of making a mistake then?”
“And if there hadn’tbeen a singularity, I’d be getting pats on the back for the benefits my mission brought to the Federation.” Zweller gave a slight smile, but ultimately looked uncomfortable.
“Nothing in the universe ever travels in a straight line, Mr. Hawk. Even planets move in ellipses. You can’t predict exactly what’s going to happen when you’re on a mission. Anymission. All you can do is make the best decision you can with the facts you have on hand. It’s always easy to criticize others’ decisions after all the information has come to light . . . once you’ve learned what they didn’tknow at the time.”
Hawk stood and looked at Zweller, considering the motives of the man who stood before him. Though he felt that the commander was telling him the truth, the situation still unsettled him greatly. He wasn’t reassured by Zweller’s circuitous thinking.
Hawk’s eidetic memory brought Ranul’s words flooding back to him: I guess if I were in your situation, I’d ask myself where this organization stands on situations of ethics and morality and honor. And if what you feel about Starfleet and its ideals is compatible with that answer.
His ancestors had put their lives–and they believed, their souls–on the line to fight for their homes, their world, and their freedom. The Maquis were doing the same.
But it seemed to Hawk that Section 31’s only apparent guiding principle–to defend the Federation using any means the bureau’s unaccountable minions deemed necessary–was flawed. Zweller had just talked about learning from what other decision‑makers had done in the past. But without accountability, without laws, what couldone really learn?
Hawk signaled for the guard to lower the forcefield, then turned toward Zweller. Hawk did not extend his hand. “You’ve given me a lot more to consider, Commander.”
Zweller proffered his own hand, his expression friendly. “I hope you will consider allthat I’ve said. You seem . . . unnerved by what I’ve told you.”
Hawk shook Zweller’s hand quickly and awkwardly, then turned to step out of the cell. “I’ll consider everything before I make up my mind about joining the bureau.”
But as the forcefield shimmered into place behind him, Hawk realized that he had already made his decision.
Anarchy was not the equal to ethics and morality and honor. No matter whatits ultimate goals. Section 31 was asking too high a price.
After taking off his uniform jacket and tossing it on a chair, Picard was retrieving a fresh cup of Earl Grey tea from the replicator when the door chime to his quarters sounded. “Come,” he said to the air, and the door opened. In the hallway stood an uncomfortable‑looking Lieutenant Hawk.
“Come in, Lieutenant,” Picard said, gesturing with his arm.
Hawk walked in, an awkward expression on his face. “I’m sorry to bother you in your quarters, sir.”
“Nonsense,” Picard said, sitting down on a nearby couch. Smiling, he gestured toward a chair. “If it weren’t for you, I might not even behere. I think that entitles you to at least one interruption.” He paused to blow on his tea to cool it as the younger man sat down. “What can I do for you, Sean?”
Hawk looked surprised that the captain had used his first name, but he still seemed to be preoccupied by something else. “Sir, I have something important to tell you. I’m not sure you’ll like it. In fact, I’m sureyou won’t like it.”
Picard leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “What is it, Lieutenant?”
As Hawk spoke, Picard sipped his tea. “A few days ago, I was approached by Ambassador Tabor to join a secret organization within Starfleet. Commander Zweller is a part of it as well. It’s called Section 31.”
Chapter Eighteen
Half an hour had passed since Hawk had interrupted Picard’s relaxation so completely. The young officer had been telling his captain as much as he could about the conversations he had shared with Tabor and Zweller, with Picard interrupting only to ask pointed questions.
Through his astonishment, Picard was again impressed by Hawk’s memory, which allowed him to remember details about the meetings that others might have forgotten. But that admiration was pushed into the background as Picard learned whatever scraps and pieces that Hawk knew about the heretofore secret organization known as Section 31.
Of course, Hawk had no way of knowing that Batanides had already come to him first with her knowledge of the organization and her suspicions. But Hawk’s account of his discussions with Tabor and Zweller forced Picard to wonder what more Batanides knew about the group than she had told him; she wasin Starfleet Intelligence, after all. And yet, she had seemed so sincere in her surprise over Tabor’s and Zweller’s actions. And unlike the two men, Batanides had never tipped her emotional hand to Counselor Troi, nor had she roused the suspicion that she might somehow be blocking her thoughts, as Zweller had done.
The captain paced back and forth. Hawk had quit speaking a few minutes ago, and had the presence of mind to stay silent while Picard considered his options. Still, the young man looked at him expectantly, like a child anticipating a scolding.
“Why didn’t you come to me with this sooner, Lieutenant?” Picard asked.
Hawk looked down at his feet. “I’m sorry, sir. The ambassador made such a point about this being a topsecret organization. I didn’t want to betray that confidence. And I wasn’t sure that you didn’t already know about it. At first,anyhow. And things got so complicated so quickly. I didn’t know who to talk to about it and–”
“Lieutenant, despite Ambassador Tabor’s assertion that he was working for the Federation’s greater good, did it ever occur to you that he might simply have been a traitor? And that Zweller might be one as well?” Picard was staring down at the junior officer. “What proof did you have that eitherof them was working in the best interests of the Federation or Starfleet? Especially given all the conflicts their actions have dragged us into?”