…You weren’t screaming about preserving Bajor, you were screaming like someone who was having her soul—herpagh —torn out of her. Tell me again that you need to give up your art….
She removed the duranjalamp from her knapsack and lit the flame. She watched the firelight shadows leap and flicker over her painting. She began the benediction to honor the dead.
“Ralanon Topa propeh va nara eshuks hala-kan vunek.”
But I want to honor you, Topa.She buried her face in her hands. Prophets show me the way that I might do both.
Asarem
“I’m sorry, First Minister, but the answer is no.”
Asarem stared at the monitor in the center of her office’s conference table, shocked into silence by Magistrate Sorati’s response. “Teru, I…I don’t understand,” she finally succeeded in saying. “You wanted this appointment. You didn’t flinch once when you appeared before the Chamber Selection Committee…”
“Yes, for all the good that did me,”Sorati said wryly.
“…but as I said, they’re no longer part of the equation,” Asarem finished. “Under the present circumstances I have unassailable authority to appoint the person of my choice to represent Bajor on the Federation Council. I’ve chosen you.”
“And I must respectfully decline, First Minister. My circumstances have changed.”
“May I know in what way?”
Sorati hesitated.
“Teru, please,” Asarem said. “At least tell me why. Help me to understand this.”
“It’s Herek.”
“Your husband.”
Sorati nodded. “Our marriage has been troubled these last few years. In truth, had my appointment to the Federation Council gone through last month, it likely would have ended us, and I was prepared to accept that. We had grown apart, and I knew Herek would not have wanted to leave Bajor. Nor would it have been fair to ask him to accept years of separation. But when the nomination failed…”Sorati seemed to grope for the right words. “…we rediscovered one another. It felt like we were being given another chance. Our love is renewed, and I find I am unwilling to jeopardize it now for my career. I am truly sorry to disappoint you, First Minister, and I remain honored to have been your first choice for such an important post.”
Asarem mustered a smile. “You need never apologize for loving your husband, Teru,” she said finally. “My loss, after all, is Herek’s gain, and I’m content to be the one defeated in such a contest. I rejoice for your happiness, and I wish you both well.”
Tears formed in Sorati’s eyes. “Thank you, First Minister.”
Asarem closed the connection and sat back. Raising her voice, she called out “Theno!” and then looked across the table to see Ledahn frowning at her. “What?” she asked.
“You didn’t try very hard to change her mind,” he noted.
Theno appeared at the door leading into the anteroom. “First Minister, there isa comm system.”
“Just bring me the list of all Bajoran diplomats with at least five years of offworld experience.”
“Yes, First Minister.”
“In fact,” Ledahn went on, “you didn’t try at all.”
“What should I have done?” Asarem said. “Asked her to put her world ahead of her family?”
“Yes,” Ledahn said pragmatically.
Asarem shook her head. “That sounds easy in theory, but I know better. I don’t want to argue about this, Muri. Sorati is out of the picture. Let’s move on.”
“Move on to whom?” Ledahn asked as Theno returned carrying a padd, which he proceeded to hand over to Asarem. “You and I both know all the names on that list. None of them have the qualities Sorati had, the qualities you told me were essential for Bajor’s Federation councillor. Let’s not deceive ourselves.”
Asarem ignored him and began scrolling through the padd.
Into the silence, Theno said, “Second Minister, may I ask you a question?”
Rubbing the ridges of his nose, Ledahn said, “Sure, Theno, what is it?”
“I’ve recently been informed that Cardassian voles have become an asset to the environment. Why are they not a protected species?”
Ledahn blinked, looked at Asarem, who continued to ignore them as she scrutinized the padd, and then turned back to Theno.
“Well, after all, they’re voles.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Theno said.
“Thank you, Theno, that will be all,” Asarem snapped. As her aide inclined his head and withdrew, Asarem tossed the padd aside in disgust. “You’re right,” she told Ledahn. “None of these are satisfactory. Any one of them is qualifiedfor the job, but there isn’t one that makes me confident they’ll be the kind of voice I think Bajor needs to have.”
Ledahn considered the matter. “You found Sorati by deciding to look outside the diplomatic arena,” he reminded her. “Isn’t there anyone else you know in the legislative or judiciary branches, or even outside the government, with the qualities and qualifications you’re looking for?”
“Colonel Enand Adassa,” Asarem said without hesitation. “He’s the commander of Militia forces on Prophet’s Landing. He’s sharp and has a good grasp of politics. He’s even considered running for governor of the colony. Or he did, before he decided to join Starfleet.”
“It isn’t too late to persuade him to change his mind,” Ledahn pointed out.
Asarem shook her head, reconsidering. “No. As much good as I think he would do for us on the Federation Council, it’s just as important that we have some of our best people in Starfleet.”
Ledahn nodded. “All right. Anyone else?”
“Opaka Sulan.”
He frowned. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? She has the charisma, the intelligence, the integrity, and the strength of character—”
“She’s needed here, First Minister,” Ledahn said. “The Vedek Assembly has lost a lot of trust among the people over the years. Opaka’s return is being seen as a breath of fresh air. I understand there are many who still hope she’ll run for kai again. She can do the most good staying close to Bajor.”
Asarem sighed. “You’re right. Our options are dwindling, though. Prophets, I can’t believe I didn’t try harder to find more candidates like Sorati the first time around.”
“You couldn’t have known,” said Ledahn. “Once it became clear the Chamber of Ministers wasn’t going to see things your way with Sorati, there wasn’t much point in looking for others like her. You did what the situation required: You met them halfway.”
“And because I didn’t anticipate things evergoing my way,” Asarem said bitterly, “I’ll have to settle again, won’t I?”
Ledahn didn’t answer. Instead, she heard the sound of a throat clearing. The ministers turned in the direction of the noise.
“If I may be so bold, Ministers,” Theno said from the doorway, “I have a suggestion….”
“Are you still here?” Asarem asked. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Sadly, First Minister, that is precisely the reason I accepted this position.”
Asarem laughed in spite of herself and slapped the conference table with both hands. “Very well. I’ll make a deal with you, Theno: If you have a way to salvage this mess, you can have myjob.”
“I could never hope to run our world as you do, First Minister.”
Asarem’s eyes narrowed as she considered all the possible interpretations of Theno’s reply. “Do you have someone to suggest, or don’t you?”
“Your former husband.”
Ledahn’s mouth dropped open.
Asarem stared at her aide. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” she said quietly.