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Gamaral.” Galdor shook his head. “I found things in a shabby state. They had avoided fighting one another, barely—but the holdings were in decline. Some of the nobles had invested heavily in factories on Praxis before the explosion. The Khitomer Accords that followed were nearly their ruination.”
    Picard spoke cautiously. “They did not approve of peace with the Federation?”
    â€œNot in the least. Klingon shipwrights don’t approve of peace with anyone—especially when it means future conquests will be taking place farther from their factories. The Kruge holdings near the Federation frontier lost a lot of work.”
    Picard hesitated. He knew that General Chang, head of another Klingon house, had hated the idea of peace enough to lead a conspiracy against it. The captain had never heard it suggested anyone in the House of Kruge was involved, but its nobles certainly would have stood to gain from Chang’s acts.
    Galdor seemingly read the captain’s concern. “Don’t worry, Picard—this house did nothing to prevent peace with the Federation. They had no idea the Khitomer Accords were coming.” He chuckled. “A headless beast cannot see far.”
    At last they reached a bay window overlooking the graving docks. Picard had seen it on entering: white-hot metal being channeled from the forges into molds. Beams here would form the spines of Klingon cruisers.
    â€œThe family business looks like it’s doing well,” Chen said.
    â€œIt helps to have someone to shoot at.” A hint of menaceentered Galdor’s voice, and he smiled. “You see, the Kinshaya live just beyond the frontier from the family holdings. Kruge in his wisdom saved a few just for us.”
    Chen, again rendered speechless, watched as the old Kling­­on stepped toward an unmarked door. “I’ll just be a moment, and then we can transport up and get started.”
    The door closed behind Galdor, and the captain looked to Chen. “Thoughts?”
    â€œI think he’s a real kidder,” she said, looking back in the direction of the atrium. “He’s sure having fun poking me over the Kinshaya.”
    â€œHe is a Klingon—there’s no love lost there. What else?”
    â€œHe’s definitely an arranger. He’d have to be, to keep the peace all these years.”
    His eyes tracing the long row of office doors, all set apart, Picard nodded. “Let’s hope he can keep it for one more week.”

Five
    U.S.S. E NTERPRISE - E
    O RBITING N ARENDRA III , K LINGON E MPIRE
    G aldor’s reluctance to disturb Kahless had continued even after he’d boarded Enterprise , and Picard thought it just as well. The emperor at that point was still asleep in his quarters, having overdone it at every meal since his arrival. Not that he went anywhere when he was awake. Kahless had kept to his private dining room, insistent upon hearing every tale of adventure Worf could tell.
    That suited Galdor too. Regardless of the sequence in which Enterprise was to pick up the members of the House of Kruge, the gin’tak thought it vital that the emperor not greet any one before another. Instead, Galdor had suggested waiting to introduce Kahless until the commemorative ceremony on Gamaral, where he could meet everyone at once.
    â€œAh, Picard,” Galdor said on seeing the captain step from a turbolift. “Do you have the specifications of the celebration site?”
    â€œJust arrived.” Picard handed Galdor a padd. “The Federation Diplomatic Corps has brought in event specialists to craft a venue to meet your needs.”
    â€œSo I see,” Galdor said, eyes scanning the schematics. He pointed to the padd. “Would this spot here be the Circle of Triumph?”
    â€œCorrect. No one noble’s position ahead of any other, with individual entryways to the dais so no one walks in first or last.”
    â€œOutstanding.”