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to be a flight risk. You do realize he is a genetically manipulated human?”
    â€œI don’t see how that has any bearing on this,” Riker began, but Velk was already raising a hand to stop him.
    â€œLet me make you aware of something now, so you will no longer have any need to waste my time with such inquiries. I have already ordered the Security Agency to launch an investigation into the incident at Andor. This will be conducted independent of Starfleet Command, as so many of those involved or implicated in illegal activities are, as you put it, your fellow officers. In the meantime, the cabinet will continue to offer any and all assistance to the Andorian government.”
    â€œThe Federation Security Agency answers to the office of the president,” said Riker.
    â€œOf course,” Velk replied, as if that was blindingly obvious. “As such, I would advise you, Admiral, that rather than put effort into an endeavor that others will attend to, you should instead set to work on the most important job at hand. Assisting in locating the Tzenkethi terrorists responsible for the murder of the late president Bacco.”
    Riker’s eyes narrowed at the statement. “There’s no hard evidence that the killer was Tzenkethi. . . .” In the immediate aftermath of the Bacco shooting, a Bajoran named Enkar Sirsy had been discovered with the murderweapon and held for questioning. But Sirsy had later been released, cleared of all suspicion, and the only statement from the Federation Council had been that the investigation “was ongoing.” In the information vacuum that followed, several media networks had claimed that credible sources inside the government considered the Tzenkethi Coalition as the likely instigator of the assassination.
    It was an alarmist, if plausible, possibility. A founding member of the Typhon Pact along with the Romulans, Breen, Tholians, and other adversary states, the Tzenkethi were well known to manipulate other galactic powers for their own ends.
    â€œThe rumors are true,” Velk replied, his words clipped and dismissive. “Tzenkethi DNA traces were found on evidence connected to the assassination. Leads are being followed as we speak.” He glowered at Riker, as if he was offended that the admiral was daring to question him. “The Typhon Pact has the most to gain from chaos in the Federation,” Velk insisted. “It was so-called ‘rogue elements’ from the Pact who were responsible for the destruction of the original Deep Space Nine space station, and while we could not prove conclusively that it was the Breen Intelligence Directorate who tried to assassinate President Bacco on Orion last year, I now believe that the Tzenkethi have done what the Breen could not. Mark my words, they are behind this.”
    Velk’s parting words hung in the air after he was gone, and presently Lieutenant Ssura entered the office, his ears sloped forward forlornly. “Sir? Apologies. I was not correct on the protocols, and the chief of staff—”
    â€œIt’s fine,” Riker told him. “I think I’ve just learned more in one conversation than hours of reading thosefiles would get me.” He paused, thinking, then shot his aide a glance. “Contact my wife on the Titan . Tell her to make a dinner reservation.”
    *  *  *
    Entering the main engineering compartment, Tuvok was not surprised when the first sound he heard was the strident voice of Doctor Xin Ra-Havreii, the Titan ’s chief engineer.
    â€œNo,” he was saying, “you don’t just walk in here and start taking things to pieces. I don’t care who gave you permission.” The Efrosian had a tendency to talk loudly and slowly when confronted with someone intent on contradicting him, as if he were condescending to converse with a life-form of subnormal intelligence. Tuvok saw Ra-Havreii standing in front of the