First Days - Part 3
Sanek finished reading through the report. The concept was fascinating, and illuminated several theories he had hypothesized shortly after he had heard of Ambassador Spock's dissappearance during the Hobus Supernova crisis. Furthermore, the furor the release of this information was creatingwithin the Institute's officers was interesting, if not expected. Several subspace communique's had been sent shortly after Project RMD's limited information file had been released by Admiral Allahweh, and the general consensus seemed to be one of shock and no small amount of fear.
His door chime then beeped it's familiar tone. "Enter," he called shortly.
Lieutenant Commander's Solida and Vaareler stepped into the room after the door hissed open. He had called them both down to his quarters as he wished them both to be aware of the information, each for specific reasons; Vaareler from a separate and distinct science perspective, and Solida from a doctor's... and possibly moral... perspective.
"Reporting as ordered sir," Vaareler said.
Solida nodded, and smiled at Sanek. "Likewise." She paused for a moment and then continued after a chuckle. "And to think I thought this was a social visit!"
Sanek ignored her comment, stepping away from his console and motioning them both towards it with a gesture. "Information has just been released to the Institute regarding the subjectof Red Matter," he stated. He noted immediately that Solida's expression hardened, her smile disappearing. "As I consider you both my two most important officers, I wish you both to read the file here and familiarize yourselves with it's data. Please be advised this information is to remain classified."
Sanek stepped back as they both approached the console. Solida took the chair while Vaareler elected to stand behind her to read. He watched them both as they read through the file. It took just under five minutes for them both to completely read through it.
Solida turned in the chair to face them both, her face flushed and her lips tight with anger. "Monstrous!" she exclaimed. She then abruptly got out of the chair and walked the few steps to the porthole, looking out at the surreal smear of warp space, shaking her head.
"Interesting," Vaareler commented.
Solida whirled to face her. "Interesting?" she almost shouted. "How can you call something that obviously is being designed as a weapon interesting?"
Vaareler looked at her for a moment before replying. "The information provided does not seem to indicate the project's direction as a weapon of war," she began, "despite the ramifications..."
Solida cut her off. "Direction? Ramifications? It clearly states in the file that they tested it against a planetoid using a remote detonation device. If that doesn't scream weapon than what does?"
"Lieutenant Commander," Sanek began, "project delivery and detonation by remote location does not automatically suggest militant use of the device. Consider the use, as suggested, in collapsing a singularity - one cannot get too close to the event horizon without the possibility of ship destruction and a failure of the mission."
"Yes, yes, I understand all that," Solida said angrily. "But the tone of the information provided clearly indicates that, at least the one who created the documentation at any rate, considers this project more effective as a weapon of war... not of peace." She stopped for a moment, her face suddenly pale. "Oh my," she continued, "imagine what would happen should this be used against an inhabited planet..."
Vaareler shifted herself a bit. "It would, should sufficient mass be used, destroy the planet entirely according to the information provided here."
"And everything would be destroyed," Solida continued. "Everything." She dropped her head into her hands. "Everyone."
Vaareler and Sanek looked at one another. Sanek raised his eyebrow quizzically before turning back to Solida. "Not all scientific advancements and research are used for militant goals, Solida. We must not simply assume that a negative outcome is imminent."
"Oh, that's just not true Sanek, and you know it!" she almost shouted, forgetting protocol as she looked up at Sanek again. "What about the Genesis Project over a hundred years ago?"
"Different circumstances," Sanek replied. "The Genesis Device was hijacked..."
Solida cut him off. "Yes! By that arrogant, insane, eugenics monstrosity Khan! The same thing could occur again! I don't have any doubt that, should the Genesis Project have continued, Starfleet would have quarantined the device itself for use as a last resort weapon."
Sanek nodded. "Yes, that is a possibility. Starfleet has it's own history of unfortunate abuses of scientific research being used to militant ends."
"Solida," Vaareler began, "Starfleet has progressed and matured since that event," she said. "Consider Ambassador Spock's use to attempt to halt the Hobus Supernova."
Solida shifted her gaze to Vaareler. "Granted, but Spock was acting in the interests of science and the hope to contain the supernova to save Romulus... he was no longer an active Starfleet officer." Her look was almost accusing.
"Solida, your concerns are admirable," Sanek said. "I do not say that the militant use of Project RMD is not a concern for all of Starfleet - indeed, for all sentient beings in the universe. Clearly the destructive power is immense. I can not however propose that Starfleet fails to understand the ramifications of the indiscriminate use of Red Matter."
Solida looked at Sanek for a long moment, then glanced back at Vaareler. "I'm sorry," she sighed. "The power this... this Red Matter holds is frightening. It scares me, frankly. And it scares me that the ideals with which I hold dear... and believed that Starfleet itself holds dear, to which I have embraced... could be jeopardized by a few madmen with goals of galactic conquest by using a weapon of such devastation for even so small a thing as sword rattling." She rubbed her eyes momentarily. "I just pray it doesn't come to that. Ever."
Sanek nodded. "I understand." He turned to Vaareler. "I fail to understand why the Vulcan Science Academy did not pursue this project."
Vaareler placed her palms together in front of her chest. "I agree. It seems most illogical."
Solida looked up at them both, and suddenly laughed and shook her head. "You two and your 'logic'. Sometimes logic doesn't necessarily hold the answer, you know."
Sanek turned to look at her intently. The phrase Solida had just uttered could not be a coincidence. He decided he must meditate on this, and filed the information away in his mind until that time.
Vaareler had raised her left eyebrow. "Without logic, there can only be chaos," she stated.
Solida waved her hand dismissively, but was still smiling.
Sanek checked the wall chronometer. "Very well. I would like you both to consider this information. If you have any further ideas or wish to discuss this further please contact me immediately. Understand this is also confidential information with a need to know only basis, at least for now."
Vaareler and Solida both nodded.
"Return to your duties then, Lieutenant Commanders. We have a long voyage ahead of us and I wish you both to be prepared."
"Yes, sir," they both said almost in unison, and then turning, they both left Sanek alone in his stateroom.