SPD: The morning news (continued)

[RJ Ferrance, DC, MD]

Less than an hour after the morning news story had broken, again accusing Dr. Brennan of impropriety, a Rihannsu courier made a quick circuit of a few select offices, including the CINC, JAG, station security, and the President's liason.  A small envelope was presented to each of the secretaries, all with exactly the same contents .  Nothing was said, nothing else was exchanged.   The President's liason opened hers first.  Inside was a small piece of very rich and elegant writing paper with the simple words, "He once held a commission in our Fleet.  If your people continue to dishonor him, he may yet again."   A data disc was included.  Celeste Reynolds slid hers into her secure laptop and a moment later, the synchronizing tones and images of a pre-recorded trailer greeted her.  Then the three digit countdown.  A time scroll rose within the monitor, showing that the clip was from that very morning, only twenty or so minutes before it had been delivered.   The opening theme she recognized as the "bridge" music used by the Romulan Homeworld's most popular morning news program.  And there, seated properly on her couch, the images of ch'Rihan's largest city visible through the expansive clearsteel behind her, was the Romulan answer to Katie Couric.  The clip was in Rihanha, with a Standard translation track available.  <[With us this morning from Terra is our newest Ambassador to the Human Homeworld, Ambassador Ael t'Khllrennz, formerly the Khre'Riov of the Fourth Swarm.  Strong morning to you, Ambassador.]>   <[And to you, R'yian,]> the ambassador replied, a measured, polite smile in place.   <[Let us start with how you  feel about your new appointment.  You have always been Fleet, Ambassador, and you have had a very distinguished career in Fleet.  Why this sudden change into diplomacy?]>   <[The Praetoriate, it would seem, values many of my opinions and methods and feels that they could be put to better use in diplomacy.  Time alone will demonstrate the depth of their wisdom.]>   Skillful, Celeste thought to herself.  It was a perfectly political comment.  If she succeeds, its her traits.  If she fails, it was the bad decision ofthe Praetoriate.  She made a mental note to be sure this lady sat next to the President at the next state dinner.   <[We cannot get very far into this interview without asking about the events of last evening.  The Terran press is making much of an attack upon you by Dr. Brennan, the surgeon general of Starfleet. Would you be willing to discuss this, Ambassador?]>   From the flare in Ael's eyes, it was obvious she very much was willing to discuss it.  <[First off, as all who have served with me in the Fleet surely know, Dr. Brennan did *not* attack me.  This is clearly evidenced by the fact that the one still lives.]>  She paused just long enough to show she was not going to punctuate the sentence with a laugh. In fact, her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips bared just enough to show teeth.  The fact that anyone would dare suggest she would not properly answer an attack upon her person clearly pissed her off like little else could.  <[Secondly, may I remind my fellow Rihanha that Dr. Brennan is not just any physician.  He completed a fellowship in Rihannsu Medicine on ch'Rihan.  He was one of the members of the medical task force that volunteered to go into the ch'Havran southern continent to tend to the quarantined wounded after their tachyon disaster.   He served, briefly but with absolute distinction, in the TwinWorlds' Fleet when his own treated him dishonorably once before.  He was - until the time of her death - my sister's bondmate.   And he is my *friend*.  To set the matter correct, it was *I* who attacked *him* - if initiating a sparring match can be termed an attack, and apparently it can be by the spineless *khlle* that make up the bilge dwellers of this society.]> She took a moment to recompose herself.  Her legs recrossed, her shoulders pulled back, her eyebrow peaked then reset.  Her regal bearing was back.  <[It was not an attack, R'yian.  It was... enjoyable.]>   The news host was smiling at the mischievousness now apparent in the ambassador's flashing eyes.  She sensed something there.  Something more personal than the ambassador seemed willing to give voice to.  <[And how did you find the good doctor, Ambassador?]>   It was a loaded question, and Celeste felt her own estrogen surging as she waited for the answer.  After a long pause, the ambassador pronounced, <[More than adequate.]>  Her face then took on a more hollow, saddened tilt.  <[The fact that his honor is being called into question, R'yian,]> she said, shaking her head at the tragedy, <[is one of the greatest indictments of the Terrans.  I - unfortunately at times - have found his honor to be above reproach.  In many ways, he is more Rihannsu than many Rihanha.]>   The commentator broke to commercial just afterwards.   Celeste ran the tape again.  And then a third time.  This ambassador, she decided, was worth getting to know.   And the doctor... even more so.         ********************************************************* RJ Ferrance, DC, MD Combined Internal Med/Pediatrics Chief Resident Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Richmond, VA 23298 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://views.vcu.edu/~medtoast/anvil.html