However, sir, what I really need to discuss with you has little to do with the coup. To be frank, Mr. President, Ambassador Celana D'amondra and I are bonded. It happened just prior to my departure for the tour of Starfleet installations that I did after I was confirmed CinC of Starfleet. The nature of the bond is rather hard to explain, which is why I brought Dr. Brennan. Simply put it is a telepathic bond between two individuals. This link allows for the exchange of thoughts, feelings, and to a degree a certain amount of strength or mental fortitude. That is in a normal bond, which is between Venasian and Venasian. When the bond includes other species, the rules are quite different. The communication is muddled, like static on a comm channel. The essential message gets through, but the clarity is far less than optimal. Dr. Brennan is better able to discuss the actual nature of this particular bond. However, before I turn things over to him, I would like to mention the why. Celana has feared what the militant factions of her own government might do to put a wedge in the relationship that the Federation shares with her people. To that end she decided to bond with me. In theory that would prevent the militant faction of her government from taking any kind of action against me. In short for beneliviant purposes. While I have misgivings about trusting the Venasian government in general, I do trust the Ambassador." Lasiter finished explaining to let Doc Matthew step in.
The president was very quiet for a long moment. "Bonded," he said softly, still mulling it over. "Is this bonding..." It was clear he was searching for tactful word. "Of a ... personal nature? A betrothal or the like?" That was a question for Sam, not Matt, so the doctor waited for Sam's response. (eh?) The president then looked to his physician. "And your take on this, Dr. Brennan?" Matt shook his head. "With all I know of the Venasians, sir, there is a lot their culture won't allow to be known. I know the ambassador fairly well, I know her sister, the physician, far better. I'm inclined to trust those two. I don't think this is for any reason other than the stated one. I don't think they're trying to exert unnatural influences upon the Admiral though, to be honest, there is no way for us to be certain. I've asked a friend of mine, a Vulcan, to interpret the bond as best she can. She can't fully read it, but she agrees with my impressions." The president looked back to Sam. "Do you feel unduly influenced, Admiral?" he asked him directly.
