Chase was glad. It was going to make things a lot easier to remember things
if he could keep notes as they went along. "Perhaps we should start in the
beginning. How did the Klingons get drawn into the war?"
"As I am sure you have already found, the Klingon Empire was already deeply
involved in a war with the Cardassians. The Cardassians were basically
crippled, and, to a large extent, that is why they were so willing to open
their borders to the Dominion. The war had severly harmed our alliance. In
a way, we both owe the Dominion War for reuniting the Klingons and the
Federation. Without it, there is some question as to whether we would have
rebuilt the peace that existed between our two peoples."
"What caused the war with Cardassia and why did the Federation get drawn
into the fighting?"
"There were concerns that upper members of their government had been
replaced by Changelings. We had sent in a force to make sure that was not
the case. Starfleet tried to intercede, which led to some tense moments
between our two people before mutual concern that the Dominion was making
too much headway in the Quadrant."
"Why do you think the Federation interceded on behalf of the Cardassians.
They were not exactly our allies at the time. I would have thought they
would have sided with you."
"The Federation did not agree with the assessment made by the Klingon High
Council at the time, which was correct. In fact, our General Martok was
captured and replaced by a changeling himself at the time. As usual, the
Federation tried to do what was right in a tough situation."
"Do you think they were wrong to get involved in the situation?"
"Everyone does as they feel they must. It was a good thing that they did
step in. We were wrong and could have caused a lot more damage if the
Federation had remained neutral as Chancellor Gowron had wanted." There
was a pause before the cultural attache continued. "It is ironic, but it
could be argued that the actions of the Klingon Empire led the Cardassians
to seek aid from the Dominion allowing them a hold on our side of the
wormhole."
"Do you think that means the Klingon Empire is ultimately esponsible for the
war that ensued?"
The Klingon rubbed his chin as he considered the question. It was not an
easy one or one that could be answered simply. "I believe that it was a
contributing factor to a situation that was declining into that direction in
time. It likely expediated what was going to happen, but it was by no means
the sole cause. The Cardassians were weakened by the war, which made their
alliance with the Dominion much more likely. The Dominion had been looking
for a toe hold into the sector for some time, and this helped provide them
with that. I do not believe that the war would have been prevented if
hostilities between the Klingons and the Cardassians had been avoided."
"So you think it was just one of many causes?"
"I believe your people have a saying about a straw breaking a camel's back,"
replied Koomah with a smile. "We were no more a cause than everyone else.
We just added to the problems."
(response?)
}}}=) Lisa
_________________________________________________________________
Dont just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
_______________________________________________
Spacedock mailing list
[email protected]
http://mail.starbase1.org/mailman/listinfo/spacedock_starbase1.org
