Free Crisis of Consciousness by Dave Galanter

please, listen to me.”
    The room quieted down only when President Moberte flickered the lights again.
    Snorting two breaths from his nostrils, Pippenge was frustrated. Most of the Court’s questions had been answered already, if they’d only listened more closely. But as he had been speaking, aides were handing written comments and queries to the Court members, and they were more than likely fixating on how they should react rather than on what Pippenge told them.
    Pulling in a deep breath, the ambassador answered all their questions as he remembered them. “Captain Kirk is well and unharmed by the attack. The Enterprise was not in orbit when the Kenisian commander assaulted him, and I believe her government would claim the space in which the attack took place was disputed. She is not a Vulcan, but they probably share some distant lineage.” He took another breath, and focused only on the president’s expression as he continued. “Commander Spock was the one who discerned the attack and stopped it from injuring the captain. As for the Federation, they have been apprised of the situation. They are sending help, but it will take some time. Captain Kirk, as their representative and at their behest, has—as I indicated—pledged the Enterprise ’s support.”
    Many quiet whispers and side discussions broke out until Moberte flickered the lights yet again. Silence reasserted itself.
    Nehrin, from the smallest district, who represented a mostly agricultural province, was the first to raise his hands and clack his thumbnails in an attempt to be heard. “Pippenge, you’ve met this woman, or whatever she or they may be. Do you believe they’re willing to share this planet? And if so, how much land would they demand?”
    Strigle, from the mostly industrial area, clacked to be heard next. “The question is why would they agree to share when they must know we haven’t the force to repel them?”
    “Is this truth?” Moberte asked. “Pippenge has seen but one ship. Where is this force you fear?”
    “They attacked the Federation ship, stouter than anything we have. If they do not fear a vessel that could lay waste to this planet, why should we not fear them?” D’ricci shouted. While one of the more logical Court members, he also had a more negative, fatalistic outlook on life.
    “The Enterprise rebuffed their attack, and with their skill forced the Kenisian into parley,” Moberte reminded the Court.
    Pippenge counted several affirmative expressions. Even D’ricci pursed his lips in agreement.
    One of the newer Court members, recently elected from a coastal province whose chief enterprise was tourism, clacked her thumbs to speak.
    She was an older woman, her hair now red with age, but she made no attempt to hide her years. Pippenge had never spoken directly to Lodi, but had always found her quiet and thoughtful in Court proceedings.
    “You trust this Captain Kirk.” Her voice was strong, though lower than one might expect. Pippenge assumed it was because she spent much of her time outdoors, perhaps at the resorts so prevalent in her community.
    “I trust him,” Pippenge said. “For those who wish it, I can offer the chance to meet him. You’re surely as good at judging character as I, if not better.” He smoothed their feathers a bit with that last comment, but that is what ambassadors did. “He is forthright, and having visited with his Federation leaders for these last few weeks, I assure you they are how they represent themselves.” He puckered his lips. “We would not have signed the treaty otherwise.”
    “Then, if you believe this is the right path,” Lodi said, linking her hands together, “we are committed. The Federation is more experienced with interstellar relations, and we should heed Captain Kirk’s recommendation—and yours—as to how to resolve this crisis.”
    Pippenge hadn’t thought of it as a crisis, but it was. People liked to say how this issue or that could mean the fate of the