‘You knew!’ Ledera’s accusation thundered around the theatre.

Beside Valance, Governor Vhiemm threw her a desperate look. She knew he was pleading for her to intervene somehow, to be ‘Klingon enough’ to stop the chaos. But Valance knew there was nothing she could say or do to bring this confrontation to a swifter end.

General Brok’tan had spent an hour being brow-beaten by his subordinate, only for her to finally, publicly, explode. The broad-shouldered, ageing warrior gave a sigh that rumbled across the auditorium, and did not, Valance suspected, calm the younger woman down.

‘It is a fact of life that the ancestors of Klingons and Romulans across the border have fought,’ he began levelly.

‘So we should ignore the great dishonour and slaughter they inflicted on our kin decades ago?’

‘And so I was not aware of this specific history!’

With Valance no use, Vhiemm slid along the rows of seats towards the ancillary box. He could not approach the Klingons easily, so stood somewhere near Brok’tan’s elbow, a small, inconsequential shape amidst this towering rage.

‘Perhaps this could wait until after the performance -’

‘I do not believe you,’ Ledera snapped at Brok’tan. ‘You are an opportunist and a politician, who has shown he cares more for the feelings of our foes than the honour of our own warriors –’

‘That’s enough,’ Brok’tan said flatly. Valance’s back tensed. The general had tried to appease her; now the only thing that could be done was to force her back down.

‘And even here, you prefer to appease the Romulans than hold them accountable for what they did -’

‘Even here I will be a guest! We will be guests and not stir the bones of those who’ve lain dead a hundred years!’

‘Whose bones you dishonour with this mewling appeasement!’ Ledera spat on the floor before him.

Even the Romulans looked like they knew this went beyond the normal level of Klingon argument. Valance’s voice dropped as Kharth leaned in. ‘That’s not good.’

‘Really?’ Kharth drawled. ‘I was just hoping we’d get three more acts of this.’

‘And I,’ Ledera was thundering on, ‘must make you answer for their dishonour.’ She snapped something in Klingon, then turned on her heel to leave. The effect was rather ruined by them both being boxed in among the rows of seats, and after a moment’s hesitation, Ledera simply lunged up to stride across the backs of the seats for the door.

Finally, a hum of chatter ran through the theatre, and Valance watched as Vhiemm and Brok’tan spoke in low, agitated tones. She glanced back at Kharth.

‘That was a challenge,’ Valance explained. ‘On the basis that Brok’tan isn’t fit to represent the interests of the Klingon warriors here at Rencaris.’

‘That’s good, right? If the Klingon leadership is falling apart…’

‘Right.’ Valance bit her lip. The show was plainly over; already guests were heading for the exits, and there would be no ushering them back to their seats to take up the final fifteen minutes of the performance. The Klingon representatives to Rencaris were in shambles, but now so was Vhiemm’s night of great success, parading around those supplicants who wanted his favour.

‘It’s got to be now,’ she muttered to herself, and left a confused Kharth behind as she surged into the crowds. She found Vhiemm and Brok’tan in the corridor outside, the general giving gruff but not insincere apologies – but plainly making for the exit.

Vhiemm let him go, and gave her a look that would have been more venomous, she suspected, had they been alone. ‘Captain. Your rivals clearly have matters to discuss. Who knew that your young officer discussing ancient history would cause such a stir, hm?’

She did not bother to claim innocence. It wouldn’t help. ‘I expect the House of K’Var will need to consider its options more broadly, Governor, if the sentiments expressed by Captain Ledera are shared elsewhere.’

‘I expect she and others will make sure they are shared,’ Vhiemm said with tired eyes that bore a hint of accusation.

‘Surely it was nobody’s intention to ruin the evening. The show was lovely.’

‘Lovely and, as you say – ruined.’

‘Then perhaps,’ said Valance, straightening a hint, ‘we can give the press a better story to end the evening on. I’m aware that the Rencaris Science Institute is very eager for Endeavour to share much of our findings from our exploratory missions in recent months?’

Vhiemm tensed. ‘Your exploratory missions through regions of Romulan territory we have known for centuries -’

‘But not in their current condition.’ Valance kept her smile measured. ‘Opening up vast new options in trade and research for Rencaris. It’s not a pact with the House of K’Var confirming Rencaris’s independence, but that seems like a lofty goal now. No? My Chief Science Officer has been hearing all evening from the director of the institute how eager she is.’

‘And she has spoken with me,’ Vhiemm admitted through gritted teeth. She could see him making calculations. He’d been able to turn down such a price a week ago, because back then he was being courted by the Klingons. Now that arrangement was looking vanishingly unlikely to come to pass.

‘You receive that data. Cement Rencaris’s place in trade and research in this part of the sector. And Endeavour can complete repairs in one of your dockyards.’ And you get a win. A win you’re going to need after tonight.

Vhiemm looked sickened. ‘Perhaps we can announce that. Once the main fuss from the evening has passed. Once the Klingons leaving in a state is not the first word on everyone’s lips.’

‘I’ll be here.’

She let him go run damage control, and not long after, her officers had joined her from the box. They, Starfleet, were no longer the main curiosity of the evening, with Romulans muttering in hushed awe of the mess the Klingons had made of the show. That suited Valance well enough, and she turned to her team as they arrived.

‘I think we’ve pulled this one off,’ she said, keeping her tone guarded. ‘Vhiemm’s agreeing in principle to a different trade: research records for the shipyard access.’

Thawn’s shoulders slumped with relief. ‘We need that if we’re going to safely finish the repairs. And we can be done within just a few days if we get it.’

Airex nodded. ‘I think the director will be delighted.’

‘The Klingons?’ Kharth glanced between Valance and Beckett.

‘There was a chance they could have moved past this revelation,’ said Valance. ‘But Ledera’s rejected that. Now it’s a matter of Rencaris historically dishonouring K’Var, and vice versa. I expect a member of the family itself will have to weigh in on either side. Whatever happens next won’t happen fast.’

‘If Brok’tan survives this challenge,’ said Beckett, looking supremely unconcerned.

‘We should hope he does,’ Valance chided. ‘Do we want Ledera as our enemy?’

‘She’s just proven considerably easier to deal with than Brok’tan. I do, actually, want our enemies to be as stupid and impulsive as possible, Captain.’

I don’t want them to be enemies. ‘We’ll have to see what happens there. I’m going to stay and make nice with Vhiemm, put on a public show. Airex and Kharth will stay. Beckett, Thawn; you’re done for the night.’

She looked relieved, but he frowned. ‘I can see this through -’

‘I said you’re done.’ Valance straightened. ‘I’m doing you the courtesy of acting like you didn’t ambush me tonight, Lieutenant. Don’t push it.’

‘I don’t -’

‘It was a nice show,’ said Thawn decisively, taking his arm. ‘Let’s find a recording of the ending back on the ship.’

Kharth watched them go, brow furrowing. ‘You know, he probably did the right thing,’ she said once she was sure they were out of earshot.

‘Maybe,’ said Valance. ‘But my Chief Intelligence Officer just sabotaged local negotiations without saying a word to me. Which means he’s following someone else’s orders.’

‘Are we surprised?’

‘No,’ sighed Valance. ‘And I don’t have to like it. I fear he’s done something very dangerous by disrupting the balance of power among the local K’Var forces. And I could have told him that if he’d discussed it with me first.’

Airex adjusted his cuffs, watching Romulan dignitaries head for the main reception hall still. ‘It was a nice show,’ he said, transparent in changing the subject.

‘It was,’ Valance allowed. ‘What I understood of it.’

‘She betrayed him, and then he rewarded her with loyalty, which just meant he was close enough to betray her, except she’d done it for the state and he’d done it for himself and told himself it was for the state – what’s not to get?’ The corners of his lips curled.

‘It was very traditional.’ Kharth sounded distantly thoughtful. ‘It’s not about betraying people for the state, though. That’s very Cardassian. It’s about guarding yourself and your soul. And the enrichment of letting people close enough to betray you, even if that betrayal is inevitable.’

Valance raised an eyebrow. ‘Is it inevitable?’

‘In the same way as death. Sometimes death is the betrayal.’

‘So what’s the message?’ Airex’s brow furrowed. ‘Let people close anyway, even if it hurts?’

‘Actually…’ Kharth shifted her feet. ‘Let in more people. Letting in only one person gives them all the power. Two people? Then you hold each other accountable. Bear witness for each other. It wasn’t just the senator and the general. It was him, too. The rebel leader. Balance.’

Valance chewed on that for a moment. ‘No matter how subtle I think your people are, Kharth, I forget how little I truly understand.’

‘No wonder,’ said Kharth, but when Valance braced for a retort, she continued, thoughtfully, ‘This is just a show. A performance. Not the opera – this opera house. Tonight. Vhiemm, Rencaris. There are real people here. But we’ve not seen them yet.’

Valance’s gaze went past her to the main reception hall, where it looked like Vhiemm himself had finished the bulk of rallying the public. Now, perhaps, they could wrap up the story of the chaotic Klingons, and give a new story for his administration.

She nodded them onward. ‘Let’s see if we can finish the show, at least. With an ending which suits us, for once.’