"This proposal is clearly out of order!" Senator Dalrymple of Earth all but stormed as he read the PADD. "We have a peace agreement with the Mullurans! We can't be fortifying the Briar Patch frontier to that extent!"
In a closed chamber of the Federation Senate, the Military Affairs Subcommittee sat in debate. The subject of the debate was an unusually large requisition of military supplies by a distant starbase on a contested boundary.
"This report from the Intelligence Subcommittee indicates that the Mullurans are in flagrant violation of the treaty," Senator Spock of Vulcan replied evenly. "No one wishes to escalate matters but it would be illogical to allow the situation to deteriorate such that Starfleet will not be able to respond to a threat to an outer colony or ally."
"And just how reliable are these allies?" Dalrymple answered. "The G'kar are a black hole for foreign aid. And since when have the Ferengi of all people been trustworthy allies of the Federation?"
"A century ago one would have said the same of the Klingons. Two centuries ago and one would have said the same of the Andorians," Senator Talvor of Andoria answered, not quite holding his nose at the thought of agreeing with a Vulcan. "Even the Romulans are coming to the table these days. The Ferengi probably think it wouldn't be profitable to continue to deal with the Federation on antagonistic terms."
"Quite true," Spock said. "There are indications that the Ferengi seek a closer association with the Federation--largely because of the Mulluran threat!"
"I just don't see this 'Mulluran threat' you speak of! General Francona has given the Empire added stability and something at least resembling a coherent foreign policy! This is someone we can talk to--or did we just send an embassy to the Mulluran Empire as a retirement gift for a Starfleet captain?" Dalrymple answered, in a vain attempt to goad Spock.
Spock raised a single eyebrow at the insinuation. His late longtime friend Leonard McCoy, once the chief surgeon aboard the Enterprise and Federation Surgeon General at the time of his death, spent a considerable lifetime trying to goad Spock. But there was a difference: McCoy had been Spock's friend, not his political opponent. And McCoy had been much better at it.
"The Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Committees believe that Sapek can provide us with valuable information about what's going on inside the Empire, even if direct talks are not feasible at this time," Spock answered, all but acknowledging what everyone in the Senate already knew. "We need to take the Francona regime seriously, lest another tragedy such as that which befell Starbase 732 become necessary to wake us up."
"I just don't see it," Dalrymple answered. "Why are we talking to the Mullurans with one intent and arming ourselves with another?"
Is this pink-skin that naive? Talvor thought. "Again, I must agree with the distinguished Senator from Vulcan. It is foolhardy to think that we can trust such a critical border to the strength of our diplomatic initiatives and a highly-flawed treaty alone."
Spock fought the urge to sigh in frustration. The committee had been split 6-6 on the vote for the appropriation to SB901. Dalrymple was the swing vote, and he wasn't budging.
"Perhaps, then, we should investigate the matter more closely," Spock suggested.
"Just what are you getting at?"
"A fact-finding mission. Let us endeavor to find out exactly what is going on there."
"All the way out there?" Dalrymple responded incredulously.
"And what is your difficulty with this?" Talvor answered. "After all, we have a treaty with the Mullurans. They'd never think to attack that sector! Let the three of us go to SB901 to see the situation for ourselves. Then we'll have the vote."
Later that day...
Kitty groaned as she read the dispatch. Then she sent a message.
"Captain Mallory to all senior staff--we are expecting a Senate fact-finding tour in about five days. Meeting at my office, 1530 hours tomorrow."