Ghost of a Chance by Charles G. McGraw, Mark Garland

and focused instead on the relief sculpture of Voyager that hung on the wall.
    The euphoria that had begun to dominate the meeting seemed to have ebbed slightly, and her inner voice was growing louder.
    “Under no circumstances will we give Federation weapons technologies to the Televek, or to anyone else. That is simply out of the question.”
    “We are sorry to hear that, Captain,” Mila replied, looking at her two companions. They seemed to reach a silent accord of some kind, almost as if they could communicate without speech.
    Janeway didn’t think they were telepathic, but she found herself wishing Kes were here. The Ocampa had demonstrated some mild telepathic tendencies; she would likely be the best judge of these new visitors in that regard. Still, that wouldn’t change the facts.
    We’re running out of pockets, Janeway thought, still avoiding Jonal’s bright green eyes. Voyager’s variable geometry folding wing nacelle configuration, which tended to minimize the negative effects of warp fields on the subspace continuum and on habitable worlds, was no doubt a curiosity to the aliens. In fact, their own ships appeared to operate on a more primitive reactor technology. She might agree to discuss that, at least. In a pinch.
    She said as much.
    “My dearest Captain,” Jonal replied, as if greatly saddened, and perhaps a bit ill as well. “I will certainly convey all of this, I promise you, and in the best possible light, but I do not think these… these preferred arrangements you mention will be enough. I know our patrons are particularly interested in phaser performance. I understand your concerns, but the Televek already possess phaser technology, after all. It is simply an area in which you seem to have made some rather significant improvements.”
    “Our sensor scans indicate you have two warp-powered payload-type weapons trained on the Televek cruiser,” Mila said, tipping her head, letting a thick mane of long white hair drape itself across one dark-skinned shoulder, yet keeping her eyes on Paris the whole time.
    “The Televek might be interested in discussing those. I know they are curious as to why these weapons remain armed even though the Televek have powered down all their weapons.”
    “They’re photon torpedoes,” Paris explained, gazing back at Mila.
    “They’re very efficient, too.”
    “Captain to Ensign Rollins,” Janeway said, tapping her badge.
    “Secure photon torpedoes. Maintain yellow alert.” She looked at Mila as the Drosary glanced in her direction. The two women smiled politely at each other.
    “Ah, of course,” Tassay said, finally speaking again. “This is encouraging. The Televek have weapons of that type as well, and of comparable strength, I believe, but they use a pulse generator. A comparison to your systems would likely be of minor interest, but perhaps some equity could be found there.”
    “I’d say that is also unlikely,” Chakotay responded, glancing candidly at the captain, and she knew that, like her, he was not totally convinced of anything yet.
    “Please try to be reasonable,” Jonal said, clearly addressing Janeway.
    “It is in your own best interest, after all, to cooperate as fully as possible.”
    Janeway sat considering her visitors a moment, particularly Jonal, who seemed as pleasant and straightforward as any diplomat in the captain’s memory. And utterly attentive toward her, she noted. And they were right, of course. But so was she.
    It was the Televek she was ultimately dealing with, after all, not these people. How could she know that something painted here in black and white would not turn gray once it got over there?
    How could she even trust these three Drosary, no matter how reasonable a choice that seemed to be?
    Still, her own options were quite limited, while theirs were not.
    She was clearly the one under pressure to compromise. But not just yet. She still had a vest pocket remaining…
    “Will you excuse us while we talk this