Wardrums

Antennae perking up, the Andorian captain of the USS Artemis said bluntly:

"The anomaly is clearly and firmly within Federation territory, parsecs away from Romulan space. Any direct attempt by them to use force against it means violating Federation space and with engines of destruction. Simply put, Sir: this would become the starting point of a catastrophy, not just for us but even more for their shattered empire. We're looking here at a new Federation-Romulan war."

He let the cold wave of sudden fear and horror sweep the assembly behind his dreadful words before asking with obviously very carefully chosen ones:

"Sir, what is Starfleet doing on the diplomatic front to convince this... Empress... of the... dire... consequences of her, let us say, hasty plan?"