The meeting was over and the small group started to dissolve. Asfastr finally spoke up, "You know my situation with my mother." They all turned to listen. "I desperately need further help." He waited for an answer, searching everyone's faces. However, none of them offered him more than sympathy; partly, he had expected it, since his benefactor hadn't identified himself earlier, but he was nevertheless disappointed. He had still hoped he or she would have come forward then, so he would not be alone. He had even dreamed of the beautiful woman being his anonymous confidant and the two of them working together to bring Koval down. But that was not going to happen.
Asfastr's teacher offered to go along with him and share a drink. Asfastr had to refuse; he still had one last card to play. Asfastr's teacher went away, but the elderly man lingered a bit apart from him, even when his niece was already gone; Asfastr noticed and doubted. Spock started to walk away too, and Asfastr summoned his courage to approach him.
"Spock," he softly said, but it was enough to stop the Vulcan; he turned to look at him. "Would you help me, please?"
Asfastr neared Spock and he waited. The elderly man watched them for a moment, but then quietly left them alone.
Asfastr took a calming breath as he tried to organize the turmoil of thoughts and emotions in his head. Looking up at Spock, his eyes almost pleading, he said, "I know I have no right to ask you this. I just don't know who else to turn to."
Spock raised his eyebrow, but the hood hid his features and the gesture was lost to Asfastr. He went forward, "You probably don't know, sir, but my mother is former senator Cretak."
However, Spock surprised him, "I know about your predicament."
"Then, will you help me?" Asfastr hopefully asked.
"I still don't know what you want me to help you with."
The tunnel's darkness was oppressing, and Spock's tall lean figure was impressive. Asfastr couldn't get himself to calm down. He gripped his shoulder bag's strap with excessive force, while he gestured with his other hand as he tried to explain himself.
"Koval… he is working for the Federation. You are Federation. A Federation Ambassador! You may know something. You can find out something."
Spock kept his hand grasped at his back and never changed his demeanor as he replied, "I am Federation, indeed. And if I am and Koval is working for the Federation as you claim, why would I help you expose him and therefore undermine the Federation?"
Asfastr could not deny it was a logical question, one he had asked himself. He doubted his answer was. "But he is against Unification! He is always trying to bring us down!"
"He's Tal Shiar's Chairman."
"And he's an evil man."
Asfastr held out the bag for Spock to take; his hand trembled as he offered it. "Please, take a look and decide. Here is everything I know for now."
Spock reached out his own hand and took the bag, his natural curiosity overpowering prudence.
"Thank you," Asfastr whispered, smiling bleakly. He didn't waited for an answer; he quickly went away.
That way, he couldn't see another hooded figure watching them from the deep shadows that also left the place as Spock retreated.