Her father poured over that recording two days later, and not for the first time.
Spock leaned back from the desk in his quarters and took stock of the situation. The negotiations... progressed, barring Speaker's proposal today for a reduced amount in the dilithium supply. Nothing drastic, except the Arongotu never before backed away from the previously agreed trade.
Did it suggest the Romulans requested their supply be increased? He had to consider it. The difficulty came with Speaker keeping to the rule of the contracts and their parties having nothing to do with each other. Getting information on the Romulan negotiations proved impossible.
Nor could Speaker tell him what Ajeya was thinking.
Spock pressed his steepled fingers to his lips. The quarters the Arongotu gave for his and Saavik's use amounted to a glowing, white box. The glaring, stark light streaming in through the walls was thankfully broken by the light gray of the minimal furniture. Otherwise, even eyes bred for Vulcan's bright sun would strain under the intensity, and his inner eyelids still closed against the glare.
At least the room came with the luxury of its own climate controls, so they could keep the warm temperature without the humidity. He had taken off his heavier, outer robe, and relaxed in a thin tunic. It was the only relaxing thing at the moment.
Ajeya meant that promise to kill Saavik, which made her lack at an attempt baffling. Spock was certain she watched and waited for what she considered the right moment.
A few things might explain her having made no move yet. Commander Diartr being the Romulans' primary negotiator, for one. According to Spock's record search, Diartr was once married to Ajeya. The marriage ended, as Spock knew, after Ajeya's assignment to evacuate the failed Hellguard colony, and ensure the half-Vulcan hybrids died.
She had told Saavik at their first meeting that she intended to carry out those old orders. She had lied. She gave birth to Saavik, and now she wanted dead the one person who remained the only evidence of Ajeya taking part in Hellguard's rapes.
As she once told Spock:
I did it. I sold my honor. It cost me my husband, and might cost me my children...
The recording showed Diartr didn't know who Saavik was. If Ajeya did want to keep this a secret from him, she might not risk an attack with her former mate present. After all, she did tell him she didn't care about the USS Contact and its captain.
Spock knew better.
In the recording, a sliver of T'Pren came into view on the right side of the screen as she took a step away from the hive carving. Away from the Romulans.
T'Pren.
Ajeya had demanded to know, during her confrontation with Spock, if Saavik had children, claiming it'd be more evidence against her. That was before T'Pren was born. Did the Romulan still mean to extend her feud to his children?
I return to where I began, Spock thought. What was Ajeya planning?
Saavik came through the door, and Spock caught himself trying to shut off the computer before she saw it. He stopped himself before the illogical motion was noticeable.
The action would only further draw her attention.
He knew Ajeya was Saavik's mother, but Saavik did not. He had managed to keep the information from her despite their deep marriage bond. He was an ambassador, and she was Starfleet. At any given time, they needed to keep certain information confidential, even when their minds were open to the other. So they sectioned such information in a mental area where the other knew not to go.
Hidden in this area was Ajeya's confession.
Saavik removed her uniform jacket and went to hang it out of the way. She trailed her fingers up his right arm as she passed, his thin tunic barring the full impact but still allowing him to feel the casual intimacy. He heard the embedded wall closet open, and pictured the dark square it made against the bright wall.
Saavik being at the closet brought her up behind him with a clear view of the computer.
"Commander Diartr?" she said. "Our thoughts are much the same, husband." She sat across the desk from him.
Despite what they faced, or maybe because of it, he took the opportunity to speak lightly. "You see your request for another chair has been granted."
"The benefit of having a celebrated status with the Arongotu. It has earned me this, if not their acquiescence to Federation membership."
"And gave the Arongotu much to discuss with your statement that we both required a chair. Speaker broached the subject after your departure this afternoon."
They could use her quarters on the Contact, but they both preferred to be in the middle of the situation. Although the idea of Saavik safely onboard her ship, with all its protection, appealed to Spock. But it would mean a battle with Speaker... and Saavik.
She leaned into one hand. "Then he continues to recognize your authority?"
"He would not question a ranking female, especially one of celebrated status, over such a matter." But that was teasing, and they had serious things to discuss. "However, he does understand my role on behalf of the Federation. Even the issue of a decreased supply does not threaten the contract's renewal. Or the Federation's standing here."
"Not losing a neutral world to the Empire will please Starfleet Command. Although some in Starfleet anticipated establishing a base here, rooted in their belief of Romulan disinterest. Their conversation with me this afternoon held some disappointment."
"The downside of anticipation. We can take solace in one fact."
Her eyes lit up. She had guessed what he was going to say. "The Klingons are not here."
He nodded. "The Arongotu would not be able to separate them from the Romulans. I have additional news as well. Speaker found your report on the Federation's protection against piracy in the frontier quite fascinating. Especially as you noted personal experience."
"Then my years in the border patrol had benefit."
"And not for the first time."
She glanced towards the door joining them with the next, smaller room. "T'Pren?"
"She, along with Seprix and Tg'Ir, use the library facility placed at our disposal. They have assignments due by the end of this evening."
For a moment, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she stared quietly for a moment at the white, impersonal wall.
"I do not understand her," she admitted at last. She didn't need to say she meant Ajeya. Her head leaned to one side, and Spock took a slow, slight breath. Cocking her head that way was a gesture she had inherited from her mother.
If you knew the truth, my wife, you would be pleased your mind does not work as hers does.
"Why Diartr's record?" she asked him suddenly. "Why not hers?"
"I researched both and merely closed hers before your arrival. I also believe he may be one reason for her current reticence."
Saavik abandoned her seat for the arm of his chair. He shifted over a little so she sat comfortably against his left side without unbalancing them both. Without her uniform jacket, she was clad in the sleeveless, open necked top worn underneath it. Her bare arm touched against his tunic. The feeling of her pressed to his side was heady, and he complimented the Arongotu for their policy of close quarters.
He still quirked an eyebrow at her. "You abandon the chair it took you so much to earn."
"So I did." He watched as one corner of her mouth gave the hint of curling into a smile. "I trust you will forgive me if I do not stand on your shoulders to use the second computer station."
It stood a few feet above his since the Arongotu preferred stacking themselves on top of each other.
Saavik started the short recording again, paying close attention to Ajeya's interaction with Diartr.
"You said one reason, husband. I am certain we have both deduced the first reason," She brought up her log from the Armstrong, "is the presence of the Contact in orbit."
Spock nodded. "Her previous attack occurred when she believed in the ploy you utilized. She remained at a distance until it appeared the Armstrong left you with no support."
But when Ajeya did attack, she almost succeeded. If Armstrong and Saavik's landing party had worked a few seconds slower, she would be dead.
"Now the Contact is in orbit, and I have both you and my crew around me."
He nodded again. "Not only is an attack more difficult, she risks an instigation with Starfleet at a time when the Empire cannot afford to bring such attention to itself."
"Not to mention, the Arongotu." Saavik had paused the recording of Ajeya talking to her former husband. "Your reasoning over Diartr?"
"Their marriage ended over her service at Hellguard."
Saavik's head swung sharply towards him. "She told you this?"
Be careful, Spock warned himself. If he revealed one fact too many, Saavik would put everything together.
"She did," he said. "To emphasize she did not care about the cost of following her extinct orders. Commander Diartr apparently was against the Hellguard projects."
"That speaks well of him." Saavik shut down the recording. "Her willingness to pay such a price unfortunately speaks against her having learned the absurdity of this vendetta."
Spock looked up at her. "Did you really think it was possible?" he asked softly.
"No. Although she did tell me she sought to destroy all those born to Hellguard, and yet, she has made no attacks on the others. One explanation for her behavior is her decision not to complete her obsolete orders." Her glance at him turned sly. "Someone once told me there are always possibilities."
He raised both eyebrows. "Clearly our situation has proven such a statement is nothing more than arrogance. I suggest you say so to whomever made it."
"Perhaps I will."
She picked this moment to rest her head against his, and with her mind open to him, he sensed the fine edge hovering around her. Caused by second guessing Ajeya and through her, the reappearance of Hellguard.
He brushed his fingers against his mate's cheek, and she leaned into them. The contact freed a warm, soothing current between them.
"My wife," he whispered. "Do not be alone on this planet. Not while she is so close."
"There is a guard at the door," she murmured in return.
Her hand reached in and slipped into the one against her cheek. Spock's eyes closed with the touch of her head to his as well as her fingers in his palm. Saavik's telepathic skills were only slightly above average, but the bond was powerful between them, and his own skills were very strong. He would freely open his mind to her at any time, as she had done for him, especially if the contact meant easing that edge.
Besides, their times together were too far apart.
The moment made him forget that he left unburied what he had kept hidden for years, and it floated into her notice. It was not the whole thought, Ajeya is your mother, but it was enough of it.
Saavik jerked back, staring at him, and then turned back to the computer. Spock saw the second it fell into place.
"You kept this from me?" She shot to her feet. "You knew and never told me!"
"My wife--"
"How long, Spock? Since that first attack? You have known since then?"
"Saavik..."
Her violent expression made her controlled voice all the more worse. "You can have no good excuse for this. Do not attempt to offer one that is fabricated."
She was gone without one more word.
"Saavik!"
He knew the guard at the door would go with her, that the man might even stop her to ask what was happening, and give Spock the chance to catch up to her.
But he found the guard stiffarming him back into the room and Saavik disappearing alone around the corner.
"Wait, Ambassador. The captain said it isn't safe for you where she's going. You need to stay here, sir."
"And your captain's safety?"
"She took a phaser with her, sir, and she said she's calling for backup. Now, Ambassador--"
He didn't listen to the rest. A phaser. Exactly what he didn't want to hear.
Saavik didn't leave to get away from him.