Interlude

"Let me get this straight. Your friend, who's not in his best mental state, has been lost for over a month, and you didn't report it to the police until now? Am I right?"

T'Mirek and Varith were at the local police station to file a report on Velekh's disappearance.

Things were not going as they intended.

The officer who was taking their declaration was willing to laugh at them instead of offering any help.

"Yes."

"Very logical," The police officer said writing in his PADD and holding back his laugh. "And y'all say we're the illogical ones."

"Uhm."

"Are you gonna' help us or not?"

"Yup. Can you tell me his name again?"

"For the sixth time: Velekh," reiterated T'Mirek, visibly annoyed with the man.

Despite the obvious mocking tone, the human officer was right. They should have done something about it way before.

Thinking about Velekh was depressing.

Varith had expected he would eventually get used to his new life on earth, as a Terran citizen and a V'tosh Ka'tur. He was making so much progress, he was willing to learn and to listen to the diverse ways of the galaxy. His escapades started to be shorter and less frequent than at the beginning.

"B-E-L-E-C or B-E-L-E-C-K?"

"V-E-L-E-K-H."

"Velekh. Got it." The officer finished writing in his PADD and looked at them. "Are you sure he's missing? It took you a month to report it, so…"

"Officer, we—"

"Look, he's an adult. He's twenty-one, and he has right to go wherever he wants. This is a free planet. I dunno how things are in Vulcan, but this is Earth. We don't control people," the man said matter-of-factly. Which made T'Mirek consider violence as a valid response to that statement.

"Can I speak with someone else, sir?"

"T'Mirek—"

"I will speak with another person, this guy is mocking us," she said in Vulcan to Varith who just nodded.

"How can I help you?" The voice of an unknown man interrupted the conversation.

He was holding a cup of coffee and T'Mirek directly turned to speak with him, ignoring the officer.

Varith stared at the man for a brief moment, his expression resembled kind and joyful, which was comforting.

"I can handle it, Wallace," said the officer behind the counter.

"Hello, I'm Detective Drew Wallace," the man introduced himself.

"Whatever, I need a more coffee, anyways," said the officer leaving for another room to fill his cup.

"Thank you. We want to report a missing person," T'Mirek explained, exchanging looks with Varith who was rambling about the entire situation, not so sure what to think about it.

"Okay, this way. You'll need to answer a few questions," Detective Wallace indicated.

Ⱄ Ⱄ Ⱄ

"First of all, what kind of relationship you share with the missing person?"

"We're friends."

The human wrote something in his PADD for what felt like an eternity for Varith and T'Mirek.

"Can you write here the name of your friend?" Detective Wallace said handling his PADD to them.

T'Mirek accepted it and quickly wrote Velekh's full name using Standard alphabet and Vulcan script bellow.

"Do you have any picture of your friend?"

"Yes," Varith said, giving him a folder with printed pictures of Velekh he had taken during a celebration for his first four months on Earth.

"Okay, I'll need that."

"Does he have any particular sign, tattoos, piercings, birthmarks?"

"Hum… actually yes, he has a tattoo in Vulcan script of the IDIC in his inner left arm," T'Mirek answered. Varith reacted mildly surprised, and she smiled nervously, because the detective was watching the exchange.

"Really?"

"He got it the same day I got this," she said, pulling her sleeve to show him a tattoo depicting a colorful Terran flower.

The human exhaled and decided to continue his questioning, "When was the last time did you see him?"

"It's complicated," T'Mirek said with a shrug. "The reason we didn't report it before it was because we thought he was inside his apartment like the other times."

"Can you explain to me what's that supposed to mean?"

"Velekh, our friend, recently arrived to Earth. As you can see, Detective Wallace, we are not fundamentalist Vulcans," interjected Varith looking at T'Mirek. "We are V'tosh Ka'tur."

"Velekh was struggling to leave behind his past life and, often ran away. Not like leaving the city, just… Not showing up at work or not answering our calls, but every single time we went after him he was inside his apartment."

"I see," The detective stayed silence, observing Velekh's picture and added, "So… I guess you thought this was like the other times, right?"

"Precisely."

"Did you know if he was in danger or if he had any other motive behind these episodes aside from stress?"

"Yes."

"No, he wasn't," T'Mirek said, raising her voice a bit, glancing at Varith and shaking her head.

"I can't be helpful is you conceal things from me. I'll ask you again, was Velekh in any danger for some reason?"

"No, he…" Varith stammered, uncertain in how to word what it was happening to Velekh. "I don't think so… he was seeing ghosts."

He instantly regretted using that word to describe Velekh's paranoia.

"Ghosts? Was he ever diagnosed with any condition I should know about?" The detective glanced at them in utter disbelief, moving nervously his stylus as he thought what to say next.

"No."

"Detective, he wasn't in his best mental state. We failed to do anything in that regard to help him. Varith and I didn't want to force him to speak about something that it was very likely Velekh was not ready to," T'Mirek explained. "He was experimenting paranoia. He believed that dangerous people were here in San Francisco."

"Did he mention if someone was after him?"

"No, and I don't believe it was an actual possibility."

"Are you sure?"

"Well…"

"Do you think that he could be right in some way? Have you ever confirmed or not this?" the detective interrupted, inquisitive playing with the stylus in his hand.

"No."

"So, you don't know if he was in actual danger?"

The fact that T'Mirek refused to explicitly speak about logic the extremists that Velekh assured were around the city, was revealing. They may have left Vulcan decades ago, but the reality was that in some ways, they hadn't left behind what exactly pushed them to leave.

"No, I mean… We know he was mistaken."

"Okay."

Voicing it brought the whole situation to a new light, the guilt immediately hit him as he recognized his lack of effort in making Velekh's arrival to Earth as a less traumatic experience.

"For me, that means we could be searching for a person who's not of sound mind."

Varith nodded in silence and T'Mirek patted his shoulder to convey calm.

Ⱄ Ⱄ Ⱄ

As the personal assistant of Ambassador Sarek, Scott Langdon had been in many odd dynamics and had witnessed an incalculable amount of unconventional situations.

However, he was certain that very precise situation was the most annoying of all.

"Ambassador Sarek has requested your cooperation by informing me further about your work dynamic and schedule," the young Vulcan had said once Scott opened the door of the hotel room he was assigned during his first night in Vulcan.

The entire floor was emptied and closed just for the Ambassador, which wasn't exactly something new during those kinds of diplomatic trips.

Varek, Sarek's new aide was probably one of the most condescending and annoying beings he had ever met or, at least, it was in his top three.

Ambassador Sarek had said he would be integrating to the team, and he would have to work really close to him. That it was not a problem, but the guy seemed to think he was superior to him.

The very first week trapped in Vulcan, waiting for a foreign ambassador who apparently was taking too much time to attend a meeting that had specifically requested with Sarek, had been a nightmare. Not because of the schedule or the weather. For some reason, they had been attending all kinds of pointless social events, which was beyond boring and adding the arrogant, bothersome presence of Varek, things were worse.

He had his own theories, as the result of his increasing boredom and curiosity.

Varek was not like any other Vulcan, he was different.

Of course, by the exterior he was exactly like the average Vulcan, young man of his age, but something in his demeanor and attitude did tell him apart from others. Despite both of them were twenty-six years old, Scott had the impression that he had never been off-world in his whole life and that he was very appalled by Sarek's vast experience.

'Appalled' was not enough to describe the not-so-subtle fascination Varek seemed to extend to Ambassador Sarek in such short lapse of time, which was a pretty un-Vulcan behavior in his opinion. It was not like only a deep respect for his achievements, career or position as a representative of Vulcan to the exterior.

The human was willing to bet his life that Varek craved to be around Sarek for other motives aside from work. It was extremely odd, almost amusing, but still there was a small strain of something he was not able to identify that it was alarming in Varek's demeanor.

The only thing he was certain about his new Vulcan co-worker was that he was way too creepy. Therefore, it would be wise on his behalf to not mess with him. That and the fact, that he was three times stronger than him.

"Good morning, Varek," Scott said as a mere formality when the Vulcan appeared in sight in the lobby, waiting for Ambassador Sarek.

Varek looked at Scott for an uncomfortable minute and say nothing, just kept staring with coldness in his dark eyes.

Has he had to be that hostile towards him? What was his problem?

Ambassador Sarek joined them in the lobby not so long after.

He was wearing a dark and long blue formal Vulcan robe, decorated with a small shiny pin depicting the Vulcan word for 'Ambassador' in a lavish golden font.

"Good morning, Ambassador," said Varek and even Scott could point out a strain of excitement in his monotone.

"Good morning."

"Ambassador—"

"The transportation vehicle has arrived. We are ready to depart," interrupted Varek walking to the entrance along Sarek.

Ⱄ Ⱄ Ⱄ

Sarek was irritated for an unknown reason.

His head was pounding, and he thought he might have a migraine, because the past three days the light felt unbearable to his eyes. All he wanted to do was lie down and sleep for the rest of his lifetime. Unfortunately, it was not possible the time being.

His new aide had informed that he had to attend a social gathering at the local Andorian embassy. As a novel Ambassador, his colleagues were naturally interested in getting to know him.

He had barely eaten a few bites of an oatmeal snack, because lately he felt incapable of swallowing more than that without vomiting. He had been so close to throw up during the dinner that the Tellarite Ambassador to Vulcan offered three standard days ago. Chewing and successfully swallowing down his throat the vegetarian stew they offered to him, was one of the hardest tasks he had to complete as a diplomat.

The trip from the Galaxy Inn to the Andorian embassy was beyond boring.

Looking through the window and, recognizing locations of the place he had spent the early years of his childhood, didn't feel as comfortable as it should. Shi'kahr was his birthplace. There it was located the house he grew up in and was the current city his whole family resided, but something was missing in his eyes. It was illogical to resent the actions of his family, but he could not prevent himself to feel conflicted in regard to the situation. Sarek hadn't voiced his thoughts and was really ambiguous when Amanda asked about his family. Replying that they were never close, and she didn't question further after that. When the reality was that they had basically cut him off, and he was told he could only come back when his tantrum was over.

For some reason, they thought he was marrying Amanda to challenge them for the Vulcan Diplomatic Service conflict prior his forced assignment to Earth.

"We have arrived, Ambassador," the soft voice of Varek brought him back to the present.

Andorian Ambassador Jharaah was an intriguing woman, intelligent, assertive and straightforward when it was required. She was highly respected as a diplomat inside and outside of her native planet. She had served an Ambassador for so many years in a plethora of planets and worked close to Vulcans great part of her career. Therefore, she was the adequate and logical envoy from Andoria to Vulcan. Sarek was aware she wasn't the kind of person who would extend an invitation for no reason. Even though, her intentions remained unclear, but he was certain she would have a meaningful purpose behind.

"Ambassador Sarek, welcome," greeted the woman offering the ta'al with a subtle smirk in her expression.

"Ambassador Jharaah." The woman gestured the way and started to walk, they were slowly passing a long hall with blue tint windows, Sarek knew she wanted to talk while touring the embassy, he was tired but tried to look as normal as usual.

"I apologize in advance for not have any official or meaningful matter to speak with you, Ambassador. I feel I need to know my colleagues and when I learned you would be in Vulcan; I couldn't resist to take the opportunity."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ambassador Jharaah."

The woman smiled, but didn't return the compliment.

"The galaxy is taking huge steps these days, Ambassador. Especially when it comes to the Federation and Vulcan. My native planet, yours and earth are really close as you already know," she started with the subtle smile forming on her lips as she spoke, "I have always thought it takes a very exceptional Vulcan to serve in the Diplomatic Service. Councilman Skon and Ambassador Solkar are two widely known examples of that, two Vulcans who gained the utmost respect of the galaxy and most importantly, the respect of their home world."

"I am aware," Sarek said dryly.

Sarek glanced upward and continued to walk silently to her side.

Ambassador Jharaah was much more taller than he was.

The mention of members of his family was unusual and not welcomed. He had lost communication with most of them when he informed them he would bond with Amanda.

"I still remember when I invited your father, Ambassador Skon at the time, to the Federation's day festival in Andoria, you were only a baby amazed by the insignificant things of life. It is no surprise to me to know you would choose a similar path and I always saw more ambassadorial inclinations in you than in Silek."

Hearing his older brother's name was something Sarek didn't like in the slightest. Silek had chosen to side with his mother in cutting off any communications with him. Until he decided to come back home and follow what they defined as the proper way to elect a suitable mate. Also, Silek had brought back the fact he had delayed his application for the Diplomatic Service to pursue a career in the science field at the Vulcan Science Academy, going again Skon's plans for both. He reiterated how illogical and childish he acted and called his intentions to marry Amanda as another deliberate attempt to seek for rebelliousness. He abstained to make any gesture to let know that detail to Ambassador Jharaah.

"I enjoy being informed about what befalls all over the galaxy. As an Ambassador is mandatory. Have you come across the news?"

Sarek took a moment to think about it and nodded, glancing around the beautiful traditional Andorian styled decorations of the place.

"Certainly."

"As you may know, the Terran Ambassador to Vulcan married an Andorian woman. Of course, the press and public reaction has been more benevolent to them than to you and Mrs. Grayson."

Discussing the media's inclination for gossiping about his personal preferences and Amanda's fashion sense, was not exactly a topic he was eager to talk with a colleague.

"The public opinion is not a concern for us," Sarek quickly answered.

Jharaah offered him a look of disbelief and exhaled. Which annoyed Sarek more than a simple action as such, should ever bother him. The intergalactic press had reported their marriage in the vilest and ill-intentioned way he ever saw in his lifetime. Those xenophobic articles blaming him of setting an example for the Terran Ambassador to Andoria didn't go unnoticed.

"As is expected. The media and the public often enjoy commenting other's personal lives very shamelessly, but is pretty harmless at the end of the day. It's only gossip for the sake of the entertainment of the masses, quickly fades away with the time or when the next scandal comes up. It's the natural order," replied Jharaah in a soft voice and Sarek thought she was being condescending to him, like if he had spent his entire life living in a different reality, and she needed to explain the way it functioned the galaxy. "I, personally, see this event a watershed in our history. Nonetheless, not every person shares my views, especially in this matter."

Sarek blinked, confused. He had an idea of what she wanted to say, but had nothing to add.

"Logic extremists blame you for this. They believe your bonding ceremony is setting an example to other diplomats out there. I agree on that, but we differ in if this is positive or not. Of course, they aren't pleased by the recent events, an expectable reaction on their behalf."

"Hum."

"For sure, we all know that interspecies relationships have been happening for a very long time, but high profile personalities engaging publicly in the practice it's definitely a novelty."

"It is unclear what it the purpose of bring my bonding ceremony and logic extremists in the same conversation," Sarek said.

"Vulcan feels threatened by what you did, Sarek. We all know about Vulcans rejecting the traditional values in different levels. The so called V'tosh ka'tur movement is something that existed before I was even born. They recently got named, but isn't new at all."

"Disagreement is an expectable consequence in every decision that is taken, Ambassador. I considered all variables when I took my decision," he replied.

"Very brave of you, both of you, actually."

"Pardon?"

Ambassador Jharaah stopped and looked down, directly to Sarek's clear eyes with kindness, but still radiating condescendence towards him.

"Mrs. Grayson is a lovely woman… The entire galaxy agrees that she doesn't fully comprehend exactly what she has signed for with this marriage, but I believe that you either," the woman assured, confident in her words which bothered Sarek.

He was not an oblivious child as his family and, apparently, external individuals as Ambassador Jharaah wanted to believe. Marrying a human was a conscious decision, he was aware of how the entire galaxy would react to it and did it anyway.

"Is this a lecture to discuss my personal affairs?"

"Oh, no! Not at all," she waved her hands, dismissing that assessment, "I wouldn't lose my time in idle chatter. I'm a diplomat not some ill-intentioned columnist."

Sarek nodded and Jharaah took it as a signal to continue her speech, "Logic extremists are not pleased in the least, but who expected them to agree? No one is surprised, but they have declared their intentions and seems like no one paid attention," she laughed only to Sarek to hear, "Logic advocates, that is how they call them. But we all know their extremists, right?"

"I classify their assessment as irrelevant. Balev's views are not a concern for me."

"Don't you see it? That's denialism at its finest," she added with an ambiguous tone. "Balev is not just a lonely man with xenophobic views typing in a basement. He's not like any other people that have criticized your personal decisions, Ambassador. You fail to take him as the threat he is to you, your planet and your people."

"I disagree."

She arched an eyebrow.

"Balev's speech is a declaration of war in my opinion. He finds the V'tosh Ka'tur movement and its associates as despicable for say the least. They go against all he believes, as the only and unique, proper way of living, but the main difference between the V'tosh Ka'tur and you married to a human is that he knows that there is no person in the entire galaxy that would put him in the same category as a V'tosh Ka'tur. He and his cult are fully aware that they are entirely apart from them. It doesn't matter how many drawings, articles and parodies the V'tosh Ka'tur make to mock him, you are still a major traitor than them in his eyes and that is because you represent them in front the entire universe. You are that extraordinary threat he has been talking about for so long."

Sarek took a moment to process the information.

Jharaah examined him with inquisitive eyes, and he felt so drained to think about all she was talking about. The logic extremists were a great concern for him since Amanda logically brought the topic into conversation a couple of days before his departure to Vulcan.

"I understand the risk," he assured and despite being aware he didn't have to prove anything, the fact she was certain he was some sort of oblivious child was unsettling.

"Not entirely."

"The point to hold this conversation with me remains unclear."

"I was young once. Someone took the time to give me a piece of advice that saved my life a long time ago, when I was a novel diplomat inside a planet in conflict, just like you. I would like to extend the same consideration a colleague offered to my young self, back in the day."

Sarek examined her expression, she was severe but well-intentioned.

He couldn't deny that she had much more experience as a diplomat than him, Ambassador Jharaah was serving a diplomat even before his birth.

The shred of discomfort when she mentioned that she was offering him a lifesaving advice was worrisome, not because Sarek was not aware of the evident danger of logic extremists displeased by his choices, but the fact that she was certain they would come after him. He knew it was a possibility, but as an active member of the government of Vulcan, Sarek thought they wouldn't dare to even try it.

"Be careful, Ambassador," she whispered.

Sarek inwardly shuddered.

"Is this a warning?"

"Yes, indeed. You should be aware that you are alone from now on and should act taking into consideration that fact for your own safety."

Ⱄ Ⱄ Ⱄ

Scott was bored.

The Vulcan broadcasting services had little to nothing to offer in the entertainment department, only news channels, educational shows with a cold voice and a channel with really old non-Vulcan movies.

Varek invited himself over his room to work together, or that is what he assumed he intended by staying there with a PADD there in absolute silence.

"Are you done with that?"

Scott was eager for any social interaction. He missed his ex-co-worker and Varek's company was like being alone.

"No," Varek said without looking at him.

Scott sat on the bed, directly looking at Varek. He was intrigued.

"Hey, why don't you take a rest?"

"I do not need to rest."

Another silent minute passed until Scott spoke again, "Hum… Well, since we are gonna work together from now on… Why don't we, y'know, introduce ourselves."

Varek left his PADD aside, his expression slightly changed but the human could notice the bewilderment in his eyes.

Scott waited, but nothing was said, so he inhaled and decided to take the initiative, "Okay, I'll go first. I'm Scott, as you already know, I'm twenty-six, and I was born in San Francisco, California, Earth."

He nodded and another wave of silence from Varek filled the room.

The woman on the screen was speaking about the weather and Scott never felt as uncomfortable hearing the weather prognostic as at that moment.

"It's your turn," Scott said hesitantly. Surprisingly enough, Varek didn't point out the lack of logic in his idea.

"Very well. My name is Varek, as I previously informed you. I am twenty-six standard years of age, and I was born in Suk'muzh, Shi'kahr, Vulcan."

"Really? Great!"

"Why would you be uncertain?"

"It's a human way of speaking, never mind."

"That is highly illogical, but I am aware of the human preference for illogical courses of action."

"Yeah, that's us. We're guilty," he joked.

"This is not a courtroom. Pleading guilty in this context is illogical."

"It was a joke, Varek."

"I am not in the habit of making jokes," stated the young Vulcan.

"Okay, no more jokes then."

Scott shrugged.

Varek was troubling him more than he would like to. Sometimes, he seemed unaware of the external world and if like he had never been out there. The amazement in his eyes to witness the beautiful marine life in the aquarium inside the Andorian embassy didn't go unnoticed.

"Do you have any hobby?"

"No," Varek answered tonelessly. "Is it customary for humans to summit new acquaintances to personal interrogatories?"

Had he been human, that statement would have sounded extremely rude, but his gut feeling told him that Varek was genuinely intrigued by his human customs.

"That's essentially how we socialize."

"I see."

"Have you ever worked with humans before?"

"No."

It shows, the human thought. Perhaps, he wasn't as creepy as he was inclined to think, just was unskilled in social conventions and protocols.

"Do you pretend to do any other query?"

"No, I guess. Hum…Would you like to ask me something?"

"No."

Varek's eyes focused on the screen on the wall. Scott took the control and instantly turned up the volume. He had forgotten that the local news channel was playing in the back during his awkward attempt to ingratiate himself with Varek.

"Spokesman and public logic advocate, sixty-four-year-old Balev was shot this evening at Suk'muzh during an event. A private social gathering was taking place in a touristic zone in the upper side of Suk'muzh, when an alleged sniper —who has not been identified to the current time— shot twice, injuring Balev and killing a twenty-three-year-old attendee identified as Vorik. No suspect has been arrested and an investigation has been opened."

'Logic advocate', echoed inside Scott's mind.

He found very stupid and a demonstration of illogical denialism to call that man a logic advocate after very publicly gave hate speeches.

Vulcan press and media, insisted they weren't extremists by refusing to acknowledge that detail when reporting any related news to them. He had heard that the leader had trash talked his boss and implied his interests as a diplomat were misplaced. His group was basically a terrorist organization. But since they never explicitly attributed themselves the credit of any attack or even admitted being some sort of sick cult, Vulcans let them be.

It was probably that a lot of Vulcans agreed with their views in different degrees. Therefore, it was not a big deal for them to do something about it.

They have never attacked a single place inside Vulcan or targeted another member of their species before Ambassador Sarek. Most of the people didn't consider the two hours and seventeen minutes that Balev—who was an extremist leader— dedicated to thoughtfully discuss how incompetent, human attached and un-Vulcan Ambassador Sarek was, as an actual threat.

Scott and Varek silently watched a video leaked of the surveillance precisely at the moment when Balev was walking among his followers, being closely followed by a young man. Then, both of them falling to the ground.

"I shall leave. Good night," Varek's voice drew his attention apart from the screen, he was leaving and taking all his belongings.

"Good night," Scott said and continued to binge between channels.

A/N: Thank you so much, StarryEyes2000 for your comment :)