They sat close together on the couch, watching the broadcasts intently. When one channel would fail, they would scan frequencies until they found another that was still operational. The reports coming in prompted more questions than they answered, but all of them reported a few key details consistently: an unknown probe was on trajectory towards Earth disabling every ship, station, or planet that it closely passed. Lives lost as a result of life support failure or weather catastrophes numbered in the millions. The probe failed to respond to hails in any language or frequency and was impenetrable to weapons.
Saavik allowed Amanda to grip her wrist, providing the older woman any amount of comfort she could find. Amanda had sent a priority one message to Sarek's office on Earth as Saavik composed a short message to Healer Sorel and Doctor Corrigan's practice to cancel her daily appointment.
Subspace communication was in chaos, and Spock was travelling on a cloaked ship, so they had no idea about the welfare of either Vulcan. Tears flowed freely down Amanda's cheeks, and Saavik stared wide-eyed and unblinking at the viewscreen. The house staff had gathered in the large entertainment bay of the house with them to watch the reports on frequencies that were restricted to high ranking Federation officials.
The probe had simply approached Earth too quickly, too stealthily to allow for evacuation or preparation. It was fortunate for Vulcan that the probe's approach trajectory did not bring it near their planet. But at least two Vulcan science vessels were reported to have been completely disabled by the probe.
So the household, the planet, and other Federation planets and surviving vessels could only watch in fear and horror as the events unfolded.
"I have always had difficulty sensing him across our bond so far away," Amanda confessed in a whisper.
"You would feel it if something dire happened to Ambassador Sarek," Saavik responded with fabricated confidence.
Almost four hours after the probe reached Earth, Amanda and Saavik gasped simultaneously. "Spock!" Saavik croaked. She experienced the termination of his presence even stronger than she had upon his death after the battle with Khan, perhaps because it was instantaneous where the previous incident had been a slow fade.
"No! Spock!" Amanda sobbed. Saavik pulled Amanda into an embrace as the woman withered and collapsed.
Saavik wished the household staff would dissipate to let them grieve. Just as the desire coalesced in her mind, a strange sensation overwhelmed her. Through her confusion and shock, she estimated that Amanda had also experienced it as well when the woman jolted in her grip.
"What is- Saavik, what was that?" she asked, her breath still hitching.
"I am uncertain. I have never experienced nor do I have knowledge of such a sensation."
"But you feel him, too? Spock is there in your mind?" Amanda's words were frantic. She creased Saavik's gown in her grip.
"I do. He is alive. Amanda, I do not know how, but Spock lives!"
Amanda pulled Saavik into a hug, her tears turned from sorrow to joyful relief. Saavik had to squeeze her eyes tightly to suppress her own tearful expression.