Orlyanal, Sea of Lataan, Senes, Stardate 2292.287

After Katas set the drinks down and turned toward the house, Sarek turned his gaze back to Malar.

"To answer your question, yes. Preparations for the surgery can now move forward."

"That's wonderful news!" A wide smile spread across her face. "Thank you! You have no idea how happy this makes me, how happy this will make Losha! We've been trying not to get our hopes up. I've even been in contact with some doctors here in Hakar but...well, it doesn't matter now. We are so grateful for your help. Really, this is the best news I've had in a very long time. Thank you." Malar seemed to radiate joy.

"You're welcome. I was glad to help."

"So will Losha be able to travel to Vulcan? Or will the surgery be elsewhere?" There was a curious look in her eyes, though her face was still beaming.

"He may travel to Vulcan now." He didn't want to reveal too much without speaking to Losha first. Though he suspected Losha was close enough to this woman that confidentiality was unnecessary, it was still advisable that he wait.

"It's hard to believe. He never thought he'd go there. I've had the opportunity myself but it seemed so strange for me to go when he can't. I didn't want to upset him."

"He wished to travel to Vulcan prior to the accident?" Sarek's curiosity was peaked.

"Well, I don't know if I'd say he wished to go there. I know he was very curious about it when he was younger. I used to ask him about it, because I was curious myself, but he'd say he never thought about it. I don't know if that's true or not. But then, Losha and I are a lot alike in some ways - neither of us has ever cared much for tradition. He probably cares for it less than I do because he grew up moving around so much. So maybe he really never has thought about it. Still, our situations are different. Though I don't care for tradition, this is my planet. I know the people here - they're my people, whether I like them or not. I can't imagine what it must be like to not have a people of your own."

Malar took a sip of her drink but did not take her eyes off Sarek. Most non-Vulcans, including Seenans, found him intimidating. It was rare to encounter someone who looked him directly in the eye when they met him. Ambassadors Tala and Bareess, being powerful men on their own planet, had had no hesitation in dealing with him, but this had not been the case with their aides, who always seemed somewhat nervous in his presence. He found Malar's confidence, like Amanda's when he'd first met her, refreshing.

"I understand being a stateless person has caused difficulties for him." In some ways, he understood what it must have been like for Losha. Though Spock would disagree, Sarek had understood the difficulties he faced being neither completely Vulcan nor completely human. Still, Vulcan was Spock's home and had he chosen it; Earth could have been as well. For Losha, Vulcan was as alien to him as Senes was to Sarek. It was difficult to imagine a life so disconnected from any sort of tradition. Without tradition and logic, Sarek could only imagine that he would feel set adrift.

"Yes. More and more planets seem to be restricting stateless persons these days. I don't think that will ever happen here. Still, one never knows. I can't imagine what would happen then."

"I understand you are a travel agent?" He decided a change of subject was in order as Malar was touching on the topic he wished to discuss with Losha privately.

"Yes, I specialize in off-planet travel. Mostly I deal in destination weddings, places like Risa, Tarod II, Ivor Prime, Delta, Earth. I have had a few inquiries about Vulcan, though not for weddings."

"Yes, the climate on Vulcan does not make it ideal as a destination for leisure travel."

"So I've heard. But I'm so glad Losha will be able to go there now." Sarek tilted his head as a noise approached from the beach.

"Do you hear something?" Malar asked.

"Someone is approaching from the beach. I presume Losha and Betal are returning."

"I suppose only a Vulcan could hear that." Malar smiled again and took a sip of her lehend. "I never could sneak up on Losha. And you remembered Betal's name though I don't even remember saying it."

Soon a young woman in sleeveless shirt and shorts appeared, Losha following her from behind with his hand on her shoulder. When she saw Sarek and Malar, she paused, said something in Haka to Losha, and after a response from him, led him to the table.

"Ambassador Sarek," he raised his hand in the ta'al when the young woman stopped in front of the table.

Sarek had risen from the table at their approach. "Losha, it's good to see you again." His hand almost raised of out of habit, but realizing that Losha would not be able to see it, he kept it at his side.

"Thank you for coming all this way. You could have sent a message, I'm sure."

"Yes, but as I mentioned, there are things I wish to discuss with you in person." A message would have been much easier - getting here from Deep Space Four had taken nearly an entire day - but not appropriate. The conversation would not be easy but it was necessary. With Amanda's assistance, he had prepared for it as best he could, but he had long ago learned that when dealing with with emotional beings, one could never entirely anticipate their reactions. Though fifty years spent with Amanda meant he could usually predict her behavior, there were times when she acted in a manner completely different from what was typical.

"Ambassador," Malar interjected, "would you like Betal and I to leave you and Losha here or would you prefer to speak with him inside?"

"Here is fine. Unless Losha would prefer to go inside?"

"No, here is fine." Losha replied, then said something to Betal, who directed him to the chair opposite Sarek where Malar had been sitting.

"Losha, should I have Katas bring you something to drink?" Malar asked, turning back to the house.

"No, it's not necessary."

"Alright, we'll leave you then." Malar spoke to Betal and the two of them went inside.

As he returned to his seat Sarek noticed that Losha, who was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, had green marks covering both his arms.

"Were the injuries to your arms caused by the accident?"

"You mean the bumps?"

"Yes."

"No, that's from esaynem. It's a plant. The leaves cause skin irritation. There's a lot of growing around here. I couldn't see it. I'm not even capable of walking alone." Losha laughed but Sarek could sense bitterness from him.

"There is no treatment for it?"

"There's a topical ointment to prevent itching but otherwise I'll just have to wait for it to go away on its own."

"I see. I will ask Dr. Divr to examine it. Perhaps she knows of a treatment."

"Is she here too?"

"No, but this brings me to what I came to discuss with you."

"I'm listening." Sarek sensed a combination of anticipation, nervousness, and dread from Losha.

"I will not keep you in suspense - you will be able to travel to Vulcan for surgery. Further arrangements need to be made but there is nothing preventing you from traveling there now."

"Really?" Sarek could tell Losha did not quite believe him.

"Yes. There are several things I must explain."

"Thank you. Thank you so much. I know you didn't have to help me and I'm sure you think I'm a lying criminal so the fact that you are helping me...I didn't expect that from a Vulcan."

"For a Vulcan it is logical to provide assistance when one can." Losha clearly had some misconceptions about Vulcans, Sarek realized, but only time and example could clear those up. Losha had served his punishment for his crimes and Sarek accepted that. As to him being dishonest...that was another matter. Though he was unsure whether he could trust Losha, that was not relevant for the time being.

"Hmmm...well, thank you anyway. You managed to get me special permission to travel to Vulcan then?" He is very curious, Sarek thought. Not surprising.

"No. You do not require special permission to travel to Vulcan. Although you were not aware, I have discovered that you are, in fact, a Vulcan citizen."

"Are you serious?"

"Certainly. When your application to travel to Vulcan was denied, I requested information from the Vulcan Immigration Service. They provided me with the information they had gathered and I had the opportunity to review it after you left the station. I obtained your mother's name from your birth certificate and I asked the Information Service to look for information pertaining to her. They complied and could find no evidence that she had broken Vulcan law. She apparently left Vulcan of her own accord and therefore remained a Vulcan citizen. As at least one of your parents was a Vulcan citizen at the time of your birth, you are also a Vulcan citizen."

"I had no idea. What about my father? He told me he could never go back to Vulcan. But then, my mother said that too." Losha had lowered his hands from the table and was gripping his knees tightly as he leaned forward slightly

"I surmise that your mother did not wish to return to Vulcan, though she certainly could have done so, provided she had no plans to encourage others to abandon logic. As far as your father...it is concerning that matter that I have come here." He paused only briefly before continuing on as he had planned. Dwelling on emotionally charged matters was unpleasant, particularly when it was something personal.

"I was unaware of...who you were...until I came across a legal document with his name on it, a form releasing you from a jail. Sybok was my son. Therefore you are my grandson."