Author's Note: In Chapter 47, several weeks have passed since the events of the last chapter. Spock and Sevat meet in Berkeley to assess their progress toward breaking T'Lau's plot. Sevat recounts an evening he spent with Uhura at a local Taquería.

As always, your comments are appreciated.

At 10:17 PM in Berkeley's Cesar Chavez Park, Sevat listened attentively as Spock provided his report.

The Vulcan spy commented, "So, the fact remains that all of T'Lau's known contacts outside of her project team have been with minor ship parts suppliers with seemingly no relation to vital operating systems."

"That is correct." Spock responded. "Moreover, the only instance I identified something suspect in a component overseen by her project team, the item also was a minor part which would have little discernible impact on engineering systems if it had failed."

"What are we missing?" Sevat spoke aloud in a rare unguarded moment.

"I have ran numerous computer scenarios and could not identify a commonality which linked all of the components in a significant way."

"Needless to say, Starfleet investigators probably are even more so in a quandary as to how to solve this mystery."

"Your assumption is quite accurate." Spock answered. "Admiral Pok has been fully apprised of the situation, but is reluctant to delay the inaugural ceremonial flight of the Enterprise. With the Federation Founders Day Celebration being only three days away, he has decided to carry out all activities as planned. His decision was emboldened by the fact there have already been 17 test flights of the ship with Captain Pike at the helm. No problem has ever been found with any of the systems."

"While we are actually dealing with a Romulan, it would have been illogical for her to assume the identity of a Vulcan, murder those who could more readily identify her, and maintain relationships with certain StarShip suppliers if there was not something nefarious underway involving the Enterprise."

"Agreed. However, Admiral Pok and Founders Day organizers are deaf to any further mention of the possibility of terrorism unless more substantial evidence can be produced."

Sevat reflects on the situation, before remarking, "Perhaps, our assumption is wrong in identifying Founders Day as the time T'Lau's plot will manifest itself."

Spock replied, "If her aim is to strike a significant blow against the Federation, why would she not take advantage of the opportunity to disable or destroy the intended flagship of Starfleet? Moreover, that day, the ship will carry prominent dignitaries representing most of the Federation member planets."

"Will Ambassador Sarek1 be among them?"

"Yes." Spock answered. "The Ambassadors of the four founding planets – Earth, Vulcan, Tellar and Andoria - were issued special invitations to expereince the flight from the bridge."

"As First Officer, you will also be on the bridge. Would it stand to reason foul play would occur with you aboard the suspected target when the imposter holds you prominently in her future plans? Is she so deranged as to confess her undying passion for you, but then endanger your life in her ominous plot?"

"The pretender is, indeed, delusional in her estimation of my affections for her." Spock retorted. "However, I do not denigrate her intellect as she has obviously devised quite an intricate and complex conspiracy we have, yet, to break."

"Then, you believe she has feigned her desire for you?"

"No. I am confident the emotions she projects toward me are true. However, she dares not to tip her hand until . . . " Spock pauses to reflect for a few moments. "She dares not to tip her hand until she believes nothing can alter the dastardly course of events she endeavors to set in motion."

"Yes." Sevat replied. "Your reasoning does appear logical."

"Then, why can I not see beyond to the next page of her plot?" Spock asked. While no sense of defeatism was apparent in his voice, he did express the realization they were running out of time.

Sevat stepped a few paces away from his fellow Vulcan in deep contemplation. Then, he nodded in recognition upon realizing, "She would need an escape. If she believes there's a future together for the two of you, there has to be a means of escape."

"A Romulan Bird-of-Prey fitted with a cloaking device." Spock interjected.

"Yes." Sevat concurred. "Such a ship requires much power to stay concealed, so it is probably waiting outside of this solar system until the right time. After T'Lau boards the transport, she no doubt assumes she can beam you aboard her ship and be out of harms way before Starfleet can detect them."

"The plot must be foiled before it can progress to that point."

"Then, Spock, you must intensify your efforts to press her for more information." Sevat argued. "You can no longer be worried about dirtying your hands if the aim is to put an end to this scheme."

"I am aware of my duty, Sevat. You need not waste your breath with such reminders."

Sevat watched, as Spock appeared to begin to leave the scene. However, Spock unexpectedly halted his movement. After a few moments, his fellow Vulcan turned back to him and asked, "How is she? How is Nyota?"

"Your question is rather vague. I would expect such ambiguity from a human, not a Vulcan."

Spock swallowed his pride. Sevat knew very well what he required.

Seventeen days . . .

Seventeen days since Spock had last spoken to Nyota . . .

Seventeen days since he touched her . . .

Seventeen days since he held her in his arms . . .

Seventeen days since he had the opportunity to link with their child growing inside her . . .

Sevat knew what he needed, but he would not give up the information so willingly.

Spock asked Sevat, "Do you not spend at least two days a week with Nyota as her instructor in the Romulan language?"

"Much more than that." Sevat replied. "I agreed I would increase my time with the Cadet in order to better insure her safety. Was that not your request?"

"Yes. That is correct."

"I had little trouble convincing Nyota's advisor to increase the time allotted for her language instruction, as well as, counseling related to her dissertation activities. Since then, with the exception of her weekend military exercises, scarcely a day has passed when she has not been in my company."

Spock studied Sevat. While his face maintained an indifferent expression, his tone betrayed how much he relished divulging this information.

Spock remarked, "Then, you are in the position of being able to provide me with a report on the progress of her scholarly endeavors."

"Her academic progress?"

"Is that not what I asked?"

"For a human, Nyota is quite advanced in her ability in recognizing diverse forms of grammatical models. She also has displayed quite a talent for decoding lexical systems. Most exemplary is her demonstration of oral dexterity. This skill is definitely without peer among the students I have encountered on this planet."

Spock nodded.

Sevat added, "If my comments do not fully satisfy your curiosity, I can go into much more detail, specifically in regards to her Romulan studies."

Spock hesitated, and then asked, "When did you last see her?"

"Today. In fact, I only left her several hours ago after she spent most of the day in my company."

Spock noted, "I see you have taken your guardianship role quite seriously."

"Nyota attended three courses I teach here in Berkeley. Although graduate courses, she had already mastered the material. However, since she has talked about one day becoming a professor, I thought it would be beneficial for her to experience the manner of teaching courses at that level in a University, rather than Academy setting."

"Nyota has expressed interest in a professorial appointment?"

"Perhaps, the two of you have chosen to spend your time together in other endeavors besides discussing Nyota's own aspirations. However, as her mentor, I provide room for such conversations."

Spock sternly met Sevat's eyes, when he asked him, "What else do you accommodate when you are with her?"

At a Taquería in Berkeley, Uhura watched as Sevat used a fork to pick up several loaded chips from the plate of nachos that sat between them. Knowing Vulcans loathed talking with food in their mouths, she waited patiently until it appeared he had sufficiently chewed and swallowed the corn chips.

"Do you like them?" Uhura asked.

Sevat paused for a few moments as if savoring flavor remnants within his mouth. "Our people do not usually indulge in cuisine that includes dairy products. I am not used to the texture of the cheese."

"The cheese has been melted to achieve that sort of gooey consistency." Uhura commented.

"Gooey?" Sevat asked.

"Yes, gooey. It actually is a word."

"I would have more of a chance of deciphering your meaning if you avoided colloquialism, Nyota."

Nyota refrained the urge to roll her eyes, as she simply answered. "Viscous. Gooey is another word for a Viscous quality."

"Viscous. Why did you not simply use this word in the first place to avoid this confusion?"

"I'll try to keep that in mind." She retorted. "Now, are you going to answer my question?"

"Perhaps, you should repeat it, since we were momentarily set on a different course involving word meanings."

"Are you enjoying the nachos?"

"I may need to partake of another taste to provide a more informed assessment."

"Be my guest." Uhura said, as she pushed the nacho plate closer to him. "However, I need to tell you the utensils were actually brought here to use with our salads. It is customary to eat nachos as finger food."

"Touch my fingers to the food I wish to consume? Why would I want to adopt that barbaric and unsanitary practice?"

"Sevat, if your hands are clean . . . "

"If?" He interrupted. "Did you not see me go to the human waste disposal unit? Why would I not clean my hands after attending my business there?"

"Settle down, Sevat. I had no doubt you had washed your hands before returning to the table."

"You make inquiries about my hygienic habits, but I am not aware if you also took the time to sanitize your hands before touching our shared plate of food."

Uhura sighed and pulled out a bottle of hand sanitizer from her bag. "I used this while you were in the bathroom."

Sevat remarked, "I suppose that is better than no treatment. However, I hope you know it is not as effective as applying a antibacterial cleansing agent to one's hands and rubbing them for twenty seconds before thoroughly rinsing with water."

Uhura gave him the look and commented, "I'll remember that for next time. Now, for once why don't you try living dangerously for once and eat this food in accordance to its custom."

Sevat hesitated, but then set down his fork. Picking up several chips with his fingers, he then placed it in his mouth as Uhura also sampled the nachos.

When it seemed Sevat had swallowed, she asked the Vulcan, "Do you now believe you have had sufficient evidence to form an opinion?"

Sevat wiped his hands carefully with a napkin. "Is this cuisine of your ethnic heritage?"

Uhura gave him the look, once more. "No, Sevat. I'm not saying you cannot find nachos in my country of origin. Nowadays, you can find someone selling nachos most anywhere on Earth. However, they're not a traditional food of my ancestors, if that is what you are asking. One of my American colleagues once told me it has Tex-Mex roots. I'm not sure what that means, so don't ask me. All I know is it tastes good and fits the budget of a lowly Starfleet Cadet."

"What use are those items on that tray?" The Vulcan asked, indicating a tray of condiments on the table.

"These are sauces and vegetables you can add to the nachos according to your own taste. There are red and green varieties of salsas, as well as, olives, peppers, and avocado."

Sevat picked up a dish containing diced peppers.

"Sevat," Uhura cautioned. "I don't know if you should try those. They're jalapeno peppers and may not sit well with you if you are not use to spicy food with a high heat index."

Holding the dish with his fingers, he remarked. "Strange, I do not detect any warmth emanating from this container."

"The vegetable does not conduct heat through those types of container. However, when it comes in contact with the inside of your mouth, it produces a chemical reaction that produces a heat-like sensation."

"I must test this phenomenon." Sevat retrieved several nacho chips from the plate, then spooned a heaping spoonful of the diced jalapeno unto the chips."

With eyes opened wide, Uhura warned, "Sevat, I think you would be better off only trying just a little bit of it at first, to see if . . . "

Sevat gave her no time to complete her sentence as he placed the jalapeno-laden chips in his mouth. Her own mouth stood agape as she watched him chew the spicy creation slowly and then swallow it with no seeming effect shown on his face. He then reached for more chips and placed an even larger portion of the jalapenos on his sample.

"Sevat!" She exclaimed. "What happened? Didn't you feel anything at all when you ate the peppers?"

"There seemed to be no effect initially. However, after approximately 3.5 seconds I experienced a rather scorching, high heat sensation throughout my mouth."

"And, you're all right with that?" She asked incredulously.

"I actually found the experience to be quite comforting. It most definitely improved the taste of the nachos quite considerably."

She watched as he placed his prepared nachos into his mouth, now appearing to openly take pleasure in his food. Shaking her head in disbelief, Uhura laughed lightly as she chose to go back to the relatively mild taste of her garden salad.

"By the way, she said, I've given some thought to your latest mystery game clue. You know, the one where you said someone seems to have interest in all of these seemingly unrelated ship parts."

"I thought you had given up on it. It has been over a week since I shared the clue with you. Have you thought of an answer?"

"Not, yet?"

"I see."

"I see? I must say that is quite a smug answer for someone who probably has also not solved this part of the game, yet. Am I correct?"

"I admit I am still baffled by it."

"And, what about your friend who you told me plays this game with you?"

"He has also, yet, to recognize the significance of these components."

"I see."

"I see?" He retorted.

"I just wanted to say that although I have, yet, to identify a satisfactory answer, I think I may be able to send us in a more promising direction."

"If you have thought of some way to illuminate this case, please do not hesitate to impart this knowledge."

"OK – now, this may be a wild guess, but in our Academy course on StarShip systems, we once had a lecture by Pascal Lefevre, the former Chief Engineer of the USS Exeter. In his talk, he mentioned how the self-destruct command functions in the unlikely event such a catastrophic measure would be necessary."

Uhura looked up from her salad momentarily to catch Sevat's eye as he prepared another jalapeno-laden chip for consumption.

"You may proceed, Nyota, you have not lost me, yet."

"What I found most interesting to learn was just how difficult it actually is to intentionally destroy a StarShip from via internal systems. I knew the self-destruct command, itself, required three officers to trigger the sequence, but what I did not realize the process must somehow circumvent the many fail-safe mechanisms in place designed to prevent such an event from happening."

"I believe I see where you are headed with this." Sevat commented after swallowing his food. "However, none of the items in the clue have any connection to a vital ship system. Moreover, the failure of any one of these components would only require minor repairs."

"Yes, I know. I went to one of the computer labs with my roommate who is a whiz at programming. We ran trials simulating the failure of each component. In each case, the malfunction of the part caused no major problem. In fact, they proved so insignificant, service crews may not even be aware of the issue until making routine maintenance checks."

"Thank you, Nyota, for running that scenario. That is, at least, one more option we can eliminate."

"I haven't given up. I have a hunch that may still be the right track."

"Nyota, for the best results, you would do well to maintain a more methodical approach to this issue rather than intuition. That is, if you are still interested in allowing some attention to this matter."

"Of course, I do. I must admit this game is a nice diversion from my usual activities."

"I admit you definitely have been helpful working on previous clues. However, I do not believe we have much more time to solve this particular puzzle."

"I didn't know it was time sensitive."

"Very much so."

After placing another chip in his mouth, Sevat looked up, as he became aware of Uhura's stare. Before he could finish chewing, the East African retrieved her napkin from her lap and brought it toward the Vulcan's face. As her hand moved toward him, he suddenly jerked back his head.

"Hold still, Sevat." She commanded. "I only want to remove a piece of cheese that is dangling down from your chin."

Glancing down, Sevat's eyes confirmed her observation when he saw a long string of melted cheese hanging from his chin. As she had ordered, he remained immobile as she gently dabbed his chin with her napkin.

"It's done." The Cadet declared. "The offending piece has been successfully removed."

Back at Cesar Chavez Park, Sevat marveled at the tinge of satisfaction he felt as Spock turned from him without saying a word and began to walk away into the night.

Still, Sevat called off to him in a voice loud enough for Spock to hear, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

Sevat did not immediately leave the park, but lingered there to once again reflect on the sensation of being touched by a human; the first time he had ever experienced such an event. And, although a paper napkin served as a barrier, it was the gesture itself that gave him pause. He wondered, How could such a simple act be the cause of so much . . . delight?"

As Sevat finally began to walk out of the park, he recalled Spock's abrupt departure. However, his own content disposition sobered as he realized his fellow Vulcan would probably have had a different reaction if he had been privy to the rest of the story of his outing with Uhura that evening.

Author's Note: I have already written Chapter 48, but I still need time to review it once more to correct errors. My intention is to publish it within the next 5-6 hours of this posting. For most of you, this note will be a moot point since I probably would have already posted the next chapter.

Chapter 48 dramatizes the part of Sevat's evening with Uhura he chose not to share with Spock. Later, the chapter depicts Spock, alone in his bed, reflecting on his need for the East African.

Your comments are always appreciated.

1 Spock's father.