2292
News of Sarek’s arrival on Earth reached Spock only after the fact.
He had not expected his father to call on him. Consequently, Spock
had been engaged in a number of high-level strategic conferences
with members of his cabinet, leaving him unavailable to welcome
Sarek to the imperial palace in Okinawa.
Spock returned to the palace just before dusk and was informed his
father was waiting for him in the gardens on the west side of the
palace. Striding unescorted through the maze of hedges, sculpted
topiaries, and floral arrangements, the Emperor resisted the urge
to speculate on the reason or purpose behind Governor Sarek’s
impromptu visit.
He found Sarek standing beside a Zen rock garden, or karesansui. The elderly Vulcan cast his stately gaze
across the rectangular field of raked white gravel, at the
off-center slabs of jagged black obsidian rising from its midst.
The slabs were ringed by perfect circles evocative of ripples in a
pond.
Taking his place beside his father, Spock said, “I apologize for
making you wait, Governor.”
“It is of no consequence,” Sarek said.
“Your presence here is unexpected,” Spock said.
Sarek nodded. “Yes, I know.”
A cool, stiff wind rustled the leaves
of trees bordering the garden and shook loose a pink-and-white
flurry of cherry blossoms.
“There is much to do as our endgame approaches,” Spock said. “Why
risk coming to Earth at a time when so many elements of our plan
are in motion?”
Answering his son but keeping his eyes on the distant black stones,
Sarek said, “It is precisely because of the magnitude of the events
at hand that I made this journey now. Soon it will no longer be
possible. I expect this to be the last time you and I will meet, my
son, and there is something I am compelled to say to
you.”
Father and son turned to face each other as Sarek
continued.
“I know you ordered your mother’s assassination, Spock.” He cut off
Spock’s reply with a raised hand. “Do not deny it or justify it.”
He frowned and looked away. “I suspect I know why it was necessary.
She had during her final days become suspicious of me—and also of
you.” He bowed his head. “Given the threat she represented, you no
doubt did what was logical and appropriate.”
Spock did not know how to respond. As an emperor, he owed
explanations for his executive decisions to no one; as a son, he
could not excuse what he had done. He stood in silence, watching
his father visibly struggling to contain his savage
emotions.
Finally, reining in his anger, Sarek said, “Before we begin the end
of your grand experiment, I need you to know this, Spock: I have
not absolved you, and I do not intend to do so. She was my wife. My
love. I forgive nothing.”
Nodding, Spock said, “I understand.” He
let a moment pass before he asked, “Are you withdrawing from the
plan?”
“No,” Sarek said. “I have spoken my mind. Truth is served.” He cast
a grim stare at the sea of raked gravel. “Now we
continue.”