Crossover - Michael Jan Friedman [26]
Part of the reason was the Romulan cultural bias toward social hierarchy. As a Teacher, he was automatically accepted as their leader.
The Vulcan accepted their reverence even as he recognized that he did not deserve it. As Surak had said, Teachers did not give knowledge and wisdom; they merely guided those who sought those things for themselves.
Eventually, Spock hoped, their reverence would become additional motivation to receive what he had to impart to them. In this endeavor, time would be their worst enemy.
Very quickly, the Vulcan obtained the attention of all of his assembled students. They came to him and considered him in silence.
Spock knew he would have to proceed thoughtfully. What he had to say to his students would surprise and unsettle many of them. Thus, he chose his words with care.
“I have meditated on our situation,” he told them, “and I believe that we can accomplish much in the time we have left. If we apply ourselves, we will remain undefeated in our quest for enlightenment.
“But we have much to discuss,” he went on, “and much to learn. Our course of study will be necessarily abridged—”
“Course of study?” came a surprised voice from the crowd.
Spock turned his attention to a young Romulan of perhaps twenty-five years—not much older than Sel’den. But that was where his similarity to the Vulcan’s late student ended. The Romulan made no effort to hide his anger as he approached the Teacher.
“Yes,” Spock maintained. “Our course of study.”
The Vulcan watched the Romulans before him muttering among themselves. Of course, he had expected it.
As the youth approached, Spock noticed that his five students from Romulus had moved closer as well, as if to protect him from a threat.
“Is that all your logic can offer us now?” the young Romulan asked, belligerence in his voice.
“What is your name?” the Vulcan inquired.
“Skrasis,” the youth said. “And you have not answered my question.”
Spock considered his charge for a moment He looked past the anger, past the fear, and saw resentment in the man’s soul. Skrasis had been expecting something more from him.
“We are four days away from trial,” the youth pointed out, “which means we may be five days from a terrible death. And all your philosophy can offer us is a course of study?”
An older Romulan separated himself from the crowd which had gathered around them. It was Belan, the Vulcan noted.
“Teacher,” Belan said softly, “do not judge Skrasis harshly. It is only that we had hoped for a … solution to our problem.”
Spock nodded to show he understood. “Unfortunately, there is no logic or philosophy that will allow us to avoid our fate. We are prisoners of the Romulan government, without weapons or means of escape.
“Surak teaches us that life is by its nature finite, and therefore precious. All of us are fated to die. We accept that fact and continue to live. To do anything else is to deny the gift of life.”
The Vulcan’s words had a calming effect on his followers. Clearly, they saw the logic in accepting their future. All of them except Skrasis, who was unconvinced.
“Teacher,” the youth countered, “even though death is inevitable, we usually expect life to last more than a few days. What good will knowledge do us if we will be dead so soon?”
Spock focused his full attention on Skrasis. “The question,” he said, “is not what we will gain from the quest for knowledge—because the search is its own reward. The question is how we choose to spend the time we have left.
“Until we die, we all remain the masters of our lives. I choose to spend that time learning. And I welcome all others who make the same choice.”
Silence fell over the assembled students. None of them moved, the Vulcan noted with satisfaction.
Turning again to Skrasis, he saw the look of defiance on the young man’s face. Still, Skrasis remained with the others, willing to hear more of Surak’s wisdom.
That was good, Spock