Sarek sat in James Kirk's largely unused San Francisco apartment, and in a short series of words set two young people on a path contrary to all that he held dear, so that all that he held dear might have a bare chance of preservation.

His successes would haunt him as much as his failures.

"When you two were younger, and your hearts more easily discerned, I am certain that in some manner you held dear some simple words, offered up to all you knew."

"These words were Live Long And Prosper, and despite your actions taken in self-defense, I know that you held them dear."

Saavik shook her head.

"Father, that is not entirely...."

"Saavik-kam. I know that you held them dear. Do not dispute me in this."

"I ask forgiveness."

"It is granted. For this universe in which we dwell is an ever-shifting thing. You must needs steel yourselves for actions that become necessary, though never proper. When the course of events calls for it, and it shall call for it more often than you shall think possible, you may then find that you cry out to the noonday sun that such lofty
precepts are of no use to you."

"When this occurs, speak no longer of Live Long And Prosper. Your foes may not be reasoned or trifled with, they may only be destroyed."

Peter knew this was coming. But to hear it from Sarek himself was almost numbing.

"Father, what shall we speak of, if not Live Long And Prosper?"

Sarek nodded.

"Then, you shall speak these words, and these words are : Fail And Know Death."

Even Saavik, once on the verge of rejecting Vulcan's path, sat stunned to hear this said outright.

"Fail And Know Death?"

Peter almost felt like crying. Only the lessons of Surak had managed to knit his shattered mind back together, after his rescue from Admiralty Hall.

"Fail--And Know Death?"

Sarek nodded.

"Fail And Know Death."

The two young people already operated very much as one. But while their one-ness had served them well in the final Plak Mu with T'Pring's vile house, they had hoped their other enemies could be merely arrested. Peter had even started to develop visions of arresting a defrocked Admiral Bunson in front of all the cadets she'd molested. Cartwright—he would give to Jim. Saavik, for her part, knew that this war would effect her relationship with Peter, now back on track after a hideous detour. So she rose up and spoke against it.

"The spear we hurl comes back not merely at us, but at all we hold dear. It is a poisoned spear, and the poison rots our souls. You have taught me that."

Peter as ever was by her side.

"The war against Ghidorah will be harsh enough, Sri Sarek. I'm as tired of killing as I am good at it. What of morals? What of the underpinnings of Vulcan, and The Federation itself?"

In a sign that his illness was surely progressing, Sarek slammed the counter with his open palm before calming again.

"None of that is any of your concern! You two have a great and sacred task set before you. It is a task you must perform with precision and efficiency and all due ruthlessness. They worship The Ancient Destroyer. You must send their fetid souls to be with that Old Dragon."

The two nodded in acquiescence. Sadly, the day would quickly come when the life they were about to enter would become all they knew. Sarek gave instructions.

"Admiral Corcoran is in charge of all surveillance activities for Starfleet Headquarters. From The Academy To The Hall. He runs an efficient and thorough operation."

Sarek placed Peter's katana swords and Saavik's collapsible lirpa upon the small counter.

"I will ask for proof that you have succeeded."

They spoke as one.
 
"I Know And Understand, Father."

After they left, Sarek thought out loud.

"When I was younger, and my heart more easily discerned, I too spoke and said Live Long And Prosper. I know that this was not a comforting delusion of a grand past. But the shift has come, and The Madness is well upon us. In this world, I speak no words, but give in and utter a shrill cry."

He closed his eyes, then opened them to look at Admiralty Hall.

"Fail And Know Death."