Hoping to negate both Spock's challenge and T'Pau's perturbance over recent events having to due with his and Saavik's bonding, Peter quickly answered the Sra's call.

"Child, here in Fortress Gol were many harsh interrogations performed, ere when Surak's teachings took hold. Can thee feel these events?"

Peter's telepathy was by turns more subtle and more intrusive than that of adepts far older than he. He made the scan.

"I can feel them, Sra T'Pau. Some are more distinct than others."

She nodded.

"In some few cases, interrogator and subject continued so very long, they expired together. We have identified and moved forward the katras of all but two of these. Chld, I ask thee to sense those who are substance and not merely shadow."

Peter wondered at, but did not refuse this odd request.

"I see them, Sra. The interrogator was called T'Wo, Old Standard Dialect. The questioned was called Sichs, New Reformed Dialect. He—had been an agent for those who opposed Surak, but became a convert, instead. He was--taken at his home, and brought here."

T'Pau would never truly frown, but it was obvious this did not sit well with her.

"Barbaric. What did they speak of, that they died in its discourse?"

 Peter nodded.

"I have their words."

He shifted his look and bearing.

"Ask all your questions---you shall not gain answers, or witness me wither and yield them."

He became the interrogator.

"You Are Incorrect. We Shall Seek Every Avenue Of Approach, And Know No Depth Of Mercy Or Deception In Our Quest."

Peter stopped the channeling.

"Now---the interrogator is asking the question. The one his captive will take past both their graves, and never answer."

Despite herself, T'Pau leaned forward.

"Child---thee will tell me what the question was."

Peter channeled the lost katra of the interrogator one last time, and spoke very matter-of-factly as the cipher of a question was once and for all revealed. He was mentally seeing the man's prisoner, but looking directly at a truly anxious T'Pau.

"Why Did You Resign?"