[ Spock is no monster; he does understand that to approach someone when they are just released from the hospital is déclassé, to say the least. It would be the height of rudeness in any society, even Vulcan society. It has not stopped him before, demanding answers from people when they are lying on biobeds and McCoy is screaming at him to allow his patients respite.

There is a job Spock must do and that is to be the voice of reason on a ship of humans. He does not shrink from it. If he is rude, then he can accept that. They need answers from this man, and there will be little chance to get answers later.

He watches carefully when Jim freezes. It is an unexpected reaction, because he is not used to seeing Jim in anything but motion, always restless, snapping back replies with ease. But they are a command team, a good one, for a reason, and Spock steps up to his side, to speak to Karidian. ]

You are a man of action, Mr. Karidian. One who has to make decisions and discover answers. Surely you understand why we are here.

[ He watches Karidian's face for anything, but the man is a consummate actor. There is only genial displeasure, a noted contrast to his daughter's temper.

She says something and Spock almost thinks of her as a a little buzzing fly, one he could easily smack away. But she is a human, and young at that, so he does nothing and says nothing, only ignores her.

Karidian raises a hand and she falls silent, and his next words are perfectly bland. ]

I've an old mind to match an old body, and do not speak in riddles. You want my answers; they have been given.