[ The main problem — the problem itself, of course, being how readily Kirk is willing to set aside the lives of any others to protect Spock's. Obviously, Kirk disagrees that this is a problem. Spock is unwilling to engage in this argument again during such an inopportune time.

Spock dips a glance down at his arm, then nods. Despite the odd numbness that is no doubt the fungal infection continuing to spread, he feels, for the moment, no worse than he has on any other equally disastrous away mission.

(He would not have revealed his emotional turmoil to Jim; revealing it to Kirk is out of the question.) ]

I am adequate. [ Back to normal. ] As I will be focusing on re-establishing communications with the ship, I leave the crew in your hands.

[ In case the infection affects my judgment, he doesn't say, you are essentially in command. ]