The data from the three black boxes is not sufficient to triangulate the origin of the Burn in three-dimensional space. But it looks to Michael Burnham like SB-19, a research project that Admiral Vance so far assumed to have caused the disaster, cannot be responsible. Vance sends the Discovery on a mission to Ni'Var, formerly known as Vulcan. The Vulcans had reunited with the Romulans, as a result of Spock's diplomatic initiative. When dilithium became scarce, Ni'Var built SB-19 to investigate new forms of space travel. They decided it was too dangerous, but the Federation urged them to carry on regardless. The planet eventually left the Federation. In orbit of Ni'Var, President T'Rina refuses to share the data about SB-19. Burnham invokes the T'Kal-in-ket, a traditional scientific discourse based on pure logic, to discuss her new theory about the Burn, which would require Ni'Var to release the data once her theory is taken into consideration. The Vulcan leader arrives on the Discovery with a quorum consisting of N'Raj, a Romulan elder, V'Kir, a Vulcan purist and Shira, a representative of the Romulo-Vulcans. The shalankkai or sha-set, Michael Burnham's advocate, turns out to be no one else but her mother, who has joined the Qovat Milat after arriving in the 32rd century. During the T'Kal-in-ket, particularly V'Kir is opposed to Michael's theory, although she attempts to reason with as much logic as possible. The meeting is quickly adjourned because of the obvious lack of progress. Gabrielle Burnham notices that her daughter is not honest about her motives. When the T'Kal-in-ket resumes, she calls out Michael's lack of openness, ostensibly acting against her. The discourse gains momentum up to a point when N'Raj is ready to share the SB-19 data, against V'Kir's vehement objections. In order not to endanger the peace on Ni'Var, Michael decides to retract her request. Back in her quarters, her mother reveals that her plan was to win over T'Rina, rather than the three members of the quorum. She hands Michael the requested data. In the meantime, Saru has offered Tilly the position as his first officer, which she accepts after consulting with her higher-ranking crewmates.

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