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Separations and Communications Part II
It was a most unfortunate situation. T'Sela was leaving for a conference on Risa the following day. She would be away from New Vulcan for three weeks and then had two weeks left in the school term. It would be five weeks until they could bond.
Over dinner, they made plans for after the bonding. Sarek had no permanent residence on the planet yet. He had been away from the colony more than he had been present. As an unbonded male, he had low priority in qualifying for a residence. And since he still possessed considerable wealth, he would be embarrassed to accept one.
"T'Sela, I believe it would be best for me to purchase prefabricated modules and have them delivered and assembled as needed, should our family expand. The company that builds them will provide skilled labor for the process, so there will be no impact on available labor for the community. It will not be the kind of housing either of us were accustomed to before, but it will be adequate. Until the first units arrive, we will most likely reside at the inn when not off planet. Is this plan agreeable to you?"
"Sarek, I am now living in a dormitory. When I first arrived, I shared a small tent with three others. A house such as you plan to build for us would be most welcome. We shall make it a home."
"I wish that you were able to postpone your departure for a few days, but I know that this is not possible. Spock will be visiting for a few brief hours next week. The Enterprise is dropping off needed supplies and volunteers. It would have been good for the two of you to meet."
"We will meet in the future. I am certain that your son understands the call of duty."
"Indeed he does."
"Duty! I have done little else but my duty for the past year. Now duty again delays possible contentment." T'Sela allows herself a bit of a mental tirade as she packs. She calms a bit as she folds the dresses made from fabric Sarek has given her. Thanks to him she will not be going to Risa in rags. His gifts have been most considerate. He is considerate and supportive. He will wait for her as she has waited for him.
Her mood improves and she is able to meditate before retiring.
T'Pau is hosting a visiting Elder from the other settlement, so Sarek is staying at the inn. This is actually a more convenient work arrangement for him. T'Pau is not fond of technology, so her cottage has only minimal amenities.
Sarek unpacks his bags and sets up his workstation. There are two framed items on his desk. The first is a holophoto of Spock and his bond-mate Nyota. The second is T'Sela's sketch of the meditation gardens. He had a craftsman frame this for him while on Terra. It is the only token he has of T'Sela.
"I will have a holophoto made of us when we are bonded." He tells himself this as he settles down to meditate.
The transport to Risa leaves just after dawn. Sarek hears it depart. He misses T'Sela already.
She is anxious about leaving New Vulcan, this place that is not yet really a home. T'Sela is bound for Risa and remembers all too well what happened the last time she went there. On her way home, her life was shattered. Now she has begun to pick up the pieces. She is neither religious nor superstitious, but mentally pleads with any and all supreme powers that might exist.
"Please let it all still be there when I return. Let Sarek be there."
Spock and Nyota met Sarek at the cafe across from the inn. They had only a few precious hours to spend together. Sarek was glad to see that the boy had lost his "post-Pon Farr" look. The pinched faces and gauntness were gone. The young couple seemed to be truly content. Spock had chosen his bond-mate well.
The Enterprise had brought much needed medical supplies and a team of physicians and nurses to help put them to use. Spock told Sarek of the plants he and Lt. Sulu had been experimenting with as a possible food source on New Vulcan. Sulu had dropped some seedlings off with the Agricultural Minister. The older Vulcan was most impressed with their research.
They spoke of the colony and Sarek gave them a brief tour of New Shi'Kahr, indicating the site where a new home for the family would be built. When Sarek spoke of how modules could be added as the family expanded, Spock grew a bit uncomfortable. He knew that his father must bond again and very soon, but the idea of another female in his mother's place was unsettling. If Sarek and T'Sela's union bore fruit and he were to have younger siblings, they would be entirely Vulcan. Would they accept him? Would T'Sela accept him? Could he accept T'Sela?
Spock would make his best effort. He and Sarek had mended their relationship. Spock did not wish to be estranged from his father again.
"Father, I brought you my formal robes to wear for your bonding. I know that it is not possible to acquire new ones right now. Much has changed, but at least you will be properly attired."
"Thank you, my son. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated."
It is a small gesture on Spock's part, but a beginning. Sarek knows that Spock struggles with the idea of his father's remarriage. It is probably a good thing that the Enterprise will be on a mission. Spock and Nyota will not be here for the bonding.
T'Sela arrives safely on Risa. She had forgotten was luxury was like. She has a two-room hotel suite to herself with both a sonic and a water shower. She may even make use of the spa tub. As she begins to unpack, T'Sela notices that the room has its own subspace comm unit. Unpacking will have to wait until after her call to Sarek.
"I will accept the communication."
"Good evening, T'Sela."
"Greetings, Sarek. I merely wished to inform you that I have arrived safely on Risa. The accommodations are most pleasant, but I believe that they are more luxurious than those requested for me by the Education Council. Do I have you to thank for this?"
"I merely wished to ensure your comfort."
The seminars are most enlightening. A school principal from Nooria brings up the issues he is having with integrating members of different social castes into one educational system. Nooria suffered an epidemic of plague three years ago, losing three quarters of its population. Labor is now in short supply, and the peasants have become aware of their own value. They are demanding higher wages and better education for their children.
T'Sela pays close attention. She believes something similar will happen on New Vulcan. One of her most promising students is the seventeen-year-old daughter of a former estate groundskeeper. Under the former Vulcan social system, this girl would have become a servant and bond-mate to another servant. Instead, she dreams of becoming an elementary education teacher. Such teachers are in short supply.
T'Sela was born thol'es or nobility, the daughter of a respected House. Her family had many holdings, tenants, and loyal servants. She does not expect to ever return to that lifestyle. The few Vulcan peasants and servants who have survived are too valuable a resource to the many to be exploited by the few. They have the survival skills the thol'es lack. The societal structure of New Vulcan is going to be different than that of the old world.
The Noorian Plague has spread to Melenia V. Vulcans are immune, but the planet is nearly devastated. Half the native Melenians have died. Trekell's father and two older brothers sell their holdings to the highest bidder. The New Vulcan Agricultural Ministry gives them money for passage to the colony and homesteads to farm. In payment, they must turn over twenty percent of their crops for the next ten years. They consider this an equitable trade. Trekell's parents Kelen and Soniva are pleased to learn that their grandchildren and youngest daughter will be attending the same school as the children of the thol'es.
Sarek has made a large purchase, three modules that when fitted together will form a modest home. It will be larger than most of the homes being built on the planet, but no more ornate. The building site has yet to be cleared or connected to municipal utilities. It will be months until construction can begin. However, it is something to look forward to, progress and a new beginning.
"I will accept the transmission."
"Greetings, T'Sela."
"Good morning, Sarek. It is a pleasure to hear from you. What news do you have?"
"Good news. I have purchased the first three modules for our home and found a site to build it on. Construction should begin in about three months time, after the land is cleared and utilities laid in. We will have privacy, but be close to the center of the settlement."
"That is good news. I have some of my own. All of the portions of the conference that are relevant to New Vulcan will be finished by tomorrow. I was able to rebook my passage on a transport that leaves tomorrow night. Therefore I shall return a day early. Perhaps I might visit the construction site with you."
"I would find that most agreeable. I await your return, T'Sela. May your journey be without incident."
"I await our reunion, Sarek."
T'Sela would be returning in four days. Sarek found himself growing anxious. He had a bit of a tension headache, the second one in as many days. He did not get headaches often, not since before his last Pon Farr. Oh. Perhaps he should visit Healer T'Mena and get his hormone levels checked.
T'Sela settled herself into the comfortable armchair of her private quarters on the transport ship. She had booked herself the least expensive passage. Sarek must have upgraded her accommodations himself. Again.
Trekell and Safin were having the best day ever of their young lives. A messenger from the Communications Center had told them that Trekell's family would arrive on New Vulcan in ten days time. There had already been sufficient cause for celebration. That morning Healer T'Mena had given the young couple the first look at their son.
"The levels are nothing to be concerned about yet, Sarek. You probably have a month before the "fires" begin. You bonding will happen before then. I will give you some herbs to help relieve the headaches. Please remember to increase your fluid intake."
"Thank you, T'Mena. I will do all that you suggest."
It was not strictly improper, especially if it seemed that he had just happened by the shuttle terminal on his way from completing other business. He could offer to carry her bags and invite her to dine at the cafe. It was close to the time for the evening meal and both of them would need to eat. There was no logical reason why they should not do so together.
"Sarek, you are a fool." He chided himself. "You seek logic as a means of justifying clearly emotional actions." However, he did not talk himself out of meeting T'Sela's shuttle.
T'Sela picked up her bags and exited the shuttle. She knew it was illogical to even hope to see him. Sarek was a busy and important person. They were not yet bonded and surely he had better things to do. Yet, she still scanned the faces of people awaiting disembarking passengers. Yes, he was there, the one face that she longed to see.
