Chapter Ten

The Desert Saga

After first meal The Survivors had lined up by the landing pad and Jason had joined Skoon on the line, he was already integrating himself with his other family. Sirin's silent communication indicated to his son that it was time to say farewell to his Savensu (teacher). Sirin walked over to his son and said,

"You must now say your farewell."

Jason stood in front of Skoon and said,

"Taluhk Savensu (treasured, beloved teacher) as soon as I am able I shall return to you. Although it is not the Vulcan way to express emotions, as a half human, I will say I will miss you and I love you.

Skoon strengthened his shields and picked Jason up into a very human embrace, the rest of the males heads were bowed at this very un-Vulcan scene, but deep inside they felt the satisfaction that was felt by their fellow survivor. They could only hope for similar experiences after being bonded with a Terran after already observing their fellow Vulcans in a bonded state with Terran females. Their observation of their bonded fellow Vulcans allowed them to be aware that they would be rewarded similarly by their human bondmate.

Sarek stood in front of the group and said,"Brothers, we will now depart, but be assured that we will regularly monitor your progress and visit this piece of Vulcan, on this planet. Raising his hand in the ta'al he uttered the usual statement of departure which was responded to by the group's reply.

"Peace and Long Life." Our Brothers"

Sarek continued,

"During the time we have been together at times we have been referred to as "The Saviors" but we want you to rethink that designation for in fact, by your hard work,your continuance of The Vulcan Way, you will prove to be your own saviors—your own testament to the strength and stability of The Vulcan leave you in peace and with the absolute assurance of our continued support."

With those words the entire group performed the 'Ta'al' and the departing groupmade their way to their vessel.

The Federation vessels had left immediately after their transporting responsibilities had been met. Spock and Nyota seated themselves at the console and put the seat belt sign into operation as they started the initiation stage for departure. The children were secured and Sarek stood at the front of the craft and raised his hand for attention,

"Family, please join me at the Embassy for Second Meal. We must now start phase two of this project, the securing of mates for the males we have just left. A meeting after the meal could possibly set before us individual duties. T'Paal has been notified of the need for her services so our crew of 'matchmakers' can get started."

With Sarek's statement Nyota noticed Spock's eye's turn to her and there was a very slight upturn of his mouth. He sent her a repeat of his original estimation of the wives' selected name for their assigned duties, "Cupid's Secretaries," . His comment, in jest, on that title was, 'Such super humans would not need such assistance.' This time Nyota sent back to him,

"Certainly you are not attempting to argue about whether super humans have needs…"

There was a slight upturn to her husband's mouth as he remembered their prior discussion of the matter and his wife's very much appreciated resolution to the discussion.

He sent,

'Any continuance of this subject requires privacy. We will have to do an in depth study once we return to our home."

Nyota had to control her desired to first give him an 'I told you so' smile and secondarily to burst out in laughter. Not such a good idea with her father-in-law on board their ship. However, she was certain the other adult passengers would have understood.

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T'Paal silently took charge of all the children as they disembarked at the Embassy. The males went to Sarek's office and the women went to the now reconfigured space that had housed The Survivors to await the call for 'second meal'.

Nyota looked at her 'sisters' and said,

"Any suggestions?"

Bettie started,

"I think a prelude to communication with acceptable candidates could be the telecast from the settlement. The only view anyone has had of these males has been a formal one—them dressed in their tunics and trousers. With the interviews that are conducted at the settlement we will see another side of these males—that they are extremely hardworking, dedicated, forcused and with very desirable personality traits.

The view of the settlement will allow an individual to understand that they are the essence of The Vulcan Way on our planet. I know eventually the location of the settlement will be revealed and with that knowledge they might be negative reactions, and some with 'The Carpetbag' mentality making their appearance. I am hoping that prior to that time we will already have some bonded couples there. These wives could be the liaisons between the outsiders and the settlers. They would work closely with Su'auk. I am hoping among our applicants we will find several who would be able to take on that roll. I appreciate that Vulcans do not relegate the female to a subservient role; after all their most widely known and revered representative is T'Pau, a female."

Nyota interjected,

"Perhaps our preliminary search should perhaps be for ten females who could fill those roles and attempt to match them up with five of our 'Survivors' by allowing them to have a choice."

Rachel voiced her opinion with a thought,

"We are dealing with a sensitive subject that should be brought to Su'auk's attention so that at some future time the concept of Xenophobia could be introduced to the settlement. It might even be wise at some point in time to set guards at the gates of the compound. Perhaps instead of just booth, a house could be build for long term assignments to that placement.

For an artisan who required isolation for the optimum creativity, such a housing would not be viewed as a disadvantage."

All agreed with the value of Rachel's farsightedness.

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Meanwhile, the males in Sarek's office had a similar train of thought.

Spock voiced it,

"Is it possible in that area of isolation that the surrounding neighbors might view our settlement as offensive and an invasion by a non-Terran force? We are certainly in hopes that we would not be viewed as subversive but simply attempting to survive without a home planet. If it could be made known that the High Council had determined that the possible resettlement on New Vulcanof this group of survivors was well down 'their lists' of candidates. To explain their need to be bonded with Terran females, we could reveal that they were also not on any list that would allow them to be bonded with the limited number of female Vulcan survivors. In addition, as artisans, their gifts were usually passed down to sons, without such, their gifts will die with them. Perhaps this reasoning will produce a sympathetic response from the settlement's neighbors.

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For the male Vulcan who was either unbounded (a rare situation) or unable to receive the services of his bondmate, they sought out the services of those called, "The Comforters) Traditionally, the role of comforter was passed down from mother to daughter. Any sons born to such a female was immediately removed from the mother and given to the father of the child's family for adoption. Of course, none of these females had survived 'The Immeasurable Loss', for there was not ever a time when such females left Vulcan.

Theirs' was an isolated community whose sole purpose was to preserve the lives of Vulcan males during Pon Farr. Specialized training for them included certain martial arts, nursing, herbal applications and sexual techniques. This training made them extremely well prepared for the rigors of the male Vulcans 'Time'. For that reason,' there had never been a recorded injury or death experienced by one of their 'calling'.

It was only under closely supervised situations that they were allowed to become pregnant, for this was necessary to continue their 'line.' It was common knowledge of all Vulcan males that they might impregnate said females. That knowledge included the disclaiming of his right to any female offspring. This was never to be questioned. These females were a very disciplined group, almost militaristic in nature. Their job was their identity. The seriousness of their obligation was ingrained, their assignment as comforters was primary, continuance of the line secondary and for that reason the measure that was taken to prevent pregnancy, was an herb drank as a tea daily when they had 'First Meal' in their communal dining room.

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