A/N: I have had some who have doubted T'Pau's request for Nyota and Spock to consider their daughter to become bonded to a full Vulcan male. Some have mentioned that Spock and Nyota had rejected arranged marriages. True but my reasoning on this was:
This was a suggestion made by T'Pau to be considered by both Spock and Nyota, and agreed to by their daughter when she becomes of age.
She would not marry a Vulcan who was a complete stranger, they would be able to get to know one another and then if she chose to do so, there would be that bonding.
The reasoning behind T'Pau's suggestion is there has been such a dilution of Vulcan blood, and so few Vulcan females, with the bonding of this exceptional half-Vulcan female, there would be a strengthening of the qualities that have made the Matt Schn T'gai unique-a family of leaders.
To allow the initil introduction was up to Spock and Nyota, the making of any acquaintance and later bonding would be up to their female child, T'Amanda.
Sarek and Dansk
Chapter Twenty-five
The six males presented themselves at the selected site for 'training. Joseph was introduced and greeting with the usual Vulcan salute.
As he looked around he rubbed the palms of his hands on his work suit and his action appeared to be what S'Tau determined was how Terran's expressed their excitement.
Joseph said,
"I have never worked with my hands before. I think that exerting myself in this way could be beneficial."
At the work site he looked around and questioned,
"You guys built this yourselves?"
"That is our job, to build houses for ourselves and the ones we will bond with or as you say marry. We build several houses together so that our mates always have help with one another's children. Our adunas or as you would say wives and children are our most precious possessions. We will sacrifice ourselves for them, protect them ar all cost."
Joseph dropped his head.
"You know that I was one of the three that attacked a Vulcan male and he attempted to shield his…maybe she was his wife. I regret that I was part of that group now. May I express my repentance to you for my involvement in that ignorant act. Already I see that Vulcans are an extraordinary group that we could learn from.
S'Tau said,
"It is important for all to learn from one another."
Then he thought to himself,
'It appears that this young man is a quick learner.
Joseph looked around and saw a pile of lumber off to the side and inquired,
"Do these things have to be moved somewhere else."
S'Tau answered,
"No, but one job that has to be done is to remove all the nails from the ground and sort them as to size and suitability for use. We
attempt to not waste anything, so let me show you what the nails that we can use should look like and then you can either pick up all of them and then sort, or you can sort as you pick up, the choice is up to you."
There was no glory involved with that menial task but Joseph responded willingly and was provided with two buckets to expedite his chore. The sun was hot and S'Tau went to the supply truck and secured a hat for his charge. Holding it out as an offering, Joseph looked up and smiled,
"Thanks man."
Joseph slipped it on his head and broke the crown down the middle as his personal fashion statement and continued working.
S'Tau did not need to supervise his charge any further so he joined his group who were at that point placing windows in the structure. Every now and then he would glance over and see Joseph carefully studying the metal objects he had gleaned from the ground. He appeared to be counting to himself.
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At the other site, S'Nat and Ruddy arrived and the Terran male was introduced and was given the usual Vulcan welcome.
He inquired,
"What are you all doing here?"
He was questioned,
"What does it appear to you is being accomplished here?"
"It looks like you are building something or somethings."
S'nat said
"Your observation is correct. Housing is being built for couples who will soon be married or as a Vulcan would say, be bonded."
"Why do you call it bonded?"
Because when we bond or marry as you would say, it is not only a eventual joining of bodies, our minds are also joined. Our bondmates can communicate with us without a spoken word. When we have children they are also bonded with us so that we can communicate over vast distances without any outside aid. It is called a familiar bond. We are able to detect if any in our family are unwell, in danger, or have a question. That is The Vulcan Way."
"Like your own private com line," was Ruddy's observation.
S'Nat responded,
"Indeed."
"Have you ever engaged in construction?"
"I helped my father build a dog house once."
S'Nat analyzed the Terran's statement...
'Dog…canine, species akin to wolf…domesticated and used to service Terran's who have physical deficits or for companionship. The number of breeds or kinds continues to expand.
Finally S'nat nodded in understanding and said,
"The structure might be similar, but the size is much larger. Are you familiar with the use of a hammer?"
"Yes."
"There are pieces of lumber over there that have nails in them that must be removed, it would be productive for you to handle that task."
Ruddy nodded, took the hammer that was handed him and squatted in the corner to take on the job.
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At a completely different site, with a completely different outcome, S'ma arrived with his 'guest' and stated to the construction crew,
"This is the Terran who will be assisting us."
As he said that he heard a 'hump' coming from the male besides him.
When asked if he had any experience in construction, he never answered. His response was the patting of his foot with his arms folded across his chest.
S'ma decided the 'visitor' would be ignored. What he did was make sure all the water was placed out of general access and advised the workers where and how it could be secured. It was hot and dusty and the workers could be observed drinking water freely. S'ma could observe the grown delinquent licking his lips which were now appeared to be dry. He was leaning against the fence with his hands still across his chest S'mas remembered T'Pau's statement about no cruel or harsh punishment would be administered to these guest so he went and secured a bottle of water for the visitor. There was a mumbled 'thank you' when the bottle changed hands.
At four-thirty work stopped, tools were collected and stored and the group lined up to walk to the dining room. When they reached their destination, S'ma escorted the obstinate male to a set of chairs and instructed him to be seated. There was a questioning look on the Terran's face, which was especially the case when his fellow prisoners walked in with their guides, remained standing until T'Pau's family and guest filed in and then were allowed to serve themselves from the covered dishes. When the tops were removed the scent of well prepared food filled the room enticingly.
The 'guest' was about to loudly protest his forced fasting, when T'Pau anticipating his response to his lack of food said,
"Nam'uh ralash-fam, be silent."
The male resumed his posture from his time at the site and S'ma said,
"Remain here, seated."
He then went to the table seated himself and ate Last Meal. The male became restless and one of the other guides who had finished his meal nodded to S'ma and went back to sit with the unruly guest, who was slouched in his chair and had started moving his legs rhythmically, his lips were a thin tight line. T'Pau was aware when everyone had completed their meal and stood. Instead of leading her entourage out she requested that her group wait for her return to them. Approaching the 'visitor' she inquired,
"Thee are not pleased?"
Not even standing as a sign of respect, not even looking at T'Pau's face he said,
"I'm hungry."
"Yes, that is logical. That is why we have met here to enjoyed Last Meal. There is another principal that Vulcans live by which is,
"The one that does not work, does not eat."
With that, she turned and walked back up to the front of the dining room, collected her group and departed from the room, leaving the male even more disgruntled. S'ma's group lined up to return to the dormatory. He said to the Terran,
"You are the one who can determine if you will eat First Meal. I know how long a Terran can live without food. It is a surprisingly short time compared to a Vulcan. Our bodies process food differently from Terrans. We can continue living, without sustenance or as you would say food for almost three lunar cycles or as you call them, months. Even if you decline removal to the work site, and I remain at the dormitory with you, it will not affect my work performance, mental clarity, physical strength or telepathic abilities. Your resistance to discipline is only causing you distress, and has no effect on any other person here at The Settlement."
The male looked at him, pursed his lips and was attempting spit on him. S'ma had anticipated this action and administered the nerve pinch that left the male crumbled in the dust, where he lay for ten minutes.
When he regained consciousness he shook his head several times as if he was attempted to reset himself. He finally asked what had transpired, and the answer was,
"Your conduct and the action you were about to commit are abhorrent to us so as to prevent you from carrying out that act you were rendered unconscious. Let me advise you of the seriousness of your act. You are guest here, we are willing to share our housing, and food with you. The stipulation for your continued presence here is that you cooperate with us. If that is not agreed upon by not just word, but deed, you will be transported back to the penal institution from which you came and additional charges will be brought again. you by any person or persons here that you offend. Terran, I am a trained Vulcan security person and I only warn an individual once.
S'ma could hear the Terran swallow.