Maat S'chn T'gai

Chapter Twenty-nine - A Discussion About Computers

New Vulcan

Mid December 2264

Tarel

He received the invitation to dine with maat S'chn T'gai, and accepted, trying not to appear too eager. Those people were very interesting to talk with, and the food had been exceptional. And there was that older sister…. Well, he had best not think of her. Surely she was promised.

On the appointed evening, he appeared on their doorstep just as the two couples who did not live in the larger house were arriving, and they all went in together. Once again, he found himself sitting next to the older sister. Perhaps she was not promised. There was certainly no unattached male present. It would not do to speculate. He concentrated on his meal, finding the food much to his liking. There were some vegetables served, however, that he was not familiar with. At his query, he was told that these vegetables originated on Earth, and had been brought here by Selek's wife, Durra, when she moved to New Vulcan. Sweet potatoes. He wondered whether there were also sour potatoes. The spicy sauce with the chopped peanuts in it was absolutely delicious. He ladled a large helping over his second serving of sweet potatoes. Durra gave him a tiny grin, which he had much difficulty in not returning. He found one corner of his mouth twitching, and her eyes twinkled at him. Perhaps he should focus on his plate. It would not do to make Selek irritated by appearing too interested in his wife.

After the meal was finished, the men adjourned to the living room, while the women cleared the table and quickly washed the dishes. Then they came to join in the conversation. It was all about computers tonight. Tarel was telling Selek and Sarek what he wished the school system's computer to do, to aid the students. They both nodded at all the right places. And then they began to ask him very specific questions, about memory size, and processor speed, and operating systems and programming languages. The others listened raptly, but were not sure what everything meant.

When Tarel said that he had found a forgotten storeroom partially full of spare parts, both Sarek and Selek expressed a great desire to see it. Arrangements were made for them to come at week-end, when they had a free day, to inspect what Tarel had found. Varun asked if he might come as well, and was welcomed.

The women had all pulled out their knitting, listening while they worked. When the conversation stopped for a moment, Tarel asked what they were doing. Durra explained that this was a handcraft from Earth, that she had taught to the others. She showed him the squares that would soon be a blanket for the bed her son would sleep in when he was born. And then each of the others showed him what they were working on, and explained what it would be. He was fascinated. He also noticed that the work the others were doing was much simpler than the multi-colored pictures that Durra was creating. He supposed that must be because this was a new skill that they were developing. Like everything else, one must start with simple things, and work up to harder ones.

T'Sura got up and went into the kitchen, and returned with a tray containing a teapot and cups. Tarel quickly rose and held the tray for her, while she poured and served. She set the last two cups down on the small table between the chairs they had been sitting in and then took the tray from him to carry it back into the kitchen. She gave him a small dip of her head to acknowledge his help, and he felt something very strange then. He was not sure what it was, but it was nice. Very nice.

He sat back down, and sipped on his tea, and the conversation continued. He mentioned that the school had almost no software which could be used interactively by the students. They needed some sort of program which could be adjusted so that each student could study at his or her own pace. He knew that such software existed, but the educational department had no funds for its purchase.

At this, T'Sura hesitantly interrupted. "Is it very difficult then, to learn to write these programs?"

He looked at her in astonishment. "For one with a good grasp of mathematics and languages and logic, it should not be difficult at all."

Sarek nodded. "Spock wrote his first program when he was four years old. It was not extremely complicated, but it was efficient, and did what it was supposed to do. If this is something you wish to learn, I do not see why you could not do it."

T'Sura's eyes lit up. "I think I should like it very much. Could you teach me, to'zot?"

Sarek nodded. "Between Selek and I, I believe we can teach you. Which evening do you have free?"

"First-day and fourth-day."

Tarel leaned forward again. "There will be a new physics class starting on First-day next week."

"Well then, I only have Fourth-Day free." T'Sura's eyes sparkled with light. Talen thought she was most attractive, especially when she displayed such interest in things.

Sarek and Selek both agreed that they would spend fourth-day evenings with T'Sura, teaching her about computer programming, to see whether it was something that she was truly interested in, and had an aptitude for.

"I will have a class every evening! I cannot believe it. I am learning so many new things."

Tarel nodded. "And you have very few certifications before you will have completed your secondary certificate. I believe that this instruction in computer programming can also be used in that capacity. If so, then all you will lack will be the formal study of the Vulcan language, including all the written forms. This class will be held in the new year, after the history class is completed. You should have your certificate before spring comes."

T'Boh reached over and clasped her sister's hand, and T'Sura squeezed back. This was so exciting! T'Pau nodded at her, quite content. This was very good news, indeed.

It was not long after that that Tarel excused himself, saying that he still had much to do to prepare for the new courses. Varun rose and escorted him to the door, telling him that they were all satisfied with his presence among them. Tarel left, heading down the dusty path to the building where his rooms were, feeling better than he had felt since reaching New Vulcan. He was doing what he had come here to do, and making new friends at the same time.