Chapter Fifty-Six
Of Romulans and Warrior Kings
A Feast for the Eyes
The reason for the orderly management of clan affairs was their strictly enforced meetings. There was the formal annual meeting of the senior clan chiefs; then every three years a general meeting of secondary chiefs along with them, and finally, every five years was the presentation meeting. Of cause, these did not preclude casual meetings for solving current problems or issues that affected the families.
For the presentation meeting, entire families flooded into the compound from every imaginable place. Educator, professors, scientist, lecturers, inventors, engineers and any other profession of note made their way to the shores of Lake Kisumu to present children and grandchildren. Of course, it could be labeled a family reunion, but this time it would be much more.
It was with good reason that the cabins were prepared and transportable living units dotted the compound grounds., the meeting was expected to be a formidable. Benjamin had been advised that a few attendees had by reason of association, or intellectual contribution, requested adoption into the clan. The Wakifunzi was indeed the clan of educators, but also of warrior kings. It was by the efforts of a line of kings that started with Joshua Mungri that the United States of Africa came to be. In every area this clan had proved to be leaders, forward thinkers, and movers and shakers.
Although that in itself would have made them notable, an outsider would have to have observed another earmark of this astounding group. In fact, it was not just their intellect, but they also were virtually an apparently well organized flawless group of Terrans exhibiting astounding beauty and grace coupled with their intellectual prowess.
The six senior chef had met earlier in the conference room at the compound.
Benjamin said,
"What I will distribute to you has up to this time never been open above ground. The room that housed them, along with some of each authors' ashes have been permanently returned to mother earth.
I will now distribute to each of you a case that contains ancient writings that down through our years have been alluded to, but with no specifics, or true validation.
There is now a request for silence as they all read. Benjamin's request did not stop noses being blown and the occasional cough to disguise any sign of emotion.
The oral history that each family's griot reviewed with the introduction of a new life, was herein expanded on by personal experiences and reflections on failures, deep emotional trials and victories that had been experienced by these marooned survivors. Contained in each account were the undercurrents of loss, redemption, salvation, determination, loyalty, and in each case, love.
So while the basic information was very vague, because the personalities of the clans founders had never been revealed. With the reading of these journals the personal side, the emotional element was uncovered as these men read their insightful family histories.
Benjamin had never read the other journals. He always felt like it would be an invasion of something holy or sacred to those who had a filial relationship with each author. He would leave it up to these senior cheifs to determine the degree that the information would be shared.
When the last log was closed and the eyes of the readers finally faced forward Benjamin said,
"Brothers, we will have to read this information to our families. Each one of you could gather those who are your own together and share this information with them. It is my wish that sometime in the future we may take these writings to Romulus, to place them and the remaining ashes of these our founders in the hands of any of their family members.
The only one that would have descendents would be the lone female who left a husband and children on Romulas. Her letters, addressed to members of her household remained untouched. The males, who were marooned had not been bonded, but it was certain that there should be extended family members' descendents still on their home planet.
Benjamin was interrupted by Chief Kedif.
"Brothers, would this proposed action be in violation of Federation Law?"
Chief Amassi answered,
"At present there is a peace between the Federation and Romulas although Romulas seeks isolation and a non-communicative status. This of course expains th existence of the Nuetal Zone."
Benjamin made the statement,
"Brothers, this is not a Federation matter, this is a family matter. We will attempt to reach a person of status on Romulas by networking with civilian contacts who are ship captains and others who travel the galaxy.
I do not suspect that we will personally reach the Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire, but anyone who could give us guaranteed safe passage to and from the planet we would be welcomed to assist us.
Chief Asobosola voiced an opinion that was seconded by the other chiefs.,
"Benjamin, of all of us, your background with Star Fleet has prepared you for such a task. We would wish that you represent us on the diplomatic, humanitarian mission that you have outlined. Once all the plans are settled we shall meet and each of us will write a personal message to those who are our Romulan family
Heads nodded.
Drawing on the rules of Parliamentary Procedure Benjamin said,
"All in favor say 'Aye.'"
The entire group answered in the affirmative. There was no need to voice a question about any 'Nays.'
Benjamin then looked into the liquor cabinet, brought out the trays, uncovered the food that had been delivered to the cabin, along with assorted beverages. After the meal was enjoyed in silence, the rest of the evening was spent in conversations and reverie
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The transport arrived from Nairobi and at last there was the sound of children's laughter as they scurried around the grounds about the big house. Bicycles were available for the children at the relay station, the only requirement was an adult had to accompany each group of children taking to the trail. With the arrival of the transport, Benjamin's entire family was the first to arrive.
M'muba and Nyota held Rhin's hands as they viewed the transport being unloaded.
What Rhin saw was an unbelievable sight. The family was like a united species meeting. Two of Jabari's brothers had married Betazoids. Another had married a Bajorian. A cousin, who was pregnant was married to a Vulcan. She saw a Rygellian among the pairings. Other Terran races had also intermarried with the family. To her it was a wondrous display of acceptance.
As the children disembarked there was one little boy, the son of Pa'lock and As'eese who grabbed his uncle's leg and pulled his trousers. How could Benjamin resist. He picked up So'nak and made him a part of the welcoming party.
There were motorized carts available to transport the luggage to the house. There was for a while constant traffic and a bit of confusion, but within a half hour all were settled in their rooms.
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Later back at their cabin Rhin looked at the just delivered clan's tunic and as she examined the sleeve and shoulder of her garment, there was a quizzical look on her face.
"Rhin Baby, according to my Dad, there is going to be a three hundred year old secret revealed to us that will explain our tunics, appearance, eating habits, certain ceremonies, music…well I guess it will be a whole lot of stuff. We will all hear it together."
Rhin fingered the insignia at the wrist and looked up at her husband as he smiled.
Later that day, hundreds of Wakafunzis settled en masse upon the compound. The cabins became filled first and then the transportable living quarters.
Like Vulcans, each clan was identifiable by a certain unique touch on their clothing, the color of each clan's insignia was different. Even the children were to wear their garments of identification. Another thing that set each family apart was their family's distinctive drum beat. From ancient times families could be assembled in a short period of time by such a signal. When the time came for the first meeting of the reunion, each family would walk in together as the drums called them. The chief and his oldest son would lead the family into the open arena to their chairs. The son would carry the banner that identified each family-the insignia in their color and the family's foundering ancestor's name.
Although these 'reunions ' did not originally entail such 'pomp and circumstances' as the family grew it was believed that these events would become more memorable if certain ceremonies were attached to it and so it had evolved into quite a spectacular affair,
Always included were words from the senior chiefs, drumming contests, presentation of the children, initiation of new clan members, announcements of engagements or impending marriages, or even on occasion, actual weddings, dancing, announcements of special awards or recognition of clan members and of course food, lots and lots of food. Daily from early morning until last light there was non-stop activities during these three days and Nyota and M'muga was determined that Rhin enjoy herself.
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Benjamin had also proposed another 'first'. Everyone would be asked to visit the site of the shuttle's crash. His journal contained the actual coordinates of the crash site, so that would not be a difficult task. He also would make the suggestion that the clan erect some sort of memorial at the site with a plaque, written in Romulan, that would indicate the significance of the site to the Wakafunzi clan. When this idea was presented, the senior chiefs agreed but suggested that the idea be presented to the clan for a vote. Benjamin knew that Spock and Nyota could translate any message agreed upon into the Romulan language.
