Still no ownership, no profit!

New Shi'Kahr Is Watching

Day 1

Two middle-aged Vulcan males are sitting on a shaded bench outside their shops, drinking tea. They observe three people walking from the spot on the edge of the settlement that is used as a beam-down point.

"Tylan, who is that with Sarek?"

"Sivol, that is the son his human bond-mate bore him and the boy's human wife. It is disgraceful. They bring shame upon us all."

"The same son who rescued the Elders and stopped Nero's drill before it destroyed Terra? He does not sound like a disgrace to me."

"He is half Human and has now taken one as a bride."

"Prejudice has clouded your reason."

Sivol stands in front of his house in the cool of the evening. He hears music faintly, a harp and voices. As he looks along the street, others are listening to the same thing. Sivol approaches his neighbor, elderly Tuvin.

"Tuvin, do you know who is singing?"

"I do not, but the music comes from Sarek's house. I believe he has guests."

"They are very talented guests. Perhaps they would share their music with everyone. You know Sarek. Would you ask him?"

Tuvin nodded and crossed the street. He met Sarek and T'Sela in their front yard, voicing his request. Sarek went inside his house and then returned. Yes, Spock and his bond-mate would sing for the neighborhood.

Sivol and Tuvin passed the word. Neighbors brought out chairs and woke their children. Music, especially beautiful music was a rare commodity on new Vulcan,

Day 2

Sivol and Tylan are again sitting in front of their shops. Two females with shopping bags approach, one Vulcan, one Terran. Both are with child. Sivol recognizes Lady T'Sela and Lady Nyota. They enter his shop and examine several articles of female clothing. An expensive, embroidered yellow gown is purchased. He thanks them for their patronage and tells them that sandals may be purchased next door at the shop of his friend Tylan the boot maker.

The women thank him and proceed next door. Tylan waits on them quickly, selling them a pair of the best sandals in the shop. He has now made his sales goal for the day.

"Tylan, I notice that you did not hesitate to make the sale."

"Sarek's money spends as well as anyone else's"

Sivol and Tylan take their tea together, as always. In the afternoon, Sarek and Spock pay a visit to the boot maker's shop. The Ambassador orders an expensive pair of custom-made boots for his son. He pays extra for them to be completed in three days. Tylan has now met his sales goal for the week.

As Tylan sits at the bench outside marking the pattern on the synthetic leather, he makes a comment to Sivol. "The boy surely did not get those large feet from his human mother. Those appear to be all Vulcan. By the way, Sivol, my wife and I heard the most extraordinary singing last night on the patio. Unfortunately, it stopped after only a few songs. We hope to hear it again tonight. Perhaps you and T'Kyla would join us after dinner for tea and honey cakes."

"We would be honored" said Sivol, but he said nothing else. Tylan's patio was opposite Sarek's

****************

Day 3

It is afternoon. Sivol and Tylan are sitting on the bench out in front of their shops. Sivol is sorting through shipping manifests on his PADD. Tylan is stitching the boots for the Ambassador's son. Two young females approach, shopping for new garments. One asks "Have you heard the good news? We will have live music at the dedication of the new park tomorrow. Sarek and T'Sela's children are accomplished singers. We will be recording their performance."

While Sivol is waiting on these customers, Tuvin appears. "Tylan, I will need some extra assistance at the community event tomorrow. A canopy must be set up for the singers to shield them from the heat. Young Spock's bond-mate is with child and must be protected. May I count on your help?"

"Yes, of course, Tuvin. I am eager to serve our community. I will ask Sivol, also."

"So", thought Tylan, "perhaps I have been too quick to judge. Their singing is praiseworthy."

Day 4

Tylan and Sivol do not open their shops this day. All of New Shi'Kahr will be at the park dedication. In the early morning hours they help set up for the event, then return home for their families and portable chairs.

The community leaders conduct a brief ceremony to officially open the park. This is followed by the singers. Spock and Nyota perform two sets, mostly ancient music, a little modern. The last song is especially inspirational, a song about children and hope for the future.

Tylan the boot maker has heard these songs before, but never sung so well. This is how the ancient musicians must have sounded. Spock and Lady Nyota have honored all of the Vulcan people. They have given a great gift. He must respond in kind. Perhaps something for their child....

Day 5

They have just finished their afternoon tea when Sarek and Spock appear. Sivol is embroidering baby diapers. Tylan quickly rises and shows them into the shop. Spock's new boots are ready and he pronounces them a perfect fit. Sarek is pleased and pays the boot maker the balance of what he is due. Tylan decides to press his luck a bit. He gives Spock his business card.

"As I have your measurements and templates on file, it would be possible for you to order boots in the future from off planet. That is assuming that your feet do not grow more. You are still quite young. It is a possibility."

"More of a probability, I think" said Sarek. "Mine still seem to be getting larger."

"I hear congratulations are in order, young Spock."

"Yes, we are expecting a son before the year is out. Thank you for your good wishes." Spock and Sarek depart. Tylan sets to work on a large pair of baby shoes. Sivol says nothing and continues his embroidery.

Day 6

Tuvin meets the merchants outside during their morning tea break. He is looking curiously at both shop windows, and then seems to reach a decision.

"Tylan, the community council is selling the recordings made of Spock and Lady Nyota's performance. The proceeds are to benefit the proposed Cultural Institute. Would you be willing to carry them in your shop and put the notice in your shop window?"

"Tuvin, it would be a great honor for me to do so."

In the evening, Tylan wraps the completed baby shoes, adding a tag which says "For the child of the honored Musicians". His wife adds a small cap she has just finished knitting. Tylan looks at her questioningly.

"I attended a knitting class with Elder T'Pau today. She shared some rather interesting music with us, some Terran "love" songs that have been translated into Vulcan. She did not say who the singer was, but one could not mistake the voice. I enjoyed it very much."

Tylan nods and carries these items to Sarek's front door, meeting Sivol on the way. "The diapers?"

Sivol nods. "One can never have too many!"

Day 7

The shopkeepers are in their usual place at mid morning when Spock arrives alone. He speaks first with Sivol.

"My wife tried on a green blouse when she was here the other day, but did not purchase it. Do you still have it?"

"Yes, I believe it was this one. She said she could not in all logic justify the expense. Such a gift should please her."

The blouse was expensive indeed, but Spock would never deny Nyota anything it was in his power to give her. She had not mentioned the garment to him, but T'Sela had. He paid the price without complaint.

Next, Spock entered the boot maker's shop. "I am looking for two large bags with shoulder straps. We are returning to the ship with much more than we had when we arrived."

"That is a good thing." Tylan shows Spock some modestly priced luggage that will work perfectly. The young man pays and prepares to depart.

"I trust you and your family will visit again and bring us all more songs. Live long and prosper, young Spock."

"Live long and prosper, Tylan."

The End