Chapter IX. A Chance Meeting That Provides Assistance
Early afternoon of the day after docking found Subcommander Soren sitting at a small table outside of a cafe enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of a Vulcan day with the sons of Brutus Castor. She laughed at the jokes the younger made. She looked at the elder, a former classmate in the latter years of the academy and wondered to herself.
"Gratius, as handsome as ever," she mused. "He seems changed from this war. Aurelius is as always, laughing, boyish, marrying The Empress did little to change him. Yet Gratius, he appears to have aged. I cannot imagine what they went through on Morska, the killing, the odor. Perhaps that is what seems to have changed Gratius. He is so solemn now. I remember when…"
"Lucinda, have you heard from Matthias?" quietly asked Gratius Marcellus Linux as he eyed Lucinda over his drink. His brother Aurelius had finally ceased with the jests and was eating his sandwich.
"Why sic, Gratius," answered Lucinda returning from her musing. "He told me that his transport had stopped at Cormallen and is now enroute to Weytahn and Andoria. He will probably precede my arrival by a fortnight."
"A shame really for you," cut in Aurelius. "I imagine Lucinda, having five young children, that this war was difficult."
"Sic, Consort, but not as difficult as what you both endured," said Lucinda, addressing Aurelius with his title of 'The Consort of the Empress'.
"Really, Lucinda, whatever makes you use that title with me," replied Aurelius in mock anger. "Here I sit with two of my former instructors during my academy days, one a frater, one an old friend. Then my friend, she has the gall to address me as Consort when we are relaxing."
"I would not wish to have the anger of The Empress rained down upon me or my House if I in some way offended Her spouse in not using correct protocol," smiled Lucinda her dark eyes laughing. She noted that Gratius almost smiled. "Funny his hair used to be so dark brown, now it is almost white," thought Lucinda.
Aurelius laughed at her remark, then turned and said, "Frater, why so glum? You just spoke to T'Naa via links last night. Beside I know about this bond thing that you share with her."
"Spoke is not really correct, since the time lapse between messages breaks up the intimacy of our exchanges," answered Gratius. "That bond thing you mentioned is what kept me sane these long five years. Yet I am not glum, I am tired. I identify with our Weytahnian friend on missing home."
As the three friends enjoyed their lunch, they were approached by a Vulcan woman with four children in tow. She recognized them as military since both Aurelius and Gratius were wearing their legion greys with black berets slipped into cargo pockets on the pants. Lucinda was wearing navy white since it was summer on Vulcan. Gratius noted her approach and stood when it was apparent she was going to speak with them.
"Do you need some assistance, Mulierius?" asked Gratius.
"Sic, if it would be convenient, Centurion," replied the Vulcan woman with a faint half smile.
Gratius looked at the four children, three girls and a lone boy. He thought, "The two oldest girls must be friends, about Marcus's age I would guess. The blonde one is the daughter of a friend, perhaps? The boy, although fair, is hers, he resembles her greatly. The youngest girl is obviously a sister to the darker girl. Rish-ha-vel like my own."
Aurelius stood and offered her his chair, "Mulierius, please seat yourself. Would you or any of the children like some refreshment?"
"Non," answered the woman, smiling. "I am Mulierius T'Kon and I have just arrived from Sha'Kir with my children and the daughter of my friends. I had hoped to locate my husband and friends but seem to be having trouble. Would any of you be able to assist me?"
Lucinda rose and said, "Of course Mulierius T'Kon we will provide aid. For whom are you searching?"
Portia stood behind T'Kon near Talia and Hadrian. Abelia stood by her mother holding her hand. Portia nudged Talia and whispered, "Talia, the two legionaries are dragons."
Talia muttered back, "How do you know that?"
"They wear the dragon's patch, Talia," replied Hadrian quietly with his blue-green eyes wide with awe as he covertly pointed to the unit patches on the left shoulders of their grey uniforms.
"Ah," agreed Portia. "The IX Legion, famous everywhere and greatly feared by any and all our enemies."
T'Kon answered, "My spouse, Eolus Abundo Silvanus is a physician with the XXIX Legion. This girl's father, Sorok, is also in the XXIX. He is a Vulcan in the Intelligence Section of the Al-Stakna Century." T'Kon indicated Portia when she said this, although to Lucinda it was not necessary.
Lucinda studied young Portia with her flaxen hair. Something about her seemed familiar, but she could not place it.
"The XXIX is holding at the demobilization center," answered Aurelius. "Frater, finish your sandwich and then we will escort this fine woman and her brood of chicks to locate the paters."
"I am done," replied Gratius as he paid the waiter using empire credits from his book. He placed his beret on, as did Aurelius.
Lucinda continued to look at Portia. Portia noted this and become somewhat uncomfortable at being eyed by the half-Andorian naval officer. Lucinda's face changed and she smiled, asking, "Young lady, what is your name?"
"Portia Angelina Sorok," answered Portia with a hint of pertness.
"Your mater is named Acacallis Angelina Baccha?" asked Subcommander Soren.
"Sic, subcommander," replied Portia amazed. "You know of my mater?"
"Sic Portia; she serves on my ship, 'Fields of Pelennor'. She is the communications officer. Hurry, we will return to the ship and she should be there. She has told me much about you." Lucinda took Portia by the hand.
"Come Aurelius, Gratius; let us aid this woman and children. It would do my heart good to see family united."
The two brothers nodded assent and the small group left the café, weaving among the crowds on the streets of T'Paal. Within minutes they were at the docking ports and by 'Fields of Pelennor". Lucinda turned and said, "Aurelius, why don't you take Mulierius T'Kon and her children to the DeMob station. Gratius and I will meet you there after I retrieve my commo officer."
"A good thought, Lucinda. Gratius I will see you anon," answered the Consort of The Empress in his flowery jesting speak he often used. Aurelius then turned offered his arm to T'Kon and said, "Mulierius T'Kon, I would be pleased to escort you to meet your spouse."
Being Vulcan, T'Kon declined Aurelius' arm but gratefully accepted the offer of an escort for herself and her children. With that Aurelius left with T'Kon and her three children. Portia stood beside Gratius, a little shy and listened to the naval officer called Lucinda.
"Gratius remain here with Portia," said Lucinda. "I will be a short moment." She turned and looked at Portia. "Child, I am going aboard my ship to get your mater released from duty today. I will return shortly."
Portia smiled and nodded. Lucinda left them, saluted the officer on deck with the standard Latin salute of striking the right arm with a closed fist across her chest and extending the same arm toward the officer of the deck with an open hand. The salute was returned and she boarded. Portia looked up at Gratius, a little shy. Gratius smiled.
"Would you like some favored tea?" said Gratius.
Portia nodded yes and said, "That would be very kind, Centurion. I am thirsty."
Gratius motioned for a vendor to provide them with some tea. Portia requested one flavored with lime. Gratius had his plain. The teas were cold, icy, and refreshing. Portia quickly drank hers.
Gratius smiled to himself and thought, "So like my Lucia in her manners, but coloured like Marcus. Such pretty eyes, violet, very unusual."
"How old are you ko-tik?" asked Gratius in Vulcan.
"I am sixteen r'tas, Centurion," replied Portia, somewhat startled at how excellent was his Vulcan. She felt that perhaps he had been here before since he spoke the language well.
"So a little over ten Latin r'tas," Gratius returned. "You are the same age as my sa'fu and two years younger than my ko-fu."
"You speak Vulcan very well, sir."
"Ah," returned Gratius. "My ko-telsu is from here. We live on Hellenes in the southern continent now."
"In which city was she raised, sir?"
"Sha'Kir, her name is T'Naa. Her sa'mekh is…"
"Turek," interjected Portia excited. "He is a friend of my sa'mekh'al. They both work at the Academy of Science. You are the Latansu sa'telsu of his oldest ko-fu. I also live in Sha'Kir."
Gratius grinned and said, "You are well informed, little one. Tell me, did you live with your mekh'als while your mekhs were away?"
"Ah," sighed Portia, smiling at Gratius. She liked him better now that she realized that he was very familiar with life on Vulcan and the dynamics of the rish-ha-vel skann. "You said that I am about the same age as your kanlar?"
"Ah. Would you like to see an image of them?"
"Sanu, Ah," answered Portia.
Gratius pulled out his military issue book and in moments had opened up his image files and found a picture of T'Naa with Marcus and Lucia. It was the most recent he had stored. He leaned over and handed the device to Portia. She took it and examined the photo for long minutes. Then she asked,
"What are the names of your kanlars?"
Gratius squatted near the standing Portia and pointed to the picture. "My ko-fu is named Lucia, she is twelve years. Marcus is the name of my sa'fu and he is your age, Portia."
She nodded and continued to study the image. She thought, "It is so green on Hellenes. His ko-telsu is so beautiful, she looks much like her sister, T'Lar I think Sa'mekh'al said she was named. His ko-fu looks nice, dark like Talia." She paused and stared at Marcus in the image.
"Portia, my ko-fu!"
Portia looked up from the book when she realized that her name was spoken by a very familiar voice and her eyes beheld her mother, dressed in navy blue. She handed Gratius his book and ran to her mother's open arms.
"Ko-mekh, I have missed you," cried Portia, tears stinging her moist violet eyes.
She almost jumped into Acacallis' arms. Mother and daughter embraced for long minutes and many tears were shed by each. Lucinda walked over to Gratius and they stood away, watching the touching scene.
"Well Gratius, my day is made."
"I imagine it is Lucinda," smiled Gratius. He examined Portia's mother and thought, "I remember her. She seemed very capable. Her daughter resembles her greatly."
Within five minutes, after Subcommander Soren had introduced Acacallis to Gratius, they left for the holding station. It was about a twenty minute walk. Acacallis and Portia spoke in excited chirps the entire trip. Lucinda smiled at Gratius and he noted that she seem happier. He felt happier, just to see a family rejoined.
Aurelius was spotted by the entrance of the demobilization center chatting to a Vulcan dressed in the grey legion uniform. Beside them stood a Latin dressed in a naval uniform conversing with T'Kon, with the children capering about them.
"Aurelius, it appears that you were successful," said Gratius.
Aurelius smiled as he nodded yes.
Acacallis and Portia briefly embraced Sorok with the spouses performing the ozh'esta.
Lucinda smiled at the brothers and remarked, "I knew my afternoon spent with you two would be a nice diversion, but never did I imagine that we would get to play such role. I am so happy."
Aurelius continued to smile and said, "Gratius and Lucinda let me introduce you to the paters of our charges."