llChapter Seven
The Desert Saga
The flight was without incident and as the vessels circled above the site the exploratory party could be seen waiting below to welcome all. The three vessels lined up in their approach pattern and they landed with precision. Each vessel's spokesman rose as the pilots went into shutdown mode and the passengers stood and lined up for disembarking.
Each one of the welcoming party led one of the groups to their resident building location. After leaving their belongings by their assigned cot, each group was led to the large sparkling eating facility for a freshly prepared meal. The menu included Vulcan and Terran food. Of course, the meal was eaten in silence.
Each spokesman, at the head of the table removed the serving dishes from the table and placed them on serving carts for transport to the kitchen area. It was after that action that the area exploded into animated conversation.
Su'auk, rose and walked to the front of the room,
"Brothers, we must express our appreciation to those who have used their time, energy, creativity to prepare for us."
Again, the Terran expression of appreciation was heard.
"All are now free to explore the area, please return to your dormitories before the time of last meal. My brothers, do not venture out alone, always have two or three with you and during your exploration do not proceed past the perimeter markings. The rest of the area remains unexplored and we do not wish to expose any to unknown dangers."
After the meeting Ka'fir, the builder, approached Su'auk, Ellie and The Saviors with their families and asked them to follow him. The walk was not far and the group reached a compound. Outside that area was a little cottage with an adjoining office and storage facility. Their guide opened the door and said to Su'auk and Ellie,
"Brother, you will manage this project and supervise our activities. Please accept this as our gift to you and your wife."
Elle's hand went to her mouth and her husband rubbed her back as she placed her head on his chest and wept. Ka'fir nodded and said,
"Amsetri tre" (your presence honors us).
The group entered to find a comfortable great room, kitchen, bath and two bedrooms.
Ka'fir added, "Additions can be added to this structure with minimum effort in case of need."
All knew that would involve the expansion of their settlement through marriages, births, and even possible Terrans who wished to stay and learn 'The Vulcan Way' Such ones would only be admitted after swearing under the blood oath. None would be allowed to exploit their ideas. Su'auk would make sure patents were issued for the group's inventive ideas.
They exited that house and entered into the fenced compound. Ka'fir now said,
"We have also decided that there was a need for a place that would allow privacy, and safety for children who would accompany their parents here for visits. He walked to the far end and addressed Sarek,
"Brother Sarek, we have addressed your personal need for privacy and quiet by distancing your place of residence from the rest. You have a dedicated com line to the Embassy within your living space. Please accept this gift."
Sarek's building was smaller than the others, more compact. It included a great room, one bath and a bedroom. All furnishings were handmade.
Sirin, Spock, Lo'vaak's and Drevi's homes were designed to fit their family's needs. Some had two bedroom, others had more. The women could not believe what had been accomplished by this group within such a short period of time.
In front of each house, under the covered walkway were benches for outdoor seating and the open space in front had been beautified with local cacti specimens along with other benches and an outdoor fireplace. The women were especially appreciative for the fencing. Their thought was,
'It would keep the children in and the critters out.'
After last meal that group met together to have pertinent questions that had risen following the groups examination of the site. Sarek headed the meeting.
A common questions was,
"Will our hormonal readings be taken before you return to the Embassy?"
The answer,
"Yes."
The herbalist asked for the opportunity to speak to the group. He revealed his work and goals and the need for cooperation by all in the group. When asked if they were willing to assist, and be used to test formulas there was a loud,
"Ha'. (yes)
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Spock remembered when he had first spoken to this elderly Vulcan, who was now well over one hundred years old. His natural dignity had not waned. He was tall and straight, although his face appeared slightly weathered, which was an indication of much exposure to the elements.
Without needless words he had offered the Ta'al and seated himself. His interviewer had bowed his head as an indication of his respect for the aged one before him.
Spock had opened the conversation with the statement,
'Your life has overlapped many events of our people's experiences and we value you.'
His face did not change from its benevolent calm but his eyes spoke of a distant hurt, he began his narrative.
"My life began over one hundred twenty-two Terran years ago. My training began when I was three years of age when I started to accompany my father into the desert.
Our lives were simple and we were virtually self-sufficient. We gardened, we gathered and we learned from the cycles of life. My father entrusted his Katra to me when I was sixteen and my mother and I stored it away in its ark. I was their only offspring, a child of their old age. After my mother's death I wandered attempting to find a natural cure for our unique burden, Pon Farr. The chemist and scientist had sought solutions in their laboratories; I was searching for the answer in the dust of our deserts and it plant life. I never found it. I searched until the last day of our planet's existence.
I bounded at sixty Terran years to the daughter of the merchant of plants and seedling in my area. She had been widowed when her aged husband died from Bendi Syndrome. She returned home to her father to assist in his shop. She was always most helpful when I had inquired or searched for a particular item.
I must confess that eventually I found more reasons to frequent the shop than I had prior to her coming. One day I asked her to walk with me. She removed her apron and we proceeded to talk in silence. I then asked her had she ever considered being bonded again. Her answer was, 'If the right potential bondmate would ask, she would consider it.' Steeling myself I inquire, Ple'ma tsu rashaya? (Cannot the same be said for me?) She answered in the affirmative. Thus began sixty-two years of collaboration, for she joined me in my search.
On the day she ventured into the desert alone, she was bitten by a k'karee (a poisonous Vulcan snake). She sent her cries of distress but by the time I reached her the heat and poison had destroyed her brain. I could not retrieve her Ka'tra. It was then that I joined myself to this group of young men. What was provided was free transportation, housing and food; the extra bonus was new areas to search and youthful interest, skills and strength.
Now, I will continue my search on a different world—Terra.
Spock had inquired, "What can we do to assist you?"
The answer was simple, "Allow me time, a small research laboratory area, accurate scales, heating units and glass receptacles."
Of course such a request could not be denied. Spock recalled that the elderly Vulcan rose from his seat and virtually dismissed HIM as he walked out of the office.,
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Spock searched for Ka'nu among the arrivals and once he was found Spock led him to a mid-sized building and opened the door. Pristine and virtually gleaming was Ka'nu's requested work area. If it were possible for a Vulcan to smile, he would have done so.
Spock addressed him,
"Amsetri tre (Your presence honors us) Rivath kau eh ri vath rok nam-tor na'etek hi etek kau-tor." (There is no other wisdom and no other hope for us but that we grow wise) In the area of your study, your wisdom will save us.
He left the elderly Vulcan examining his work space and Spock wondered what greatness would come from that place.
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Based on the aged Vulcans encouraging speech, Sirin sought out K'eel, the stone carver who he had interviewed in the basement of the Embassy. He questioned him,
"Did I not say we were determined that no more lives would be lost?"
The young stone carver answered,
"Ha."
Sirin continued,
"It is to this great hope our entire group will work towards it being a reality."
The expression in the young man's eyes was so different from their first encounter.
By far, this was the youngest member of this group that had been interviewed by him, His stoic face was impassive, but his eyes mirrored great loss. His biography indicated he was from, by Vulcan standards, an extraordinarily large family, he had seven siblings. This fact spoke much as to the atmosphere and quality of life that must have surrounded him. He was the third oldest, so apparently, very few of his siblings were the result of Pon Farr.
His loss, like all, is profound, but his appeared to seep from him almost vaporously, it even clouded his normally stoic Vulcan visage. He stood before Sirin. On his shoulder was a small bag and he withdrew an ornate, beautifully carved Katra Ark (vessel for storage of the Katra).
While standing he stated,
"This shall be my final resting place. I have meditated through my first two Pon Farrs, without a comforter, with the next one I will have to terminate life."
Sirin asked that he be seated and he complied.
"You did hear that we want no more loss of life and we are working toward a resolution?
"Yes."
"Do you trust us?"
"Yes."
Then your creation will have to be put to another use or put away for an indefinitely long time. May I examine it?"
"Yes."
Sirin noticed the High Vulcan script carved into the lid, it is K'eel's name.
"Were you taught this skill by your father and grandfather?"
"Yes."
Sirin realized that in order to get more vocalization from his interviewee, he would have to phrase his questions a bit differently.
"What stone is this? How long did it take you to finish this work? Have you worked on objects other than Katra Arks? What supplies do you need? How are you dealing with your extraordinarily great loss?"
With his perfect recall K'eel proceeded to answer all the proposed questions.
"Besides Katra Arks I have carved incense and other ornately carved boxes, asenois, and objects from every stone indigenous to our home planet. Although these vessels are usually composed of polycrystalline, this object is the stone Ivuzh kohr-tukh (smoky quartz). Because of the High Vulcan script that adorns the top, it took one Terran month to complete this box. Of a less serious nature I have carved boxes for jewelry, condiments, storage, and display. When we relocate I will only need a constant supply of raw materials. I have my own tools."
K'eel looked down at his feet. His posture changed and he leaned forward.
"Brother Sirin, every day I remember some segment of my past life. In my mind I remember conversations with and observe my skann (family). Some might say that this is an indication of being mentally unbalanced; however, none of my family members Katras have been preserved. I am the vessel for their remembrance. I am their Katras' Ark."
Sirin had thought, 'What a profound statement for one so young.'
He recalled asking for permission to hold on to the box so he could show it to the others. This K'eel had agreed to.