Chapter Nine
The Desert Saga
After last meal the visitors made their way to their compound. Spock and his family accompanied Sarek to his door. Spock was concerned, through their bond he was aware of Sarek's mental state. The twins stood before him and said, "Grandfather, may your rest be productive." Spock nodded and Nyota bowed her head and said, A'nirih, Ansetru tre (Father,your presence honors us), and then the family walked toward their own cottage.
Sarek entered removed his robe and reached for his meditation garment and effortlessly lowered himself to his knees. During all this time working with the survivors his mind, hours and hands had been busy—too busyto make certain admissions. Va Pak his personal loss suddenly overwhelmed him for he had never fully addressed these. In his mind he saw Amanda's face and even heard her laughter, just as he had in his office those many months ago when he had given their efforts to relocate 'The Survivor" the name, 'The Amanda Project' If she had been alive she would have exhibited that very human trait pride—she would have been proud of what was accomplished by the entire group.
Sarek's breathe became labored and a lump found its way to his throat. Illogically he spoke,
"Amanda, half my heart, half my soul, my K'hat'n'diawa…your loss is unfathomably painful to me."
Uncharacteristically he lowered his head into his open palm and sighed. His head was still bowed when he heard a slight rap on his door. He knew it was his son who had approached.
From the cottage next door Spock has sensed his father's agitated state. Sarek replied,
"Enter."
His son did so and nodded and said without a formal greeting,
"Safu."
Without another word Spock joined his father in a meditative pose and sent him a wave of calm.
"My father, "Iwak messukh-yut t'on (The present is the crossroads of both future and past) but we cannot dwell on what we must accept as kaiidth, (what is, is) the things we cannot change, but instead focus on what we can influence— those who can benefit-those who are living."
Spock then sent him a mental picture of his grandsons and also a picture of the bright light within the darkness of his Aduna's body, his unborn daughter. Nyota was still unaware of this new life. Perhaps he would advise her this very evening.
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The children had been tucked away in their room. Rachel, Sirin were settled in for the night. She had snuggled closer to her husband and he was embracing her when she asked, "This settlement is considered Vulcan soil?"
"Yes, just as the Vulcan Embassy is so designated. Why do you ask?"
Snuggling closer she said,
"I was just wondering does a Vulcan husband act differently toward his Aduna when he is at 'home'?"
His mouth turned up slightly,
Stroking her cheek he continued, "We don't have a point of reference up until now. Perhaps later you will inform me."
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Su'auk and Elsse were enjoying a cup of tea when she asked her husband,
"Do you think we could have a fence around our house?"
"I have no doubt that there would be no problem for the builders to complete such a structure."
With a bowed head she said, "It does not have to be too high at first."
He did not comprehend the substance of their conversation.
She continued,
"After all, infants cannot climb."
The Vulcan stopped mid sip and stared at his wife who was nodding her head in the affirmative.
He carried her to their bedroom lay her on their bed and placed his splayed hand on her abdomen and said,
"It is a male. A child who will be the first born here. His name will be Sarek. He gathered Elsse into his arms and placed his forehead on her's and expressions of endearment flowed from one to the other.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Lo'vaak had taken Christine's hand and they had explored every part of their home away from home. Nytu was rubbing her eyes and Lo'vaak picked her up and said,
"It has been a long day and I will put you to bed. Christine leaned over and kissed her daughter. It had been some time since she had attempted to pick her up. Their son would be born within the next four weeks. At first she was apprehensive about taking the trip to Nevada but it was just a forty-five minute flight and they had the finest vessels and pilots possible—Spock and Nyota.
Now, a bit ungainly, she and her husband had become extremely inventive in the area of their lovemaking. Lo'vaak always communicated with their son prior to their intimacy, so their movements and sounds would not disrupt his calm. This was not a pre-birth sex education class, just an explanation of unusual sounds and movements being forecast.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Drevi and Bettie had collapsed on the sofa in the cozy area best described as a 'living room'. She laid her head on his chest and sighed.
Nozzling her head he was aware of her surfacing excitement.
"This second broadcast will be such an enlightening account. The Survivors will be seen as hard working, industrious, creative contributors to good. Would you mind doing some of the narrative?" "I think if we six could be introduced and perhaps all could contribute something to that area of the production. Does that appeal to you?"
"Yes, yes. I think I will have your name listed as assistant producer when the credits roll."
"Bettie you know I need no such recognition."
"Drevi, you don't need anything…you are the complete package…"
"Ahh, but Bettie at one time in my life that conclusion would have been definitely flawed, for I did have a need…"
"As you let me know…Drevi, do you know when I fell completely, totally and unreasonably in love with you?"
Her husband smiled and said,
"I saw it in your eyes after we looked at that holo-vid together."*
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So, in this small corner in a medium size state, in a piece of Terra on a rather small planet in an galaxy that was still being explored these humanoid couples, families, reviewed their lives and could rest completely satisfied assured of only good results.
*See The Continuing SFS, Lights, Action Camera Chapter Seventeen