Chapter Twelve
The Desert Saga
The day before the broadcast, the equipment was brought in and the production
crew picked out the best spots for the stationary and levitating cameras. Bettie and
Drevi arrived in a special transport supplied by the Betazoid Embassy. It had
been decided that Sarek would begin the program with a brief introduction along
with a summary of the previous broadcast. A few scenes from that show would be
interspersed with the new show and then there would be a panorama of the
extensive grounds of The Survivors' new home. In the introduction, Spock, Sirin,
Lo'vaak, and Drevi would be reintroduced.
Drevi had brought five Betazoid females who acted as Bettie's 'assistants'. The only
evidence of their identity were their eyes so they wore sunglasses. Terran females
who were guest carried PAADs, wore dummy headphones and appeared to
integrate quite well with the show's staff. An extensive tour of the grounds showing
the work that had been accomplished and what else was planned would also be
included in the show.
Already ten Vulcan style homes had been built in anticipation of bondings that were
necessary due to impending Pon Fars. A suitable isolated cave had been discovered
and cleaned and furnished with stone articles beautifully prepared by the stone
carver.
All males were dressed identically in one piece work suits. Of course, not even
unattractive clothing could mask the handsomeness of these hard working males.
True to their Vulcan nature, even when they deserved praise they were not receptive
to it for what is…is and what was always expected was the best possible by each
one, for that was The Vulcan Way.
Bettie looked toward three of the Terran females who had huddled together and
They were whispering among themselves…and pointing. Bettie made her way to
their spot and said,
"I realize that this setting is similar to allowing a child to run wild in a candy store, but
please ladies, do not draw attention to yourself with such conduct. You are here
to observe and report back to the others who will be depending on you for your
guidance and advice."
The ladies looked embarrassed, tucked their heads, then followed Bettie who
efficiently pointed out assignments where they would assist someone who was a
valid member of Bettie's crew. Bettie nodded and each crew member took up the job
of supervising one of these visitors.
Wandering around the site without a guide could prove to be difficult and dangerous.
Although the males had been extremely careful in placement of warnings and
barriers, it just so happen that Bettie's make-up girl had become enthralled with the
site and was at that point wandering onto dangerous ground. Luckily, the stacked
boxes that towered above her were empty. She was about to brace herself against
them when she heard the words,
"Please do not touch."
Turning she saw a young male, running toward her.
"This is a place of potential danger. I will take you to safety."
What girl doesn't like to be rescued from danger? What girl wouldn't like her rescurer
to be a handsome prince or someone handsome? It was the wood carver who approached her, bowed his
head and explained in typical Vulcan blunt honesty,
"Although injuries from the falling boxes in this area should not be fatal, there might
be injury. You have trespassed onto a storage site. Please come this way."
She replied,
"Thank you very much for saving me,Ahh ….."
"My name is Skoon.:
"Thank you Skoon."
He replied,
"What address did your parents assign you?"
Puzzled for a moment she finally understood he was inquiring about her name.
"My name is Michele."
He gave a brisk nod and reaching back to his training at the Embassy said,
"It has been a pleasure to meet you, Michele."
He then nodded, bowed his head and finally left her with some other crew members.
As he left she mouthed his name…Skoon.
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After pulling a few strings, (no pun intended), Bettie was able to identify the
Ka'athyra Maker's acquaintance, the harp player, and she had also been brought
to the site with the other Terran females. Unlike the other, she was introduced to
Sus'na who immediately took her on a tour of the grounds with the explanation,
"This will probably be my home until my life ends. If you will join me here you should
know about this place and about me. If you are willing I will be your guide."
Her reply is,
"I will be pleased to follow you."
Sus'na was pleased with this female's reply. He decided that he should
ask her if it was proper to address her by name. Her reply was, only if she was
allowed to do the same. From that point onward they addressed one another as
Hilda and Sus'na.
He asked to be excused for a few minutes and disappeared into one of the buildings.
When he reappeared he was dressed in his Vulcan trousers and tunic.
He had a pair of gloves in his back pocket and explained that their machinist had
invented very special gloves for their use as a protection for their most sensitive
hands. The internal coiled synthetic fibers allowed them all to participate in
construction work. Without these articles of protection the building work progress
would have been reduced by sixty-five percent, being able to be engaged in by only
the builders and their crews. Instead the full force of all the residents were able to be
engaged in construction work in one area or another. In addition, all the workers
wore protective head and foot gear.
Sus'na shyly stated as they started their tour how much he has enjoyed their
correspondence. It was within the privacy of his letters that Sus'na had
made it known that he was interested in bonding, a marriage. Her presence here at
the site weighted heavily in his favor. Of course, it was Nyota, Rachel, Christine and
Bettie's job to advise her of what such a step would actually mean.
Deep in thought while presenting facts to his companion Sus'na realized
that through their correspondence he thoroughly understood that as a musician she
had rehearsals, concert tours, local performances and perhaps solo engagements.
He explained to her that he understood that periods of absence from the site could
be expected. He also had calculated that a trip between these two locations required
very little time and he was certain he would be able to visit her in San Francisco if
necessary.
Hilda then presented a question to him,
"Would you be willing to perform with me?"
He thought for a moment and answered,
"Presently I have no instrument, only one that has been entrusted to me by Spock
for my care and use once I have my own instrument I will consider such an act an
honor."
Sus'na respectfully took in Hilda's appearance. His completely Vulcan comment,
was,
"I find your form pleasing."
Hilda blushed and replied,
"As I do yours."