A/N
I believe the saying is, the eyes are the window either to the soul or of the soul.
Perhaps some of you readers remember the National Geographic Society's magazine
from 1984 that showed an Afgan teenage girl, whose eyes were mesmerizing. The
Society will admit it is the most popular cover ever published. I visualize our new
Her first reaction to the females eyes were not judgmental, as if to
determine her ethnicity, instead it was to see if her first impression of deep sadness
was still present.
In actuality, that is the emotion I had seen in that Afgan girl's eyes-that deep sense of loss.
It would take Bettie's superior interviewing skills to get to understand this female.
But, if she could be worked with, allowed to blossom Bettie already knew who she
could best compliment.
Chapter Nineteen
The Desert Saga
Bettie and the latest candidate entered the hallway and she found an empty room.
Bettie glanced at her and saw an incredible beauty, she was perhaps in her thirties.
True, her eyes were riveting, but these just complimented her flawless face. Her hair
style was simply a long black braid down her back. her complexion was light tan,
whether naturally, or because of a sun tan, Bettie was unable to determine.
Once in the room, she indicated that they should be seated and said,
"First of all, I am Bettie, what is the correct pronouncement of your name?"
"My name is Dansk."
"Thank you. Let me tell you why you were invited here. I was filing letters and yours
fell out. I was intrigued by your message and then impressed by your holo-pic."
Holding up the letter in question Bettie inquired,
"Tell me, what motivated you to write this letter."
Her head was bowed as she replied,
"I believe jealousy was the basis for my composing that letter. I looked at the Vulcan
males and it was revealed that they grieved for their loss mates. Despite what we
have learned about these widowers, their attachment to their wives, or as
they say, aduna, is almost beyond the depth of our human emotion's
comprehension. As indicated by my letter, I have no idea of any sort of attachment. It
might be that I have shut myself up or since love is learned by example I have
had no teacher. Although this is the case, I know I am capable of love, I just have to
be taught. When I think of it, there is a lightness in my being. So, with an attachment
to a Vulcan male we will address one another's needs' his need for a mate, my need
for the warmth and affection they apparently can provide. You see, I do not wish to
die, not having such a thing in my life."
Bettie inquired,
"How old are you Dansk?"
"I am thirty eight Terran years."
"In Bettie's mind she imagined a neon sign flashing 'Bingo'.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
In various far flung corporate offices joined by a conference link, emergency meetings were being held to
determine how serious a threat to their continued profits was this Vulcan presence. Of cause, these meetings
were not open to the rank and file, at these conference tables were the corporate 'big credits' bosses. What was
inferred by the presence of these executives was,
'What could they do under the guise of Federation interest to put a halt to the success of the progressive,
innovated ideas that had already come to light as inventive ideas coming from that group. Ideas so practical and
useful that they could entice the public to support the off-worlder's endeavors.
Of cause, it was a given, a few well-placed mob inciters could act as a catalyst to creating mistrust of these
intellectual giants. Little speeches here and there, fueled by Andorian ale, Budwiser classic, and possibly even a
bit of illegal intoxicates in that local area might be able to have a message sent to these Vulcans as a veiled
threat. Of course, the expression, "know thy enemy,' was not the basis for this threat. These people had no idea
who they were dealing with.
In some strange way, Drevi got wind of what was in the works and the information
was forwarded to Su'auk. A special meeting was held and the settlers advised as to what to expect. Ka'nu
informed Winnernap of their crisis, who with a waved hand said,
"This is not your fight. As my blood brother, the tribe will protect you, your people
and your property."
From conversations with Ka'nu, Winnernap had wrongly concluded that Vulcans
were pacifists—how wrong that conclusion was.
Su'auk advise to Bettie was to get an emergency broadcast crew to the settlement as quickly as possible, and this
she did. What was captured on these cameras would be the focus of her next show. It is certain that the 'mob'
numbers were not what the corporation had envisioned.
The group approached the settlement in large vehicles and parked several hundred meters in front of the gate
and got out. They had chosen a spokesperson but as they approached at least two hundred Shoshoni males
exited the gate, followed by one hundred Vulcans. All took the military stance, their backs against the fence.
Winnernap, the shaman, approached the leader of the, 'not so much of a mob', and
asked,
"What legal right did they have to trespass tribal lands? We Shoshoni are sovereigns for fifteen hundred kilometers in all directions."
Confused the leader said,
"Don't those off-worlders own this settlement?"
Winnernap answered,
"Under a treaty agreement made over two-hundred years ago we allowed Federation's military to build and use
these lands. It was in fact sold to them and they had legal right to hold on to it, or sell it, which they did. But
every meter of ground outside of that original allotment of land is the land of the Shoshoni people.
Legal actions, based on our laws shall be taken if you continue here. Please advise the people who sent you of the
seriousness of your actions. No Federation laws apply here, only our laws which have stiff penalties for invasion of
our land. Not even a death is investigated by an outside source.
We will generously allow you time to cross into Federation land. You will know where it is because just as many of
us are there awaiting your crossing as are here to inform you of your crime.
The group looked bewildered, scratched their heads, there were some mutterings as
they climbed back into their vehicles and sped away.
Once that group disbanded, the native defenders were invited to first meal and were
given a tour of the settlement. The end result was an agreement between these two people—profits from joint
endeavors, especially of the herb sale, would be used for the good of the Native Americans who had that day
proved themselves t'hy'la (blood brothers) to these Vulcan survivors. From that day forward, there was not a day
that passed that members of the tribe were not present at Ah'rak kya, (the settlement) either learning
from or teaching the Survivors.
Bettie's camera crew had captured the entire confrontation and immediately packed
their equipment so as to make it back to San Francisco so the crew could edit the
footage and have it ready for Bettie's narration and airing as soon as possible.
With Drevi's assistance, Sarek had found out the corporations who were responsible
for the un-welcoming committee and sent their names to Su'auk with the idea that
when requesting bids for any article that could not be manufactured on site these
corporations would not be included. No wealth would be shared with them—and
there was to be plenty of that.