Chapter Twenty
The Desert Saga
Immediately after the meeting Nyota approached Michele and Hilda and asked if they could speak to them in
private. The women were led into a room where the other wives had gathered. They all sat down together
and Nyota started "Skoon and Sus'na will be visiting San Francisco the end of this month. We believe you two
have been receiving regular messages from them."
Both women voiced,
"At least once a day."
Nyota continued, "May I be so bold as to ask how have you been personally affected by these communications?"
Michele, Bettie Flippin's make-up girl blushed bright pink and said,
"I, I believe I am in love with him, but never having had that experience the only marker I have for the
truthfulness of my statement is when I don't hear from him at the normal times, I begin to worry, thinking he
might have had an accident. I think about him constantly, almost to the point of distraction. He is the kindest,
gentlest person I have ever met. His concern for every living thing is so profound. He
described his rescue efforts on behalf of something as little as an insect."
She bowed her head and tears came to her eyes as she said,
"I want to be with him."
Hilda, a more mature female simply said,
"I have started to plan my live around him being with me."
Bettie said,
"You two are invited to my house on the first night that your friends arrive in San Francisco. It was only my own
romance that started in my house. I believe my garden and its fireflies can encourage and nurture
romantic feelings. Michele went to Nyota and hugged her,
"I believe what you said about the deepest love possible could only come from a Vulcan male. My life has been
enriched by my now loving him. I cannot even imagine what being bound to him will be like. "The two ladies were
excused and the wives then formulated a plan that would have these women bonded during Skoon and Sus'na's
visit. Two honeymoons would be thrown also. Now, how romantic was that?
With such an event, Su'uak's wife, Elle, would at long last have female companionship when the women visited their husbands. This did indeed recommend such an action. This would be discussed with Michele and Hilda the very next day. Another matter that had to be discussed with the entire group was the nature of the marriage bond, its purpose, its control, and its benefits.
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The holo-vid had been edited and Bettie had written her narrative notes. After additional assistance, Drevi had
been able to secure information about the corporations' executive boards that had attempted to incite a riot
against the Vulcan settlement. He was certain the companies' stock holders would have something to
say about each executive who had made such a decision.
The wall clock's hands aligned and then the director's voice was heard, "All quiet on the set. Lights, camera,
action. The music swelled…
The camera's first view of Bettie was focused on her upper arm displaying a mourning band. Then the camera
went to her face. There was no smile, no wave, or joyous greeting,
"Chickadees, what I have to report this day has caused me to put this symbol of grief on my arm. The welcoming
nature of The Federation has been compromised. Was not such a concept to be viewed as valuable by everyone-
individuals and groups, even corporations? When the only thing an eye sees is profits, anything that threatens
that becomes an enemy. So we have the basis of this report.
If you go to my site, a list of names will be provided that will allow you to either write letters of protest, or simply
never purchase any of that corporation's products again. Let me explain why such actions by you, my viewers,
will be motivated by your conscience.
Earlier, this day a scandalous event took place in Nevada at the Survivor's settlement. Instead of a verbal
description my crew has provided me with this holo-vid. After the viewing, we will have open lines for your
comments. Bettie's narrative began,
"Most of us remember the first view we had of the Vulcan Survivors. That orderly group was lined up at
Fishermen's Wharf. The first impression was, they were indeed handsome. Then came my first broadcast, with
new insight. These males were beautiful inside and out. Their stories affected me so deeply that it was only by the
intervention of my husband, I did not break down on air.
The production crew and myself followed them to their settlement, Ah' rak kya, which translated means, 'Vulcan
Lives'and the crew was amazed at what had been accomplished by this small group in such a short time. Their
respect for the environment, their ingenious use of native plants, mineral resources, and other gifts of nature was
showcased in their Vulcan style homes, inventions, crafts and plans. So that you are aware, the Corporation
heads, fearful of loss of profits, held meetings with the view to halt the Survivor's progress.
This concept is completely foreign to the Vulcan mind set whose embracing nature is best summed up by the
phrase Kol-Ut-Shan which sums up the Vulcan philosophy of acceptance: Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations.
The Federation-wide audience was shown the orderly well planned action on the part of The Survivors and their
neighbors, The Native American Shoshoni Nation to protect the settlement from the onslaught of an enraged
mob.
Our cameras which were set up outside the gates of the settlement, heard the conversation between the 'mob's'
leader and Winnernap, the Shoshoni nation's shaman and then finally the unwelcomed 'guests' departure.
Bettie's comment was,
"In this day of enlightened behavior how is it that persons could be led to such archaic conduct? The only answer
that comes to my mind is love of profits above any and everything. Of course that mentally led to deforestation,
pollution, unfair wage practices, child laborers, slum landlords, slavery and a multitudes of other injustices.
Please allow your voices of protest to be heard. Consider these actions as criminal that should not be hidden."
Bettie now announced,
"Our com lines are now open."
The lines lit up and by the time the two hundredth call was received, they stopped counting.
In a way it was fortunate that none of the settlers knew of what was happening. Their day started out as usual
and had now progressed to second meal.
Back at the Embassy, the other wives had sent messages to all the candidates with the request that they return
for another meeting two nights hence. The positive replies were unanimous.