Chapter Twenty-seven
The Desert Saga
The entire ceremony was being transmitted to the Settlement through Bettie's network cameras. Rabbi Goldie,
who would act as Justice of the Peace, was standing in the front along with Sirin, who was dressed in his formal
robes with his family and clan's identity on the lapels. and their lineal history embroidered around the bottom.
Standing to his side, also richly dressed were Spock, Lo'vaak and the soon to be bonded males. Their positions on
either side of each male, would allow each to serve as a ne'kir'ne (trusted friend, Terran best man) one for Skoon,
the other for Sus'na.
Spock voice was subdued as he said to both of the men words similar to those his father had spoken
to him as he stood with him before Sirin those many years ago,
"Be strong, your wait is almost over."
The two bridegrooms' heads were bowed but both males almost vibrated with excitement. Spock heard them both
audibly swallow.
The audience included all prospective candidates for future bondings, Sarek, members of the Embassy staff, some
of whom would provide second meal and the children.
Recorded music was heard and the women presented themselves at the door, dressed in beautiful Vulcan robes.
They were flanked by Nyota, Rachel, Christine and T'Paal who carried two cowls Bettie had bowed out with the
sayings,
"I am going to allow only Vulcan pairings shown, because you do know I am recording this for a
future broadcast."
Rabbi Goldie stepped forward and called both couples forward. Hilda and Michele placed gloved hands on their
grooms' arms and the touch seemed to almost startle them from their deep thoughts. After each couple gave
the proper answers to questions, repeated their vows and exchanged rings for the Terran records they were
each pronounced, 'Vulcan and wife'. So as to not injure Vulcan sensitivities, no request for a shared kiss was
made.
Rabbi Goldie smiled with satisfaction, this gesture was returned by the two brides, the visage of the males
remained unchanged but the wives hopefully noticed what they could interpreted as joy in their eyes.
Sirin made a statement mostly for the other candidates present,
"From our association with our wives in their duties to assist The Survivors to discover Teran females who would
be willing to marry and bond with them, we now have had the first weddings and now we will create the marriage
bonds between the two couples before us. It is a simple ceremony passed down for centuries. It is a joining of
minds which is later followed by the joining of the couples bodies, during what Terrans call a honeymoon.
Sirin now called Sus'na and Hilda forward and Intoned,
"What you will see now has come down from ancient times, even before The Awakening. This is the Vulcan heart.
This is the Vulcan Soul.
"You, the male before me, identify yourself."
"Darti Hakausu (Honored Healer), before you stands M'cam Sati Sus'na son of Sylan of the house of W'mak."
"And what is your purpose before me this day?"
"To bond with the one I claim as mine, my K'nat'n'doawa (beloved, half my heart, half my soul)"
Facing Hilda Sirin inquired,
"Female, identify yourself."
"I am Hilda Wagner. I present myself to you honored healer so as to become Sus'na's, the male before you as his
bondmate to become his in mind and body until I draw my last breath."
Sirin contined,
"Do you both appear before me willingly and with free minds to be bonded to one another for life?"
They both answered in the affirmative. So Sirin instructed them to kneel before him. He placed his
open palm on each of their heads, closed his eyes and for a few moments there was silence. When
Sirin opened his eyes he said,
"The marriage bond has been created. M'Can Sati Sus'na and Hilda Dif tor he smusma. ("Family Sus'na and Hilda,
Live Long and Prosper.")
Skoon and Michele now were called forward, were questioned and gave the proper answers, instructed to kneel
and likewise were joined. Of course it was only the brides faces that reflected the joy of each couple.
There was polite applause from the Terran audience while the Vulcans calmly viewed the audience, ceremonies
and conduct of the non-Vulcans guest with the purpose of studying same.
The Embassy kitchen had provided acceptable foods for the guests' consumption. Sarek congratulated each
couple and wished them long a prosperous life.
As usual, at any social gathering Sarek was not planning on being seated. From his long years of diplomatic
service he had formed that habit. After all to be seated would limit his range of observation and ability to secure
valuable contacts. So he gracefully, while deep in thought. 'worked the room'. Dansk had just left the beverage
area and turned to return to her seat when her foot just grazed Sarek's and some of her beverage spilt out and
fell to the floor, just a drop or two landed Sarek's slippered foot. She never looked up but lowered herself
gracefully and attempted to wipe up the liquid from first his slipper, then the floor. She started the conversation
in Vulcan" I realize that there is no Vulcan equivalent to "'I am so very sorry'. But allow me to explain the
dynamics that led to this point of k'dath—what Is, is."
Sarek raised an eyebrow.
She continued,
"After securing liquid refreshment for myself, a misaligned step contacted your person, causing a distinct point
of collision which due to the gravitational pull of this planet caused the liquid to override the perimeter of its
containment field and to land on the lowest surface and also to a lesser degree, by reason of a splash, your
footwear."
She then looked up and Sarek's dark eyes met her most startling amber ones. Shielding himself he offered his
hand and said,
"So as to not allow any possibility of a repeat of such an occurrence, perhaps you will allow me to refresh your
glass."
She smiled and said,
"If Vulcans were a vengeful race I could suspicion an avenue for revenge—however I know for a certainty that is
not the case, so I would appreciate that service towards me."
Sarek took the cup from her hand and she arose gracefully, Sarek introduced her hand to the crook of his arm
and they turned toward the beverage table.
So it appears that without the help of 'Cupid'sSecretaries"-actually quite on their own, these two person would
come to know one another and possibly build on that.
Skoon and Michele left immediately. Meanwhile, Sus'na had approached the man from Bettie's production crew
who was broadcasting music and made a request. As he made it back to his now bondmate and wife he
approached her with an extended hand just as the strains of a waltz started playing. Hilda smiled and placed her
gloved hand into his, now shielded one. As they came forward the audience backed up and created a dance floor
for them.
Sus'na looked down and said,
"My Hilda accept this as my first wedding gift to you."
There was not a dry female eye in the audience.
This was only truthful because T'Paal had already departed with the children to insure that their meal would be
eaten in silence, The Vulcan Way.