Chapter Forty-two
The Desert Saga
Ka'nu stood before the entire group of 'The Survivors' to make his announcement:
"Brothers, we have worked hard to make our home here on Terra a successful, working model of our original home, Ah'rak (Vulcan). While in the areas of building, botany, arts, music, stone masonry, domestic skills and supplies our achievements are memorable. Some even have been acknowledged by Terran citizens and businesses, the greatest of all our activities has been in the area of medicine and healing. Our people are now freed from the burden, fear, and lethal effects of Pon Farr. The monitoring of the rise of yazmeen in our blood has been successfully applied to bring about its' control through the use of the discovered herbal concoction. Its use as a tea, in our daily diet now allowes us the freedom of choice, and other freedoms unknown to our people in the past. There are no longer the constraints that Pon Farr put upon us, to bond and mate for survival. For a fact the words of our greeting 'Live Long and Prosper' is n longer restricted by the seven year intervals impacted on us by Pon Farr. This is no longer a contradicting phase. So my brothers Dif-tor heh smusma (Livelong and prosper). With the masteru over Pon Farr, this expression takes on even greater meaning.
Ka'Nu ended with Sochaya eh dif (peace and LONG LIFE).
The entire assembly of 'The Survivors' rose to their feet and implemented the Terran's display of appreciation—applause. Su'auk with his business sense was well aware of the need for this herb on New Vulcan. Any additional Vulcans introduced into The Settlement, who have experienced Pon Farr would have to go through the regiment that offered this control. This product would have to be cultivated en masse, In most cases, Vulcans would come to The Settlement to experience any lessening of the onslaught of the fires of Pon Farr.
Something else Ka'Nu had figured into 'the mix', were Vulcans who, because of generations away from their mother planet, and thus never under the influence of it's seven year cycles, would realistically never have had Pon Farr etched into their DNA and thus would not in need of any treatment. This was apparently the case with the visitors that would be visiting shortly. It might even be an excellent idea to do blood work on these once they became permanent residents.
They would have to work hard at determining how to extend the 'shelf life' of this herb so it could be transported to other areas. Due to the desert conditions that the herb thrived in, a staggering of sowing would allow a study harvest of the herb. For although the residents of The Settlement were not presently going to be affected by Pon Farr, they still would have to maintain the use of the herb in their daily there was need for their Vulcan brother who had migrated to Africa to be advised and brought to Nevada. Hopefully, a longer shelf life would soon be discovered.
In view of this 'cure' there was now the possibility that now New Vulcan's High Council would at last allow some of them to migrate to New Vulcan to monitor blood samples of the settlers there. Ka'ras would be in charge of negotiations with New Vulcan. Sarek would be advised of the outcome of this daring, yet successful experimentation.
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Nyota was seated at her desk at the Academy when she felt their daughter announce her presence. She shielded her surprise by forcing her face to remain as stoic as her husband's would have been, but certainly not under identical circumstances.
Immediately a message was received through her with bond with her husband,
'K'diwa, do you require assistance?'
"No, Beloved, I just received an intensive non-verbal message from our daughter, it appears she has already acquired skills in Suss Manarr.'
'You are otherwise unharmed?'
"All is well."
Her husband sent her a wave of affection and warmth that made her almost melt. Her return message was designed to give him an idea of how they would spend their evening after T'Paal had taken the twins upstairs to their bedroom.
Spock's receipt of same, was very gratifying.
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Truly heavy with child, Christine, had just put NyTu to bed. She was waiting for her husband to put their son to his rest. Like Spock he had bonded with their son. They had decided that they would name the child after his two grandfathers, he would be named, Si'len William. Their son would be delivered at home, submerged in water, in their basement. T'Paal had agreed to take their daughter to Spock and Nyota's home. NyTu would be very grateful to be with Kov. Christine was certain that If their two families had been living on Vulcan, they would have agreed for Kov and NyTu to experience the Koon'ulengagement bonding at seven years of age). From the start they have been perfect for one another. Christine's prophecy from years ago was going to come true. One day Kov would be a son-in-law.*
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In Africa, Nyota's cousin, No'eese and her Vulcan bondmate and husband Sh'lock had been made aware of the wonderful advancements made by 'The Survivors', the primary one being the 'cure' of Pon Farr. There were seven other Vulcan/Terran couples in their close circle of friends who were likewise very much encouraged by this knowledge.
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Lining up in the hallway, neatly dressed this latest group of Vulcan refregees were anxious and extremely focused on what was ahead of them. It could almost be identified as a trip that would bring them 'home'. Among the most 'excited' was_ who had showed himself exceptionally gifted in several areas and all of the group were looking forward to being joined with one that would from that point forward be their family members, their brother.
As they settled into their seats in the Embassy's large shuttle, all the 'Vulcans Breathing Freedom' group had their personal PADDs so that their individual impressions of their visit could be recorded. Once they had landed, the group would be taken into the dining room to meet the Vulcan who would become their family member. The chairs on one side of a long table have numbers that correspond with the identifying number on each visitor's PADD. Almost shyly the visiting group slid into their seat to see for the first time the person who would be their 'next of kin.'
A meal was served and conversations started. Before any melding, or bonding each resident was given a private tour of The Settlement. Each visitor's link was with a person who shared not only DNA, but interest and talents. The visitors were animated and expressive, the residents reserved and Vulcan. Spock, Saren, Lo'vaak and Sirin were present and observing the interaction and were satisfied that the plan that was in place would be extremely successful and satisfying for all involved. The day ended with another meal and the final part of the trip would be each visitor privately being bonded to their 'brother'. Of course, the emotional nature of the 'Vulcans Breathing Freedom' manifested itself after the initial mind meld. There would be a long session at the Embassy to dissect exactly how the visitors' trip had impacted them. It would prove to be a long night.
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Meanwhile, back at the three residences, the three wives were together when Christine's labor started. A very agitated Lo'vaak announced to his brothers and the soon to be new residents of The Settlement0,
"I must return home, Christine labor has started."
The residents urged them all to leave and got an assurance they would receive information about the successful delivery.
Lo'vaak found his beloved being tenderly cared for by her 'sisters' Rachel and Nyota and either one of the two being ready to replace T'Paal upstairs with the children when necessary. It had been determined that after several talks on sexuality,conception and child birth the youngsters would be able to be present at the actual birth, but not the long labor or in a frontal position. Ta'Paal's presence to shield Christine from severe pain was a repeat of her assistance at the birth of Ny'Tu.
Lo'vaak in his role as healer readied himself to welcome his son into the world.
*See The Continuing SFS, Lights, Actions, Camera, Chapter 8.