Chapter Two
Nyota was dressed in a white line pantsuit with a wrapped jacket. She wore her hair in a ponytail, wrapped in a braid. Instead of her four-inch heels, she wore two-inch silver sandals. It was the most casual outfit she had, other than athletic wear. Even her athletic clothes were all spandex and rhinestones. She had nothing comfortable for travel.
Alhamasi and Kamu were waiting outside the terminal, drinking frozen lemonade. It was Kamu's new business. He was always trying one scheme or another. Most of the time, he failed, but Alhamasi thought this time his son was on to something. There was something about the sweet and tart frosty drink that was appealing.
"What is taking that girl so long?" Alhamasi said. He looked at the chronometer in his hover-car. Kamu said nothing in response. He just stared and pointed at the tall glamorous figure standing there. Alhamasi and Kamu got out and walked over to the woman standing on the platform.
"Nyota?" Alahamasi called out.
Nyota turned around. Her long, straight ponytail swished as she turned her head. Although it had been Sulu's idea to grow her hair, Nyota decided to keep up the treatments during the term breaks. It was much longer than it was when she left Betazed.
"Father, Kamu," she said.
Kamu looked at his father and grinned. He hadn't seen his sister in more than three years. Alhamasi hadn't seen Nyota since the transformation, except on the video screen of her padd. It did not do her justice.
"Well, we better get going. Your mom is looking forward to seeing you," he said.
Alhamasi knew M'Umbha would not be pleased. He sighed and drove onto the expressway. In less than a half hour, they reached the Uhura's oceanside compound, which sat near Mombasa, on the ocean. Nyota was tired, and she needed some time alone, but her mother had other ideas.
Nyota sighed and rolled her eyes as they entered the gates. There were people everywhere milling about.
"Here she is!" someone yelled.
Her mother lumbered over to the car. She looked older than Nyota remembered. No doubt, she had spent many nights waiting for Alhamasi to come home. He was one for the nightlife and spent many evenings at his place in Nairobi.
Kamu got out and opened the door from Nyota. She stepped out and clutched her purse. The clamoring group fell silent.
"Nyota, what have you done to yourself?" M'Umbha cried.
Then she made her way back to the house. Nyota followed, grateful that she wasn't wearing her normal high heels shoes. It is funny what goes through the minds of people in crisis. At that moment, Nyota decided that she was going to get rid of all of these ridiculous shoes. She was far more steady on her feet in the two-inch heels.
Nyota quickly caught up with her mother. Nyota grabbed her and turned her around.
"Mama, why are you so angry?" Nyota asked.
"Look at you, girl. You don't have sense enough to wear a brassiere. Everyone can see your …your bosoms." M'Umbha said.
"It had been so long since Nyota had worn a bra she hadn't even thought about it.
"I am a sorry mama. I am only here for two days, but I will go to the store and buy one." Nyota said.
"Straight hair." M'Umbha sucked her teeth. "Are you trying to be a Japanese?" M'Umbha asked.
The hair had also been Sulu's idea. When Nyota had the photomosis treatments, she also had Keratin treatments as well. Sulu liked the look.
"Do you think I should cut it?" Nyota grabbed the ponytail and looked at the ends.
"Don't be silly. Do you have to wear it so straight?" M'Umbha asked.
"I am going to shower and change. I will be down in an hour." Nyota said.
"No, we have guests. Go upstairs and put on a brassiere and come down to eat," M'Umbha said.
Nyota went up to her room, which overlooked the Indian Ocean. Kenya was a beautiful country. Nyota was beginning to wonder what possessed her to leave in the first place. She rummaged through her drawers and found an older sports bra. It was too tight, but it would work until she could order a new one. Nyota had no idea what size she was, and her mother would never stand for a shopping trip when Nyota had only two days at home.
Nyota decided that the best course of action was to change tops. She found a royal blue tee shirt she wore in high school. That was nearly four years ago. It was a tight fit. So, she put the jacket back on. Between the bra, the teeshirt and the jacket, she felt her mother would be satisfied. Nyota then pulled her hair into a French braid. It was very long. Nyota felt that shoulder length would be more practical. She would worry about that in LA at her regular salon.
After lunch, Nyota sat with her padd, ordering clothes for the following day. The store did not offer deliveries on Sundays. So Nyota ordered a private courier to pick up the order, which included a sun dress, a swimsuit and an outfit to wear on the trip back to UCLA. The padd kept most of the men away. Tigris, her old boyfriend, was practically stalking her.
"When do you finish college, my princess?" he asked.
Nyota rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe she fell for that corny line in high school.
"I am not sure." She said. "I am thinking of going to graduate school."
"What do you want to do, study pyramids? That has been done. You should come home." He snapped.
"I am not studying archaeology. I study anthropology, specifically xeno-culturalism." Nyota said defiantly. She had been controlled by Sulu for two years; before that, it was her father. Nyota was an adult. She didn't need a man telling her what to do.
"There are fine graduate schools in Kenya," M'Umbha said.
She wanted grandbabies, and Nyota was her only hope. Kamu went through women almost as quickly as he wen though business schemes.
"I am thinking of Starfleet Academy," Nyota blurted out. She wasn't really, but it was the only graduate school she could think of. Besides, she didn't want to return to Kenya. It was beautiful, but she had only been home a few hours, and everyone was dictating her life.
"Nyota, you are a beautiful young lady. You don't have to chase men," M'Umbha said.
Nyota put the padd down slowly.
"What?" she looked at her mother quizzically.
Alhamasi was closing the gates. Only Tigris and her family remained.
M'Umbha tripped over her words, "You can go to school here and get married. You are nearly twenty-two," M'Umbha said.
"You said I was chasing a man," Nyota said.
"Your Japanese friend. He called your father to get help getting into the academy. His grades were not strong enough. Your father pulled some strings." M'Umbha said.
Nyota gasped. All that talk about being a legacy, and Sulu didn't have what it took to make it on his own. He had to use her family's connections.
"Is that true, papa?" Nyota asked Alhamasi. The grin he wore as she walked across the courtyard faded quickly.
"Hikaru seemed desperate. He said he didn't want to disappoint his grandfather," Alhamisi said.
"At least those people honor their elders," M'Umbha said. "You should honor your parents and settle down."
"What do you mean, those people?" Nyota stood up.
"I am not ready to settle down," Nyota said. This time, she was very defiant.
"Nyota," Tigris got down on one knee.
"What are you doing? Get up!" Nyota said.
"Is this some kind of set up?" Nyota looked around bewildered. "I am going to apply to Starfleet Academy," Nyota shouted.
"Nyota, you are a lovely girl, but Starfleet might be a bit much," Alhamasi said.
"I have a 4.0 GPA," Nyota said.
"In archaeology," Tigris said. He was now down on two knees. "Please, Nyota." He pleaded.
Nyota palmed her face.
"I came her to clear my mind. Thank you all for helping work this out." Nyota said.
M'Umbha smiled and wrapped her arm around Alhamasi's waist.
"I am glad you are coming around. When your father spoke with your Japanese friend, we had our doubts."
Nyota was seething. She was wondering if Sulu had sold her out.
"I am going back to LA today. I am going to apply to Starfleet Academy, and I am going to get in!" Nyota gathered up her padd and her jacket, and she went upstairs. She ordered a driver and rushed back down to the foyer with her bag.
"We are not supporting this madness, Nyota," M'Umbha said. She looked at Alhamasi. He looked away.
Nyota looked at her father. She knew he would never abandon her, but she was determined to make it on her own.
"Fine, I will give up the room at the sorority house and find a roommate somewhere," Nyota said.
M'Umbha clasped her hand over her mouth. This was not her daughter speaking that way.
Nyota picked up her overnight bag and headed toward the gate.
"Nyota," her father called out. He rushed over to give her a hug.
"Your mother and I were only trying to help." He whispered. He reached out and handed her another black chip.
"We need you to be safe. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back here." He said.
Nyota kissed her father's cheek. She waved at Kamu. She even nodded at Tigris, who was now kneeling on the ground, looking distraught.
Nyota took one last look at her mother and went out to board the transport van.