Prologue
The Desert
Sonoran Desert, Arizonia, 2397
It was the middle of the day as the sun hung high in the sky, the wind hardly blew. There was nothing much to see, just scrub, cactus, and long stretches of desert. The only thing of note were the two figures walking very causally through the endless expanse. K' Lara was not worried about their little trek, in fact this little trip through the desert was nostalgic for her. As a child on Vulcan, she had tread upon much similar ground, this was a little piece of Vulcan on Earth, her new home for the past fourteen years, very good years for her. The one quarter Vulcan was wearing very casual attire. She wore a plain short, sleaved canvas shirt, brown khaki shorts and two pairs of hiking boots. Last was her small backpack over her shoulder containing a small amount of her needed supplies, she wasn't worried they were only walking for about a kilometer, and they would be transported back. She heard the voice of a young boy behind her "Are we there yet mom?" She kept her same stoic expression as always replied "Relax Steven we are almost there" Steven sighed, he did have much patience for anything, wasn't his fault the twelve-year-old was very smart but he acted his age. Eventually the two came to stop and K' Lara put her pack down on the ground and took off her shoes and socks, her son followed suit and they both sat cross legged on the ground. K' Lata then spoke "This the Sonoran Desert, untamed nature"
The young boy looked unimpressed "Yeah so?" K' Lara sighed "You want to be in Star Fleet like I was right?" The young man nodded his head "Well this where Starfleet Does its survival training, you would do well to familiarize yourself with it" Steven nodded "Okay mom, what do you want me to do?" "Take in the environment, identify objects you can use to your advantage. Steven looked he didn't see much; all he saw around him was scrub and cactus beyond that it was a blur. "I don't see much" His mother replied "Use your strongest sense, your ears, and close your eyes" Steven did so, he used his strong sense of hearing and just focused on what he heard. He heard the blowing of the wend from the west blowing form California, he heard the chirps of birds in the distance, the small steps of scorpions and the hisses of snakes" "What did you hear son?" He recalled all the things he heard, and his mother cracked a small smiled "Well done son"
The young boy looked puzzled and said, "I do not understand" K' Lara replied "It's about using the things that make you different to your advantage, your eyesight is poor, but your hearing is excellent. We all use the different strengths as different people and species to survive together. For example, as part Vulcan I have a high tolerance for heat and strength stronger than humans. We use these strengths to survive together and that is the essence of Starfleet, stronger together, Infinite diversity in Infinite combinations, do you understand?" "Steven nodded "I think I so" "Good you are closer to understanding son" she then got up "Ok son we are going back now, I'll call for a beam up" As she got up Steven did so also and asked, "Do you miss Star Fleet?" She gave a brief pause and said "Yes, I do, I cannot lie" "Then why did you leave it?" She paused again, knelt and looked her son in his violet eyes "I did it for you, I wanted you to have a normal life. One of us had to settle down to raise you" She then ran her finger over her sons vented ear feeling the grooves as he asked, "Why couldn't dad?" She replied, "Your father's job is too important to the future of the federation, mine is not nearly as important, it was a logical decision, besides I would have given away the world for you my little Vorta" She then hugged her son and said, "Let us get out of here" She then opened her communicator and said "beam us back Phil" There was a slight flash as the two were transported away and the desert fell still again.