CHAPTER TWENTYONE
Tammas tossed another rock into the ocean. It skipped no less than six times. He seemed unaware that Trini had come up behind him, watching him. She knew where to find him because he often came to the beach to wind down and process life and information. She kicked the sand around and found a suitable shell for skipping, timing it to coincide with Tam’s next throw. Two sets of impact points spread ripples before gentle waves washed them away. Tammas didn’t turn to her.
“Okay, Tam,” Trini said. “You’ve been sulking since Galactic Archaeology.”
“I’m not sulking,” Tam said. He started walking slowly down the beach
“That frown looks like sulking to me,” Trini said, following.
“Well, I’m not. I’m processing information,” Tam said. “It just doesn’t make sense. How can the Tkon Empire, with a population pushing a trillion people, just disappear with barely any trace? The Tkon home’s world’s star going supernova is just inadequate to explain how the entire population just vanished. They surely colonized other star systems.”
“Do you have to explain everything?” Trini asked.
“It doesn’t bother you that the supernova explanation is inadequate?” Tam said. “Did you ever think that perhaps we humans are the remnants of that civilization?”
“Oh, please,” Trini said, shaking her head sadly. “You’re not going to try and put this into another theory of everything, are you? No, don’t answer. I don’t want to know, and I don’t want to think about it. It gives me a headache, just like philosophy. Is this a chair? Why is it a chair? What makes it chair. Can rock be chair? A chairs a chair, Tam.”
Tam didn’t respond. Instead, he quietly observed a woman sitting on a bench, apparently crying. He would have kept on walking, except when Trini saw her, she motioned for Tam to change course.
“I think she wants to be left alone,” Tam said, resisting the urge to go and rescue someone.
“She’s crying? Are you completely heartless?” Trini asked.
“If she wanted help, she would send out a distress signal,” Tam argued.
“She’s a woman, not a starship,” Trini said, crossly. “But even so, assume tears to be a distress signal, and it’s your Starfleet duty to investigate.”
“It’s also my Starfleet duty to observe the Prime Directive, and in this case, the non interference policy seems the best recourse,” Tam said.
“I’m assuming command,” Trini said. “Just stop thinking and follow me, cadet.”
Trini lead the way over to the young woman. Her dress was simple, what little clothing there was, exposing much of her skin to the afternoon sun. The outfit, and to some degree, the girl herself, reminded Tam of a character from “the Time Machine” by H.G. Wells. Though it was one of his favorite holographic stories, he had to concentrate for a moment to discover what it was about her that reminded him of the Eloi. It had to be more than the simplistic nature of her clothing. In his mind he saw a woman that had been suddenly ejected from paradise and the closer they got to her the stronger that image became. He had to force himself not to start constructing a fantasy around the woman and focus on the facts. Her posture and tears confirmed the sadness that registered with his empathy. She was gripping the bench with both hands, to either side of her thighs, so tightly that her knuckles were white. She had naturally curly blond hair, fair skin, and excellent muscle tone. She was obviously very athletic, and Tam imagined a scent of great sensuality about her.
Tam suppressed a sudden compulsion to go find an apple.
“Hello,” Trini said. “Are you okay?”
“I’m very sad,” the girl said.
“Are you suicidal?” Tam asked.
“No!” She said, looking at him as if he were an alien.
“Tam!” Trini snapped, slapping his arm.
“It’s a legit question,” Tam said. “I can tell that she’s almost overwhelmed by her emotions. She’s afraid, out of her element, and… Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” she said.
“May we sit with you a moment?” Trini asked.
“Please,” she said, scooting to the middle of the bench so that they could sit on either side of her. “You’re the first people to truly talk to me since I’ve arrived. I just don’t understand how there can be so many people in one place and yet everyone is so cold and distant. So very little interaction. It’s so sad.”
Tam and Trini looked to each other and then each studied their world for a moment. There were indeed lots of people around, many of them walking alone and purposefully towards some destination, most likely to work or a class or a lab, or maybe off to get something to eat. There was a girl walking on the beach listening to music, her ear pieces a barrier to discourage people from approaching her to start a conversation. There were people in groups, too, but Tam was aware of the personal space between them. Personal space was a social rule, which varied from culture to culture. Tam had become accustomed to the personal boundaries of Vulcan which left space for two or three people to fit. Betazed had a similar personal space boundary, with the exception of family. Betazed family could stand so close to you that you might think you were the same person. So, Tam understood what the girl was observing, where Trini no doubt saw something very different. The typical personal space boundary of the average human was about an arm’s length away, which for him was often too personal, just right for Trini, but obviously for this stranger, it was seen as “cold and distant.”
“My name is Indira Sookanan,” Trini said, offering her hand. “But my friends call me Trini.”
The girl skipped the handshake and went right into a hug. “My name is Rivan,” she said, turning to Tam. She hugged him with even more intensity, kissing his cheek. She was instantly aware of how tense he became. “I’m sorry? Is this an unacceptable greeting?”
“Oh, don’t mind him,” Trini said. “He’s very shy when it comes to public displays of affection. He spent too much time growing up on Vulcan where public affection is avoided at all cost.”
Rivan’s eyes seemed wide with wonder. “Really?” she asked, holding his hand. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
“It’s okay,” Tam said, shrugging it off. “It’s good for me to practice lightening up, and adapting to alternative cultural behaviors.”
Rivan nodded enthusiastically and then hugged him again, as if to give him immediate forms of practice. “Thank you for greeting me so warmly, even though it is uncomfortable for you,” Rivan said. She pulled back and wiped her eyes. “You have both brought me joy. What is your name?”
“Call me Ishmael,” Tam said.
“Ishmael?” Rivan said, testing the pronunciation.
“Tam!” Trini warned, her eyes stern with displeasure.
“Is Tam your title? Like Captain?” Rivan asked.
“No,” Trini said. “His name is Tam. The Ishmael name is just Tam trying to be funny, but he’s not funny.”
“Oh?” Rivan asked, concentrating on Tam’s eyes. “Will you teach me this game? Funny is good. You keep looking at my necklace? Would you like it?”
“I was just admiring it,” Tam said, noting its prominent circle. “I’ve never seen that symbol before. But somehow, it seems familiar. Sorry, nothing more to add on that.”
“Thank you, Tam. Would you like to have dinner with us?” Trini asked.
Rivan grabbed up Trini’s hand in hers. “Oh, yes, please. I would gladly exchange services for food. Perhaps you have garden work I could do for you. Or cleaning? Or Tam, I could teach you my people’s way of sharing love.”
“You can eat with us for free, Rivan,” Trini said, chuckling because Tam was blushing.
Rivan touched Tam’s face. “You’re blushing? Would here be an inappropriate setting for love making?”
Trini couldn’t help but laugh. “You obviously haven’t been on Earth very long, have you?”
“I haven’t figured out how to keep time here,” Rivan said. “Your daylight period seems shorter than mine.”
“Come with us,” Trini said, standing.
“Thank you!” Rivan said. “Shall we run? Or is that also against the law here? I’ve seen no one running.”
“We’re going to take a tram,” Tam said.
“A tram?” Rivan asked, her grip on Tam’s hand tightening. “Is it scary?”
Trini and Tam exchanged concerned looks, but patiently explained that trams were not scary. Their new friend was very talkative, as if she had been held in isolation for months and these were the first faces she’d had seen. In many ways Rivan was like a child, amazed by any piece of technology. The approach of the tram caused her to reflect whether or not she wanted to ride in the tram at all, but she steeled herself and stepped on, holding Tam’s hand for that extra bit strength and comfort. When the tram started to move, Rivan hugged Tam, hiding her face in his chest.
“It’s okay,” Tam said, gently pulling her face up. “Breathe. That’s a girl.”
“You’ve never been on a tram before?” Trini asked.
Rivan shook her head no.
“This is very strange,” Trini said.
“I would be so lost if it weren’t for you two. Are you mediators?” Rivan asked.
“Mediators?” Trini asked.
“Mediators assist those in need and dispense out justice,” Rivan said.
“We’re just everyday people,” Tam said.
“Then what is it about me, or you, that caused you to stop and inquire into my well being?” Rivan asked.
“Well, there’s a sociological answer to that,” Trini said.
“Really?” Tam asked, shocked by her sudden use of a sociological explanation.
“Yes,” Trini said. “I can’t site it as well as Tam, here, but there’s a sociological phenomenon where in high traffic areas, where we found you, most people assume that someone else will stop and help and so they feel less compelled to stop. Had you been in distress in an area where people pass less frequently, the compulsion to stop and render aid increases. Did I say that right?”
“Adequate,” Tam said.
“Tam, here, wouldn’t have helped you at all had it not been for me,” Trini said.
“Why?” Rivan asked. “And why are you blushing again?”
“I’m blushing because of the level of intensity that you’re giving me, as well as your proximity,” Tam said.
Trini laughed. “He blushing because he likes you and he’s uncomfortable.”
“Really? Would you like me to ease your tension, or is a tram also too public for affection?” Rivan asked.
Trini laughed. “I don’t know if you’re serious, or just having fun at Tam’s expense, but I like you.”
“Thank you,” Rivan said, taking Trini’s hand. “I like you, too. But why wouldn’t you help me, Tam?”
“It’s not that I wouldn’t help you,” Tam said. “It’s just that I didn’t see your tears as a cry for help. It’s usually best not to help people until they actually ask for it.”
“Well, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you both stopped to talk to me, because I do need your help,” Rivan said.
“This is our stop,” Trini said. “We’ll talk about how to best help you over dinner.”
“It seems my thanking you is too little,” Rivan said. “Are you sure there is nothing I can do for you? I want to repay your kindness and bring balance to this love and joy you are sharing with me.”
“Allowing us to do this kindness is what brings us joy and love,” Tam said.
Rivan hugged Tam around the neck. “You speak like my people. God knows best.”
Trini pursed her lips, giving Tam a look he couldn’t translate. She then linked arms with Rivan and led her home with Tam walking beside them. If he had had pockets, he would have hidden his hands in them. It took effort to listen to the conversation that Rivan and Trini were sharing, as he kept getting caught up in imagery of strange foods. He was aware that Rivan’s hunger was affecting him vicariously and he was surprised by the intensity that she was broadcasting her feelings. As they entered the house they found Tatiana and Afu practicing Karate on the mat. Tatiana was trying to apply a joint lock to Afu, but was failing miserably. Rivan smiled at the sight of game playing.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Afu said. “I am having difficulty teaching her this technique.”
“Later,” Tam said. “Right now we need to have a family dinner. Why don’t you tell Lenar that we have a guest and Tatiana and I can start preparing a meal.”
Afu departed to make that call, and Rivan interpreted it to mean Garcia was the head of the household.
“Would you like to clean up first?’ Trini asked.
“Please,” Rivan said.
“Come with me. You can use my bathroom and I’ll rep you some fresh clothes,” Trini said.
“Rep?” Rivan asked.
“Replicate,” Trini explained. “You are familiar with a replicator, right?”
“Will it hurt?” Rivan asked.
“No,” Trini chuckled, leading Rivan by the hand to her room, passing Afu as he returned.
“Okay, who’s the tramp?” Tatiana asked.
“Don’t say that again, especially in front of her,” Tam instructed.
“Why?” Tatiana asked, following Tam to the kitchen. “Because she’s a mental case?”
“Probably because she looks fit enough that she could kick your butt,” Afu said, gathering some plates for the table.
“Bring it on,” Tatiana said. She pulled hot rolls from the food replicator and started buttering them, one at a time, cutting them straight down the middle.
“Look, I know she sounds simple, but there’s something very strange going on,” Tam said. “She’s very intense, and very nice, so don’t interpret her odd behaviors as being anything other than what they are. She may be lost from a tour group. What goes good with rolls?”
“Mashed potatoes,” Afu said. “And cranberry sauce.”
“Very American,” Tatiana complained. “Anything but peanut butter, Tam. If we’re going to entertain, we’re going to have a real meal.”
Tam agreed and ordered up a large bowl of mashed potatoes, with a hint of garlic and onion. The bowl was so hot from the potatoes that he rushed it to the table and blew on his fingers as he returned and received the cranberry sauce. “Chicken or turkey?”
“Chicken, garlic roasted, or rotisserie,” Tatiana said.
Trini returned, shaking her head. “You’d almost think she’d never seen or used a computer before. She didn’t even know how to operate the faucet in the shower!”
“Do you think she’s acting?” Afu asked.
“No,” Trini and Tam said simultaneously. Trini continued. “And she doesn’t seem to be lacking in intelligence. She’s just a bit naïve. Innocent.”
“Innocent is not the word I would have chosen,” Tatiana said.
“You’re being very ethnocentric,” Tam said.
“How dare you?!” Tatiana snapped, pointing the butter knife at him while addressing him. “If it dresses like a slut, and quacks like a slut…”
“If you say anything like that again…” Tam began.
Tatiana laughed. “You’ll what? You’re being awfully protective of her. Who made you her champion?”
“Why are you being so hostile?” Tam asked.
Tatiana threw the butter knife into the sink and started walk away.
Trini reached out and touched her arm. “Wait, Tatiana. I’m feeling equally protective of her. There’s something strange going on, and it was my idea to bring her here. Please, just be civil.”
“I will be,” Tatiana said, giving Tam a dirty look as she left the room.
Lenar appeared outside, via transporter, and entered through the back sliding glass door. “Hey! I got the message. What’s the occasion?”
“Company,” Tam said.
“Do you think this could be one of those unscheduled tests the Academy throws at students?” Afu asked, filling five glasses with ice.
Trini shook her head. “I don’t think so. It’s too random. How would you grade it? Everyone that passed her up flunks?”
“And now that we’ve brought her in, is there a time limit to solve the mystery?” Tam asked.
Tatiana entered carrying her favorite cup, which she rinsed out before making it available to Afu. “Beer, room temperature, no ice,” she requested, which was standard fair for her. Ice was just too American.
“Afu, if it turns out that she’s acting, I’ll go naked to classes,” Tam said.
Lenar laughed. “You’ve already done that.”
“Tam, rep up some of my spinach roti,” Trini said. She noticed the expressions on Tatiana and Lenar’s faces. “What? Rivan might like it.”
Tam pushed the preset button and instantly a plate of spinach roti appeared. Roti was a peta-bread like food and with the spinach already sandwiched in the roti, it came out like mini sandwiches. Cut in quarters, it made nice finger food. But, it also made him hungry for the other Trinidadian foods Trini had introduced him to, so he made a second plate with samples of saheena, made from dasheen bush with a mango chutney sauce, bigany, which was fried eggplant, and doubles, which was vegetarian sandwich of chick peas nestled between two rounds of fried dough, all of which had an assortment of Indian spices, including tumeric, saffron, cumin, masala, and madras. Only Tam and Afu liked Trini’s Indian dishes. Tatiana and Lenar found it too spicy. The table became full with various samples of delicacies, even vareniky, a Russian Ravioli filled with meat or sweet cheese, to be dipped in butter or sour cream.
Rivan entered the kitchen hesitantly, seeking out Tam. She smiled when he turned to her. “How do I look?” she asked, spinning to show off her new outfit, comprised of a pink blouse and skirt. She had chosen not to wear the house slippers and remained bare feet.
“Like someone out of Logan’s Run,” Tam said, taking the plate of rolls that Tatiana had just finished buttering to the table.
“I don’t understand. Is that good?” Rivan asked.
“You look great,” Lenar said.
“You’ll just have to ignore Tam,” Trini said. “He’s shy on the compliments, and he’s over loaded on old movie references. Logan’s Run was a sci.fi. movie. Right?”
“A movie?” Rivan asked. She reached out for a roll as it went by and then restrained herself, bringing her hand back and taking on an apologetic look.
“Take one,” Tam insisted, pausing to hold the plate in front of her.
Rivan looked around to make sure everyone was okay with what to her would normally be a breech in protocol and then she eagerly took one, pulling it in two and devouring half. Her eyes closed as she savored it.
“This is so good,” she said, downing the second half without even bothering to chew. “May I?” she asked, reaching for another.
“Come, sit down here,” Tam said. “Help yourself to the food.”
“Would you like tea or juice?” Afu asked her.
“Water?” Rivan asked.
Afu brought her a glass of ice water, while everyone else took their places. Tatiana sat across the table from Rivan, while Tam and Trini sat at either side of her. Trini put a spinach roti on her plate and after that decided to serve her a portion of everything on the table. Rivan concentrated on the rolls, scooping up mashed potatoes and sighing with delight.
“Gravy?” Trini asked.
Rivan nodded, her mouth too full to speak.
“You act as if you haven’t eaten in a while,” Lenar observed.
She nodded vigorously. “At least two cycles of sun,” she said, poking at the ice in her water. “Floating rocks? How interesting. And the water’s cold. Is there a spring near by? The rain in the shower was hot.”
No one had a response to that, but only because they didn’t want to embarrass the guest. Trini changed the subject. “I wish you had been in Galactic history today, Lenar. Tam’s has a new obsession called the Tkon Empire.”
“Really?” Lenar asked. “I love the Tkon Empire. There’s a legend on my home world that the Tkon once visited my people.”
“That would be contradictory to the history lesson we discussed in class today,” Tam argued. “If they were wiped out six hundred thousand years ago, to the man, then it’s unreasonable to believe that your race had a close encounter with them, since that would have been before your species invented writing.”
“Well, you know how legends are,” Lenar said. “One of their spaceships supposedly crashed landed on my planet.”
“Is there any hard evidence? Maybe an artifact?” Afu asked.
“No, the only thing left at the crash site were the pilots,” Lenar said. “The legend has it that the ship simply dissolved into thin air, like smoke from a fire that gets blown away.”
“How trite,” Tam said. “Plot contrivance if I ever heard one.”
“A ship that blows away like smoke does suggest mythological overtones,” Afu offered.
“Yeah,” Tam agreed. “It just doesn’t make any sense that an entire Empire, consisting of trillions, with intergalactic traveling capabilities was completely wiped out by one, solitary supernova.”
“Maybe all the Tkon return to the home world every year for mating,” Trini offered. “Like the salmon. And it was just coincidence.”
“I don’t like coincidences,” Tam grumbled. “There would still be a foot print. An artifact. More abandoned colonies and out posts like the one the Enterprise chanced upon. Records indicate they occupied nearly the entire Milky Way galaxy.”
“An artifact? You mean like that Slaver Weapon found by Spock?” Afu asked.
“Please, don’t even get me started on that,” Tam said.
Rivan had slowed her pace in her eating and was now emulating Tatiana’s table etiquette. She was manipulating the fork with her right hand, while her left hand rested in her lap. Tam ate his chicken like a French man, knife in his right hand, and fork in his left. She followed the conversation, watching the faces of her new friends as she ate.
“I don’t see why it’s surprising that cultures rise and fall,” Tatiana said. “It’s just part of life. There’s lots of archaeological ruins to investigate of cultures that were around longer than even the Tkon Empire. Who ever built the Guardian of Time must have been a pretty spectacular species and they vanished without a trace. Even on Earth, whole cultures disappeared. The Mayans. And there was that Native American group that disappeared but was rediscovered on another planet.”
“You mean the ones relocated by the race called the Preservers,” Lenar said. “Kirk found them and a Preserver Artifact.”
Tam shook his head. “It’s been determined that that wasn’t a Preserver Artifact. And we still don’t know much else about the Preservers,” Tam said. “It just doesn’t make sense. Unless the Preservers and the Tkon are actually one and the same...”
“Do you have to have an answer for everything?” Tatiana asked.
“Thank you!” Trini agreed, glad she wasn’t the only that made that observation.
“Yes,” Tam said. “That’s why we’re here.”
“I thought we’re here because we were hungry,” Afu said, attempting humor.
“So, is this a typical custom?” Rivan asked, pausing in her taking in of subsidence. She had been following everyone who spoke with her eyes and ears, but quietly eating food while the others talked, occasionally watching how they ate so as to mimic them, and constantly looking to Tammas for reassurance, but trying not to stare. “To eat and discuss your daily lessons?”
“As opposed to?” Tatiana prompted.
“Love?” Rivan answered without delay. “Doesn’t anyone here speak of love and feelings and fun things?”
“I need some more water,” Tam said, pushing away from the table. “Can I get anyone anything while I’m up?”
“Coward,” Tatiana called after him.
“It is curious that whenever discussions of this nature arise, Tam often finds a way to extricate himself from the conversation,” Lenar agreed.
“I just wanted some water,” Tam said, raising his voice to project back to the table, partly to communicate that he could still hear them even though he was away, unable to see the conspiratory glances they gave each other.
“Yeah, right,” Tatiana mumbled.
“Are you uncomfortable speaking of love?” Rivan asked Tam as he rejoined them at the table.
“He’s Vulcan,” Afu explained. “And Vulcans are amorous only once every seven years.”
“How dreadful!” Rivan said, touching Tam’s arm in sympathy. “By law?”
Tam sighed. “I’m only a quarter Vulcan.”
“So, how does that translate exactly,” Tatiana asked, stirring her fork in the air as she mused and chewed her food. “You’re amorous every one point seven five years?”
Trini snorted chocolate milk through her nose for laughing while drinking, which got everyone at the table laughing, except Tam, who was giving Tatiana his best impression of being cross. Trini tried apologizing, but couldn’t stop laughing long enough to do so. She excused herself to the kitchen to clean up.
“Not that it’s anyone’s business,” Tam argued. “But if we’re discussing love as a euphemism for sex, then one could say that I engage in this ritual frequently enough to be considered promiscuous, even by Betazoid standards.”
“Betazoid? I met a person from Betazoid!” Rivan clapped. “Deanna Troi. Do you know a Deanna Troi?”
“Who doesn’t know Deanna Troi?” Tatiana asked, rolling her eyes heaven wards.
“Besides, Tam, I don’t think holodeck women count,” Lenar said.
Again Trini burst out laughing, turned and went back into the kitchen to contain herself. Tatiana held back her laughter, but was obviously amused by Tam’s growing discomfort. Afu and Lenar did a “high five” counting coup points. Tam fumed silently, blushing.
“I don’t understand,” Rivan said. “Holodeck women?”
“You don’t know what a holodeck is?” Lenar asked.
Rivan simply shook her head, eating one of the cherry tomatoes from her salad. Her eyes widened with joy at the taste exploding in her mouth. She wiped her chin with a napkin.
“It’s technology,” Tatiana said. “A technology that will ultimately lead to the extinction of the human race.”
“I think you’re over reacting a little bit,” Afu said.
“Really? Maybe you should ask the people of Talos Four how they feel about technology that creates illusions. Oh, wait a minute, I forgot. You can’t do that because they’re extinct.” Tatiana said. “You’ll just have to read about it.”
“I still don’t understand,” Rivan said.
“A holodeck is a room that employs technology that can create artificial environments and even artificial people, or characters if you prefer,” Lenar explained. “It gives you an illusion that is so authentic that it is impossible to distinguish between it and reality.”
This seemed to sadden Rivan, where Tatiana seemed only more disgusted by even the discussion of it. Rivan turned in her chair to face Tam and again touched his arm. “You would choose an artificial partner to a real partner?” Rivan asked.
Everyone leaned in closer to the table as if they were to learn a great secret from their room mate. He wasn’t about to satisfy them.
“So, the weather sure was nice today,” Tam offered.
“It’s rude not to answer a guest’s question,” Tatiana pointed out.
“We’re not discussing my love life at the dinner table, or anywhere else, for that matter,” Tam said, point of fact.
“Or lack there of?” Afu said, getting recognition from Lenar as they counted coup again.
“By love life, do you mean sex?’ Tatiana asked, taking a bite of salad and flashing an innocent smile as she chewed.
“Or lack there of,” Lenar added.
Tam shot them both a look that threatened immediate retaliation if they didn’t stop.
“Tam,” Rivan said, her voice very serious and compassionate. “If finding a willing partner is an issue, I would be more than happy to make love to you.”
Tatiana choked on her salad and Trini nearly fell to the floor laughing. Afu’s jaw dropped. Lenar was amused by everyone’s reaction. There was no secret that he thought humans to be a bit prudish when it came to sex talk. Trini pushed herself away from the table to go get more milk. Tam was still riding a blush that wasn’t given a chance to fade.
“He doesn’t lack willing participants,” Tatiana spoke for Tam. “He just doesn’t pick up on subt