Sand Castle

Soran was horrified. Not in any overtly emotional way, of course, but he made his disapproval of Sarek's plan to take his Human bondmate on a trek into the untamed desert abundantly clear.

"Precisely where do you intend to take this... expedition, S'haile?" He asked, once he had regained control over his incredulous expression.

Sarek ignored his aide's reaction. Soran could be somewhat excitable, at times. "I thought the Menallar d'T'Asal (Cliffs of the Lady of the Morning) would be suitable."

Soran's discomfiture only increased with this news. "Sarek, the three-day journey to reach the base of the cliffs would constitute excessive exposure for a Human. And while I do not doubt T'sai Amanda's physical abilities, the 4,000-meter climb to the upper reaches is hazardous even for many Vulcans."

Sarek turned to regard his friend with some amusement. "Soran, I am not unaware. I have no intention of subjecting Amanda to the hazards you mention. We will travel by aircar to the base of the cliffs, and traverse the lower tranche before returning to the vehicle. The journey will take less than one-half day, somewhat strenuous for my wife but by no means exhausting."

Soran looked dubious. "Very well, S'haile. I will assemble the needed supplies."

As it turned out, it was an opportune time for such a trek. The council would not resume for a few days, and there was a scheduled break in Amanda's classes. Sarek took the opportunity to appropriately prepare his wife for the journey.

First was a thorough briefing on desert hazards. He sat Amanda down, PADD in hand, and proceeded to explain the habitats and habits of all of the Forge's dangerous flora and fauna, of which there were many.

They had not gotten past le-matya and wild sehlats when Amanda complained, "I've had this briefing before, remember?"

Not about to be dissuaded from his task, Sarek replied, "Since your memory is not eidetic, this is a review."

"Hmpph,"she said, making her thoughts clear on the subject.

The next image to appear on the PADD screen was of a thick vine covered with large, vibrantly colored flowers.

"Oh, how beautiful!" Amanda exclaimed.

"D'mallu, you will recall, are omnivorous," Sarek commented. "Larger specimens have consumed adult sehlats."

Her eyes widened, and then she shook her head, conceding defeat. "All right, you win. I'll study this list."

"A most logical decision, my wife," he told her, gracious and elegant as ever in victory. "Soran requests my presence. I shall return forthwith."

Sarek discovered that Soran had his own PADD, on which he had compiled a lengthy list of gear for the trek.

"Four portable deflector units; eight dehydrated, prepared meals, Terran and Vulcan, with appropriate utensils; remote sensing device; twenty liters of purified water in high-impact travel containers; two fully redundant comm units; expandable wilderness sleeping platform with thermal coverings; four headlamps; two emergency medi-kits, one Human, one Vulcan; twenty rescue flares..." The aide paused a moment, re-checking his list.

Wilderness sojourns were not new to Sarek. In addition to the kahs'wan survival test experience of every Vulcan child, he had spent much of his free time as a youth exploring the remote reaches of his family's lands and beyond, such that the ancient survival disciplines were now second nature to him. He had no doubt of his abilities to make such an expedition and to keep Amanda safe while doing so.

He ignored for the moment what Soran's extensive supply list implied for his friend's corresponding judgment of his abilities. Sarek could not resist asking at least one question, however. "Four headlamps?"