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<p class="MsoNormal">Mission:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
Cure
Delayed</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Day: 3</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stardate: 2445.10.27</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(USS Illuminar – Deck 6 – NCO quarters – Security
PO3 Hercules
Devers – 1200)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Devers stood there, his kit bag open. He’s packed
light,
just his Muay Thai shorts, mouthpiece, his mongkhon and pra jiad, a few
pairs
of causal clothing and sundries.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Zipping
up the bag, he swung it over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“You sure about this Herc?” Collier asked. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“It is a tradition that my Kru passed on to me.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When he would travel, he would seek
out to
learn from the locals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He felt
that more
knowledge was better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is the
first
time I’ve made it to Vulcan and I would be a fool to pass up the
opportunity to
study at the Vulcan Institute For Defensive arts.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Masters of both the ponn-ifla and
kareel-ifla
study there.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Collier chuckled, “And what do you know about
those?”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Nothing, that is the point,” Devers said.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You go celebrate on the town, I’ll
see you
when I return.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Collier grabbed Devers arm, “Take it easy, I
won’t be there
to talk you out of any situations.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Devers chuckled, “And you, as I won’t be there to
carry your
drunk ass home.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The two friends released and headed off in their
separate
directions. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Xen’Tal – Shuttle port -- Security PO3 Hercules
Devers – 1900)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stepping out of the shuttle port, he saw the sign
directing
him to the inn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was only
one in in
Xen’Tal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The evening heat was
oppressive,
but not humid like it was at the gym of Kru Petchyindee.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Entering the inn, he moved to what appeared to be
the
desk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>An older Vulcan sat there.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Welcome in peace, traveler,”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the man said.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Peace to you as well,” Devers responded. “I have
reserved a
room.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although there was a computer terminal there, the
man took
out a very old looking book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He
opened
it and scanned it with his finger. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You
are Hercules Devers of Earth?”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I am Sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“And what brings you to Xen’Tal?” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I come to learn.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Not many Humans come to Xen’tal to learn.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is been years since the last one
set foot
here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Are you prepared?”<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I am.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Very well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here
is
your room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is a small meal
at 2000.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Traditional Vulcan. This
is a serious place,
there is no type of bar or other recreation for outsides.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Devers nodded, “Thank you. I require little.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“2000 hours Mr. Devers.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I am honored.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Devers headed to his room, which was spartan.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A bed, a refresher and a small desk.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He set his bag down and stretched a
bit, working
out the kinks from travel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Checking
his
clock, he had a few minutes before dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>This would be a time for him to make an impression, show he was
serious.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the small dining room, there was a long table.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Around the table were 4 Vulcans.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Devers moved to take an empty seat,
nodding
to the Vulcan to his right. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A
female Vulcan
came out of the back with a large bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Behind her came the old man from the desk carrying a plate of
fruits and
vegetables.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The woman began serving a broth from the bowl.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It smelled like a memory to Devers.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The soup that<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Kru Petchyindee wife would make for the fighters of the gym. <span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He took the bowl and nodded.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Thank you.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He watched as the man passed the tray around, and
how each
of the Vulcans took from the tray.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span>Devers did his best to mimic their actions.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally, the old man and woman sat
down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As one, the Vulcans began
to eat. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meal was consumed in silence.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The soup was spicy and flavorful.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The fruit and vegetables were simply
prepared,
the flavor popped in his mouth. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meal concluded in silence.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As everyone stood up, Devers jumped up
as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He watched as his 4 dinner
companions left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Devers
looked
around and started gathering up the dishes.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The woman came over and put her hand on his.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“You are our guest, let me do this.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you, but my mother would have my hide if I
didn’t
help out, please let me help.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The woman smiled, “Very well, when you have
gathered the dishes,
go through that door,” she pointed to door in the wall.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hours later, Devers had helped out the woman,
who’s name he
learned was T’par.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her husband
was Jekkos
and they had been running this inn for over 50 years.<span
style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, Devers made it to his room, he laid down
and was
quickly asleep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Reply None)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(Posted by Tim) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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