Beginning: A Star Trek Novel (New Frontier Reloaded Book 2)

by ROVER MARIE TOWLE

  "Wet, but good for planting." Kejal replied. "We're going to get dirty."

  "Perfect! It isn't gardening until you're filthy. Oh, Odo, don't look so worried. Dirt won't kill you. Now, let's see if I can get myself down on the ground."

  Kejal tossed the kneeler cushion in front of Mora right before he dropped awkwardly into a kneeling position. Once he got settled, he relaxed.

  "There we go." Mora set his cane aside and rubbed his hands together. "Well, let's get started. Odo? Come on, you don't need shoes out here."

  Grunting, Odo shape shifted his boots away and wiggled his toes. "If you say so." He eased onto his knees next to Kejal.

  "First, mother, learn the tools." Kejal gave Odo the trowel first. After Odo examined it closely, Kejal showed him the small three-pronged cultivator. He explained each tool's purpose while Odo examined them.

  "Hm." Odo nodded, taking it in. "It sounds easy enough."

  "Great! Then let's dig in." Kejal transformed his left hand into a cultivator and pounded it into the mud to break it up. Beside him, Mora did the same. After a moment's hesitation, Odo reached from Kejal's right and mimicked their motions.

  Kejal could tell the soil was ripe for planting by how easily it came apart under his cultivator tines.

  "Ah, the smell of wet dirt." Mora sighed. "Are you going to crush the seed pods into mulch?"

  "Mmhmm."

  "I'm stuck," Odo said. He tugged his arm.

  "Try pulling upwards." Mora replied.

  "I did. I'm stuck."

  "Hold on." Kejal grabbed Odo's wrist with his free hand and yanked.

  Suddenly, Odo's arm came loose from the dirt. He almost toppled backwards. A huge root from a long dead plant clung to the tines of his cultivator.

  Kejal burst out laughing. "Good one!"

  "Ah. That used to be Leruu's Vulcan rose." Mora said fondly. "It stopped blooming after she died."

  Odo shook the root off his cultivator. "I see."

  "I think the dirt is stirred up enough." Kejal morphed his cultivator into a trowel. "Let's start digging."

  Luckily, Odo needed little instruction. Kejal showed him how deep and wide to make the hole. Mora reached for the first spiny basil, lifted it free from its pot and ruffled up its roots.

  Together, all three of them eased the first plant into its new home. Mora's hands felt strong around Kejal's. Their eyes met. They smiled at each other.

  "We'll give Odo a green thumb yet," Mora said with a wink.

  Kejal turned his thumb green and held it up. "Oh, like this?"

  "Heh, heh! Kejal, you're too much!"

  "It looks like rain again." Odo straightened, his hands covered in mud.

  "Rain won't hurt the plants." Kejal gestured to the deka tree. "My old friend here is very good at filtering the rain. Everything should be fine as long as nothing floods." He sat down and felt a wet squish under his backside. "Woops!"

  Odo sneered. "What now?"

  "Uh...I found a mud puddle."

  "Yes, it seems you did."

  Playful moments from his mother were rare. Kejal capitalized on it and wiped his muddy hands on Odo's arm. "Here, I saved some for you."

  "Didn't Doctor Mora say it isn't gardening until someone gets dirty?"

  "Yes..."

  Mud splattered on the side of Kejal's face.

  Odo smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Then we're gardening."

  Kejal looked at Mora. Mora looked at Kejal. They erupted in laughter.

  "Definitely gardening." Mora snickered. He glanced at the sky, squinted and heaved himself onto his knees again. "Come on, help me get these spiny basil plants into the ground before the next wave of rain hits."

  Chapter 6: Bridges and Storms

  The combination of metorapan and takeo herbs saved Mora's sanity. He woke up to minimal pain. Spending hours bent over plants used to mean agony the next day.

  This morning? Nothing he couldn't push through as long as he got his next dose of medication right away.

  Rain fell in sheets against his bedroom window. A lightning flash heralded the reverberating boom of thunder. He was glad everything got planted yesterday. The plants could enjoy their first drink from nature itself.

  "Wow! That was close!" Kejal shouted. He appeared in the bedroom doorway. "Father, did that wake you?"

  Mora shook his head. "I woke up because of the rain." He grunted, sitting up. "Do me a favor...bring me one of those takeo smoothies. It should be in the cooling unit. You just have to fill a drinking glass, break up three leaves and sprinkle them on top. Aleexa left a bag of leaves on the counter, but we'll get the rest from the plant you brought home."

  "Okay. Just a minute, then. Oh!" Kejal ran to the window after another lightning flash. The following thunderclap rattled Mora's bones. "Good one. Be right back!" He disappeared to make up the smoothie.

  Mora dosed himself with the dexalin and metorapan while Kejal was gone. He limped into the bathroom sans cane. No blood in the urine-- Mora considered that a good start. He managed his morning routine of shaving and combing his hair without too much struggle. Kejal returned just as he sat down on his bed again.

  "Ah, thank you." He sipped the thick concoction. A little bitter for his taste, but not enough to complain. "Where is Odo?"

  "Regenerating." Kejal watched the rain fall outside. "He's using that huge vase by the wall."

  "Ah. How long is his regeneration cycle now?"

  "Every fifty two hours for one hour."

  Mora wiped his upper lip. "And yours?"

  Kejal fidgeted. "Sixteen hours, just like mother was. I still can't fall asleep while in my humanoid shape like he can." He squinted. "How does that taste?"

  "It's all right." Mora finished the smoothie. "Amazing how well it works. I should be miserable right now. I haven't felt this good in a long time. It even helps my knee-- I can walk short distances without the cane! Isn't that wonderful?"

  "I'm glad it helps," Kejal replied. He sat on the foot of the bed. "Maybe you'll get better after all. Miracles happen. We could try the herbal route and forget the artificial chemicals."

  Mora sighed, dismayed. Kejal was showing the parts he inherited from Odo.

  "Kejal, there aren't any miracles for me."

  "Did you try everything?" Kejal wrinkled his forehead. "There might be new treatments right now that we haven't found yet."

  "Kejal-- "

  "Aleexa might know someone who can contact someone else and-- "

  "Kejal!" Mora snapped, sitting up straighter. "I understand you're upset. I know you don't want to hear this. I am going to die in two months, and nothing will change that."

  "You can't just give up!"

  "Do you think I didn't try? I lived far longer than my physician predicted. I fought with everything I had, and I squeaked out several extra years. There comes a time when the treatments stop producing results."

  "So you gave up!" Kejal countered. "You just gave up!"

  Mora pulled himself upright and met Kejal face to face. He kept his voice low. "No. I changed my plan."

  The pain in Kejal's eyes almost ended him right there.

  "I'm scared, father..." He whispered. "I can't imagine you not being here. I won't imagine it!"

  Mora grasped Kejal's arms and gave him a slight shake. "You have to face it. Like it or not, that time is coming. You'll see a sunrise and I won't be here. And when that day comes, Kejal, my son...remember this moment. Remember me telling you that you are going to be fine."

  Shaking, Kejal wrapped his arms around Mora's shoulders.

  "I can't imagine that sunrise," he whimpered. "I can't."

  "You can." Mora pressed his fingers against Kejal's clothing, denting the mimicked fabric. "The morning after my death, you will watch the sunrise from the oval window just like we used to. You will see the most beautiful dawn of your life and realize life goes on. I want you to smile for me when that morning comes."

  Kejal hung his head. Or would have, if Mora's shoulder
wasn't in the way.

  "I can't smile when I'm in pain, father."

  "I know you can't now, but you will later. Kejal, I'm going to make you a promise."

  "Oh?"

  "By the time I die, you'll be rejoicing over my freedom." Mora smiled, raising both eyebrows. "I'll certainly feel a lot better once it's all said and done, but I can't go until I know you and Odo are all right."

  "Good, then I'll never be okay with it!" Kejal wriggled free. "If it means you live, then I won't be fine with any of this!"

  The smile slipped off Mora's face. "Kejal! You're being irrational. Think! Think about what you're saying!"

  "I don't have to! Dammit, father, I won't let you die!" Kejal kicked the cushioned chair by the bed and stomped out of the bedroom.

  Mora heard the front door open. Two voices greeted each other, and then a Tarkalean hawk flapped past the bedroom window.

  "Pol!" Aleexa called from the living room. "Are you awake?"

  "Yes!" Mora managed to make his tone congenial. He shrugged off his bedclothes and reached into his closet. "Just a moment. I'm dressing."

  The Talaxian woman respectfully waited outside his bedroom door until he'd pulled on a shirt and pants. An old, wooly vest went over them for extra warmth. He chose dark gray attire like the clouds outside. A fitting color for his mood.

  "Good morning!" He said once he'd made himself decent.

  "Well, well, you're walking so much better." Aleexa rubbed her hands together, smiling. She'd styled her hair into a rope-like braid that swung when she turned her head. "Everything is ordered and will arrive by transport shortly. If there's anything you want off the bed, grab it now."

  "The b-- oh! Of course. Will it come already dressed, or should I keep the sheets?"

  "It has sheets already. I like to let people personalize their beds." She touched the edge of the red and gold comforter. "This quilt is so beautiful...where did you get it?"

  "Thank you. Leruu made it." Mora took the hand-made quilt off the bed and folded it into a neat pile in the corner.

  Aleexa attached a small tracking device to the foot of the bed. A blinking white light signaled its activation.

  "Is everything all right?" She pouted her lower lip out. "You're wearing a frown today, and I know it's not because of your back."

  "Ah." Mora sighed, puffing out his cheeks. "Kejal and I had a little disagreement. One minute, he seems to accept what is happening, and the next he thinks he can prevent the inevitable."

  Aleexa chewed on her bottom lip. "Mm...denial and bargaining. I see that a lot. Ooh, stand back. Here comes the bed."

  Mora moved aside as his bed disappeared in a shimmer and the new one reappeared in its place. It didn't look much different from his original bed, save for being lower to the ground. It had several differently-shaped pillows piled up on top. The headboard and a railing displayed touch screen controls.

  "So many pillows," he mused.

  "They'll help keep you comfortable when you're less mobile. Right now, I'd like to show you the controls. Are you up for that?"

  "Absolutely."

  Aleexa helped him toss the extra pillows aside and spread the quilt over the memory foam mattress. "The controls on the headboard are mostly for me. You have the same ones on the rail here." She pointed to the panel on the right side. "This setting will make the left or right side of the bed wider. Up to three people can lay on it together. Now switch it over to turn the display yellow, and you can raise the head or foot of the bed. The purple setting raises and lowers the entire bed, so feel free to adjust it to where you want. The air icon makes the mattress shift under you. It helps prevent bedsores. Don't worry, you won't feel it moving around. You can also heat or cool the bed if you like, that's the symbol in the lower right corner. And if you get confused, the red circle will take you to a settings menu."

  "Ah. Thank you." Mora reached out and raised the bed to the same level as its predecessor. Then he climbed on and laid back, finding the mattress far more forgiving than his own. "This is much nicer on my back."

  "You'll sleep like a baby."

  "Definitely!" He sat up and ran his hands over the quilt.

  I'm going to die in this bed.

  The sobering thought gave him pause.

  Aleexa whispered into her combadge and Mora heard the familiar whoosh of a transporter beam. She excused herself from his room and returned carrying a large container.

  "Here are the grab poles and bars for the bathroom. Mind showing me where you prefer them again?"

  "Certainly." Mora said.

  Aleexa had him cover the toilet and sit down. The narrow bathroom meant he had a wall in arm's reach in front of him. She positioned the grab bar and attached it with suction. It was made with two large hand grips to prevent slippage.

  "And don't worry about sanitation. The grips have pressure sensors, and they disinfect themselves within ten seconds of you grabbing on and letting go. The poles I'm putting to each side will help you sit when that gets difficult. Just use the little rungs on the sides and walk yourself down with your hands. They're also self-cleaning."

  "Excellent."

  Mora followed Aleexa through setting up grab poles in his shower. He showed her where he stepped out and she set down four non-slip strips.

  Aleexa straightened once she finished. "We don't want you hitting your head and causing a massive brain bleed. It's not a nice way to die."

  "Definitely not." Mora agreed.

  He grabbed his cane as he followed Aleexa into the living room. They arrived just in time to see Odo emerging from his regeneration.

  "Don't watch," Mora reminded Aleexa.

  Aleexa caught on immediately. Without missing a beat, she knelt by Mora's favorite chair and deployed a grab pole.

  "Good morning, Odo," she said brightly.

  Odo did a fine job of not looking perturbed. "Good morning." He glanced out the window. "Quite a storm."

  "It sure is. Oh, Pol, that reminds me-- I left my rain poncho on the floor by the door. I'm sorry about the puddle. I'll make sure it's cleaned up so you don't slip."

  "I'll take care of it," said Odo. He paused to watch the grab pole emerge from its suction cup like a metal tree. "Interesting."

  Aleexa smiled up at him. "This is Talaxian medical technology." She winked one eye shut. "Having two spinal columns means twice the back issues."

  Odo snorted at that. "I remember the brief time I had one. I don't miss it at all." He walked away to take care of the poncho issue. "By the way, Doctor Mora, I heard you and Kejal arguing. Don't worry, he will come back. Kejal always comes back."

  .o

  Kejal always comes back, Odo repeated to himself. He hung Aleexa's wet poncho on a hook that swung out from the wall beside the door. Then he morphed his hand into a towel, cleaned up the rain puddle and wrung it out on the ground outside.

  It wasn't unusual for Kejal to run off when he became upset. Sometimes he broke away from the Great Link to sit on the island and sing. A few found it irritating, but Odo loved hearing Kejal's voice. Like the other Hundred who grew up without the Great Link, Kejal took solace in solitude. He had thoughts he preferred not to share, and he valued his individuality.

  Odo's hands went to his chest. Even after thirty years, it felt too empty when Kejal wasn't around.

  He forms with a combadge. He can reach me if something happens.

  "You look bothered."

  He bristled and faced Aleexa, barely keeping his tone neutral. "Did I? I must have that kind of face."

  She smiled, her eyes pleasant. "I know Kejal is having trouble accepting Pol's illness."

  Odo nodded. No denying it. "He reminds me of myself when I was a lot younger. By the way..." He gestured to the hook where he hung her poncho. "You can hang any rain gear up here."

  "Oh! I didn't know. I'm sorry." Aleexa's cheeks colored. "Anyhow, I'm about to put together some lunch. Pol says you're the one who eats...so you're welcome to share the table with us if you like."

/>   Annoyed, but unwilling to be rude, Odo clasped his hands in front of himself. "I heard Talaxians have a natural gift for preparing food."

  "Mmhmm. I can teach you."

  "I uh...I have no sense of smell or taste." Odo said, suddenly self conscious. "I may evolve them someday, but for now they are beyond me. I hope you don't take offense."

  "Nonsense!" Aleexa gestured towards the kitchen. "You don't need smell or taste to cook as long as your hands and eyeballs work."

  "I'll admit, I find the preparation of food fascinating."

  She giggled. "All the more reason to join in. Come along."

  Doctor Mora looked up from the PADD in his lap. "Careful, Odo," he grinned, "she might domesticate you."

  "Don't be ridiculous. I-- " Odo found himself holding a whisk. " --feel strangely domesticated."

  Aleexa and Doctor Mora barely stifled their laughter.

  "Here." Aleexa sprinkled bits of takeo into a bowl of water and added something orange. "Stir until it's a thick liquid. It takes some work. Careful, it can splash."

  "Wouldn't a mixer be more efficient?"

  "Mixers make it too watery. It's something done better by hand."

  "Ah." Nodding, Odo gripped the whisk and stirred the contents in the silver bowl. She'd been right-- it took effort to get started, but got easier the more he worked at it. "What will this be a broth for?"

  "It's a vegetable soup I came up with." Aleexa said. She began chopping several vegetables he'd never seen before, save for the lettuce. "Everybody I know loves it once they try it, and Pol expressed interest in tasting it." She winked. "I call it the Aleexa Special."

  Odo found a comfortable stirring rhythm. "What does it taste like? I, ah, spent a brief time as a humanoid. I do understand the concept of taste."

  "Oh? Well then, I'd say it's a little on the salty side with a hint of spice. It won't upset a disagreeable stomach. Quite the opposite. The broth by itself is pretty nutritious."

  Doctor Mora used the new grab pole by his chair to help himself stand up. He joined them in the kitchen. "Really now? Then let me in on your secret. No, no, Odo, go ahead and keep working on that."