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After arranging a berth for the Zhukov, checking in with Starfleet Command and endorsing a nearly endless number of requests for leave, Uhura made arrangements to visit her home and, more importantly, her father. Before the ceremonies for the admission of Betazed, she had some free time and it would be divided between father and Scotty.
Almost three hours later, she was on the way to her family home. She stared through the window of the Starfleet shuttle bus. The ship's transporter could have put her on the front door step of the family farm, but taking the shuttle bus allowed her to unwind and do some thinking. It also afforded her the opportunity to take in the sights of her dear homeland, a chance to get 'reacquainted' with her heritage.
The United African States was a sight for sore eyes. Conceived almost two centuries ago, the new nation wasn't expected to last very long. In fact, the experts gave the fledgling union a year before total collapse. They were wrong, very wrong. The association began as a matter of survival and convenience. A series of devastating droughts during the mid-twenty-first century forced several nations to pool their assets, literally. Drought was followed by famine and, unfortunately, many unnecessary deaths. The early efforts of food distribution and medical assistance, although well intentioned, were ultimately fruitless and nearly disastrous.
It wasn't until several of the old dictatorships and autocratic states collapsed that the people became their own masters of destiny. Then, some of the nations took matters in their own hands. They began to make a difference almost immediately. War and drought made a deadly combination so when the belligerent nations came under a more agreeable form of government, the biggest hurdles had been overcome.
Following the example of the European Union, the farsighted leaders of the African continent began to initiate similar treaties. Eventually all of the nations joined. It had actually been far easier than anyone thought possible.
Swahili became the basic language in the traditional way. Many years before, the traders who had criss-crossed the large continent, established Swahili as an official language of trade. The old language now laid the foundation for a new nation, as well as helped basic communication. Once again it became the language of choice, chiefly due to expediency, but also from tradition.
Slowly, the unified nations began to build a future. Keeping the individual customs of each tribe and region intact, yet binding them all with a common set of goals and ideals, the unified continent went through a phenomenal transformation. Projects ranged from the most basic to the genuinely grandiose. Most spectacular of these was the return of the great Sahara Desert to a vast, fertile farmland. Equally spectacular was the establishment of the Gibraltar Hydroelectric Complex, a joint venture with the European Union. The project took over twelve years to complete and provided power to most of Southern Europe and Northern Africa.
There were many other accomplishments but Uhura's favorite involved the preservation of Africa's diverse and unique wildlife. It had been a long and difficult road to success. Along the way, there were some failures before a solution to the losses was found. Superstitions, beliefs and traditions had to be fought through reeducation and more than a little intimidation. The notion that horns and other parts of the animal could be used as a cure for a variety of illnesses, forced a number animals, like the black rhino, to complete extinction. Eventually, the old ways were changed, but it took a long time and a lot of work.
The shuttle bus now banked over the majestic form of Mount Kilimanjaro, affording a spectacular view by everyone on the port side. Nyota smiled, the pilot was giving the passengers a real treat. Any first-time visitors to her homeland would be pleased with the scenic route they were taking. As an added bonus, they had already been given a great view of Lake Victoria and Mount Kenya, by using a somewhat circuitous route. Uhura didn't mind a bit. She felt relaxed, refreshed and reconnected.
Eventually, the shuttle bus began its decent to the transportation center at Dar es Salaam. An excellent trip, she thought. From the East African Transport Complex, she could finish her trip by renting a standard Terran shuttle.
Only twenty minutes after setting down in Dar es Salaam, she landed her rental craft near her family home. A simple single-storied structure, it reflected the traditional look of homes that had been prominent centuries ago. However, looks were deceiving and this house incorporated all of the latest technologies that were available.
As Nyota stepped out of the flitter, a tall slender man in his mid-fifties ran from the house to meet her. It was Julius Nkomo, the foreman of the farm, but more important, he was her father's best friend.
Smiling broadly and revealing a vast expanse of gleaming white teeth, Julius was waving and shouting, "Nyota, we weren't expecting you!"
Before Uhuru could answer the man, he was giving her a big hug. "Thanks, Julius. How's the farming business these days?"
"Just fine, Nyota. Last year's corn was prize winning, so I've decided to enter the World Competition. I'm sure I can beat the Australians and North Americans." Shyness and lack of confidence were definitely not a problem for dear Julius.
"And father, how is he these days?"
The broad smile and air of confidence disappeared in a flash. "I'm not too sure. Your visit will be welcomed, but I'll let you judge for yourself."
Julius's response caught Uhura off guard. Normally Julius could find the best in any situation. If he had reservations, then her father must not be his old self. "Where is father, can I see him?"
The foreman pointed towards the south section of fields, "Out there; he went out about thirty minutes ago to check on a problem."
With hands on her hips and an eyebrow raised she questioned her friend. "What sort of problem, Julius?"
"Aldebaran leaf rust, Nyota, nothing serious though, it's under control. We had the agricultural agents here last week. They confirmed our assessment and helped with a treatment. Found the source of infection as well."
Nyota wasn't convinced, "Well, if it's under control, then what is father doing in the afternoon sun?"
"You know your father. Nothing happens on this farm without his personal touch. If it wasn't leaf rust, then he would be working on the machinery or supervising the harvesting of the north sections."
Julius was right, of course, but it still caused her some concern. "Is he wearing his comm band?" She already knew the answer, but asked anyway.
Shaking his head slowly, an exasperated Julius responded, "No, he won't tolerate what he calls 'that infernal electronic leash.' He should be back any minute, but I could go look --" he stopped mid-sentence and pointed again towards the field.
Between two rows of corn, a figure was emerging. An elderly man with snow white hair was making his way slowly towards them with the use of a cane. In any other setting, Nyota probably would not have recognized her own father. It had only been a year since she saw him last, yet he appeared to have aged ten times as much.
Uhura gasped audibly with the approach of her father. Julius turned to face her and smiled in understanding. "I'll leave you two alone. If you need me, I'll be supervising the harvesting."
Without acknowledging Julius, Uhura continued staring in disbelief until her father was finally an arms-length away. "Father, how good to see you again. Are you surprised by my visit?"
The old man smiled with genuine affection and pleasure. "Daughter, I am always surprised by your visits, even when they are announced." The sarcasm was belied by the warm smile and outstretched arms.
The two hugged for several minutes before finally 'coming up for air.' Shaaban Uhura studied his daughter's face and recognized the look. "So my advanced age has finally caught up to me at last. Why are you so surprised?"
Letting out a heavy sigh she explained her feelings in the only way she knew how, by masking them with humor. "Father, you look older because you are older but were you using youth drugs before or just coloring your hair?"
Shaaban laughed out loud at the accusation. "No, my daughter, the change is due to an episode of pyrrhoneuritis." Before Nyota could express her concern, he reassured her. "Not to worry, the doctor said it was nothing but it may have accelerated my aging process a bit. So instead of living until one hundred and twenty-five, I'll only make it to one hundred and twenty."
Suddenly he looked tired and Nyota took his arm. "Care for a drink, father?"
"Yes, well water, if you don't mind."
The house had plenty of beverages and of course running water too, but a good well was a matter of tradition and pride going back several hundred years. In those days, a reliable well was the difference between survival and extinction. The water crisis of the mid-twenty-first century reinforced the importance of such an asset. So, even though most of the old wells had been replaced with central water systems, Shaaban still took pride in his well.
The two walked arm-in-arm to the old well. It was constructed of stone and had a traditional thatched roof. Nyota drew a bucket and filled two of the small cups which were always available to visitors, guests and friends. She handed a full cup to her father and then took a long drink from her own cup as well. She had to admit, the well water was much better tasting than the processed and treated variety on her ship or any of the Epsilon stations.
Suddenly, she realized that her father was staring at her and that his smile was gone. "Where is Scotty, daughter?"
She almost lost her last mouthful of water trying to recover from the question, but before she could he continued.
"Since the two of you were married, I've seen little of either of you. And when I see my daughter, she is almost never with her husband. Are you no longer... together?"
Nyota swallowed hard. Difficult questions meant equally difficult answers. "I thought I'd see you first, but Scotty and I are still --" together wasn't the right word "-- married. After I've finished visiting with you, I'm going to see Scotty."
Shaaban Uhura's voice and eyes softened, "We've had so many years together, all of them good. Why don't you go to Scotty and get things straightened out first. Then the two of you can return here for a proper celebration."
Putting a hand on her father's shoulder she looked at him eye-to-eye, "Are you certain?"
He smiled again, "Of course. Julius and I have much to do for the next few days. Corn to get in, machinery to be serviced, seeds to sow --"
She removed her hand from her father's shoulder and held it up to stop the verbal onslaught. "Okay, okay I get the picture. I'll go see Scotty, but first you owe me a traditional dinner and I want you to catch me up on the family news, okay?"
"Done!"
The two put their arms around each other and walked towards the house at a leisurely pace. Nyota listened intently to her father as he relayed all the important and not so important news from the entire extended family.
She found herself smiling and thinking, 'It was good to be home.'
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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