Technology

               “Whatever you’re cooking is calling me,” he said to Riaan. She smiled.

               “Kellam has been writing about the three of you and your unique status at Reactor Two. I’d love to hear about it.”

               “I don’t know what makes us so special.”

               “Come on, now, Jon, you’re the smartest man there outside of the men who built the place! You’ll be in charge of the whole compound before you’ve seen an annual. And you two,” he nodded at Samuels and Laskin. “I’m friends with Brooer. She tells me you’re incredibly advanced for someone your age.”

               “You’re working with Brooer?” Riaan asked. “We worked together, too,” she said to Laskin. “I used to work at Reactor Two, but it wasn’t for me. Too much, too soon.” She handed the last cup of tea to Jon and perched on the edge of the chair near Kellam. “Besides, one in our family is all that needs to work at that place.”

               “Riaan doesn’t feel it is a safe place to be, despite my assurances to the contrary,” Kellam explained. “She’s certain,” he said with a wry smile, “that the University is not the source of the technology for the Reactor.”

               “Please, Kellam, don’t embarrass me,” she said with a minimum of emphasis.

               “My fair maiden tells me the technology could be from outside our world.”

               “I think it’s time we all have something to eat,” she said with a chuckle.

               “My mama has a big imagination. She should write stories for the library shelves,” he kidded with her, and making a fist he bumped her in the arm. The three Kellams led the way to the dining area. Behind them, the Starfleet crew glanced back and forth with each other.

               Conversation was light during the meal. Talking while dining was not a custom on Akal, and Archer was grateful for that. Kellam brought the final course, a tradition for whoever brought guests into the home.

               “Konji cheese, currants, and honey ale, a special homemade brew,” he announced proudly. Barrigaan took plates from the table back to the kitchen room. “Did you grow foods at home before you came to work with us, Jons?” Archer was sure he should say no to that before he dug himself into an even bigger hole.

               “Have we met?” Riaan suddenly asked Archer. “I know we’ve met somewhere.” She looked directly at him as she had before, not breaking off her gaze.

               “Perhaps at the markets?” Kellam suggested.

               “I don’t think so,” Archer replied, hoping to throw doubt on the conversation ember of aliens and close encounters.  “Riaan, you said you worked at Reactor Two. What did you do?”

               “I was in the infirmary with Brooer. That’s why I wish Kellam would come back to the country and stop working there. I’ve just never been comfortable with this new technology. I don’t trust it.”

               An awkward silence fell upon the group.

               “Kellam, let’s take a little walk,” Archer said decisively, standing up and touching the big man on his shoulder. “I like some night air after a great meal. You kids enjoy your desert,” he told Samuels and Laskin, which sounded like an order from their superior officer, not their father.

               Archer walked slowly alongside Kellam in their gardens. He wanted to say something, but he wasn’t quite sure what. All he really knew was what he should not say to Kellam. They walked in silence, listening to what must have been an owl and a couple of frogs.  He looked up at the sky, wondering if he could spot his own sun in the sky, but all he saw were unfamiliar constellations and on the horizon, and an imperceptibly different view of the Milky Way.

               “Jon, don’t let Riaan’s view of Reactor Two dissuade you from working there.”

               “Splitting atoms is inherently dangerous. She’s right.”

               “We need this energy if we’re ever going to connect the world. Our people are coming out of the age of ignorance. Look at yourself, you read, you understand.”

               “It seems like it’s been a big step. I’d hate to see us go off a cliff for nothing. There are other ways to make electricity.”  Silence again. Clouds began to creep in to occlude the stars. The owl cried again.

               “Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret.”  They stopped walking. Archer put his hands in the pockets of his cloak and turned to listen carefully to his friend. Kellam had never looked so serious. “She probably would slap me if she knew I told anyone, but Riaan’s lost two babies since the reactor was built. She’s convinced herself it’s the reactor. But the job pays double the gold of anyplace else, so I stay.”

               “I…I’m so sorry to hear that, Kellam.” Archer put an arm around the man’s shoulders briefly.

               “She told me last work break that she’s going to have a baby in the new annual after the sun returns for growing season.” Kellam grinned and made the fist, but simply tapped Archer and started walking again. That explained the constant smile all week on Kellam’s face.

               “Well that I’m happy to hear,” Archer said.

               “I haven’t told anyone else, if you don’t mind keeping it under your cloak.”

               “Of course.” Archer began to drift in his thoughts while the clouds covered the stars, and felt a little foolish for his adolescent behavior. For months he’d kept Riaan in his thoughts since he minute he’d heard from the Vulcans.  Here he was standing with Riaan’s husband. Riaan had a son with him and now another on the way. What had he been thinking all this time?

               “Looks like we ought to go inside,” Kellam suggested as a gentle rain started to fall. “You just stay here with us tonight, there’s no konji carts out at this time of night.”

               “We couldn’t impose.”

               “You’re walking home? Do your kids know this?”

               “All right, Kellam, you got us.”