Editing Shayhiloosh (section)

== Shayhiloosh Rooting Trying to Get Well ==

Mission: Reflections of van Helsing and the Dragon, Day 4 

Mission: Available Light, Day 16 

Stardate: 2407.02.10

(USS Boudicca – Ship Dreamplane – Botanist Ensign Shayhiloosh - 1650)

Drowsing under the quiet beauty of the stars overhead in the majestic sky, Shayhiloosh became aware that the little scruffy creature was cuddled up sleeping on one of hir studier and fortunately uninjured main branches. S/he had too many aches and pains all over, but they had receded and were more bearable. 

The brilliant colorful world of the Arborian Prime Dreamplane contrasted strongly with this dull grey metallic plane, possibly because of the Boudicca's metallic structure and content, and the fact that a single Arborian was here with only this small creature for company. It was possible that more shared perceptions together could create a less barren and vital Dreamplane here, but Shayhiloosh knew no way of doing that unless they began housing more graduates of the Academy that were Arborians. 

Peering with gratitude through hir branches at the little fellow who had shown such bravery, Shayhiloosh noted sadly that hir branches were now bare; s/he would be mute and it would be a day, maybe several, before more leaf bladders could grow large enough to allow hir a voice. But with sustaining so many injuries, hir wasn't sure how long it might take. If s/he could concentrate on only growing a few, that might allow him better assignment of energy to heal the rest of hirself. But hir voice would be softer and more difficult for most humanoids to hear. S/he sighed mentally in resignation to that. 

As long as s/he could communicate, s/he would not feel so alone. Other than hir present companion, the ship Dreamplane seemed bereft and empty, a desolate place, but one that presently afforded Shayhiloosh quiet to recuperate. Again Shayhiloosh missed the hills, meadows, valleys, and lakes of home. But most of all s/he missed hir people. Perhaps they might stop by hir planet for a visit so the elders could meet the crew and understand for themselves more about the conflict the rebels were fighting. It would afford some time for Shayhiloosh to visit with hir people and bask in the Dreamplane of hir planet. 

Shayhiloosh hirself had always understood what the rebels were fighting for; freedom. S/he had begun to fully understand that concept better all the time. S/he felt that freedom to have one's opinions that might differ from the elders, ancient and revered though they might be, should be a freedom for all sentient species across the galaxy, as long as it refrained from hurting or taking advantage of anyone else. Freedom to trade safely, to make internal decisions without interference, and to uphold the individual rights of sentient beings were concepts fundamental to the original foundation of the Federation. Though these concepts were new to Shayhiloosh, they were not difficult to entwine in one's roots. 

Though Shayhiloosh knew that the tradition based culture that hir had been brought up in allowed for great beauty and wisdom, it did not always allow for adaptation to changes. Shayhiloosh knew that survival for hir people and planet would require growth to accommodate new concepts and ideas, instead of being mired in the sticky muck of habit and convention. Just because an idea was new did not mean that it should immediately be discarded. To Shayhiloosh that was the same as flinging away the good soil with the rocks. One might miss out on some extremely tasty part of the soil, just as hir people might miss something that they really would need, to deal with the changing situations of the interplanetary community. 

Shayhiloosh mentally rustled hir branches and stretched out hir roots, and knew that one day on the Dreamplane would not solve all the problems for hir culture. But eventually s/he hoped to realize and dream better choices for the Arborians. S/he settled back to drowsing under the calm and silent stars, hope for the future and hirself settling in hir roots, trunk and limbs. 

(Reply Winston, any)

(Posted by Sheila Mayer)