Editing Maraht's Story (section)

== Maraht at home on Janus IV ==

(Janus IV - Mining Colony - Samuel's Quarters - ACSO Lt. Maraht - 1700)

"I had thought, Samuel, that we were going to be destroyed and I would be
nothing more than some rock dust," said Maraht. "But the Great Lava had
other things in store for me. I survived that terrible battle and I am on
leave now. I have come home to visit. I hope to have some long talks with
Venerable Mother. There is much to discuss."

The old man, sitting on the creaking wooden rocking chair, smiled and
chortled. "I know that you came through a lot. We heard only bits and pieces
here. But as long as we kept up the quotas and maintained the workload, the
powers that be saw fit to leave us alone."  The muddy brown eyes twinkled at
Maraht. "You think the Great Lava had anything to do with that?"

"It could be so," answered Maraht. "There are powers at work at which we can
only guess."  The old man cackled and patted Maraht fondly. Muttering and
chuckling, he soon fell asleep, his head nodding.
"How long has he been like this?" asked Maraht softly. "He seems so shrunken
down and wizened." The Venerable Mother stirred, and touching her main
phalange to his, told him that the beginning of illness in Old Samuel had
occurred not long after Maraht had left Janus IV.
The medic, strong and vital with youth, stepped in the door. "He needs to
rest and you should leave now. He had a good visit with you but he tires
easily. It won't be long now. I shall let you know as soon as there are any
changes in his condition."

"Yes, I shall and thank you. I appreciate you taking such good care of him,"
said Maraht. His phalange clasped briefly around the medic's hand and then
he and Venerable Mother rumbled through the door and down the tunnel.

The Mother indicated that she would like to speak with Maraht in the Chamber
of the Ages. Obediently Maraht followed, happy to be in her presence after
being away for so long. Together they meandered through the tunnels
descending level after level, occasionally meeting a miner and other Horta.

(Reply Any)

(Posted by Sheila Mayer)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stardate: 2407.09.02

(Janus IV - Mining Colony - Chamber of the Ages - ACSO Lt. Maraht - 1730)

Touching her phalange to his, the Venerable Mother told Maraht that she
wanted to know all that had happened to him. She wished him to inscribe it
on a new wall in the Chamber of the Ages. Maraht, awed that such an honor be
accorded to him, humbly agreed.

"It will take some time to inscribe. There is a lot to tell. I had better
get started." Maraht respectfully curled up his main phalange. Briefly
touching her phalange to his carapace, she bid him goodbye for now as she
had other children to attend.

Starting at one end of a long stretch of wall in a newly hollowed out
section of the Chamber,  Maraht carefully exuded acid and in graphic relief
carved out the story of his trip to the Starbase, his time at the Academy,
his assignment to the USS Mystique and then the Hades. He described in
detail his part in the battle of Beta Seranis, the death of Captain Saleke,
the rescue of Baylon Trinin, and the terrible fight to rid the Federation of
Doenitz. There was so much he had to tell that he was captivated for hours,
until a beep on his Vox alerted him.

The voice of the medic startled him. "Maraht, there has been a change in
Samuel's condition. You should come at once."

Maraht acknowledged and immediately left. Finding the nearest Horta in the
tunnel outside the Chamber, he told her to fetch Venerable Mother and to
request her to come to Old Samuel's quarters.

(Reply Any)

(Posted by Sheila Mayer)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

(Janus IV - Mining Colony - Samuel's Quarters - ACSO Lt. Maraht - 2300)

Maraht and the Mother arrived at Samuel's quarters. He lay on the bed, not
far from his beloved rocking chair. His breathing had become noisy and he
muttered. The medic was standing at one side of the bed. Maraht moved to the
other.

Extending his main phalange, Maraht tenderly touched Samuel's wrinkled
forehead. The muddy brown eyes opened and he dreamily stared at Maraht. He
whispered, "My heart's not working well...too many strokes. I wish that I
could live longer to see things get better..not gonna happen."

Sadly, Maraht held the wrinkled old callused hand with great affection. "You
inspired me so. I have helped make things better because of you and
Venerable Mother. I will always remember you, Samuel. The great deeds you
have done for the Horta will not be forgotten. They will be carved on the
walls of the Chamber of the Ages."

Samuel smiled a little and then the light went out of his eyes. His raspy
breath struggled and then stopped. The hand Maraht held went limp.

Beloved Old Samuel was gone.

(Reply Any)

(Posted by Sheila Mayer)
[[Category:Character Notes]]