Team QueSt: The Next Generation

Star QueSt Part 2

	While the previous six months proved to be very fast paced and
productive for Quest Enterprises, things were just the opposite in
Bangalore.  Rajan and Benny were living it up with their sisters, under
the watchful eyes of Hasrani and Sharad.  Hasrani had discussed things
with Hadji, and both felt that Sharad had learned the in's and out's of
administration well.  With this in mind, Sharad took over, which left
Hasrani to her first love-- tending the children.  She felt her kindly
hand would best be util ized with them, while Sharad's firmer, no
non-sense approach was best utilized in affairs of state. 
	Hasrani was amazed at how fast the children were growing, and as
each day paassed, wondering where they would end up-- staying in
Bangalore, or in some underground pressurized environment.  The prospect
of the children growing up on the moon did not set well with Hasrani, as
she felt it was no place for kids.  But, she was not their mother, and
felt it best for her to keep her thoughts to herself.  As she watched them
bouncing around the palace courtyard, she noticed how they didn't have a
care in the wo rld, and they gave no thought to going to the moon.  In
fact, they gave no thought to their parents at all-- and it was this that
disturbed Hasrani the most. 
	Each week, Hadji called to check in, and each week, he, Miana,
Jessie, and Jonny shed tears as their children grew up without them.  And
with each passing week, the kids came to wonder who these crying adults
were-- and Hasrani kept having to explain.  R achel and Neela Lou started
calling Hasrani "mom", and Hasrani never had the gumption to tell the
QueSt team this said little fact.  She just couldn't bring herself to do
it. 
	The boys were in private tutoring, and went on many exotic
adventures.  Their lessons took them all over Southern Asia, a fact which
made Benton proud.  His grandson was becoming more and more like his young
Jonny everyday.  Benton also kept in touch on a weekly basis, as did Race. 
Things were quiet on the main compound, with Moniri being their only
company.  Mrs. Evans passed away in recent months, and although Moniri
hated being away from Bobby, family loyalty was very important to her-- as
the Quests
 and the Singhs were now the only family she had.  Moniri cheerfully
maintained the house, anxiously awaiting the day when everyone would be
together again-- and she could resume her role as tutor to the children. 
Part of her felt bad that she could not be involved in the exotic
adventures the boys were constantly having. 
	However, no one was showing the effects worse than Benton.  He had
great pride in his family's accomplishments, but with half his family in
the complex, and the other half in India, the strain of it all was having
bad effects on his health.  He had been in and out of the hospital several
times, but he insisted that the family not be told.  Their work was too
important to be interrupted by their worrying about him and his health. 
Race had the deepest respect for his selfless friend, and felt he would be
lost if anything ever happened to him.  The two of them had a bond that
ran even deeper than Jonny and Hadji's, although it was never evident to
anyone other than themselves.  The two of them loved one another way
beyond the realms of friendship-- even br otherhood.  The years together
formed that sort of bond that had no name.  The kind, that if not already
there, would form between Hadji and Jonny, and Jessie and Miana.  The
words "best friend" just didn't fit anymore.  And as each day went by,
Race watc hed a little more of Benton slip away, and with it, a little
more of his heart. 
	"This damn project!" his heart cried.  "It's tearing apart our
family, and killing my-- ... --my friend!" 

**********************************************************************

	It was late at "night" in the complex, and Hadji was restless. 
Miana turned over, only to find Hadji's side of the bed empty.  She
climbed out of bed, knowing exactly where to find him.  She went up to the
attic of the main complex house where they stay ed, and sure enough, he
was there.  His back was to her as he sat in lotus position, meditating by
candlelight.  He was not wearing his turban (a rarity), and his hair was
down (an even bigger rarity), and he was clad only in his loincloth. Miana
found th e sight arousing, but knew that he was disturbed.  She stood in
the doorway, breathless and silent, but Hadji felt her presence.  His eyes
snapped open. 
	"Come in, love." he said, his back still to her. 
	Miana came in and sat down across from him.  He looked deep into
her eyes as he regarded her. 
	"Hadji, what's wrong?" 
	"Have you spoken with Jessie?" 
	"Yes.  Have you?" 
	"Not for many days.  She has been avoiding everyone-- even Jonny. 
I sense something is dreadfully wrong.  Even though I have not spoken with
her, I feel it." 
	"You're right.  I was up in her office the other day.  Her having
no involvement with the project other than the business end is really
getting her down.  She is also bothered at the concept of going to the
moon, and what to do about the children." 
	"That has been my concern as well.  A developing moon station is
no place for children, yet we have obligations to ours." 
	"So what do we do about these problems?" 
	"Jessie must solve her problems within herself-- all we can do is
be there for her.  As for the children, that is a problem the four of us
share.  And for now, the solution eludes me." 
	With that, Hadji blew out the candle, with the intention to leave
his problems in the same state as Miana and himself-- in the dark. 

*************************************************************************

	Behind the doors of Jonny and Jessie Quest's room was a whole set
of circumstances that absolutely no one but them knew about-- a set of
problems that threatened their very marriage. 
	"Jessie, it's not worth it!  It is not worth missing the lives of
our children!" 
	"Jonny, don't you think I know that?  But we have an obligation to
society--" 
	"FU--" 
	"Jonny!" 
	"SCREW SOCIETY!!! WHAT HAS SOCIETY EVER DONE FOR US?!?" 
	"Jonny!  I am shocked to hear you even think of such nonsense! 
What would your father say--" 
	"Leave my father our of this!" 
	"It only bothers you because you know it's true.  Since when did
you become such an anarchist?" 
	"Now you listen here!  All of our lives, we have given, and given,
and given!  Each time with no thanks, and no appreciation.  Granted, none
was expected, but half the time we didn't even get the basic courtesy and
respect due us.  Many of our sacrifices
 have nearly cost us our lives countless times!  I have had no problem
with my life-- it goes along with the job.  But I draw the line when it
comes to my children!" 
	"I agree--" 
	"Do you?  If you did, then you and the Singhs would have no doubt
in your minds as to what to do.  But no-- they are buried in this thing,
and you are waffling like crazy!  Well, I have one thing to say to you,
and I'm going to quote your father on this one-- either shit or get off
the pot!" 
	Jonny stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him,
leaving Jessie in tears. 

**********************************************************************************

	Even though Bobby Channing didn't have scientific background, he
was a very important member of the QueSt team.  Even though there was no
"police" department, Bobby was head of security which doubled as such. 
Even when there was no real need, the instit ution still had to be there
in case the need arose.  Each day he, along with his sizable "police
force", scattered and made their rounds through the complex.  The work was
easy, and they often found themselves giving aid to the families of the
scientists and laborers.  And each night, he returned to his room--
finding only a picture of Moniri, and his longing to be with her.  He saw
very little of the family, and although his relationship to them at this
early stage was still strictly professional, he sti ll missed them to some
degree.  He talked to Moniri as often as he could, but it just wasn't the
same.  He wanted her with him-- he wanted things back to normal.  There
were times when he wished that he could take Moniri away from it all-- and
the two of them run away together entirely.