On a quiet Sunday evening, Chris was sitting in the botanical lab, conducting final experiments with the sprout entrusted to him. Josh or someone else will take care of it after he graduates; old man Shirokawa will figure what's best. Today or tomorrow, he intended to complete and submit his thesis, so he wanted to collect fresher data for the conclusion.
No matter how they persuaded him to postpone, or rather not rush graduation, he stood his ground and, overcoming the fatigue of these two busy months, persistently moved forward. The last leap remained, and he will be able to give his all to the practice in the assistant position, which he obtained with incredible efforts. Chris thought it was right to finish all the study debts, and whatever is right must be done; otherwise, it makes no sense.
The remaining days in hospital beds for him and the other two youths flew by very quickly. In no time, the hated expanders had been taken out; they were given their clothes and sent home, providing them with a couple of dozen instructions and teachings. Each of them was prescribed a gentle regimen in almost everything, from nutrition to physical and mental engagement. Increased activity was strictly prohibited and replaced with physiotherapy exercises, combining stretching and pilates to strengthen the muscle corset. In general, as his colleagues figuratively called these classes aerobics for slugs.
Putting the tablet aside, he straightened his shoulders, and stretched his arms, rotated his head for a bit, flexing stiff muscles. Returning to his original position, he glanced past the glass that separated the laboratory from the empty corridor. The lights were dim there; it was quiet both in the laboratory and on the entire floor. Even though today was a day off, students were not forbidden to come and study; work around the clock. Chris loved to be here when the complex was empty. He could, of course, practice in his room, but then all the charm and atmosphere of the learning environment would be lost.
The band vibrated for an incoming call. Josh wondered if Chris had finished his tasks. The young man replied that he had indeed and would be there in fifteen. Today their crowd planned a night out in the city, and Chris was glad to join in.
Suddenly the laboratory door slid to the side with a soft hiss. Looking up, Chris, not without surprise, saw Erzketau, with a similar startled expression on his face. Shifting his gaze a little, Chris saw another person behind the glass, who most likely was accompanying zirka. It was Madame François. The woman nodded with a smile, and Chris waved his hand to her.
"Good evening, kri," the student greeted politely.
"Chris, hi. What are you... are you studying?" the teacher asked with a trace of unusual uncertainty in his voice.
"As you can see."
"Chris, I think you should rest more. This, of course, is only up to you to decide, but the truth is, you can't put more knowledge inside, than your brain can proceed," the scientific coordinator said seriously still standing in the doorway.
"Um… okay, thanks for your concern."
"You definitely need rest, you're very pale," a rare wide smile lit up the teacher's face. "And besides, I can't remember when did Newman-kri so meekly accepted this very concern, without even bringing a sarcastic response?"
Chris blinked for a couple of seconds.
"Oh, my apologies, kri. I could not even imagine that you would be so offended by the lack of attention on my part!" as if recollecting himself, he blurted out passionately. "I promise to get myself in a proper condition so that I will never make you feel such an inconvenience again."
Zirka laughed softly under his breath and was about to leave when he saw that Madame came up closer, clearly intending to say a few words. He stepped into the laboratory, still amused.
"Chris, how do you do," the doctor went straight to the student, "listen since I met you today, can I ask you to come to my office in about twenty minutes?"
Chris frowned slightly and checked with the watch.
"Just for a couple of minutes," Madame added.
"Sorry, but to be honest, I have to leave already, we are going to... anyway, if this is really for a bit, then I'd prefer to talk now."
"Oh, of course, no problem."
She sat in the chair next to Chris. Erzketau began to wander around the tables and shelves.
"Chris, frankly speaking, I would like to lure you to the medical department," Dr. Marie started the conversation with a slight smile. "I know that you want to study genetics in-depth, but it seems to me that you should at least think about it. You just so fiercely rushed into battle to assist with the surgeries, and to draw on the knowledge that such practice can give, so I thought it might be worth giving a chance to such an option."
Chris sighed without answering, or rather not knowing what to answer. Madame continued:
"I'm not going to pressure you. I won't hide, I have my reasons to invite you under my supervision, which you already know about, but the decision is completely yours. Just give it a proper thought, okay?"
"Of course," he breathed and nodded, "I will think it over. And thank you very much for your trust."
"Oh, knock it off! Everyone here praises you left and right, and he's the first of them," she waved her hand towards Erzketau, who immediately turned around with such an expression on his face as if asking 'Who? Me? When?' "So I'll be grateful to receive such a student. Thank you for listening. We are going now."
Chris nodded again, suppressing a mischievous grin at the transplantology teacher. They left the room, and Chris soon followed. Josh messaged again that he and the others would be waiting for him outside of the building. Throwing his bag over his shoulder, he headed out, preparing to get a piece of rest today before his last sleepless studying night.
***
Meeting Madame in the lab, Chris remembered another conversation between them, which took place a few weeks ago, when he attended the first chat with her as his curator. Such conversations were conducted face to face, on an individual schedule for each mentee once a month. Cordially meeting the young man on the threshold of her office and carrying out a full examination, the doctor sat with him at the coffee table and told the story of her acquaintance with Olivia Newman, his mother.
More than thirty years ago, Madame Marie was one of those selected for the experiment, and she met Olivia at the research center. The woman was already in her second month of pregnancy. Later they met again when Madame began attending special briefings, and Olivia had regular checkups. Over time, the young women began to draw closer and, having many common interests, became very good friends. However, one factor set them apart.
The François couple has long wanted a child. Madame went through all the preparatory stages several years ago, intending to participate in the experiment. That summer, she and her husband came to the center for an IVF, as Madame could not get pregnant naturally. Chris's parents had conflicting opinions on this matter. Mom was the initiator; she participated from the very beginning of the experiment and was extremely determined. The father opposed this idea but reluctantly succumbed to persuasion, seeing the seriousness of Olivia. Nevertheless, even having agreed and conceived Chris together, his father continued to stand his ground and tried to dissuade his wife from continuing with the experiment. The couple often quarreled and several times got to the point that Olivia packed her suitcase and went to live with friends, in particular the François family.
Madame's planned procedure took place, but with an unsuccessful outcome. Several more attempts were made, but after three months, she could not bear a child still, even having tried all the latest developments and technologies in this industry. She and her spouse had just one option – to embrace the inevitable, and think of what to devote their lives to, dealing with what was available. Marie continued as best she could to support her friend Olivia.
For Olivia, this was far more than the young woman expected. She grew up without parents, always achieving everything alone. Having met her spouse, she found great support in him exactly until she made the very, in her opinion, extremely important decision. Then she almost gave in to despair, and maybe she would have if she had not met Marie, who in a short time became the dearest person for her.
Adversity still did not let go of her, and life turned into a real hell in the last months of her pregnancy. At first, an accident tool her husband's life. A stupid accident happened while he was engaged in thinning forests with his brigade. In an instant, she lost the one with whom she wanted to spend her whole life, whom she loved, and from whom she expected a child. As if this wasn't enough, less than two weeks after the funeral, the research center announced to the subjects about the error found in the experiment and the potential problem that it caused.
"I remember those days and weeks of inexplicable confusion. A hellish mess was going on here back then." Madame said in a deadly tone. "A lot of people refused to continue, but, of course, it was acceptable only for those who were at early stages. Those who have not yet conceived were rethinking the whole thing. Initially, the lists of applicants contained tens of thousands of women, and only the sixth part of them decided to continue," she said with a heavy sigh. "Your mother and everyone who came after, everyone who..." even after taking a few deep breaths, the doctor did not find the strength to say what she intended, "they knew that they would not survive, and they put everything on the line – in the truest meaning of the word."
Chris just sat there quietly, wanting to hear what no one had told him until today in such detail and openly, but at the same time not wanting to plunge back into the tragic past.
"Olivia didn't flick an eyebrow when found out," Madame smiled bitterly, "no matter how much we tried to come up with a way so that she could get away with the postpartum, or avoid one. She kept saying that this is fate, that it's her karma, and that the main thing is that the born boys are healthy and have the chance to grow up. She tirelessly repeated how she loved you, and would never trade the opportunity to give you life for a calm childless future.
She raised her eyes to him, which seemed to be filled to the brim with the sorrow of the whole world.
"Chris, I'm so sorry! I would trade anything to keep her alive! I was ready to give my life instead of hers, if not for this mysterious motherfucking glitch in my reproductive system! I wish I could, Chris, you understand!? Not because I wanted children, but only to save her, I would give everything, I would die a hundred times... I'm so sorry... so…" her speech became confused; wanting to say everything at once, she just stumbled and, hiding her face in her palms, gave vent to tears, no longer having the strength to keep the experiences that tormented her all these years. Bitter sobs, hearing which, all the insides got twisted into a cold knot, shook her body.
Chris didn't know his mother. He was brought up not trying to instill the love for the memory of Olivia Newman, but at the same time not denigrating her in any way. No one talked about his parents in his grandparents' house. However, seeing how an almost unknown person suffered from her death was unbearable. After all, so many years have passed, but the pain of loss still did not let go of Madame, and he did not know whether he felt better from this new knowledge about the woman who gave her life, and gave it voluntarily. He closed his eyes forcibly, cutting off at least one of the organs for absorbing sensory information in the hope of lowering the raging feelings, but the blackness before the inner gaze has transformed into another picture: a human cub, swimming in a whirlwind of air bubbles, and a gentle voice calling him from somewhere distant.
The corners of his lips twitched. No, he'd better not know, not listen. It's too late for that. He opened his eyes, blinked, and exhaled forcefully, swallowing off the tension in his throat. That's all right; he can live with that too.
He fished a tissue out of his bag and gently touched Madame's shoulder.
"Lord, what a mess; I bet this is not the show you've expected!" complained Madame dabbing her eyes. "Please forgive this old lady, Chris. I wanted just to gossip around, and see what happened instead." She patted his knee, looking up with an apologetic smile.
"Don't worry. It's okay," the young man lied.
"You resemble her so damn much," the doctor said without taking her pensive gaze away from him, but immediately switched the subject. "Have you been in contact with your folks recently?"
Chris hesitated, considering, "Not after I came here to study."
"Hmm," the doctor mused, "who would've thought then, that his parents would take custody. They never were too fond about their son, not to mention their daughter-in-law!" she laughed, shaking her head, finally calming down. "I, too, immediately announced that I wanted to adopt you, but the research center was obliged to ask all blood relatives first."
Chris said nothing to this. To be honest, he did not know why his father's parents went for it. It was weird. Although he never once felt unloved or oppressed, these people are clearly not ones of those who were ready to give love to their grandchildren. They practically did not talk to him while he was growing up in their house, only monitored him so that he studied diligently, and did not violate discipline.
Before rushed goodbyes, Dr. François gave him access to the base of her developments and educational materials, which he would need in the new semester, in a new position at the seventh building, and might need if he decided to study Zirkaazte anatomy and medicine. The impression was that Madame intended to give him everything now, that she couldn't give back then when she was not the one to become his guardian.
Be that as it may, the information she provided will definitely be of use to him, so he sincerely thanked her and went home. In theory, nothing prevented him from achieving results in both: genetics and medicine, so all that remained was to decide on the order.
***
Byron's Bay lured with lights and soft music that was heard literally from everywhere. The buildings were full of signs, ads for discounts, themed evenings, new dishes, and other things that could attract the eye of a casual passer-by and tempt them to enter a particular establishment. The global plan was simple – to have a good dinner, and then, possibly, supper. For this, the students chose a rather quiet, but very popular grill bar, serving according to the "all you can eat" plan. They ordered vegetables and seafood, sat at a table with a hob in the middle, and, waiting for hot food, began to share the news excitedly. It turned out that in their company only Chris and Sandro had already undergone the implantations, while others were waiting for their turn. Chris, being a non-talkative person, only answered direct questions about his post-surgical health, noticeable or imperceptible changes, but did not expand on this topic. The curly one, on the other hand, willingly poured all his adventures in the hospital ward and the fullest details of his recovery.
"What I like the most is that I am always ready for the smexy stuff! This trick with hydration is just soul-warming, I swear! Especially for his soul."
Ivan, sitting next to him, tightened his grip around the young man's waist, and pecked his cheek.
"Yes. I don't know how it will develop further, will the ovum awaken whether the embryos will embed, but even if the uterus can beat the dryness, it was worth it."
"Sandro, you're such a Sandro," Josh chuckled, watching as the aforementioned glued his lips to Ivan's, and both of them completely forgetting where they are and why they gathered. "Guys, I understand that it's great when you are always ready, but let's eat first!
"Get lost," muttered the Sandro, interrupting for a short time, "we need to make up in advance; no shagging after fertilization, you know."
"So you've decided on everything?" asked someone from the crowd. "Don't you think it's too soon?"
"Ivan, you don't mind?" others picked up the interrogation baton.
The guys forcibly distanced themselves from each other to take a breath. Sandro looked intently into his partner's eyes for a while, as if asking for approval or something, and then answered:
"I've decided the moment when I was born. Even without really understanding, but I always knew that one day, I would have myself a whole brood of kiddos. Though later, I kind of figured that if I actually decide to, then I will have to deliver them all myself, ha-ha! All the same, we still need to wait for a full recovery, then another bunch of tests, selection of compatible material...," he could not resist and cast a sneaky glance at Ivan, "probably, they will pick it up without my consent and concern, no matter how much I would like to conceive with whomever I want, but pilot fertilizations will require exceptional control and confidence in every sperm drop involved." He sighed mournfully a few times and continued, "As for Ivan, he understands everything. It's not like I want to tie him to me with a child or something. After all, we grew up for this, for the sake of the opportunity for the human race to continue its life on Earth. I will do it for a common cause and myself. If the baby has a second dad, that's great, the more the merrier. If fate decides otherwise, then I think that I can do just fine on my own."
"No," Ivan moved closer to him again and seized his hand under the table, then looked sullenly at him, as if expressing dissatisfaction with such speeches, "we have already agreed on everything, you should not go through everything by yourself."
Sandro only smiled gently and kissed the guy on the cheek.
"Well, what about you, Chris?" The voice close to him pulled Chris out of his reverie. He turned his head to the left to see Connie next to him wielding the tongs with great inspiration; he put shrimps on the grill and looked at the young man with genuine interest.
"I don't plan to move on yet," Newman replied simply, as he always answered similar questions.
"Really?" Connie looked surprised, turning his face to the vegetables, ready to grill them. "I was sure that, despite the seeming indifference, you want to become a daddy."
"Well, you just had a unique opportunity that my indifference is not so seeming."
"Hey, brat, don't you bully our quiet fella!" Sandro suddenly interjected in a calm but firm voice. Connie was a couple of years younger, although he studied in their group. "He just needs more confidence in a partner than the average person, before thinking about something so serious."
"And rightly so, by the way," Josh barged in, frowning.
"Hey guys, chillax, you think I'm that dumb or what? I understand, really. You think I'm pestering him just for laugh? You're so scary. Chris, I'm not trying to be a prick." Connie stammered.
"Actually, that's what I understood. I haven't got the foggiest why these two got so tensed," Chris shrugged and happily stuffed an octopus limb into his mouth.
And yet, Connie's question had been ripping open Chris's brain more than once or twice lately, forcing him to go to bed with a sore head, without coming to any conscious decision. He agreed to the implementation surgery, got a place in the team to work with the subjects. Thus, he presented himself as one of the observed, so to speak, a point on the data graphs. But is it right that he decided to stop there? How much will his theoretical contribution give if humanity will not be able to steadily increase its number? Will they be able to conceive at all with these super-sophisticated uteruses, the development of which took so much time and an immense amount of funding? Will they be able to awaken at least one ovum at will, as everyone is expecting them to? And if, nevertheless, yes, then wouldn't it be egoistic on his part to sit out in the laboratory, while his generation, without being tormented by doubts or morals or other crap, will step into the proud parenthood which they've dreamed of for so long?
Even now, the same thoughts filled his mind as he did his best to enjoy his meal. Find a partner he can trust enough to have kids with? That's for sure the highest top of hypocrisy. With his requests, he wouldn't live to see that moment! Rather, his body and genetic material will grow old, and there will be no chance of having offspring. Blondie, who was so frivolous in his heart, nevertheless set priorities as clearly as possible: the child is a must, and the partner is secondary. It's so stupid, having the opportunity, not to make use of it. Moreover, this is not only and not so much in personal interests! It was worth giving this idea a proper thought. After all, they all live in drastically different conditions compared to those on Earth before the evacuation. Everything will be under constant supervision. If something goes wrong, they will terminate the pregnancy at any cost. However, if they all did it right, successful carrying and delivery would be considered the highest points of the effectiveness of the experiment. Children will receive unimaginable care. Sure, under the constant scanning too, but... This is the future, the real future of the Earth. We will not die out, we will prosper. Even if not immediately, demographics will stabilize. Still, the M-generation is the apogee of the selection. The selection of test women was then approached with special care, having studied their entire genetic lineage. What the Zirkaazte race had in mind, required a lot of effort, financial and other expenses, and there was no room for error in the preparation or any other stage. There was a huge risk of dooming all children born under the experiment, as well as all subsequent generations if carriers of genetic diseases that can manifest themselves in males took part in the project through an oversight. The Atlantic Biosphere has worked day and night to improve the efficiency of identifying and replacing defective genes on the Y-chromosome. Moreover, they continue to develop in this area to control and respond if the mutation occurs after birth, so as not to give a chance for the onset and progression of XR-diseases.
Having eaten to the full and having discussed the entire range of sensations that Sandro now experienced during orgasms, the students slowly moved home. You could always take a shuttle to the research center, but the youths decided to enjoy a calm night stroll. The August air was saturated with moisture and sweet flower fragrances. As soon as they left the busy blocks city, the night enveloped them in warmth and summer, which should soon recede slightly, giving way to an equally humid, but no longer so exhaustively sultry autumn.
Along the way, they came across locals hurrying home, as well as acquaintances from the center, passing their group on foot or gravi-boards. Josh fell a little behind, adjusting his pace to walk next to Chris. Chris had the feeling that a friend wanted to ask or share something but did not dare.
"So... how is your thesis?"
"Almost done, I was hoping to submit it tomorrow, but I feel like I need to rest today." Chris chuckled as if he remembered something funny. "They say I look gaunt and can scare away the zombies."
"Whoever it is, they're telling the truth!" Josh nudged him and giggled loudly, then added more quietly, "You've taken a little too much on yourself this year."
"Yeah. Well, this is my motivation – to quickly deal with all the distractions and start the main dish."
"How do you feel?"
Ha, this is the big question, Chris thought.
"Why? Have cold feet before your shot?" He asked back.
"What do you think?" Josh growled and shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.
"I feel fine. Without any changes. As if, nothing had happened at all. Now all that remains is to wait and observe."
This was true for the moment. The implanted modules were in anabiosis and from the moment they were introduced into the bodies of the young men did not tell any activity in any way. On this, there were different thoughts and predictions. Some said that everything would immediately become bad, the subjects would undergo uncontrolled surges of hormones, which would lead to a complete breakdown of the neurohumoral system, severe disruptions in the work of the heart, kidneys, and virtually all internal organs, and endanger the lives of the subjects. Nevertheless, the representatives of the extraterrestrial race nevertheless expressed convincing confidence that the subjects' bodies would be able to adapt to the modules, as well as "customize" the modules as suit them best. However, both the former and the latter did not dare to place bets on how long it would take to develop a particular scenario.
This is how the summer of 854 came to an end. And just as Chris said, there were no changes for two more years.
The most diligent student successfully graduated on conifers six months earlier than his comrades, and hit hard on the textbooks of the next year of study. The surgeries were successful; Chris made a great fit into the seventh building team. The scientific coordinators did not break up the hierarchy system and assigned him the duties of a junior assistant, although they warned the other assistants to keep an eye on him and prompt him. Chris even got the responsibility to observe a couple of people, whose data he must regularly analyze. It was difficult at first, as the human data is so different from what he dealt with in the last year of study, and it took a while to switch.
There was no time to worry about other things, so he tried not to. All the earthlings again froze in a state of expectation, just like then, nine centuries ago. They again had no control over what was happening and did not know how to rush things and whether there was a place for hope.
------------
IVF – In Vitro Fertilization
XR-diseases – diseases in which the mutation affects a recessive gene linked to the X-chromosome
---
My dearest readers!
With all my love and gratitude, I want to announce that we have finally reached the first checkpoint in this Earth epic, and today I am finishing the first arc of the story. Hor-r-ray!
To make it clear, what kind of adventure you got involved in, I'll roughly say that two more arcs are planned.
And I want to throw a poll for the winter holidays :P So, in addition to the main storyline, I've also developed a global scale intrigue. Which one do you think it is:
A / Alien Enemy Spies
B / Zirks were human in the past
C / This is not the first time the Earth 'died'
Answers, as well as other ideas and guesses, write in comments (it's free of charge, you know ;)
Thanx for reading my stuff <3
You can also read the Earth9AR on my P-atreon, Tapas, FlowFo, and AO3.
https:// pat reon.com/bakenekomadara (the system doesn't like this link, please remove the spaces to make it work)
http://flowfo.me/profile/BakeNekoMadara
http://tapas.io/BakeNekoMadara
http://archiveofourown.org/users/BakeNekoMadara/works