Fran betas for us. 2browneyes, ceceprincess1217, and Lissa pre-read the one shot, and now Judyblue and Gabby1017 are joining us on this journey through space ;)

BPOV

The following evening, after giving it much thought, I decide to investigate the mating history stored in Tesla's databases. Fortunately, it is all housed here in the library, although not in my area of expertise. Which means I have no choice but to ask for help, and I know just the person.

Angela approaches near the end of my shift. "Hey, Bella. I was wondering if you wanted to go down to the common rooms tonight?"

"Uh." I hesitate. "Well, I was hoping you would grant me entrance into the records sector." At her frown, I hurry to explain, "Something on the information I was entering today confused me and I wanted to check into it further." When she still does not answer, I beg her with my eyes. "Please."

She huffs and I know she is going to give in, but I hold in my smile of relief. "Of course, I will let you in, but I wanted to try and get to know Mike a little better, you know? I am going to mate with him soon and I have never taken the time to really talk to him before."

Hearing her speak this way is a reminder that I need to hurry. It is as if she has already accepted her fate and is intending to settle with Mike tomorrow. "Ang, you have time," I say softly. "The ceremony is not for another six weeks."

Her cheeks tinge pink. "I know, but I do not want to wait to be mated without having more of an idea who he is. I feel it is important to understand a person better prior…" I nod, unable to argue with that logic. Angela shrugs lightly. "I will be spending the rest of my life with him."

A renewed sense of urgency moves through me with her proclamation, so I start leading us back toward the record-keeping room. "Did I tell you that I found my great ancestor's journal?"

Angela, who was walking quietly beside me, stops and grabs my arm. "Yes, Bella, you mentioned it." She peers over my shoulder at the door and then back to me. "But honestly, that is not our reality. She was lucky … if this love is even all it is made out to be."

My shoulders loosen and sag.

Right now, as we are, I will not have Angela on my side.

I need to go into that room and start my study. Hopefully, my suspicions will be confirmed and I can inform Angela, for her sake as well as my own.

Angela waves her wrist over the keypad to unlock the door. I sigh in relief as it pops open, turning to her. "Thank you, Ang. Maybe we can go to the common rooms tomorrow after shift?"

"Sure." She smiles brightly and turns her back to me, almost skipping down the hall.

I inhale deeply in mental preparation as I turn back to the door and enter the room with nervous anticipation. Not knowing exactly where to start, I take a seat at the center table and peer around the room. There are shelves upon shelves of our history in here. Everything from discs to file folders and even hand written notebooks line the wall in neat rows. Any information pertinent to our history is stored in this room.

"Think, Bella, think," I urge myself. If Amelia and Teddy had love then why can we not be allowed the same opportunity? Was that emotion flawed? Surely not, or they would not have permitted them to be together. They would have left one of them to perish, yet they do not afford us that choice.

Looking around, I slowly rise from my seat and make my way to the very last row of stored records. "You have to start somewhere, why not the beginning?" I muse as I draw the first TwiDisc from the shelf. Centering it on the table, the information appears before me.

After what seems like hours, I run across the first Mating Ceremony pairings. Not realizing how important this discovery is, I address JAKE, "Could you transfer this file to my TwiPad, please?"

"Isabella," JAKE says as his hologram flickers to life in the form of an androgynous shape. "You are aware that you do not have permission to be in this sector?"

My jaw gapes at being chastised by my TwiCharacter. "I am aware, but this is important." I cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to show my unwillingness to back down on this matter. "I am waiting."

"Very well," JAKE replies, and the images form a stream that flows directly into my device. When the upload is complete, he asks, "Will that be all, Isabella?"

"Actually," I hedge. "Could you transfer all Mating Ceremony files?"

Without reply, the information streams through the air, although JAKE still appears reluctant about my request. "It is done," he states without inflection.

"Thank you, JAKE. That is all for now," I dismiss him and return to my probing.

Following the same procedure, I scan through each TwiDisc, moving forward in time, specifically focusing on the matches for each ceremony. By the time I have made it to the present, my eyes are burning, so I replace all of the TwiDiscs and pick up my TwiPad to leave the room.

Back in my personal quarters, I am reinvigorated from the walk and decide to look more closely at the files I gathered. I am not sure what I expect to find, but am hoping that something will jump out at me.

Opening the file on my TwiPad, I run my fingers over the screen and move the images into the air to spread before me. Each file is lined beside the other as I sit on my bed. Carefully, I arrange them in order from oldest to most current.

Taking my time, I study each set of pairs, from the original ceremony all the way up to the final file I retained. It is not until I get to seventy years that something peaks my attention. It actually makes my eyes widen and a small gasp escape.

"No," I mutter to myself. I shake my head and blink my eyes. I scan the information with my eyes several times before slouching. "This is not possible. Is it?" I muse.

I jump from my bed and begin pacing.

"There is no way this is happening and someone is not aware," I say to no one. I stop pacing and take a deep breath. I reopen my eyes slowly and call out, "JAKE."

His form appears. "Yes, Isabella."

"Are you positive the records you transferred are not corrupted?" I ask hesitantly.

I think I can almost hear him huff before he answers. "Isabella, are you questioning my accuracy?"

I shake my head, knowing well that he did not make an error. "No, JAKE. I am … I am sorry. You may go."

"Very well." His form begins to disappear, light fading into the background as a new thought occurs to me.

"JAKE, wait!" I exclaim. He reappears immediately.

"Yes, Isabella?"

"I …" I hesitate to answer and then sigh. "I need your help."

There are a few moments of silence. "Anything, Isabella."

.

.

.

Later that week, my family is posed at the small sitting area in my parent's quarters, chattering mindlessly about the days to come when my brother, Samuel, inquiries about The Mating Ceremony. I involuntarily seize up. Samuel is but twelve years old, and just as everyone else, has already accepted his fate. Not only accepted but also embraced it. As he should, I suppose. He was conditioned to place his trust in the mating system.

"Do you know who you are paired with?" he asks.

"Actually," I begin hesitantly. My mother and father throw me questioning glances, neither of them seeming pleased.

"Is this about the journal, Isabella?" my father questions, knowing me too well. He unleashes a sigh and turns to my mother. "I told you she did not need that thing—"

"This is not about the journal," I cut in, slamming my mouth closed as I realize what I have done. My father turns to me, lifting an eyebrow, the displeasure written clearly across his face. "I am sorry, sir. I just meant to explain that I discovered something the other day I think you will find interesting."

My mother's eyebrows knit together. "You have been researching," she concludes after a moment of watching me.

Can she read me like a book?

"Er … yes," I begin, suddenly nervous about sharing this information. They are my family, I have no reason to feel trepid, yet I cannot deny admitting this information. "It is about the mating system. I researched the history."

"How?" my father asks, furrowing his brows. "There are hundreds of them."

"Well, I started with the Commanding Pod." As an explanation, I add, "They are our leaders and it seemed to make sense to begin with those who overrule us." He nods in acceptance, making no move to protest. I lower my voice to a whisper before continuing. "I have found a link in the bloodlines."

"A link?" my mother asks, nearly hissing. "As in, a relation? Possible contamination—"

I nod just as Samuel exclaims, "Gross!" My father's eyes grow wider than saucers. Samuel immediately straightens his posture and quips, "Sorry, sir."

My father turns to me, raising his eyebrows in question. "A link? Where?" Feeling nauseated, I duck my head and whisper the answer. "What?" he asks, louder. "Repeat yourself, Bella."

"The Cullens and the Denalis!" I exclaim and then lift my head, startled at my loud tone. Just because I know the truth does not mean everyone else on Tesla should know as well.

He immediately laughs, shaking his head in disbelief. "Isabella, you cannot possibly believe that is true. The commanders would never make a mistake that big, they are intent on keeping the bloodlines pure. Where did you hear this nonsense anyhow?"

I stop breathing. "Uh … I, um, I … JAKE," I call, averting my attention to the blue hologram.

"Good evening, Isabella," JAKE greets me.

My father sighs. "Not now, J—"

"Allow her to show us, Charles," my mother objects. She turns my way, sending me an encouraging smile. "Go ahead, Isabella. Tell us."

I nod. "JAKE, show them the file I had you retrieve from the classified room the other day, please."

Shock crosses my father's features. "How did you—" He stops short as JAKE illuminates the file through the air for everyone to see. My parents take their time inspecting the information, both seemingly engrossed by the lists of names while Samuel suddenly seems to be rather bored. He asks to be excused, and my father waves him off without taking his eyes from the files.

After what seems like hours, my father finally turns to me, an expression of concern on his face. "Perhaps you were correct, Isabella. Are you certain these records have not been tampered with?"

"The Webbers are in charge of this sector," I explain, maintaining eye contact with him. "After Mating Day, they are sent down here to ensure they are locked away. Do you not trust them?"

He shakes his head. "Of course, I do."

I nod. "That will be all, JAKE."

The hologram closes and my father leans back in his chair, seemingly deep in thought. "I am finding this difficult to believe; how could they make such a big mistake, and within their own pod? They have assured us countless times that they follow an elaborate system. It makes me question their ability to match for us."

I nod in agreement. "It is a cause for concern, Father. We cannot keep the bloodlines pure if we continue to mate within our own pods."

"Yes, I am aware, but that is not supposed to happen for another thousand years."

"Someone made a mistake," Mother mumbles. "You will need to inform them, right away. It will not be good news for Edward Cullen and Tanya Denali. I cannot see this ending well."

I nod in agreeance. "I understand."

.

.

.

I tell Angela the next morning, during breakfast. Her drink nearly shoots from her nose when I explain what I found in the classified files.

"What!" she exclaims. "How could they…"

"It must have been an accident," I explain with a shrug. "I am not sure how they messed up, but we need to tell them before it is too late."

She stares at me for a long moment, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief. "Oh … Bella," she sighs out, slouching her shoulders. "Of course, I will have your back. Uh … is it okay if I tell Mike? I mean, what if there is a link in our bloodline too?" She shudders visibly.

I nod. "Of course. The more people that know, the better."

We tell Mike later on in the evening. His reaction is the one I least expect. I have never seen someone so enraged before as those emotions of passion do not normally apply to us. We have never been given reason for those feelings to be invoked.

It does not take long for the Education Pod to buzz with the news of the link in the bloodlines of those mating this year. During lunch, two days later, Angela and I are approached by my chosen mate, Eric. He is standing shyly off to the side, seemingly awaiting for me to take notice. Not sure of his intent for seeking me out, I pretend to not see him.

The effort is in vain as he clears his throat, leaving me no option but to address him. "Oh, Eric, hello." I give him a minimum smile so as not to encourage.

"Hello, Isabella. I was hoping we may speak?" he asks, motioning to the empty chairs across from Angela and me.

"Sure, have a seat," I say, noticing that Ben Cheney is also with him. "Both of you."

The two boys sit and I cannot help but notice as Ben's eyes trail over to my friend, who is looking anywhere but at him. Eric, on the other hand, is gazing at me with a curious expression.

Deciding to face this conversation head on, I lean forward and address him. "Eric? Did you wish to speak with me about something?"

He shakes his head and responds, "Oh yes, Isabella, I am sorry. I have heard the rumors and am curious as to what they mean. This is a time when we should be bonding, but I hear this news and wonder if we will ever actually be mates."

I sigh. "Eric, I cannot honestly answer that question at this point. Yes, the rumors are true. I have found a link in some of the selected pairs' previous bloodlines," I confirm for him.

"And with ours?" he asks, his eyes intent upon me.

I clear my throat and meet his stare. "No, I have found no link between our families"—he starts to smile, but I hold up my finger, halting him—"but, do you not see how the whole process is outdated? There is simply no way we can continue to be mated within our pods only. It is dire for the future of our race that we correct this issue now, not later."

Ben speaks up unexpectedly. "So there is a chance I may not have to mate with Lauren Mallory?" His eyes spark with hope as he glances to Angela.

"Sadly, I cannot speak for what Captain may decide on this matter, but it is my hope that he will take a long look into our history and do what is best for all of Tesla," I respond sympathetically.

I find it interesting that someone other than me is not positive they have been paired with the proper mate. Although, I have to wonder of Ben's motives as he cannot take his eyes from my friend.

Angela chooses that moment to intervene in the conversation. "I have known of Mike for my entire life so when he was chosen as my mate, I thought it made sense. But now, I have to agree with Bella. The pods should be intermixed to prevent future contamination. No time like the present." She shrugs her shoulders and looks at each of us, finishing with Ben and holding his eye a bit longer, her cheeks darkening.

"But it must not always be within another pod, though, right?" Ben asks hastily.

"No I do not think so," I say and watch as he looks to Angela and smiles triumphantly. Not sure what to make of their curious actions, I direct my attention back to Eric. "I am sorry this leaves us in limbo, but I feel very strongly about this."

"Should we spend time together, get to know each other more, just in case we move forward with the ceremony?" Eric asks.

"I truly am sorry, Eric, but my focus is on this bloodline error. You and Ben may join us for lunch if you like, but that is all of the time I can allot right now," I say apologetically, but my mind still rejects him as my mate.

I do not know who I wish that candidate to be, but Eric Yorkie it is not.

The rest of the week passes with an undertone of rumblings throughout my pod. The mistake is in the forefront of everyone's mind. I almost feel regretful for allowing the news to spread before informing Captain, but I need people on my side.

This way, when the time comes, they will listen.

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Vamp