Lisa was gathering her things ready to leave the briefing when Gloval came up to her and asked her to stay back after everyone else had left. She gave Claudia a shrug and watched as her friend left the room. Sitting back down at the table, Lisa waited patiently as the final person left the room, and the door shut close. She was perplexed as to why Dr. Lang remained but sat waiting for the Admiral to address her.
She watched as the Admiral sat back down at the head of the table. "Commander Hayes, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the plan that Dr. Lang here proposed. As a military woman, I'd like your input as to whether or not this plan has any merit."
Lisa opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. In reality she didn't know what to think. The concept came so out of the blue that she hadn't had any time to digest the information, instead she had been concentrating on trying to finish her report before it was due.
Taking a few moments, Lisa quickly weighed the pros and cons to the idea brought forth by Dr. Lang and replied, "As a military tactician and strategist, I see the value in the plan that Dr. Lang put forth, and agree that we may need to think of ways to increase the population in a short order. As a woman though, I don't know what to say to this plan. It's outrageous to say the least and I wonder at your ability to find any participants."
"Hmmm," responsed Gloval, "can you share some of your thoughts as to why this may not work?"
A bit exasperated by the question, Lisa struggled to answer in a way that she could make the men understand. "Woman have fought a long time for rights and equalities, from the right to vote, the right to make our own decisions about our bodies and the right to serve and fight in the military. This plan reduces us to nothing more than breeders for the next generation! What girl or woman doesn't dream of love and finding the right person to spend the rest of their lives with. You're reducing those hopes and dreams to statistics based on your compatibility testing. Who would agree to that!?"
"Well," said Gloval slowly, "actually Dr. Lang and I thought that you might?"
Lisa looked at the two men in disbelief, "What? Why would you two think that I would be willing to participate in something like this."
It was Dr. Lang that spoke up, "Commander, I know the idea may seem unpalatable to you now, but please hear me out. You are the ideal woman fit for this program, you're the right age, fit and highly intelligent. Also we have background data on both you and your family, including physical and psychological profiles, which has aided us greatly in generating ideal matches for you based on other profiles we have of other RDF members. Not only that, but Gloval and I personally know you as a kind, caring person with a great love for children, even though you hide that persona behind your military facade."
Gloval interjected at this point, "Commander Hayes, I know it may seem strange to you but there are also personal reasons we would like you to take this on." Gloval cleared his throat and said, "Lisa, I've known you for many years and seen what you went through with the death of Lieutenant Riber, since then you have not engaged in any type romance or flirtation that we are aware of. I will admit, I don't know what your relationship is with Lt. Commander Hunter, but have heard enough and seen enough to know that isn't going anywhere fast. "
Taking Lisa's hands in his own, Gloval continued, "I don't know why the men on this base have not seen the beauty and grace that you give us every day. Your dedication to your work is admirable but Lisa, life is more than this. I hate to see you moulder away here, you should have a family, be a mother before you find that the years have slipped away from you. You can wait to find the right man, or take advantage of what we are offering you and have a child of your own. You wouldn't be alone in this, I would treat your child as my grandchild and I know Claudia would be supportive as well."
Dr. Lang added, "I don't think your father would have wanted you to be alone Lisa, we all know what a big heart you have and someone should be the recipient of it. "
Gloval added to Dr. Lang's sentiment and added another comment to push Lisa to agree, "you know that the SDF-2 is nearing completion, while it will be a few years before it takes off for its mission, there is a good chance you will be offered the position of Captain. You may not have the luxury of waiting for Mr. Right to come along, especially in deep space. I want you to weigh the odds of participating in this program and having a child on your own, versus finding the right man. Who knows the candidate you select, well, it may turn into something more."
Lisa didn't know what to say. Dr. Lang handed her a folder and said, "it's a lot to take in right now. Please review some of the profiles that we put together based on an initial analysis. There are no names associated with the profiles, but percentage of compatibility is identified on each page. Please think about it Commander, while the program may benefit humanity in the long run, it doesn't mean that it can't also bring happiness to those participants as well. I hope you will consider participating." With that said Dr. Lang quit the room to return to his research lab.
Gloval seeing Lisa deep in though, left her at the table with the materials that Dr. Lang left her with and gave her a fatherly pat before leaving as well.
As for Lisa, she was stunned and didn't know what to think. At first she was a bit indignant, angry that they would think she couldn't get a man on her own. After calming down a bit, she recognized what they were trying to tell her and in some weird way also trying to help her.
Desperately needing some coffee and advice from her best friend, Lisa took the materials given to her and went in search of Claudia.