Young sat down heavily on the cold metal chair at the head of the conference table feeling absurdly self-aware about his growing belly under the inquisitive gazes of his crew. For heaven's sake man, it's only been three week! he told himself sternly, the baby is probably only about the size of a grape right now. He added fetal growth rate to the growing list of topics he needed to discuss with TJ.
"Okay, Camille" he began, "We're all here" he glanced over the assembled group which included TJ, Rush and his science team, which now included Chloe, Camille to represent the rest of the civilians, and Scott and Greer to keep the peace, should it prove necessary. "Go ahead and tell us what you have to tell us."
"You might not believe this Colonel," Wray said, "but you and Dr. Volker are not the only people affected by these …unforeseen circumstances."
Young sifted uncomfortably in his chair and he could tell that Volker was also feeling uncomfortable in his skin today.
"Don't look so shocked, Colonel" Wray said, "As big as this ship is, the crew is rather small and news travels fast."
"I'll have to look into that" Young said wryly.
"It would've come out eventually, no matter how few people you let into your circle of trust" Wray said, "But that is beside the point."
"Please, Camille. Just get to the point then" Young said wearily.
"The point is, this situation has given us a new tool in our survival kit" Wray said, in her best diplomat voice, "If we truly mean to see this mission out, to live out our lives here on this ship instead of just packing up and going home at the nearest opportunity…"
"I've told you" Young said, "that we are still looking for a safe way home for anyone who wants to leave. Cross universe travel is a remarkably tricky proposition" he said, "or so Rush tells me anyway" he added, looking pointedly at the equally tricky scientist in question.
"I understand that" Wray said, "My point is, we're HERE now and as long as we're planning on making this mission such a huge part of our lives, then I think it's time we considered the future."
"The future?" Young voiced the question she was expecting, though he was sure considering the relatively high IQ levels in the room, most already knew exactly what Camille Wray was driving at.
"We need to begin the process of populating this ship" Wray said, "If we expect to keep to the mission and in the event that we never find a way home, then we will ALL need replacements at some point and what better way to accomplice that goal then to use this new machine to help us meet that goal."
"Why use a machine?" Scott ventured, "I mean, the good old-fashioned way still works for me."
Eli rolled his eyes.
"Because" Wray answered him, "Our genetic pool on this ship is incredibly small, there are not even eighty of us left now and I'm sure you've all noticed that men make up well over half the crew. The numbers just don't add up, Eli."
"So you're proposing we what?" Young asked, "Use the machine on the extra men who can't find or" he glanced at Rush, "don't want partners and get them pregnant as a way to further firm up our future crew rosters?"
"That's one possibility" Wray said, "But I was thinking of taking a more scientific approach to the problem. Use our limited resources to their fullest potential by making sure that every child born on this ship is as genetically diverse as we can manage."
"Meaning…" Young prompted.
"Meaning we should choose exactly which babies we make" she said, "A different pairing every time to spread things out and perhaps I could work with TJ and Dr. Rush to create a computer model to predict which pairings would have the best outcome in terms of strength, intelligence and so on."
"Eugenics" Rush supplied, giving no indication whatsoever on how he felt about the matter.
"It's not a dirty word" Wray said testily, "We're not talking about race or creed, just about making the most of what we have."
"And I suppose if one or more of the custom-made babies doesn't measure up then we'll just… dispose of it and try again?"
"That would be entirely up to the mothers" Wray replied sternly, "No one would blame anyone who didn't want a baby, for not having it. I mean consider yourself and Dr. Volker, Colonel" Wray said, "I'm sure you would agree that no one should be forced to do what you're doing."
"Not forced no" Young said, "but it seems to me that some things once begun should be seen through to the end."
"You mean you've definitely decided to keep it?" Wray asked, somewhat taken aback, "even though it's half…"
"Yeah," Young said, glancing at Rush who looked abstractedly away. "I've decided to keep it."
"So have I" Volker offered, adding shyly, "Not that I know much about babies or anything."
"Don't worry" Lisa Park said, "I'll help you, 'er, I'm sure all of us will help you."
Volker smiled broadly and thanked Dr. Park.
Greer's eyes narrowed.
"Well" Wray said, "I'd say this calls for a celebration. The meeting isn't even over and we're already expecting two new and unique crew members."
"Actually," Eli said, "As it turns out BOTH of the babies belong to Colonel Young and Doctor Rush. They'll be kind of like siblings."
"Eli" Young growled, "Can't you keep your mouth closed for five minutes?"
"Sorry" Eli said, "I didn't know it was a state secret or anything. At least I didn't tell her about the clone. Doh!"
"What?!" Wray exclaimed, "What clone?"
"Well" Young said, "It turns out my daughter, Eve and the rest of the future crew thought it was a smart idea to mix up a Rush clone in that glorified Easy-Bake-Oven and plant it in my daughter like she was some kind of damn incubator."
"Surprise!" Eli said.
"This is totally irresponsible" Wray raved, she pointed one long finger directly at Rush, "it's impractical for one man to have three children under these circumstances…"
"Actually one of them is a clone" Eli corrected.
"The point is" Wray continued, "we need to spread our limited genetic potential into the widest possible population base and the best way to do that given the disparity in numbers between genders is to limit men to one child and ask women to have several children, each of course, with a different father."
"Does that include you too, Camille" Rush mumbled, moving coolly away from her accusatory finger.
"Obviously," Wray said, "anyone who does not wish to participate can opt out. No one will be forced to participate in the program."
"How very generous of you" Young replied tightly.
Wray crossed her arms, "Unless you plan on living forever Colonel, then I suggest you give my suggestion some serious consideration."
"I promise you, Camille. I will give it all the consideration it deserves."
Wray frowned.
"This meeting is adjourned" Young said with finality, "Shoo!"
TJ and the science team filed out, most of them having more important things to do. Wray left looking miffed that her suggestion hadn't gotten the applause she'd been hoping for. Greer and Scott nodded to their Colonel and returned to their regular posts, leaving Young alone at last to sort through the array of emotions he'd been fighting since he found out he was going to be a father again. He leaned forward over the table rested his head in his hands.
"She's not exactly wrong you know."
Young was too tired to jump, "What are you still doing here, Rush?" he asked.
"Just trying to help, Colonel" Rush said with a shrug, "You seemed a little out of sorts and you were rather hard on Camille."
"Damn right, I'm 'out of sorts'!" Young growled, "You'd be too if our positions had been reversed."
"Fortunately for me, things turned out the way they were meant to" Rush said, "At least that's what, Eve says."
"You two been hitting it off then?"
"We seem to understand each other fairly well" Rush answered slowly, "and she is quite a brilliant scientist in her own right."
"Which I'm sure you'll take all the credit for" Young said, "You forgot to mention that she went through Hell to save your miserable life."
Rush shrugged, "It seems to me, Colonel, that your life is a little more miserable than mine right about now. In fact" he said, "I'm having a splendid day."
Rush walked out and damn him, he was whistling.
Young slowly lowered his head back into his hands.