Mikal had awakened and had joined Taylor and Zoe at the conference table. Helping and keep Zoe occupied. It was early evening when Elizabeth and Malcolm showed up. Elizabeth to claim Zoe, much to the sidekicks disappointment and Malcolm who sheepishly remembered that he'd forgotten to come having been occupied with an ongoing experiment. Taylor didn't comment on that since Zoe was still with them. Receiving Jim's call that the rhino was headed back. Nathaniel figured it would be well early in the morning when they'd be arriving. Scooping up Zoe, Elizabeth sat down across from Taylor and listen to attentively to the three men as they got into what Taylor wanted to discuss.
"Sir. Doctor. I really am not very qualified to discuss how the veil works, the best I can tell you is the Science Guild has a roster of teams lined up to go to certain time periods. We were the second to enter this time. A month previous to this a 12 person team had gone here, but only three returned and the story they told wasn't too encouraging. They had come out on the edge of the desert where weird things happened. Large raptor like creatures patrolled the tree line along it and they lost two people to them before they figured out what or how to detect them. Then there was a small army appeared out of nowhere headed out into the desert before they spotted them. They didn't ask our groups business but just started shooting. During the fight the three survivors were able to breakaway and return to the portal. And we have no way of knowing if anyone else survived. That was the other official reason they only allowed two of us to go through. To carry on the mission if we could and hunt for survivors if any. Instead we found an abandoned bunker which I assume now was one of your outposts and later you're two honeymooners. While we were gone that little girls father was responsible for minding the portal and hopefully those that were able were to go to the portal site and wait. When we called, they were to go through and take their chances. It's become that bad over there Sir. And we had had enough."
Mikal finished his discoure and simply looked at both Nathaniel and Malcolm. Both looked at each other and back at him. Then Malcolm asked.
"You said it opened on the edge of a weird desert? That can only mean the Badlands. And where you went through was well to the Southwest, that's almost 150 miles running in a north east by Southwest direction. I find that to be curious myself."
Turning to Taylor he went on.
"Most temporal anomalies we've been able to monitor, the energy readings always tended to be confined to run with the rotation of the planet. When opened with a noticeable drift to the west that maybe why we could only use the portal as we did when we still had access to Hope Plaza. It would only open when it was near this area at a specific time."
Looking back at Mikal.
"Goes without saying though, your portal may be operating on another frequency than ours did and there is other factors to consider. Which I won't get into it this time but hopefully someone in that group would have the knowledge that I need to make any determination."
"Determination for what?" asked Liz.
Malcolm had leaned back in his chair. His expression thoughtful.
"We'll see if we can control it from our end or see if we can keep it shut for good. But it is obvious it is a hostile threat to us."
Taylor had been listening thoughtfully his attention on the holo map that hung over the conference table. Liz focused her gaze on it then and could make several details. She could see the location where the refugees were on the other side of the mountains as well as the projected location of where the portal was. There was also the abandoned outpost where Mark was supposed to have gone to. And a thin red line that was extending away from the refugee location headed west then south, taking a route well away from the abandoned outpost. When Nathaniel noticed were Liz had fixed her gaze. He answered.
"That's the route Mark supposed to be going. He should reach where he supposed to be by tomorrow afternoon."
"And where is he going?" Liz asked. turning her attention to Nathaniel.
"One of the alternate colony sites. It was never used because it was too far away from where our portal opened up. And it was very difficult to get to. When Mark gets there, he shouldn't have too much trouble setting up a secure camp."
Elizabeth nodded at that. Glancing down at Zoe who seem to be taking it all in. All the adults noticed Zoe's attention and smiled.
"Well little lady did we leave anything out?"
"I don't know Commander Taylor but it sounds like a lot."
"That it is."
He replied to Zoe's answer with a smile before continuing the conversation. Malcolm brought up a subject that had been considered, but he knew it would remain a sore spot for the Commander.
"I know this hasn't been considered, yet but it will need to be addressed to help ensure the longevity of the colony. And it deals with families."
Nathaniel straightened up in his chair, concern mixed with caution as he regarded Zoe with a slight nod of his head indicating the little girl. Malcolm turned his attention to Elizabeth.
"I would tend to agree with Commander Taylor on this one. Perhaps we should continue this at a later time Liz?"
Elizabeth and Zoe looked at each other then back at Malcolm.
"Zoe what we're talking about will be very important so can you be quiet?"
"Yes mommy."
"I also mean no questions. I'll talk to you later about it if you need to OK?"
At Zoe's nod. She looked from her daughter and continued.
"Just don't try and kill yourselves. I don't want to have to explain the context of where that belongs in a staff meeting."
Taylor snorted at that while Malcolm tried not to appear too sheepish. Their discussions were legendary. Malcolm reached into his pocket and pulled out a crystal. Setting it on the table in front of Taylor
"This Liz. Commander. Is the research I've been conducting on the future of our colony. We do need a healthy birth rate to sustain our future and demographically we are behind the curve on this. In 20 years time or less, the existing adult population will not be viable enough to sustain the operating demands of the colony as it stands. The generation that would step up and carry-on is simply not there. Out of a colony of 1500 people there are only 50 children ranging from three months to 12 years old. I used that low age range to make a point here Sir. 13 years and up, are more involved in colony dynamics such a starting out in a trade or helping in maintenance while continuing formal education. The 13 and up range is very small. Only 20 young people, if that is treading an ethical issue here Sir. In less than 10 years we will have no choice but to order people to have children, whether they are ready to or not. And what would complicate this dilemma even more would be that many couples would not be compatible. 2149 had it easier just by saying this number of kids but no more, then prosecuting violators. We on the other hand would be engaged in the mirror opposite action, which could be just as clinical and heartless."
Malcolm paused for once glad Zoe was here. Taylor would've been demanding a shorter exclamation already.
"Malcolm I get that, what I would be curious about is how is this research going to help?"
For once. Someone else besides Taylor was calling Malcolm on his vague Presentations. Elizabeth sat up straighter in her chair with Zoe relaxed against her. Looking at them. Malcolm couldn't help but grin at the mirror image look both mother and daughter projected.
"That was just the opening Liz, and the research is the basis for a proposal."
"And what would that be?" Elizabeth asked.
"The proposal is simply this: DNA pairing, two individuals not directly related but possessing similar DNA characteristics, would have the best chance of being compatible as a couple and have a better chance of having more balanced, alert, productive children. This by no means is mandatory at all and if there was a more viable way science could be used to address it. I would have found it. As an experiment Elizabeth I checked your DNA against mine."
Taylor looked as if he was ready to explode while Elizabeth looked very indignant. Holding up his hand. Malcolm continued.
"I found that it was not only incompatible, but there would've been grave consequences for any children born of that union. So Elizabeth. Despite the moral breach in ethics. It's been shown you made the best choice in the mate that you have and the children resulting from that union. Using that as a basis. I went on and put together a program that should provide the best matches. However. It would or should not be construed as set in stone. This is only a start. I have the rest of the information summed up on that crystal Sir. But you would need the assistance of at least two others in the colony. And both of us are here."
Finished. He propped his elbow up on the table, set his chin is this hand and regarded both Nathaniel and Elizabeth. Both sat there, looking thoughtful. Zoe who had sat there curiously taking in this very technical conversation, glanced up at her mother then over at Taylor.
"Malcolm it would have to be more than just a test result for people to consent to this. And even then, it would still appear as big brother meddling in peoples lives. Not to mention it could also be used or misused as the Family is Four law in 2149 had been."
Elizabeth's reply brought a nod from Malcolm.
"Mainly the fact that the couple would have to see something of value in the other person. Whatever it is that makes him makes up that...….. attraction that brought them together and that they found agreeable, that they can accept each other as they are to form a union. This would help narrow things down for prospective couples." "Well and good Malcolm."
Elizabeth spoke up then.
But you must understand the so-called Playing field is narrowed down even more by the fact that at least a third of the population is already married. Then there is a percentage above and beyond the feasibility of child bearing. Or too young. Then the demographic Nathaniel has pointed out to me a little while ago. The undesirables. This may work, but like the lottery. You fast run out of winning numbers and you don't have an infinite amount of combinations to choose from."
Pausing a moment
"Please tell me that married and committed couples were excluded in this program. I really don't like the idea of my womb being rented out to gain another permutation for future breeding."
Even Nathaniel was surprised at how forward Elizabeth's comment was. But had to agree. She had a point. Malcolm nodded. Then clarified.
"I have a master file which is included on the Crystal. It is divided up into four distinct categories: Established bondings, single/ unaccompanied which includes the children, undesirables. The first one is self explanatory Sir. They can consider themselves untouched as far as this program is concerned. They are already involved in carrying on the future of the colony so we won't have to worry there. The second group is the one this program is geared towards helping with matches. I included the children because once they reach majority they will be tasked to contribute. The final one is also self-explanatory. They would include the problem people such as the seven soldiers who trashed the bar and have a history of inappropriate social and personal behavior., Dr. Fickett, Sixers."
"You employed a fourth group as well. I would surmise this would include groups from other time streams?"
"Yes Elizabeth. Speaking plainly here. We cannot afford to exclude a genetic windfall when it literally lands on our doorstep. When they arrive we will add their information to the program and I assume Sir the intention is to integrate them into the colony?"
At Nathaniel's nod. He continued.
"I have looked through history Sir and I have found in some societies, it was normal to offer a young maiden or chieftains wife to a male visitor with the express purpose for procreation. It was done to lessen the chances of inbreeding as well as establishing blood ties with the tribe or group. Elizabeth this was most common in the region where your family originated from. Not Sri Lanka though the practice may have been done there but remote Pacific atolls as well as indigenous peoples. Up until the world became too polluted to live in nature." Malcolm finally stopped and surveyed his audience. Nathaniel, Liz and Mikal sat there thoughtful, while Zoe who is getting sleepy looked around at everyone. Got off Elizabeth's lap and wandered over to the couch then fell dead asleep. The four adults watched her go over to the couch for a nap with no small level of amusement.