36.
22nd July 2008
Australia.
The clone had been born several minutes earlier and as predicted, it died a painful breath-gasping death. Scully hung her head as the failure consumed her. She hated failing more than anything. Offering apologies to the Mother never seemed to cut it. This wasn't fair, in much the same respect as her being abducted; there was no choice to the result. She was there because she had to be and the Mother had to watch her clone die.
#1 had watched this birth. His face a mixture of anger and disappointment as the clone died despite intervention from Scully. He shook his head and returned to his office.
Scully spoke lengthily with 8495 trying to explain it was the oxygen and not something in the pregnancy that caused the clone to die. It was the planet; it was Earth's fault. Her tears suddenly stopped and she sat bolt upright. Her eyes glazed over and turn a frightening shade of yellow. As if she were under control 8495 stepped from the bed and marched from the room. She joined about a hundred other clones passing the lab. Scully's instinct told her to follow but something told her she really ought not to, ignoring it she followed at a distance.
The clones were entering the 'great hall' in pairs. Across the floor were numbered positions. Scully watched as some clones found their places and stood to attention as #1 took his place upon a podium at the front of the hall. He began speaking to them in, what Scully determined to be, their own tongue. It sounded like a series of clicks and squeaks. As if sensing her presence the 9000 strong army turned to her as she peered from behind a pillar in the room.
"Miss Scully please come here?" #1 said beckoning her with his outstretched hand.
She did as she was told sensing every clone's eyes upon her as she walked the length of the hall. It didn't feel right and she mentally told herself off for being too inquisitive. The hall laughed at her as they all read her thoughts. She blushed profoundly with embarrassment. It was taking ages to get to #1. She noticed the speakers around the room and the microphone located on the podium. #1 certainly made sure that every clone could hear his words.
It had taken three minutes to walk the length of the hall. It felt like the walk of death to Scully. She wondered why she was being included in this meeting. She swallowed hard imaging her death by the hands of thousands of clones!
Stepping up onto the podium, #1 took Scully's hand in hers, something she hadn't expected. His skin was cool and had softness to it that she knew no hand cream could produce. Zigoran skin was formidable. Stopping her thoughts #1 spoke in English so she could understand and not be frightened.
"I want you all to thank Miss Scully personally. She has provided us with the technology to produce new, better clones BUT we must return to Zigoran for their survival. I know the majority of you will be pleased about this others will not. Tough! The decision has been made. We shall not return to Earth again. We thank you, Miss Scully, for all of your help."
The thank you resounded around the room in perfect unison. It was breathtaking. Scully blushed again and raised her head high in pride.
Scully was in shock at being thanked by the entire clone colony but her mind still disbelieved #1's words. He had not offered any guarantees for his promise. For all she knew they could develop new technology and return in a year. Ready to abduct her again and force her to help them. Reading her thoughts, #1 communicated in clicks. #9000 disappeared from the room and returned moments later hurrying down the hall. He had a large metal canister in his hand. Scully was confused and worried. What was it?
"As proof that we shall never return to Earth I present you with…" 9000 handed over the canister "The ova taken from you. We shall not return. I swear on the life of my people that should we need your help we will ask." Scully smiled as he handed her the metal container.
.
"Thank you." She said trying to gather her swirling thoughts together.
She knew they sometimes used human ova for making clones and had walls of them at hand. In giving her the ova they were making a clear promise not to return unless utterly necessary.
"Taskforce five, seven and twenty-five. I want you in my office now. The rest of you should make yourself available for the next five hours." The room emptied slowly and #1 turned to Scully. "Thank you once again. Can I ask you to create thirty clones ready for implantation this afternoon? I would like some implanted before we leave for Zigoran."
"Of course. One thing… when do you leave?"
"Soon. I'll send 3791 to you with the details. Until later." He left the hall and Scully. She looked once again at the canister and smiled softly to herself. She was going home.
