Cosima blinks in the warmth of her thermal burrito. She feels hazy, but comfortable. A relief that she'll never have to do this again. The last time she'll ever go through cryo stasis is over. She stretches softly, and a few techs come over to conduct the usual poking and prodding. Before she catches sight of Dr. Singh, looking her over.
Dr. Singh looks down at her with a small smile, her black hair liberally streaked with gray. "Hello Cosima. We made it."
"Good." Cosima looks around but things are blurry. "I am so happy this is over."
"I think most of us are. Ah… I took the liberty of retrieving your glasses." Dr. Singh places them on her face. "I think they'll make this more pleasant for you." There's a tone in her voice Cosima doesn't quite recognize, but she nods, pleased when the world slides back into focus. She looks to her left, and strains to see who she is next to. It's closer than she can remember it being before. Maybe this is another room? Or maybe Dr. Singh had decided to place patients closer together? Either way, Dr. Singh hovers over the other patient speaking words Cosima cannot quite hear, and then pulls back the thermal burrito to reveal her face.
"Cosima…" Delphine's voice calls out as soon as her head turns, and Cosima sees her. She sees a smile form on her lover's face. And she knows her own face is similarly delighted. Delphine's hair is damp, and she wonders why she never wondered what they look like in this state.
Cosima looks at Delphine, who looks exhausted, and she wonders if she looks much the same after coming out of cryostasis. The techs buzz around them, and acupuncture needles are inserted into her limbs stimulating blood flow. But she keeps looking at Delphine whose eyes remain similarly fixed on hers, except when responding directly to the questions.
They are released within moments of each other, each dressing quickly after being handed the same blue solution. Cosima drinks her without complaint, after all it is the last time.
"Do we always look this tired?" Delphine asks when she's approached her on her biobed, mostly dressed.
Cosima shrugs, finding her limbs are cooperating well. And a relief that she never has to do this again fills her. It's the end of that.
"Yes." Dr. Singh answers for them. "You are free to go. I have a lot of work to do." And Cosima doesn't doubt it. She anticipated it takes all available crew doctors working around the clock to thaw everyone, men, women, and children, on board.
She walks with Delphine hand in hand to the bunkroom, again they climb up to Delphine's bunk together. But Delphine seems quieter this time, less desperate and they soon fall asleep.
When they wake, the bunkroom is full. Celia and Sol are chatting excitedly, Priya attempting to use her device to contact Micah - in the men's habitat.
"Any luck? Eden asks, leaning over.
"No. This says men are due for thawing starting in two days." Priya stews noticeably.
"It's only two more days." Priya tells herself. "Just two more days." Priya begins to pace, and Cosima actually feels sorry for her. Separating a couple is kind of cruel. Everything else aside.
"I am sure he will be prioritized. So you can be reunited." Delphine offers, slipping down from her bunk. Cosima beeline for the locker. Reinserting her nose ring, her earrings.
"Any idea on the order?" Cosima looks to Delphine.
"They thaw the entirety of the crew first. At least, that was the plan in cycle 5. Then the agricultural teams, they would have been awake for a few months now. Then the families. They should all be up and around. Now the women. And when we are complete, they will start in on the women."
"I think that's right." Celia blinks. "I think that was the expected order."
Sol nods, and Cosima thinks that sounds right. But she thinks when that particular education session was going on everyone was cramping and menstruating.
"So everything is on schedule." Delphine nods. She looks at her device, which works, for now
"Including breakfast." Cosima quips. And they go to find an incredible spread of breakfast. Fruits. Oatmeal. What appear to be pancakes. Something that is probably in actuality tofu scramble. But it smells delicious, and Cosima eagerly helps herself.
"Wow." Cosima helps herself to breakfast and lets Delphine do the same. "So… let's sit." Cosima invites. And they do.
Celia and Sol sit with them, and they glance around.
"OK, waking agriculture early was a really good idea." Cosima says between contented bites of breakfast. Delphine too seems intent on eating and she wonders when is the next time she'll be able to catch Delphine alone. They need to talk a few things through, and quickly.
"I have never seen them so excited." Sol looks around. "Everyone is… on edge though."
"Nerves." Cosima guesses. "We will have to land in what? A week? Two?"
"I bet the crew is using shuttles, picking locations, mapping… a lot will be done without us even noticing. For sure, people have set foot on the surface. Maybe as much as two or three weeks ago." Delphine muses thoughtfully. She watches Priya reappear with her coffee substitute.
"Or it is anticipating the men." Celia thinks aloud. "I mean, I am both personally and professionally excited for that one."
At this, Sol laughs, loud and clear. And it eases the mood.
"For the babies." Cosima says aloud, shaking her head to more laughter from the midwives. But while they are thinking of the immediate joy of it, of their work, or families birthing much wanted newborns. She is caught several generations ahead and unsure of what she should do.
"You were quiet this morning." Delphine tells her on a walk, they head for a VR booth, eager to get some privacy.
"Just.. put on a nature vista."
Delphine chooses one, a beach located somewhere in Crete. And Cosima looks at them, and how ridiculous they look in their thermals against the projected vista.
"So…?"
"So?" Delphine repeats.
"How are you?"
"I am good. I think. Relieved the trip is over with. Bracing for the sheer amount of work…"
"Nervous as to what they'll make of us?" Cosima speaks the words she thinks Delphine is reticent to.
"A little."
"Well we've been bonding for 90 years… that's hard to get over." Cosima jokes.
"Actually it was just over 91 years. We were… off a little bit. Dr. Singh told me." Delphine tells Cosima casually. "But in reality, we made very good time."
"By a year isn't terrible though." Cosima thinks. "It's well within the allowable margin of error."
"Yes. We had sufficient resources to be up to nine years behind schedule." Delphine points out. "And bonding aside, they cannot make us do anything."
"Such amazing planning." Cosima gives an eyeroll.
"Cosima…"
"What happens now? Are we going to really do this?" Cosima lays it all out. "Are we going to be together? Do we request one dwelling or two?" Decisions will have to be made. Likely within weeks. Not irreversible, she thinks. Even if they request separate dwellings, they could always change their minds and move in together.
Delphine's hesitance becomes clear. "Cosima… I…"
"You don't know." Cosima accuses, but tries to keep her voice softer.
"I do…" Delphine continues. "And I do want to be with you… you know that."
"You love me." Cosima retorts.
"I do love you, Cosima. But, we also have to remember. I agreed to have two children for the colony. And I am three years older than I was supposed to be on arrival." Delphine sighs into her hand. "So… what life are we signing up for together? Do you have a plan? Do I need a plan? Are we going to take this week to think it over?"
"I have a suggestion." Cosima decides now is as good a time as any to hit the gas. After all, how is it different from what anyone else will be doing? And that is without the benefit of getting to know each other over the course of the journey.
"What?"
She might as well put it all out there. "One of the 40 donor canisters. Each has… at least seven or eight semen straws. They were all colonists on other ships. Produced a few samples before they left… Belonged to the agency so… it gets packed on other ships for increased genetic diversity and emergency use. Donor 32 would be an excellent choice."
"Cosima!" Delphine's expression is shock though, not revulsion. Delphine begins to laugh and maybe it is funny. A little.
"What? I read his profile. He was an urban planner who enjoyed music and played two instruments. 5'10". Very decent looking…for a dude." Cosima trails off. "I was going to use it on myself. You know, two years or more after landing. But… I am willing to give you the prime choices here. Or we could share. It'd all be one family either way."
"Cosima…" Delphine is soft now, reaching for her. She lets Delphine pull her in to lay a soft kiss on her mouth.
"What? It's a valid option." Cosima speaks when the kiss is broken.
"We are both required to produce two. It would… be easier separately. Possibly. Not that I want that." Delphine points out. "To make it quite clear, I don't want that."
"What's easy about that?" Cosima bristles at the thought. "We already have a relationship… We're already building something together. You want to throw all that away and go try to build a life with someone else? I say we give it a year to settle in as a couple, and then you try to conceive with good old donor 32."
"You want to raise four children with me in a house on an in-progress settlement?" Delphine asks softly. "You know what our contracts say. That would be a lot of children in one home. More than I want to have."
"How about we start with two? One each. And see how it goes. What are they going to do? Deport us?" Cosima counters optimistically. "And do you really want to get pregnant this second? We're not even settled yet."
"I haven't even met the male colonists!" Delphine reminds her. "I have no idea what my options even are. Beyond basic biographical data. I am sure there's some plan for mass introductions."
"Ooh… yeah no. If you try any of them out, we're done ."
Delphine's eyes widen, her brows raise more in shock now. "Cosima!"
"I am no one's side dish." She wants to make that clear. She won't tolerate that. But then again, Delphine hasn't asked for that.
"I didn't and I won't… Cosima. I won't ." Delphine wraps her arms around her softly. "I won't do that."
"But you're not at, hey let's move in together?"
"I… I don't know what they will allow. Why don't we wait before declaring that intention?" Delphine suggests. "Proceed with caution and see what the options are."
"Why wait?"
"More information." Delphine spells it out. "Knowing what the options are. Feeling out the leadership and their tolerance and flexibility… and tell no one we are considering…procreating together."
"Better to ask for forgiveness than permission?" Cosima reads between the lines.
"And not risk your access to the cryo bank samples being limited. They… are unlikely to think we will. So why even present them with the possibility? It can wait until they need to know."
"So… you are thinking about it."
"Very much so, mon amour. But… I want to be careful."
"So… we should be careful."
"Yes. Until we… feel this out."
"OK." Cosima acknowledges this, knowing it's not quite the ringing success she envisioned. But maybe, maybe Delphine had a point.
After four days of painful waiting, in which Priya is practically climbing the walls, they are ushered up to the observation deck, by chirping devices. When the lift opens, Cosima sees the stage set up, and the crew - in full uniform. Men and women pile into the room from separate lifts. And she watches Priya fly past her and into the arms of an admittedly attractive man who was clearly her husband Micah.
"Well, there's no separating them now." Cosima jokes to Delphine as Priya begins kissing her husband. Micah for his part, seems equally enthused with his wife.
"Shh. She missed him. Let them have their moment." And Delphine guides her instead towards the stage. The crew is assembled, in what she assumes is dress uniform. Instrumental music blares from a speaker. And she sees a few refreshment tables being set up by a mix of agricultural passengers and crew. She wants to joke that Priya is intent on birthing the first child on the new colony, but opts to remain silent on that.
"Wow." Cosima glances around. "Wait… what are you looking at?" She notices Delphine looking a little somber.
"He must be captain now." Delphine indicates the man nearest the microphone. "He was second–in-command before. Mitchell Brooks."
"You remember him?" Cosima observes the man, tall, brown skinned, bald.
"A little." Delphine shrugs. "I remember his last physical. He is older now, clearly. 60?"
"He looks it. What's he like?"
"A little more uptight than the late captain. Very competent. Kind but a bit odd." Delphine speaks very quietly.
As the observation lounge fills up, people begin talking. Finally, the new captain is urged to the microphone and Cosima doesn't envy him. The last thing she would want to do is take that stage. Her plan to distribute contraceptive sheaths to bunks will have to be enough. Surely most people could take the hint and use a condom.
"Good evening. Or… afternoon. You know it doesn't matter. We've been in space 91 years. And morning versus afternoon hasn't mattered in… Well, now that we've arrived at Leda it's going to matter again." The captain begins awkwardly.
"Sir?" A woman with gray hair prompts him. As if he needs reminding."
"Well anyways. Welcome to Leda. Our new home. It has been our privilege to escort you from earth. And it will be our great joy, in settling us all into our new home. And to let all you fine people selected by the Colonization Commission get acquainted. However folks, we are still segregating the male and female passenger habitats for organization sake. But a few more days, and we'll all be settling in comfortably on the surface. And the common areas below the lounge are now open to you all to …. Do whatever you like, really."
Cosima laughs, and she sees Delphine trying to look solemn.
"I have personally set foot on our new home. Maps of the future settlement are available through your devices. Though I warn you, once you disembark in… three or four days they will cease working. A communications satellite has been launched, and we will have new communications devices that are not wired into the ship. Uhh… your devices will be collected for recycling once you disembark. Agricultural dome construction is at 62%, and temporary barracks… well you'll figure it out. Existing families and couples will have priority for initial housing. Please make the request via your devices as soon as possible."
Mitchell rambles on about practical concerns and Cosima thinks he's really thrown the arrival speech. Totally. Delphine on the other hand looks sympathetic, and maybe this man had never wanted this job at all.
"And, well, this is it. Retirement is also looking pretty good. Once we are settled " Captain Brooks jokes. "Now, we've lost crewmen along the way, to age. And a few passengers did not survive the journey. But tonight, we celebrate the great success that was the Swan Queen. Enjoy the party."
When people look blankly at the stage. He looks uncomfortable for a minute before speaking again. "Well that's enough talking." Mitchell says pleasantly. "You should all enjoy yourselves tonight. In three days, we will begin landing procedures. And then the real work begins."
A few people laugh. And music plays, and Cosima tries to relax.
Cosima catches sight of the several families, who seem extremely happy. She counts the children and is relieved that no pediatric deaths were among the losses. However she sees one child with just his mother and that doesn't seem right either.
"We are missing the older OB." Delphine tells her in a quiet voice. "He was not dead when I took my work cycle. He… is missing. Either that or he just… not here. But that is his wife and son."
"The one in his late 40s?" Cosima whispers back under her breath. She knows complications from cryostasis increase with age. But late 40s shouldn't have been a problem. Should have been easy enough to keep him alive.
"Mmm. There is the younger one in his mid-30s, but we'd be better off with them both." Delphine shakes her head and Cosima suspects she's imagining a variety of gynecological issues and obstetric emergencies. Though while not super common, were bound to happen at least occasionally with the amount of children that needed to be produced in the next decade.
"Yeah." Cosima sighs.
"We have other doctors." Delphine states. "And I am sure some of them took obstetrics rotations, but none of them have as much training."
"So… no good for the emergencies?"
"Probably not." Delphine sighs.
"At least we're all supposed to be fertile." Cosima quips.
"All that testing." Delphine echoes dryly. "But more urgently, we have other concerns."
"Definitely."
Music plays and people dance. She wanders to the refreshment tables to find them well stocked and helps herself.
She sees Celia talking pleasantly to some tall blonde nordic guy she recognizes from her simulations. Was that Rune Andersen? A lot of faces look familiar but she cannot quite put names to all of them. Either way, Celia laughs, but doesn't look like she's about to leap on the guy. And that is something at least. Sol is nearby. Talking to a few passengers, both men and women. And she supposes it's the end of their bunkroom being any kind of unit. They'll all move on as soon as they hit the surface. Meeting seems to be going well. People are interested, Cosima notes. But as sheis in the middle of munching on some kind of appetizer when she's interrupted.
"Hey." One of the men says approaching her. "I'm Sam." He's Canadian, or American. She can tell that much from his accent, but other than that she doesn't even recognize him from the simulations. Is he Samson Agrino? Is he Samuel Pearson? She has no clue. Though a few possible names float through her head. Mostly she'd just paid attention to the hypothetical offspring and to wherever Delphine ended up for teasing purposes.
"I'm not interested." Cosima goes with the direct approach. Best not
"Seriously?" Sam balks. "I was just chatting to you. Don't you want to get to know people?"
"Yeah. Seriously. Talk to you later…" Cosima looks around for Delphine who seems intent on reuniting with some of the crew. Shaking hands with them. She dances, even letting a few men dance with her but cutting them off if they suggest an encounter.
She offers to dance with Delphine, and they do, but only briefly before Delphine indicates she'd prefer a more quiet environment. They head back to the bunk room, sufficiently exhausted and softly make love up in Delphine's bunk while the habitat is empty.
It's kissing up Delphine's body after another round of mind-blowing cunnilingus that has her thinking she's had it easy. Way easier than she was expecting. She'd had Delphine most of the awake part of the trip. She wasn't lonely or suffering from skin hunger that might motivate bad decisions like much of the passengers.
It's not until Delphine is returning the favour, face pressed enthusiastically between her legs does Cosima's brain stop spinning out. They're alone, blissfully alone. And Delphine is intent on proving herself as her lover, which makes her smile.
"You're getting good at this." Cosima mumbles out between moans, to Delphine's clear delight. Delphine's lips close around her, and she makes more sounds. Louder sounds than she's really intending on making. Delphine kisses up her body slowly when she's done. Rasps of breath against her hip bones, her navel, and her ribs.
"Ohh… Cosima." Delphine says simply when she's reached her lips. And Delphine may be claiming her too. But she can lose herself in her, Cosima thinks. And for now, for the beginning, that is exactly enough. They fall asleep curled naked around each other. And the curtain is closed, so who the hell cares.
When Cosima wakes hours later, it's due to the cold. She quickly pulls her thermal clothing back on and wakes a shivering Delphine, encouraging her to do the same. She opens the curtain and fixes her dreadlocks. Trying to see. But all the curtains are closed, except Priya's. Who has probably secured some other room for a very physical reunion with her husband.
"My earring fell out." Cosima realizes, hand going over her ear. Her nose ring is in place. But one of her earrings is gone." And it shouldn't be important. But they were a gift. And she doens't want to lose them.
"Do you think it's in the bunk?" Delphine gets up to look around. They search quietly for a few minutes.
"I think I'll have to check the lift. And the observation deck." Cosima grimaces.
"Well the party is bound to be over. Do you want me to come with you?" Delphine offers through her own fatigue, but Cosima can only smile and tuck a stray curl behind an ear.
"No. You sleep. I will like… be right back. I'll even get us a snack." Cosima suggets. Surely the kitchen has something leftover to munch on.
Delphine shakes her head. "I will get us a snack to eat in bed. You go on a quick earring hunt… And take your device. Maybe it will finally prove useful."
"OK." Cosima agrees, retrieving the damned thing from her locker. Giving Delphine one final kiss before quickly scanning the ground all the way retracing her steps to the lift. The ride is uneventful, the device as per usual chirps.
You're up late. Why not get some sleep?
"Because I lost my earring. And I want to at least like try to find it." Cosima retorts, to a new silence.
When the lift opens, the moaning and grunting is pretty telltale. Cosima winces as she climbs out on the observation deck. She isn't alone.
"OK. So help me find my earring. If you're monitoring me at least show me where I dropped it." Cosima asks under her breath. She suspects her earring is probably on the dancefloor. Or in whatever this ship has as an excuse for a lost and found. Sure enough, it has been cleaned and cleared and on one of the tables there appears to be a selection of lost items.
But Cosima hesitates to move further with the frantic sounds of sex filling the caverous room. She steps towards the closer table, just wanting to grab around for her lost earring and get out. She glances left, towards her preferred spot for sex on the observation deck and sure enough there's Nola bent over a chair with her pants down. She's practically screeching in delight, and Cosima never wanted to witness that. Even without the sight of the man behind her.
"Ughh so good!" The man behind her says as he quickly thrusts behind her. He… seems to be Wilder Bradley. And nearly done. She stoops down, trying to stay out of sight and goes for her earring. A few different earrings are on the table, as are a watch, a scarf and some unlucky fool's glasses. As well as six of the devices. Her hands close around her earring. A gold hoop with small rubies embedded, a gift from her Oma when she turned 12. And not something she wants to lose. She puts it back into her ear, ensuring it is clasped properly before hiding next to the table. Maybe she'll just wait until Nola and Wilder leave. Maybe it will be quick.
Cosima waits quietly hoping that the couple separate and they slump. So she figures it's the end. But the two stay pressed together, talking in low voices for several minutes and that makes her worried on another front.
"Umm hey. Public space… uh you're using a condom? Right?" Cosima stands up, interrupting the pair who are just now separating their bodies. She knows they'd been distributed, she'd scheduled it before the sexes were even supposed to meet.
"No." Wilder grins widely at her. "No point, right? We're here to populate. You know, eventually. And get to know each other."
Nola looks behind her appraisingly. "Cosima, can you give us some room here? We are kind of busy. And really, we're just out of cryo. I am sure it's fine."
Cosima makes a disgusted face. "Seriously? There's a huge crate of condoms. They're stuffing them into all the bunk pockets. There's tons."
"None of your business, Cosima. You're getting between us and what will be a scorching round two…" Nola tells her as she's pulling up her pants. But these two have likely met only hours ago and are already going at it.
"Yeah. Yeah that was so hot! What's your name again?" Wilder asks as he's running a hand across Nola's ass. Near-strangers or not, these two are clearly enthused.
"Wow… OK. I'm out. See you at the… safe sex seminar." Cosima grumbles under her breath as she leaves quickly.
She reaches the bunkroom, to find Delphine holding out a small bowl of washed fruit on her bunk. And she wants to cuddle her. To climb in and snack and forget everything she's just seen. Except it's probably not going to be the only time this happens.
"Ma chérie…" Delphine coos at her
"I… I need to do the stupid seminar."
"But you hate public speaking!" Delphine looks at her a moment, before coming to the correct conclusion. "How many couples were having sneaky sex on the observation deck?"
"Just one… right now. But they were clear on not using a condom."
Delphine just laughs and begins eating the strawberries. "Well… too late I guess."
"No. I mean, I think people need a good educational seminar to tell them why they should… not do that right now."
"I can help." Delphine offers. "I don't mind public speaking. I can do the presentation with you. And I am a doctor, that should carry some weight."
"No." Cosima sighs. It's her job as genetics expert. And she will have to do it.
Looking out at a large crowd, of all the single men and women on board, Cosima regrets her choice. She glances at the microphone and figures she might as well begin. A few slides from her last few simulations will be projected behind her, and forwarded to the devices. But she'll have to explain what it all means.
Delphine stands right next to the stage, concern etched on her lovely face, and Cosima figures she should get going. And promptly.
"So uhh, thank you all for coming." Cosima says awkwardly from the stage. People were gathered and looking at her rather as if this was the most ridiculous thing they'd been asked to do in years.
"I'm Cosima Niehaus… PhD. The genetics researcher." Cosima tries to explain. "Well. Dr. Niehaus technically, but not like a medical doctor…"
"Cosima…" Delphine shoots her a look.
"Right. So why are you here. Umm everybody please do not begin procreating at this time. Your future grandchildren will thank you. Condoms have been provided for your use. And I have been informed that we also have copper IUDs available for any female passenger that wants one for contraceptive use. However, barrier methods are encouraged at this time. I think they want to conserve more of the IUDs for people who are done making babies… I mean you cannot get a vasectomy on Leda right now… and tubal ligations involve surgery… so.. Yeah. No babies. Have nice safe fun."
"What does this have to do with our grandchildren?" One of the women asks. And she cannot tell who it is. Oh well.
"Well, as you'll see from my slides from the population seminar, if the second ship doesn't arrive… We will have a limited number of people contributing to the gene pool. A founder effect is a thing where you get genetic traits saturating the population generations down the line… Which is a problem, because some of you carry things. But also cousin marriages? Gross."
When she sees a bunch of annoyed or amused faces looking back at her Cosima tries again.
"I mean sure… uh… test drive each other and all that while you're figuring out who you want to partner with. But… don't make babies. Sex yes. Breeding no." Cosima tries again.
"So you're telling us not to make babies. But we're supposed to make babies. Like, my contract says I have to have kids. All of our contracts do." It's Wilder Bradley. Of course it is. "Like I am trying to find a partner. And that means we need to get a real feel for each other. We have to figure out who we want, don't we? Sex is important in that. Other things too. But we need to be compatible."
"Yes. Which you can do wearing a condom. Like, your grandkids do not want to have that many cousins in the gene pool. Be kind to them. Prevent inbreeding. Dude, this isn't the ancient Egyptian royal court… Or any royal dynasty had a bit of inbreeding, didn't it? But…we want strong healthy descendants, not like… crazy kings or… sick people. Or someone whose parents are second cousins. It's gross."
The grandkid cousin marriage tactic doesn't seem to be working, Cosima notes even as Delphine is reaching a hand to her arm and taking the microphone then. Cosima doesn't even bother stopping her.
"Hello. I am Dr. Delphine Cormier, and what Dr. Niehaus means it is very early days for our colony. Unintentional pregnancies won't only affect the genetic future of the colony, and create more half-siblings, more cousins, more relatives within our population sooner. But they also will make establishing more difficult. Early pregnancy is often marked by nausea, exhaustion, lack of interest in sex, moodiness, constipation, food aversion…among other sympotms. Who really wants to be experiencing that while trying to settle on to a whole new world and try to meet a compatible partner, who they can spend their life with? It makes more sense to delay conception by at least six months, if not longer."
A few of the women nod so Cosima figures she can add in. "Yes, and contraceptives are readily available. Please consult your device if you cannot locate them in your bunkroom."
"Now, I am confident that in six to ten years we will be welcoming the passengers and crew of the Swan Princess to Leda. So, let's establish a colony we will all want to be part of. Thank you."
Cosima looks at Delphine as she clambers down from the stage. "It was bad."
"Yes, it was bad."
"I know…"
"But you didn't want to do this… and I understand why. I think you should make infographics for distribution instead. And stay off the stage."
"I think you're right." Cosima agrees readily. "I did book a series of private meetings with some of the carriers of genetic conditions. And those twins."
"You mean Abigail and Morgan?" Delphine knows their names. Of course she knows their names.
"Yes."
"They are well aware that they pose a particular problem to the gene pool. They are each going to have only two children." Delphine tells her. "I spoke to them ages ago."
"And the genetics just came up?"
"They're both teachers, Cosima. They're not stupid. Though they are not scientists like you or I." Delphine sighs. "They understand that their children will be genetic half-siblings even though they are all cousins. So they are going to choose purposefully to have fewer children each."
"Right. Good." Cosima stops. "Against the contract?"
"Yes. Their contracts specify three children each. They are thinking two each might be better." Delphine shrugs. "You can discuss it with them."
"I think… I think they could have three… as long as it's with the same two guys and they're not getting into really kinky stuff. Like one partner per twin."
"That is disgusting."
"Yeah. A bit." Cosima shakes her head. "Though after what I saw yesterday I am thinking we are going to have a lot of… uh… kinky shit. People are like, deprived."
"But not you." Delphine lowers her voice purposefully.
"Nope. Definitely not me."
Genetics counseling appointments are set for the day before landing. And her device and the lab do the scheduling for her. Things to get out of the way before settling onto the surface. After all, in another day she won't have lab access until her lab is quite literally extracted from the ship and set up somewhere in the city. She's hoping to be close to the hospital or midwife clinics. And Cosima does see Abigail and then Morgan who, as Delphine had indicated,were quite aware of their status. And most of the appointments go pretty well. But she dreads her final appointment of the morning.
Her final appointment arrives. Santiago, who is a few minutes late. But she cannot judge him for that. He's taller than she expects. But it doesn't matter.
"Hello Santiago. Welcome to the genetics lab. I'm… Cosima. Dr. Niehaus." She waves a hand absently. She's not caught up on the title. But it might help her more with commanding respect. Same reason she is wearing a lab coat, borrowed by Delphine from the medical lab for that exact purpose.
"Wow… We actually do have labs. Hello Dr. Niehaus. I… got a little turned around, this floor looks like a creamsicle."
"Yes, you get used to that. So Santiago…" Cosima starts out cautiously. "You're a genetic carrier for CAH." She pulls up his genetic profile, along with the cautions she'd pre-written with Delphine as an info-graphic. A much better tool than a seminar. It has been pretty successful with most of the carriers. Most had been receptive. Grateful for being chosen anyway.
But Santiago fixes his dark eyes on her and shrugs. "Yes? So?"
"I need to inform you that you can produce only one family. Once you produce a child with one woman, that's it. She's your partner. The only one you're having babies with. So umm, glove up dude… and choose your permanent partner carefully."
"What…?" Santiago shakes his head as if he hasn't understood her.
"One wife. One family. Children only with her. No second family… It's a genetic safeguard. You can divorce if you have to, but your second marriage will be childless." Cosima says this straightforwardly. Trying to look like a cool professional.
Santiago rolls his eyes at her. "I think that is excessive control of me. My cousin has CAH… You know what you get in men? A few minor health issues and a big cock. You don't want that ?"
Cosima tilts her head leaning away. "I really don't care. Also if you get a girl with your particular type of CAH, she's intersex. And likely infertile."
"So… make sure the babies are all boys."
"I won't do that. We want a natural population balance." Cosima shakes her head. "So… One family. Like meet, hang out, have sex…whatever. Just keep the contraceptives until you're certain she's the one you want."
"Am I free to go?" Santiago looks at the door.
"Yeah. Go on." Cosima waves a hand towards her lab's door.
She sighs a little, closing her eyes. Either way, she has the authorization to ensure compliance on this. So maybe it doesn't matter how it went. She lays down on the couch and closes her eyes. She should get out of the lab. But it's comfortable, and with the lights dimmed she falls asleep.
"Cosima." A warm familiar voice calls her name from the door.
"Mmm."
"Cosima… You're late for dinner." Delphine's hands touch her own, guiding her back up off the couch.
"Right. Our last supper." Cosima jokes.
"It is the last on board. But landing is a multiple hour procedure. Tomorrow morning they want us up, fed, mildly sedated and strapped into our designated harnesses." Delphine has guided her back towards the lift before Cosima has the thought to respond.
"Sedated?"
"It's on offer. Dr. Singh has handed us each a sedation package. To ensure we are calm. The ship will break apart into three parts, and each part will be landed in turn. It is… a multiple hour procedure. Shuttles guide the components down. Landing struts are being tested as we speak."
"Our last voyage… down." Cosima giggles, trying to make a joke of it all. But she expects the reality of being strapped in to her bunk, into the harness without Delphine for hours, unable to see her will make it much worse.
"We will be able to hear each other. We will be able to speak." Delphine says as if reading her. "And I will be there."
"So will Priya whining she's not with Micah." Cosima points out.
"Non. Priya is happy, they've requested their dwelling. The midwives are going to be spread out, two on each end of the city. And she has the spot she wants, right near the agricultural dome."
"They've heard already?"
Delphine nods. "She and Eden were discussing it. Sol doesn't mind being anywhere. Celia has preferences but no partner. And we shall see. Houses are being built. You know, there's already 15 crewmen on the surface doing this work."
"How?"
"The cargo section has already been landed. It detached when we were all still in cryo stasis. So that is only three more sections to be landed." Delphine smiles. "And passengers are first."
"Woo." Cosima shoots her a look. "And my lab second?"
"Yes. And finally the crew capsule will be landed. That is designed to function on the surface. With a bit of rebuilding."
"So… what now?"
"You need to check your device." Delphine tells her, and Cosima does, as she's stepping out into the habitat. Dinner appears to be ready, and the curry or stew is flavourful enough she can smell it immediately.
"Oh…" Cosima does.
Joint housing request for D. Cormier and C. Niehaus, do you approve?
"Um yes, I approve the housing request for Delphine Cormier and Cosima Niehaus." Cosima does it, and her device blinks a few times.
"I took the liberty of requesting a home." Delphine states.
"I thought you wanted to wait."
Delphine smiles slowly, as if it's obvious. "Well, it is the perfect test, is it not?"
"What are we testing?"
"Us. How they respond." Delphine shrugs happily. And Cosima leans into her with a kiss, first to her soft cheek and then to her mouth. Soft lips under her own.
The morning comes, and breakfast is rations, quick and simple. Cosima is jittery, but then again so is nearly everyone going through the motions of hygiene before returning to the bunk room. Devices instruct them through securing the mattresses in the alcove, ensuring all six are strapped in together. Most of them take the sedative, Cosima opts out. Wanting to remain as sharp as possible. In case. She's unsure if Delphine took it or not. But maybe she should have.
And then one by one they strap themselves into the three point harnesses. Delphine is first, unafraid, even as she ensures her feet are strapped in before tightening her harness. Cosima can only stare at her beloved.
"It is OK, Cosima." Delphine speaks, trying to soothe her nerves. "We will be OK."
"One more kiss."
"Hurry up." Sol teases, nearly strapped in as well. "We're on the clock."
Cosima quickly leans into Delphine's bunk. "I love you." She says simply, laying a soft kiss against Delphine's mouth.
"I know you hate your device, but please follow the tutorial." Delphine urges her and Cosima straps in, looking across at Sol for assurance her harness is done correctly.
"You missed your legs." Celia calls.
"I didn't." Cosima objects, she'd strapped her legs down to prevent injury in case of turbulence.
"I'm talking to Priya."
"I will fix them." Priya assures.
The devices begin emitting annoying instrumental music before a computerized voice, female of course, begins to speak.
Please ensure all passengers are strapped in safely. Decoupling will begin in six minutes.
"I don't think any of us are going to like this." Cosima theorizes. A following warning at three minutes and one minutes sound.
"60 seconds." Delphine speaks clear enough for her to hear. And she'd rather be with Delphine. But dying during landing trying to be romantic would be pretty dumb.
"Yeah."
A jolt alerts her that decoupling has begun, and the passenger habitat shakes three times before it is free.
Landing sequence beginning. Please stay strapped in until the all clear is announced.
"I should have taken the sedative." Cosima says clearly enough she's sure all five of her bunkmates have heard her.
Delphine's concern is heard first. "You didn't take the sedative?"
Sol merely laughs, and Cosima thinks Sol must have taken the sedative. Celia too, but the redhead is quiet. Contemplative. Priya hums, and Eden seems to be silent. But Cosima cannot see her. She cannot really see any of them, even with the curtain open.
"It was optional." Cosima defends herself, even as she feels the ship moving, spinning and her stomach lurches.
"It was recommended."
"You didn't take it."
"Cosima. I definitely took the sedative. Do you have the package?" Delphine's words sound pretty clear for someone who is sedated? How mild was it?
"Oh. No. It's in my locker. Shit." Cosima goes quiet then, there's nothing to be done now. It is an unpleasant and unexpectedly long experience, vertigo, a few jolts and loud reverberating sounds.
"Is that it?" Cosima asks weakly.
"No." Sol is the one who responds. "Those are the landing struts."
It is another painful ten minutes of landing, and then a last lurch before the ship stills.
Landing complete. Please remain strapped in.
She hears something echo in the distance, a large metallic thud.
"That is the second part. We have to wait for the crew to unstrap." Delphine speaks calmly. And Cosima realizes Delphine is definitely sedated. And calm. Way calmer than she has any right to be right now.
In all they're strapped in for over an hour waiting, before the all clear sounds.
All clear. You may remove your harnesses. Please remain in your habitat until your turn for disembarkment arrives. Please remain calm.
Cosima doesn't move, she's no sooner undone her chest clip than is Delphine somehow already free hovering over her, helping her free her feet.
"How did you get out so fast?" Cosima murmurs.
"I unstrapped six minutes before the all clear." Delphine admits. She pulls Cosima into her arms, and Cosima goes willingly. Feeling more than a little sick and shaky.
"We made it." Cosima strokes her lover's face.
"We did." Delphine sighs. "And now we collect our backpacks, pack our lockers and wait for disembarkment."
"What about all the stuff?" Cosima ask Delphine, but it's her device that responds.
Mattresses and sheets will be repurposed into new homes. The habitat will remain available as a dwelling for the next three weeks as homes are constructed on the surface. Please remain calm. Welcome to Leda.
"Wow. I cannot wait to get rid of this thing." Cosima drops her device and pokes it with her foot.
"And now… we wait."
"We wait." Cosima agrees. Unsurprisingly, it is Priya who receives permission to disembark. And she watches her pack and head towards the lift.
"I will see you all again soon. Mostly at work! But… Micah and I have a home waiting. Family disembarkment is first."
"As it should be." Delphine agrees.
Priya looks at them for another moment. "Good luck, Cosima… and Delphine."
"Thanks." Cosima offers, and she shakes Priya's hand when it's offered.
"Goodbye Priya." Delphine seems calm enough. "I am sure we will see you again soon."
"Now what?" Cosima looks at Delphine.
"We eat? We wait for instructions?"
"I guess that's all we can do."
"We could go to the observation deck. And look." Sol tells them. "It's open. See?"
And sure enough Sol's device suggests that as an option. As a way to first see their new home. And as they make their way to the lift, Cosima lets her hand clasp Delphine's. Whatever comes, she's not letting go easily.