The start of something big

Posted on Sat Mar 5th, 2011 @ 6:43pm by Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter

692 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Triad
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Current

ON:

“Maria, wait!†Lucy Carter ran down the corridor, bumping past a crew member as she did so and only just managing to squeak out a “sorry†before seeing her friend go into sickbay. She squeezed in through the sickbay doors just as they were closing.

“Computer, seal doors access Nurse Maria Traho Eta 9 Delta.†Lucy ran to the console her friend was tapping away at, very calmly.

“Maria, just stop to think a minute will you?â€

Maria looked up at her with an unsmiling face and replied “I have thought, Luce. This is such an excellent solution to my little problem that I can’t think why I didn’t do something like this before.†She chuckled. “In fact, if this works out, there is no reason why I could not do it all over again. Quite enterprising, don’t you think?â€

Lucy was cross now and raised her voice, leaning on the console, her eyes looking at Maria earnestly. “You are seriously planning to sell your own baby? Why?â€

Maria pulled at her hair and twisted it behind one ear. “Because, Luce, I have no intention of remaining pregnant a second longer than I have to. Besides, it’s all arranged.â€

“What’s all arranged ? An adoption?â€

“Better than that, Luce,†said Maria, her smile growing, “it’s an inter-uterine adoption.â€

Lucy had heard of those. Instead of a mother waiting until the baby had fully developed, the foetus and placenta was transported out of the host mother’s uterus and into the recipient mother’s uterus. A 13 week old embryo implanted in seconds, which would go on to developing normally in the recipient’s uterus until she gave birth to it.

Lucy was going to say that she didn’t think Maria was capable of selling her own child but then she thought better of it and merely said “who are the lucky parents?â€

“I knew you would come round to my way of thinking, Luce. There is a couple on Earth, who have been trying to have a baby themselves for 9 years and when they saw my photo and heard my story, of course they leapt at the chance.â€

“Your story?†asked Lucy.

“Yes.†Maria swallowed and tapped at the console again. “Computer, enter an encrypted subspace channel to these coordinates...â€

The computer beeped and a man and a woman appeared on the viewer. They seemed to be in their early 40s and both looked tired, she more than he. Maria beamed at them. “Hi there, Mr and Mrs Brown,†she said, “I hope you are both well.†She tipped her head on one side and swung her hair as she looked down. “We are both fine, “she added as she rubbed her abdomen.

“Hello, Maria,†said Mr Brown. “We are well, thank you. Er, Jane, is not feeling that great due to the hormones and the implant, but we know it’s going to be so worth it.â€

Lucy realised he was talking about the pseudo foetus “Mrs Brown†was carrying so that there would be room for the real one when it was transplanted. However, she still could not quite grasp the ethics of the situation and it suddenly occurred to her why Maria had sealed the sickbay door and used an encrypted channel. She leant forward and hit “mute†on the console.

“Maria – this isn’t legal is it?†she said.

“Oh for god’s sake, Luce, keep your hair on. Everybody does it. It’s fineâ€! She unmuted the connection and said to the Browns, “I’ll call again next week. After the next instalment of my expenses comes through.†She smiled sweetly and said, simply, “that is all,†then disconnected.

“I do wish you would lighten up, Luce†she said rather crossly.

“Lighten up? You are selling your baby, Maria. That sounds pretty heavy to me!â€

Maria rolled her eyes. “Oh for goodness’ sake. I’m going to bed. Computer, unlock sickbay doors Traho Eta 9 Delta.â€

Lucy remained in sickbay for a short while, shaking her head. Finally, she too went to bed.
:OFF

Post by Lieutenant JG Lucy Carter, Ship’s Counsellor

 

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