Chapter Nine
Wim was furious. “What’s this I heard about the Bowen sisters running around with the soldiers yesterday?” he demanded the next morning.
The other women murmured in surprise as they came to gather together in the dining room. Vivian winced. She ought to have known they would be caught. After all, the Intelligence’s eyes were everywhere. Always watching.
The table she’d sat at with Silas had an electronic ordering screen. Hadn’t Luz said the Intelligence could tap into any electronics? It must have been able to clearly listen to every word of their conversation. The idea made Vivian’s skin crawl.
“We’re grown women,” said Delilah, crossing her arms and lifting her chin. “We can go where we choose.”
A shadow crossed over Wim’s face. “You are here at the pleasure of the Intelligence. I feel I must remind you, Delilah Bowen, that there are no Arcadian soldiers on the Intelligence’s list of approved spouses.
And furthermore, the contract you signed asserts the Red Mothers won’t indulge in sexual congress until you’ve selected a co-parent and been successfully impregnated with an augmented embryo. ”
Delilah made a face. “Sexual congress?”
Luz put a restraining hand on Delilah’s arm. “We understand the terms of our contract, Reverend Adair. My friends were only familiarizing themselves with Martian society.”
“I hope so,” Wim said in a mollified tone. “Nevertheless, I have been remiss in your orientation to your purpose here and the reasoning behind the Intelligence’s expectations.” He gestured expansively. “I’ve asked Dr. Chavez to meet with us to explain things properly. Let’s go.”
“I can’t believe you snuck out,” Camille said to Vivian and Delilah as they walked across the compound. “That’s so badass.”
“We met the cutest soldier.” Delilah giggled. “Too bad he’s not approved.”
Vivian felt her face growing warm, and she stumbled over her long skirts. Luz grabbed her arm. “Careful, Viv baby.”
Wim led them to a squat, utilitarian building on the opposite side of the compound. They entered a room set up like a classroom, with rows of chairs facing a screen.
The Martian doctor who had examined Vivian a few days prior was waiting for them, staring into nothing with a vacant look.
Vivian remembered what Ivey had told her about how the augmentations allowed some Martians to communicate directly with the Intelligence.
After a moment, the doctor blinked and looked around the room more sharply.
“Sit down, ladies. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Dr. Chavez, the chief researcher for the Red Mothers initiative.
Under the guidance of the Intelligence, my team has developed remarkable innovations in embryo development.
Reverend Adair has asked me to explain the basic science behind our research. ”
The doctor made no discernible gesture, but, suddenly, the screen in front of them displayed an image of an ovum.
“After we harvest your eggs, they will be treated in our lab to maximize their health and the odds of a successful pregnancy. When you choose a spouse, they will provide a DNA sample that we will inject into lab-grown sperm cells.” The image on the screen changed to a single sperm cell.
“We will immediately prepare the genetically enhanced embryo, and it will be ready for transfer in about a day. We anticipate a 95-percent success rate.”
Vivian stared at the new image of an embryo, lumpy with dividing cells. She could hardly imagine selecting a husband and within days being impregnated with a genetically enhanced version of their child.
“The children you bear who are born female will grow to be adults with pelvic bones strong enough to carry their own healthy children to term. And the children born male will carry on the DNA that will allow their own female children to have successful pregnancies. In a single generation, the reproduction challenges Mars has experienced since its founding will be resolved. As Red Mothers, you truly will be the mothers of the future of Mars.”
Vivian swallowed around a sudden lump in her throat. The future of Mars. She wasn’t a vessel or an incubator. This role she had accepted mattered. They would be ending generations of failed reproduction.
In the hushed silence, Delilah asked, “So no sexual congress?” The women surrounding her snickered.
“What about side effects?” Vivian called over the giggles. “Will the pregnancies be painful?”
“No sex,” Dr. Chavez said, frowning at Delilah.
She didn’t spare a glance for Vivian, as if she hadn’t heard her question.
“Not until we are certain the embryo has attached to the uterine wall. Our hormone treatments make you extra fertile, and we wish to avoid being forced to terminate a natural pregnancy and set our timeline back.”
“Excuse me.” Luz raised her hand in an uncharacteristically deferential motion. “Can you explain why sex is a required part of our contract if the fertilization occurs in a laboratory?”
Dr. Chavez exchanged a glance with Wim. “The Intelligence has analyzed data from several millennia of marriage and child rearing and has determined that an optimal experience—especially when having multiple children—is achieved when the parents have developed intimacy through a physical relationship.” She spread her hands.
“But I am a geneticist, not a psychiatrist. This isn’t my area of expertise. ”
Wim cleared his throat. “We shall defer to the infinite wisdom of the Intelligence.”
Dr. Chavez put a fist to her forehead and bowed her head.
“We are grateful for the gifts of the Intelligence.” She turned back to the women and continued as if there had been no interruption.
And, despite herself, Vivian realized she was getting used to the bizarre AI worship on Arcadia.
“The sexual relationship with your spouse will require thoughtful communication. You have, of course, received a basic background on the parameters of sex between an Earther woman and a Martian partner?”
Around her, the women nodded. Vivian exchanged a glance with Delilah. “We must have missed it when Delilah was sick.”
Camille snorted. “You sure did. Did you know we can crush a Martian’s pelvis in the bedroom? I can’t wait to try it out.”
The women tittered nervously. Dr. Chavez held up one hand.
“This is no laughing matter, ladies.” An image of two skeletons simulating sex appeared on the screen.
Dr. Chavez pointed to the bottom skeleton.
“An Earthborn woman-on-top position is the most dangerous for a Marsborn partner. She can fracture their pelvic bone if she moves too vigorously on them.”
Vivian could feel her face turn red as Dr. Chavez moved through a series of skeleton images explaining the optimal sexual positions for an Earther woman with a variety of Martian partners of all genders.
“Consent. Communication. These are core Martian values for a reason. No safe sexual relationship between a Martian and an Earther may occur without them.”
Vivian shivered. What did consent mean under these circumstances?
“Thank you, Dr. Chavez.” Wim stood from his perch at the back of the classroom.
“You have been most helpful. Now that we understand the importance of keeping chaste until we select partners, it’s time to turn to other business.
Counselor Caspian Hayes and his sister Miss Ivey are hosting a dance in four days’ time.
It’s an excellent opportunity for all of you to refocus your attention on obtaining a partner.
The Intelligence is eager to see all of you successfully matched prior to Presentation Day. ”