Chapter 5
“H ey, Doc G,” said the bubbly blonde on my screen. “What is this? Week three from an undisclosed location?”
I chuckled. “Good afternoon, Ashley,” I replied to my doctoral student. “Days tend to run together here, but three weeks sounds about right.” I paused. “How’s your research progressing?”
She grinned. “It’s good. Those articles you pointed me to really helped.”
“Glad to hear it. Are you having any problems without me there?”
She cocked her head to one side and hummed. “I did have a couple questions, but Doc Brown showed me where I might have been misinterpreting the data, and I think I’m on the right track now.”
“That’s good. I knew he’d be a good match since I’ve been hard to reach these past few weeks.”
“I’m trying to convince him to become a professor,” she chirped. “He explained things really well and made sure I understood.”
My mind flitted to the possibility. Eddie Brown had been one of my previous doctoral students and had remained at the school as a post-doc researcher. He had the temperament for teaching…
Especially if I decided to stay on the project longer than planned.
“Doc?”
I shook my head. “Sorry, Ashley. I was just thinking about Eddie as a professor. He’d probably be good at it.”
She grinned. “Right? He even saw potential issues and gave me some more articles to read.”
I laughed. “At this rate, he might end up overseeing your work more than me.”
She shrugged. “I doubt that, but I’m glad he’s here.”
“That makes two of us.” I glanced over to where I had a calendar open on my screen. “Luckily, things are starting to get routine here, and I think that I can get into a consistent communication schedule. Though it still won’t be as much time interacting with everybody as I’d like.”
“Eh,” she shrugged. “I get it.”
I slid my glasses from my hairline to rest on my nose, then turned to my notes. “Did my proposed weekly meeting time work for you, or do we need to figure something else out?”
She sighed. “It works, though I’d prefer a morning slot if you have one.”
I shook my head. “Sorry, no can do. We have daily meetings in the morning here where we go over the results of the previous day, then chart out the tasks to be accomplished so that the computer is processing shortly after lunch.”
“Damn, they’re keeping you busy. Is it at least interesting?”
I tilted my head from one side to the other as I considered the question. Interesting was an understatement.
Breakthrough? Pioneering? We were among the first humans to see alien DNA, and no matter what we did, our research would be studied for decades to come.
Finally, I nodded. “I think interesting is a good word for it.”
She giggled. “I know you better than that, Doc G. Your face gave it away. But I understand you can’t talk about it. I’m just glad you’re enjoying the work.”
I smiled. “I may have been reluctant at first, but I’m glad I’m here.”
“Good!” she chirped.
I nodded and glanced at my notes again. “Ok, onto business. What are your current roadblocks, and what are your plans for this next week?”
“Well, I…”
Ashley was interrupted by a single knock at the door, then Eashai poked his head in.
“Gene?”
I was beyond grateful that the information security team had insisted that no cameras face the door.
“One moment, Ashley,” I stated, then I muted my microphone before she could hear any more of Eashai’s cadence.
I pushed my glasses into my hair again when I realized he was slightly blurry.
His eyes were wide as I held up a hand to stop him before he could come into view of the camera.
He mouthed something, but I couldn’t make out what he was trying to say.
“It’s ok,” I said. “I muted the mic.”
“Was I seen?” he asked, a slight squeak at the end of his question.
I shook my head. “No, the camera is facing me.”
He blew out a long breath. “I apologize. Floyd indicated that you were in here, and I did not anticipate…”
I laughed. “It’s ok, just a slight moment of panic. Do you need me in the lab?”
“No. I would like to discuss something else with you. But it can wait until you have concluded your work.”
“I shouldn’t be much longer. The student I had scheduled after Ashley had to cancel.”
“Ashley is a female?”
I cocked my head to the side. “Yes. Why?”
His cheeks darkened slightly. “I have only heard human women in recordings from your world, and the… television… shows you have shown me. Never live.”
I laughed, understanding what he wanted. “Let me ask her permission. You’ll need to stay off camera and quiet, though.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
I turned back to the screen and unmuted my mic. “Sorry about that.”
She waved her hand just in frame. “No worries.”
“I have a question before we resume.”
“Shoot.”
“My colleague who came in would like to listen. He can’t be on camera or speak for security purposes, but he is somebody I trust to hear about your research. He understands if you’d prefer he leave.”
I caught Eashai’s nod out of the corner of my eye.
“He’ll understand, though, right?”
I smiled. “He’s extremely knowledgeable.”
She laughed. “Invisible advisor? I’m in.”
I glanced over as Eashai put his hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Ashley and I spent the next several minutes discussing problems she’d encountered and my recommendations to resolve them. Then we moved on to her plans for the next week.
We were approaching the end of our planned session when Eashai got my attention. I muted the call while he asked me to explain Ashley’s project.
His eyes lit up as I talked, and his excitement was palpable as he suggested several things for her to look at—genes that I’d thought had nothing to do with her research. But I dutifully passed on his suggestions when we resumed the call.
Ashley seemed hesitant, but open to exploring Eashai’s suggestions. I could tell she had the same thoughts as I, that the genes seemed unrelated. But we both also knew that genetics were complicated.
We ended the call a few minutes later, and I turned off my computer so that I could return it to the information security team.
“You have to turn in your device after every use?” Eashai asked as we walked through the admin building.
I nodded, realized my glasses were still on the top of my head, paused, removed them, and tucked them into a pocket.
Then we resumed walking. “They’ve put download restrictions on it to keep me from installing any location trackers.
But they still insist on sweeping it for anything malicious and keeping it stored with them between uses. ”
“That must be inconvenient.”
I snorted. “Just a little bit. But it’s the price of being here. Luckily, they haven’t insisted on sitting in on calls. My guess is there’s some sort of listening device in the room so that it’s not obvious that they’re making sure I don’t talk about anything I’m not supposed to.”
“I am sorry.”
I paused to glance over at him. “For what?”
He frowned. “You would not have to live under such restrictions if we were not here.”
I shrugged. “It is what it is.”
We left the admin building, and I was hit with hot humidity. Birds chirped in the tall trees, bugs sang all around, cadences rang across the field, and the sounds of heavy machinery from the builders filled the air.
“What was it you wanted to talk about?” I asked. “Did a pool table open up at an earlier time, or did you pick another show you wanted to watch?”
He chuckled. “Unfortunately, we are still on the schedule for a late time at the pool table. As to television, I do not wish to watch any more of your medical dramas. I am also not fond of… police procedurals?”
“Ah,” I replied. “Makes sense. You only lasted a few minutes into the last medical one we tried, and you looked uncomfortable with the police one. You seem to like sci-fi and comedy, though.”
“And… reality… television is fascinating, but in a way I am not entirely comfortable with.”
I laughed. “I think that’s on purpose. It’s morbid, like watching a train wreck. You know it’s bad for you, but you can’t look away.”
He echoed my laugh. “That is an apt description.”
“So not work, pool, or TV… what had you so eager that you needed to come find me early?”
“I am returning to Lyll on the day after tomorrow, and I would like for you to accompany me.”
I managed to trip over my own feet and choke on air at the same time. “What?” I gasped, doubled over as I tried to find my balance again.
“Are you alright?” Eashai asked.
“I think I’m hallucinating,” I wheezed. “For a moment, I thought you invited me to your planet.”
“I did,” he stated.
I turned my head enough to meet his gaze. “Why?”
He glanced around, then motioned with his head. “Let us discuss at that table.”
I nodded, righted myself, and followed him over to a metal picnic table.
“First,” he said once we’d sat, “I need to apologize. I shared parts of our conversation with those from my world.”
“Which conversation?” I asked. We’d had several long discussions in the lab while waiting for results or determining their interpretations.
Then there were the nights spent introducing him to American movies and television.
Hell, we’d managed some pretty deep topics while shooting pool or playing tennis…
which he struggled with but insisted on trying again.
His cheeks darkened slightly. “The one in which you informed me of your sexuality.”
I stared as my stomach did a flip. “What?”
“I felt it was necessary,” he replied, voice coming up in pitch as he started wringing his hands. “I am the scientific liaison for the United States, and it is my job to report on things that I feel may impact the project. I…”
I reached across the table and took his hands. His words had tumbled faster and faster as he’d tried to explain himself.
“Slow down,” I said firmly. “I’m not happy, but I’m willing to hear you out.”
He nodded and took a deep breath before continuing. “My mind returned to your words many times—how you felt isolated in your youth. I recalled your concern for the children who will be born.”
He swallowed. “It was not something that I could ignore. It is our duty to give the children of this project the best future possible, and that includes preparing my people for aspects of life that are more human than Lalyllte.”
I closed my eyes, composed myself, squeezed his hands, let him go, then replied.
“First, while I understand, discussing somebody’s sexuality without their consent is frowned upon at best, and potentially deadly at worst—at least when it’s about anything other than straight relationships.
I’m personally in a relatively safe position.
I’m in a mostly accepting country, am a white man, and because I’m biromantic, I can force myself to appear straight.
My job wouldn’t care, and my landlord won’t kick me out over it. But that’s not the case for everyone.”
I squeezed my hands, fingernails biting into my palms. “People die because of who they love… who they are. It’s not always as explicit as it once was, but it’s still there.
Shame is weaponized; acceptance withheld.
Kids are tossed out onto the streets with nothing but the clothes on their back, and for some, the self-loathing cuts so deep they find it easier to end things than see a brighter future ahead. ”
I released my grip. “The sad reality is that how open we want to be is a choice we all have to face.”
“I am sorry,” Eashai said softly.
I blew out a long breath and shook my head. “You wouldn’t know how complex it is.”
There was a moment of silence. Eashai reached for my hand, then pulled back. “You are correct, I do not know. None of my people truly understand. That is the reason I broke your confidence.”
“You don’t want the children born here to face that, do you?” I asked.
He looked down as he nodded. “We want to prepare the volunteers who will come here; make them aware that human sexuality is more complex. Yet I feel there is more as well. We have spent much time on logistics, on planning to mate with human men and reproduce. We have volunteers ready to relocate to Earth. However, even with the work of our humanologists, I am concerned that there are obstacles that only humans will recognize. This is one.”
“That’s why you want me to come with you?”
He looked up and nodded again, though there was sadness in his eyes. “That is correct. I would like for you to discuss this with those involved in educating our volunteers.”
I licked my lips. “I’m not refusing, but why me? I’m sure there are others with more compelling stories.”
He was contemplative for several seconds. “Do you remember what I asked you that led to that conversation?”
I nodded. “You asked if I preferred women… because I didn’t react to you.”
“Yes. And that is why I feel you are the most obvious choice.”
“Because I don’t react?”
“Yes.”
“But there are plenty of people here working with you just fine.”
He bit his lower lip. “There have been… incidents.”
“Huh?”
“There are only a small number of us on Earth at present, but there have already been several unplanned matings. Only three in your country, but that is how intense the reaction can be. Because of that, we have concerns about taking an unmated human to Lyll. The probability for unexpected mating increases significantly there, especially among humans who prefer to partner with men.”
“But since my sexual attraction is based on emotional connection…” I started.
He nodded. “It is still not without risk. However, my superiors are more comfortable because of your particular sexuality.”
I was silent as my thoughts raced. What right did I have to talk about human sexuality? My stories were mild compared to many. I wouldn’t be able to speak from an area of study and expertise, just from the perspective of my own experiences.
How many people would have already jumped at the chance to visit another planet? My inner child was screaming ‘yes’ while the rest of me was questioning whether I was the right person.
Finally, I licked my lips. “I’m willing to go and get the conversation started, but I cannot be your sole source of information. I’ll open this door, but your people will need to find those who can talk about this from more perspectives than mine.”
Eashai nodded. “An honest and reserved answer. I have not known you for long, but it is what I have learned to expect.”
I swallowed. “So this is really happening? I’m going to visit your world?”
He smiled. “Unless you decide otherwise.”
“And Floyd and the general? They’re ok with it?”
He laughed. “They were not pleased at my request, however—as Floyd reminded me—you are a civilian, therefore they cannot order you to accompany me nor remain on Earth.”
I grinned. “In other words, it’s my choice.”
He nodded. “Correct.”
I was silent for several seconds—making sure I’d considered everything. Then I returned his nod. “Ok then. I guess I’m going to Lyll.”