Epilogue
Afew months later
Josep
Watching one of my closest friends get married in the tradition of his human wife does something strange to my eyes.
Originem do not cry, but strangely, my cheeks are wet as the couple at the front of this crowded room exchanges heartfelt vows.
The main corridor of division five has been turned into a lovely reception hall, dripping with Silfan blooms and lit up with the glowing crystals of the Dhugaren caves.
When Khur places his hand so tenderly on Destiny’s swollen abdomen and they kiss for the first time “as husband and wife” the group of onlookers erupts into cheers, the Dhugarens stomping so hard I swear the floor shakes a little, and I surreptitiously swipe at my face with my sleeves.
When the happy couple makes their way down the aisle and their guests toss handfuls of petals over them, I move back against the wall.
I’m here as a representative of the Originem.
We are meant to keep ourselves separate from the rest of Sanctuary, like benevolent guardians, but I find I grow tired of the role.
I do not want to admit to the feelings rising in my chest, but there they are regardless.
Hope, longing, and the ever-present loneliness.
Right now, all I want to do is toss flower petals at my friends and hug them both.
Human traditions are strange, but there’s a certain charm to them that I don’t want to resist. I must, though.
I was tasked to observe this event, not to mingle.
Later tonight, after I’ve left the celebration and returned to my room, I’ll write up a status report for upstairs and let them know how successful the breeding program is now that humans have been integrated into the population.
Destiny is visibly pregnant, and she’s not the only one from what I saw today.
Other human women are clearly starting to show preference and pair off with other species.
Upper management will be thrilled at the current state of affairs. My gut twists with guilt, though.
To management, this evidence will prove that their 'minor inconveniences' were successful.
Not providing the humans with certain basic necessities, limiting their access to knowledge with minimal education, all in an effort to push them into the arms of their alien neighbors.
The idea to suggest they go to division 39 was a terrible one, something I knew could put Khur in danger, but my superior wanted to use danger to bond them further.
He's studied humans, knows exactly how their emotions work.
He may say that he wants what's best for everyone, and he won't be wrong when he points out the success of this particular mission.
I still wonder, though, if my friend would be so forgiving if he knew I had manipulated him.
What would the citizens of Sanctuary, many of whom I now call my friends, think if they knew the true objectives behind this galactic refugee? Would I still be invited to weddings and parties if they knew the real reason we brought so many human women here?
The Originem are dying, and our only hope lies in the mingled procreation of the many alien races surrounding me.