Brianna and Sarah nodded and headed for the main dome. Kristy had gone to sit up on the hill where the communications station was. Beatrice went and found Albert in the small dome with the other men. “Albert, I think you should go stay with Kristy. She’s still blaming herself, and shouldn’t be left alone.”
Albert nodded and started climbing the hill.
Beatrice looked at the other men. “We need to finish the dissection of the Barbakath that we started. We only have a few more hours before the tissues start breaking down.”
Jason stood up. “We’ll be fine. I’m going to make some safety ropes so that we can finish mounting that communications bracket in the morning.”
“We’ll help you, Jason,” said Master Chief. He and Donald stood and followed Jason.
Beatrice leaned over to look at David’s hand. “Your hand is going to be sore for a week or two David,” Beatrice said to him. Sarah did a good job suturing it up but you will have to take it easy and keep it clean. No digging in the greenhouses until it heals. Sarah or I will take the sutures out in about ten days.”
Beatrice left the small dome and entered the big dome where she went back down to the lower level. They had been doing the dissection of the preserved Barbakath there beside the tank it had been in. Brianna and Sarah had already put back on the disposable exposure suits that they had been wearing before the accident. After dressing out, Beatrice joined them at the table they had set up to work on.
“I think we were about to open up the head,” Beatrice said. She took the small hammer and chisel that she had gotten from Master Chief and started splitting the skull open. She finally worked off a piece of skull exposing the brain. She then began slowly teasing it apart with forceps and describing what she saw. Sarah was recording the whole procedure with a video recorder while Brianna assisted Beatrice. They worked late into the night, finally finishing up after midnight.
“Ok, girls, that’s it. We can bury the body tomorrow. Let’s go get some sleep,” Beatrice told them. They went back up and out the airlock. As they started out, Beatrice said, “Thank you for your help, Odysseus. Your explanations as we worked made that much easier.”
“You are welcome, Beatrice. I wish to express my…regrets, in reference to the death of Frederick today.”
“Thank you, Odysseus. We’ll clean up our mess and dispose of the body tomorrow morning.”
As Beatrice was walking back to the ‘A’ dome, she heard retching coming from around the side of the airlock. She went around and found Brianna bent over with the dry heaves.
“Are you all right, Brianna?” she asked.
“I’m fine. I didn’t eat any supper and guess I got overwhelmed with the death of Frederick today. The dissection of the Barbakath was the final straw.”
Beatrice frowned. “Have you had a period since we arrived on the planet, Brianna?”
Brianna shook her head as she started retching again. Beatrice held her up until she was done. “Let’s get you some water. I want to run a blood test on you in the morning.”
“I will be fine, Beatrice,” Brianna said. “It’s ok.”
Beatrice frowned at her. “I want to do that blood test tomorrow after breakfast.” Brianna just nodded.
Chapter 50
May 28th, 2047
Planet Elpis
Beatrice was carefully observing the other team member’s behavior the next morning. She was concerned that depression would set in after Frederick’s death and the team’s isolation from Earth could possibly accentuate the problem. Kristy did seem more her regular self this morning, Beatrice noticed. Albert had lain down beside Kristy the night before and Kristy had fallen asleep sobbing in his arms. This morning, Kristy had woken up and said nothing about the previous day’s tragedy. She went with the men to attempt again to put the antenna bracket up. Beatrice knew there would be no lack of safety precautions today. Jason had rigged up some safety ropes and David and Master Chief had altered the bracket so that it would be easier to bolt up.
When the team was splitting up to go do their assigned tasks, Beatrice had cornered Brianna and made her stay behind.
“Stick your arm out,” Beatrice ordered. She applied a tourniquet and drew a tube of blood from Brianna’s arm. She released the tourniquet and gave her a piece of gauze for the puncture site. Beatrice then used a pipet to put a few drops of blood into a sample holder and placed the holder in her portable blood analyzer. It took the marvelous and compact little machine about a minute to give her the results of the test she was running. She looked at the screen and then at Brianna.
“How many times did you guys have sex?” Beatrice asked.
“A bunch,” Brianna grinned sheepishly.
“Well, I’m not sure how everybody is going to take the news, but I guess congratulations are in order. Your HcG level indicates you’re about three to four weeks pregnant. Most women don’t get morning sickness until they’re about six weeks along, but some women do get it as early as three weeks,” Beatrice said.
“How long will I be sick?” asked Brianna.
“It varies, most women experience nausea for two to three months,” Beatrice said. “I have some medication that I can give you that will help. You know that we’re going to have to tell Kristy that you’re pregnant.”
“Why? It’s a personal matter and I won’t let it affect my work or the mission,” Brianna said.
“Well for one, it will affect both. Maybe not right away, but when you get about seven months along your physical activity is going to be limited. After the baby is born, you’ll have to care for it and that means a lot less time to do your work. Having a crying baby here in the dome will keep other people awake and that will affect other people’s work.
“Have you thought about how you’re going to have to breast feed it, as we have no formula available? We have no baby food, no diapers, or any of the other modern conveniences for caring for a baby. There will be other problems too. Remember, we’re not due to leave for four years. You are young and healthy, so as long as there are not serious complications with the pregnancy, the delivery will be no problem. Unfortunately, the child will only be three years old when we leave. Have you thought about how hard a ride on a rocket into space will be on a three year old? I’m not sure that a child has ever been exposed to three G’s of gravity before.”
Brianna sat quietly. “I admit I hadn’t thought about the ride on the ascent ship back into orbit.”
Beatrice thought for a moment. “I have something I can give you that would terminate the pregnancy. However, you could still get pregnant again if you and Jason continue to sneak off and sleep together.”
“We do not sneak off,” Brianna snapped. “We just want privacy, that’s all. And, I will not abort this baby. Jason and I love each other and I knew this could happen. I won’t ask anyone else to help with the baby, and it will not affect my work. Everyone will just have to get over it!”
“Brianna, I’m not lecturing or judging you. I suspected this would eventually happen. You, Sarah, and I are all fertile now since we lost our supply of birth control shots in the supply shuttle accident. With a mixed male and female crew, it’s only to be expected that relations would develop. Kristy is the only one who has had the permanent birth control vaccination. She only did that because she spends so much time in space and understood that the radiation that she was exposed to isn’t good for a woman’s egg cells. I will support you, whatever you want to do. I am, however, obligated to tell Kristy since she’s the mission commander.”
“Please don’t tell her for a couple of days Beatrice. I want to find a time to tell Jason before he hears it from Kristy,” Brianna pleaded.
Beatrice nodded. She pulled out a small envelope and put some tablets in it from her medical supplies. “Take one of these pills every twelve hours. It will keep the morning sickness under control. I guess I’ll have to refresh my memory on pre-natal care and delivery and I’ll need to do a full exam on you in about four weeks. You b
etter get back to work on the information Odysseus has been supplying on the Barbakath or people will wonder why. I need to go walk through the greenhouses and check our gardens. Then, I get to practically write a book with my report of the dissection we did.”
The two women stood and hugged each other. Brianna walked out and headed for the main dome. Beatrice smiled worriedly as she watched her walk away. She put away her medical equipment and walked to the greenhouses to start her inspections.
…
Later that evening, Jason and Donald were getting ready to take the jeep to the stream and fill the water tank on the trailer. Brianna walked up and whispered to Donald. Donald nodded and smiled.
Donald went over to Jason and said, “Master Chief needs my help with something. Brianna said she would go with you to fill the water tank if that’s ok.”
Jason nodded. “Sure, I think we can manage.” He didn’t actually say so, but Jason was thrilled with the chance to be alone with Brianna. They had not had very much time together since the trip to the sea. He found that he really missed being alone with her.
Brianna hopped into the jeep and Jason got in to drive. After Jason drove over beside the greenhouses and hooked up the trailer, it was only about a ten minute drive to the stream in the next little valley over. They held hands on the trip but said little to each other. Jason stopped on the bank of the stream and Brianna got out and started pulling the suction hose for the pump off the back of the jeep. Jason walked up to her and put his arms around her. She turned in his arms to face him and they kissed deeply.
“I’ve missed doing that,” Jason said.
“Why?” asked Brianna.
“Because, I love you,” he said.
She smiled at him and her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Why do you love me? Is it because I’m one of only two women on the planet that’s your age?”
“No, it’s because you’re intelligent, beautiful, and I’ve fallen completely for you. I am most happy when you’re in my arms,” he said seriously.
Brianna considered what to say next as she studied his face. “I love you too Jason, I hope you’ll love me if I get big and pregnant.”
“Have you started having your period again?” Jason asked.
“No, and I won’t be having another one for a while,” Brianna said.
Jason ran his hands down her arms and then up across her breasts. “So it’s still safe for us to…you know.”
Brianna sighed, his touch really excited her. “It’ll be safe for about seven more months or so.”
“Seven months, really?” asked Jason with a grin on his face.
“Yes, after that I’ll need to wait for a couple of months after the baby is born,” Brianna said while carefully watching his face.
Jason’s grin faded. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that we’re going to have a baby in about eight months.”
“Oh shit, Brianna. You can’t have a baby here. There are no medical facilities. What if something goes wrong, there’s not a medical center we could rush you to,” he exclaimed.
“Jason, don’t be ridiculous. Beatrice is an excellent doctor. Unless you forget, women were having babies for a long time before there were such things as medical centers,” Brianna replied.
“Well, Kristy’s going to have a stroke when she finds out,” Jason said.
Brianna pushed him away. “Look, what did you expect that day you pushed me down in the dirt when we were gathering those plant samples? We’ve had quite a few lovemaking sessions since then too, you know. You knew that I wasn’t protected by birth control. It was just a matter of time. I was willing to get pregnant because I love you and want to be with you. Who cares what Kristy or the mucky mucks back on Earth think?” We’re here on this planet for the next four years. They cannot reasonably expect us to put all our feelings and lives on hold for all that time. They’ll get over it. So, now that I’m pregnant, are you magically no longer in love with me?”
Jason took her back in his arms. “Of course, I still love you. I’m just worried about what will happen. How will we raise the baby? I mean we’re sort of isolated here.”
“Small groups of people have lived in isolation since humans first came onto the nature scene Jason. I’ll be fine, and the baby will be fine. We will just have to adapt a little,” Brianna said.
“But, what will the baby eat? What about diapers and all that stuff they need?” asked Jason.
Brianna laughed and put Jason’s hands on her breasts. “These aren’t just for your amusement you silly man. Women started growing breasts to feed babies, not to provide men with play things. Making some diapers won’t be an issue.”
Jason hugged her tight and kissed her. “I’ll take care of you,” he said.
“I know you will,” Brianna said. “If you don’t, I’m going to kick your butt!”
…
Surprisingly, Kristy did not yell and scream at them when they broke the news to her. Jason, Brianna, and Beatrice had cornered Kristy after supper and told her the news of Brianna’s pregnancy. Kristy had just sat there and looked at them.
“I knew it was going to happen, I was just hoping it wouldn’t be this soon. It’s probably just a matter of time before you and Sarah gets pregnant also,” Kristy said accusingly to Beatrice. I’m the only one that’s not fertile.”
Beatrice laughed. “You have to be exposed first before you can get pregnant, Kristy.”
Kristy just rolled her eyes. “You think I haven’t noticed David and Sarah sneaking off like Jason and Brianna have. I’m not stupid you know. When you put men and women together, sparks will fly and the heat will rise. Trust me, I’ve been there and I know how it is. Hank and I were the same way. There are going to be problems though, mark my words. There are four women on this planet and five men. Somebody’s going to eventually get jealous and then the trouble will really start. In the meantime though, how are we going to handle a pregnancy and a baby? Alpha Control and the administrative people back at NASA are going to shit a brick over this.”
“What can they do, Kristy? I don’t think any of us signed any contracts to be celibate for the duration of the expedition. Why do you think that our original supplies included birth control? They’ll just have to accept it for what it is and deal with it.”
“David and Sarah are both Space Force. I can order them to not have sex,” Kristy said.
Jason shook his head. “You can order them not to have sex during duty hours, but you can’t control their off time unless it’s affecting their job performance. You will make things really bad if you try and order people not to do things in their own personal time.”
Kristy sighed. “I’m not looking forward to telling Alpha Control.”
“It won’t affect the mission,” said Jason. “The responsibility of the baby will fall to Brianna and I. No one else is expected to help us.”
Kristy looked at him. “Can you at least marry her?” That’ll make things easier. How can they expect to keep two married people apart?”
Jason looked confused. “I hadn’t even thought about it. Who would marry us? There are no government officials here. As a matter of fact, there are no chaplains or priests either.”
“Can’t the captain of a ship marry a couple?” asked Beatrice.
Kristy looked thoughtful. “I don’t think the issue has ever come up before, regarding a space ship that is. Besides, I’m not a captain of a ship.”
“Can’t it be done by VR, by an official on Earth?” Brianna asked.
“I don’t want to discuss all this right now,” said Kristy. I guess I’m going to have to report the news to Earth. First Frederick gets killed, and now one of my crew is pregnant. Earth is going to regret ever giving me the command of this mission.”
“Then don’t tell them right now,” said Beatrice.
“How can I not?” asked Kristy.
“Brianna’s medical information is private and privileged. Unless it affects the mission, it’s none of the
ir business. Legally, it could be construed as a violation of her privacy and medical records. If she doesn’t want to release that information, then you technically have to obey her desires,” Beatrice explained.
Kristy stewed on that for a minute. “Ok, this conversation didn’t happen. When you get big and pregnant though, I’ll have no choice but to report what’s obvious. I guess that’ll get me off the hook for a few months. In the meantime, I’ll do some research on the marriage issue if you want.”
Kristy stood up. “Ok, everybody get back to work. Brianna, I want you to get with Odysseus and find out all you can about what Barbakath babies eat. Odysseus is willing to share technology with us but he insists that preparations be made for bringing back his creators race. I also want you to delve some more into the history of the Barbakath race. What was their temperament like? We need to know what we’re getting into if we agree to be foster parents for them. “Now, everybody get to work, before I change my mind and lock Jason up for conduct un-becoming of an officer and a gentleman.
Chapter 51
June 17th, 2047
Planet Elpis
Brianna found Beatrice in the second green house. Beatrice was walking from squash plant to squash plant sticking her finger in the blooms on the plants.
“What the heck are you doing?” asked Brianna.
“Having sex with the squash plants,” Beatrice laughed. She held up a finger that was colored orange with pollen.
“That variety was developed to be self-pollinating,” Brianna said. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know that, but sometimes a little old fashioned cross pollination is good. I think it’ll lead to more viable seeds. No offense, but I don’t have one hundred percent trust in the vitality of these self-pollinating varieties that your parent’s company has developed,” Beatrice explained. “So, I figured I could play bumble bee and mix the pollen up a little bit myself.”
Blue Planet Rising (Pebbles in the Sky Book 2) Page 33
