Page 8 of What Makes an Alien a Dad?

“I suppose it is.”

“They would bother you, too, out there. That’s one of the reasons why I put the clause into our contract about not leaving the hospital premises during the study. You don’t need that kind of attention.”

“Oh, you put it in? Does it mean you’re the one who could take it out, too?”

He blinked at me. “Why would I do that?”

“It’d be nice to see Voran City, other than through the glass.” I gestured at the giant dome that covered the entire roof top of the building.

The nearly six-month-long Voranian winter had ended. As was typical for this planet, the change of the season lasted only a week. The snow had already melted, and the sun was shining brightly. I wouldn’t even mind some public attention if it meant I could go outside for a little while.

“This building has everything a person needs,” the professor stated firmly, crushing my hopes of ever getting out of here while under his control.

It was ironic how much I wished to get some fresh air, considering I was a homebody by nature. But it seemed even an introvert like me could reach a limit of indoor time after five months in the hospital and five on the spaceship before that.

“By contract,” he added. “You’re allowed to stay in Voran up to a month after the completion of the study. You can do whatever you wish then.”

“Right. I guess I’ll wait.” I mashed a cube of a steamed vegetable with my utensil, then scooped it up and shoved it into my mouth.

The conversation fizzled out again, and this time the professor was the one to attempt to revive it.

“Tell me why you decided to participate in our study, Maya.”

I smiled somewhat sheepishly. “I wish I could say something poignant and profound, too, Professor, but my main motivation was money.”

He paused his gaze on me. “Did you struggle financially?”

Who didn’t? Even those who appeared well-off always seemed to wish for more money, no matter how much they had.

“Well, I wasn’t living on the street or starving, but Walt—” I cut myself off, unwilling to say his name out loud, lest I break down sobbing again. I cleared my throat before continuing. “We wanted to open a sporting goods store. One that would sell everything from hiking gear to exercise equipment. It required a substantial capital investment.”

“And that was enough for you to commit to an extensive and invasive study like this one? To leave your home planet and part from your loved ones? Every aspect of your current life is strictly regulated.”

“Yeah, the contract rules are rather strict.” I didn’t realize he was behind them all. Somehow, I’d imagined the design of this study was a result of planning by a large group of people, possibly of several organizations, including the government. I never thought one man held this much power over me. “But it wasn’t just money, of course. The opportunity to experience life on another planet was exciting. The study seemed important, too.”

He shifted eagerly. “This study is of the utmost importance, Maya. If all goes as well as it has been so far—and I will do everything to ensure it does—the results will improve the lives of all Voranian families. Our women have been bearing the enormous responsibility of maintaining our population growth. Because of their relatively low numbers, they each have to go through multiple pregnancies, carrying not only the children of their husbands but also of other men wishing to become fathers. The bodies of Voranian women are well equipped for multiples, and they have been coping well. But they are looking forward to the opportunity to spend less time pregnant.”

“I don’t blame them.”

“Why?” He looked concerned again. “Is pregnancy causing you trouble?”

“No. I feel fine. You’re way too jumpy, Professor,” I teased with a light smile.

“A lot of hope is hinging on your wellbeing, Maya.”

“I know. But I really do feel fine, everything considered. I just meant that growing another person in your body does take its toll. I understand Voranian women’s desire to have fewer pregnancies. Especially, since almost all of theirs are of multiples.”

Curiosity shone in his pretty violet eyes. “What do you think about being in the study? How do you like being a part of it?”

“Well, this is my first time being pregnant, but I kind of knew what to expect when I signed up. My sister-in-law, the wife of one of my brothers, has been a surrogate twice.”

“Why did she do it?”

“To help couples who couldn’t have a baby on their own and to earn some money while my brother was working overseas. I talked to her a lot before coming here. She gave me a ton of good advice about being a surrogate.”

“I didn’t know you’d completed some preliminary research on your own.” He looked impressed.

“I’d hardly call it research.” I waved a hand. “But yes, it definitely helped me prepare for what to expect, in addition to the counseling provided by the Liaison Committee.”

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