Page 136 of Return of the Nine

Ziggy gave a stage whisper. “There are no girl members of the Balance. They find their mates in the other species and the boys are always the same as their fathers.”

It seemed rude to be discussing it with S’rin right there, but she asked, “What about the little girls?”

“There are none. The Balance have never been able to breed females. Our elders posit that it is because females already have balance within, they don’t need it without.”

Vida chuckled. “That is an enlightened view.”

He laughed. “That is why the Balance never varies in its population. We do not thrive, but neither do we dwindle. We are the same in number now as we were when our people left Underhill.”

Underhill was the Nine name for the world that the colonists had called Gaia.

Vida remembered her genetics lessons. “Since you always breed out, there is no degradation in the line, and if your power controls the genes, it wouldn’t fade either.”

“You seem to have a grasp on it.”

Vida chuckled. “My parents are scientists. Biology and basicgenetics was my nursery school class.”

Ziggy laughed, “It is true. She has a scientific mind that can rival that of Ula’s, but hers is aimed a little more toward the motivational sciences.”

S’rin reached out his hand to help her back to her feet. She resented the lack of tactile feedback, but she accepted the help. Once she was standing flatfooted on the lab floor, she looked up and up into the cowl of S’rin. Yup. He was very, very tall. Seven foot easily.

She smiled brightly into the confines of his hood, and she swore she could see a flash of light.

Ziggy spoke to S’rin. “I am taking her to Meevin again tomorrow. If Lerinian can meet us there at midmorning, that would be great. He can take charge of the situation. Thanks for helping out.”

“It was my pleasure. I am eager for our little project to find a use. I will pass this information along to Researcher Lerinian. I am sure he will be there.”

“I second Ziggy’s thanks. I know I was unable to articulate it when we arrived, but I am deeply relieved that you were here to consult.” She extended her hand to him, and he seemed surprised by the gesture. Instead of shaking her hand, he raised it to his lips.

She really wished she could feel it, but Ziggy pulled her out of the lab before she could figure out how to get the suit to retract.

The Balance zone was soon to be a thing of the past, which was a pity; Vida enjoyed the clear pathways.

Chapter Five

Vida had seen images of creatures like Rothaway in the Gaian monster books. He had thick, wavy hair, pointed ears, wide shoulders and his fingers looked as if claws could appear at any moment. His doting on Ziggy made his appearance a little less aggressive.

“So, Vida, that is a striking robe you are wearing.”

She ate another morsel of food that Ziggy gave her a nod for and inclined her head. “It is Ziggy’s. I am afraid that the gown I came with suffered an accident.”

Rothaway filled her wineglass and chuckled. “So I gathered. Feel free to requisition anything you need on Ziggy’s account. She doesn’t use nearly enough of her income as it is.”

Ziggy made a face. “That is because you buy me stuff all the time. I don’t have a chance to go shopping.”

“If you shopped, you would not choose Wilder clothing.”

Ziggy sighed, “That is the point.”

Vida felt that she had stumbled into a domestic issue. “Um, if you would like, I can just head to my room.”

Rothaway looked over at her. “Don’t worry about it. We bicker about her clothing all the time. She has to dress according to her station. She is the first representative of your species and eyes are on her every time she leaves our quarters.”

Vida winced. “That must be stressful, Zig.”

Ziggy shrugged. “It will be worse when the baby shows up.”

Rothaway sat back and grinned. “We have no idea what it is going to be. Dr. Meevin is beside herself. The geneticists are waiting eagerly, but we have forbidden testing until the child has arrived. Aside from the other Gaians living on the mother ship,you are the first to know about the pregnancy. It shows that she has great trust in you.”

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