Page 6 of Breedable Boys from Outer Space
An uncomfortable silence settled over us.
“Excuse me, sir,” another man eventually called. “What… what about the children? What will they be like?”
Another nod. “While subjects from our earliest tests are still pregnant, they have allowed some genetic testing of the embryos. Alien DNA will continue to be present in the offspring, as well as the ability for men to get pregnant.”
He took a deep breath. “Make no mistake. Humankind will be changed on a fundamental level. However, there is no way to stop that now, with or without your participation. Other countries are already developing their breeding programs, so it’s only a matter of when, not if, those children make their way into the population.”
The slide changed again to show more of the pastel-hued men.
The general strode back onto the stage, and the doctor walked off. “While this will impact mankind’s future, we’re well aware of the dangers posed right now. Participation will require great sacrifices. Volunteers will be relocated to a secure base with controlled access. You will not be able to discuss details with family or friends and will be required to go low-contact. Your health will be closely monitored, and…”
He paused, then let out a long breath. “Things will be difficult for your children while we prepare the populace for their entry. Long-term isolation is a real concern, though it’ll be for everybody’s safety. The last thing we want is an angry mob attacking volunteers and their families.”
He looked around. “However, there will be benefits for you as well, not least of which is that you will be some of the first to be able to visit an alien planet. While the humans on Earth are not ready, the off-worlders’ population has no such qualms and these men have indicated that they fully intend to make trips home to visit family—even if they now live permanently on Earth. You’ll receive a generous stipend in addition to your normal pay, and all of your basic needs will be provided.”
He straightened and secured his hands behind his back again. “Let me be clear, gentlemen. This is a significant decision. You can decide not to participate at any point until introductions are made, but once you remove yourself from the program, you will not be allowed back in. The situation is too sensitive for doubt.”
He paused. “We understand that you likely have questions, but this is all we’re willing to share on a large scale. Reminder that everything you have heard today is considered classified, and is not to be discussed.”
His eyes swept the room. “Make your decisions, gentlemen. When you leave this room you will have two options: proceed toward the busses that brought you here, and return to your bases, or report to program staff and prepare to be moved to a secure location.”
A moment of silence, then, “Dismissed!”
Chapter 4
Edwards stood and shoved past me toward the exit.
I grabbed my pack, then scrambled after him. I spotted him outside the auditorium doors, where several other men had already gathered.
“Edwards,” I called. “Simon!”
He paused, allowing me to catch up, and I saw barely-contained rage on his face. “Can you believe that bullshit?” he snarled.
“I… uh…”
“I don’t know whose sick fucking idea of a joke this is,” he spat, “but I’m not laughing. An entire planet of gay men needing us to fuck them? And what’s with the bad photo editing? I’m sure given a few hours and some photos, I could make pastel men too.”
“Do you really think they’d go through all of this for a joke?” I asked.
He snorted. “If you’d have asked me yesterday, I would have said no. But we’re here, aren’t we?”
“What if it’s all real?”
He barked out a laugh. “Don’t tell me you actually believe that nonsense!”
“I don’t know!”
He scowled. “Let’s for one minute assume that it’s real. Do you want that? Married for life to some alien, fucking him constantly because you’re a sex addict, pumping out half-human babies that have to be hidden away because some asshole with a bible will think that the whole thing is against the will of God? And all so some assholes in the government and businesses can get their hands on advanced technology. Is that what you want out of life?”
I swallowed. Did I want that? Part of me had always wanted kids, but I wasn’t blind to the challenges of becoming a gay father: surrogacy and adoption were both expensive. I might not ever be able to make it happen on a mechanic’s salary, even as a civilian.
But was this merely a means to that end? What about the rest of it? It wasn’t as if he was wrong.
I thought of the photos, of how handsome the men had been. What would they be like?
“Don’t tell me you’re thinking about actually doing this,” Edwards said incredulously.
“I don’t know…”
