Page 2 of Baby For The Tark Commander

Priya nodded in sympathy. “I know, but maybe we’ll both get lucky and never get picked.”

“Hopefully,” said Rana half-heartedly. She didn’t share her friend’s optimism.

***

OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, Rana tried to distract herself and not think about the possibility of selection. She threw herself into her work at the hospital, where she was an aide, and spent time with Priya. She also made an effort to visit her parents more often. As they shared meals together, her mother would sometimes tear up quietly and squeeze Rana’s hand under the table. Her father attempted light jokes, but they came out strained.

During a visit, Rana found her mother crying softly in the kitchen. When Rana hugged her, all her mother said was, “I wish I could protect you.” Though unspoken, Rana could feel their sorrow, knowing her future was no longer hers alone.

***

ONLY A WEEK LATER, a message flashed on her datapad—an official notice from the Faction Embassy. Rana’s stomach dropped as she read the words: Selected for surrogacy service. Please report to the Embassy immediately for matching and assignment.

With trembling hands, she grabbed her coat and hurried out the door. This was really happening. In a matter of hours, she would meet the alien to whom she’d been matched. Her life would never be the same.

Nearly an hour later, she stood numbly in the waiting room, the words of the notice echoing in her mind. She’d stopped by to tell her parents, and they’d hugged her but had been unable to find any words of comfort. Priya had tried to reassure her as they vid’d goodbye.

“Maybe you’ll get one a nice one, like a Brundle or a Tark,” Priya had said gently.

Rana clung to her friend’s words like a lifeline now. She watched as other stunned young women were ushered back one by one to meet their assigned Faction matches. The room was silent with everyone lost in their own worries and fears.

Finally, Rana’s name was called. She stood on shaky legs and followed the proctor into a small conference room. A Tark sat at the table, finally revealing the species with which she’d been matched. He had skin so deep purple it was nearly black, large white wings folded behind his back, and white hair that flowed past his shoulders. His cat-like yellow eyes met hers, and he gave a small smile that seemed meant to reassure.

“Hello, Rana. I’m Commander Sarko D’sano. Please take a seat.”

Rana sat carefully across from him, nerves and curiosity warring within her. Of all the aliens, she knew the least about the Tarks. He had a kind, almost artistic look to his angular features, and there was a birdlike quality in his features and sharp nose. He watched her closely, as if trying to gauge her reaction to him.

“I understand this is frightening, so I want to explain what will happen now. First, you’ll receive a mild genetic modification to allow you to safely carry a hybrid pregnancy. Then we’ll be bound for a one-year contract. I hope in that time we can get to know one another, and you will come to see this as an opportunity, not a burden.”

She swallowed hard, trying to keep an open mind. She had no choice but to trust in fate now. Meeting his golden gaze, she nodded slowly. “I’m ready.”

A proctor took her back to the medical wing for the genetic modification procedure. She laid tensely on the exam table as Quillin, the golden Mosaic Med Chief, explained how it would allow her to conceive and carry a viable pregnancy with Sarko’s alien DNA. Though non-invasive, the idea of being altered on a genetic level made her deeply uneasy, but she stayed silent since there was no alternative.

Afterward, a different proctor led her to Sarko in a small ceremonial chamber. As promised, they went through the ritual binding. Their wrists were loosely tied together with a silken cord as they signed the year-long contract on a datascreen. Rana’s hand trembled as she added her signature.

“The contract is complete. You may leave the Embassy,” said the officiant.

Sarko gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m on leave, so I thought we could spend these next several days getting acquainted before leaving for my rotation on Baxa.”

“Your homeworld?”

“The Faction’s new homeworld. Like everyone else, the Vorathans destroyed mine.” His yellow gaze turned amber for a moment in his grief. Then he held out a hand. “We can go to my ship, or we can go to your dwelling.”

“I live in a POD with my friend, Priya.”

He nodded. “I suggest we use my ship. I have it docked until my leave ends, and it’s easily accessible.”

“Okay.”

As they turned to leave the ceremony chamber, a news report flashed on a nearby vidscreen, showing protesters clashing with Embassy security. “The rebellion grows stronger every day,” said Sarko with a frown, “But I’ll keep you safe.”

She nodded silently. She knew little of the rebellion against the Faction surrogacy pact, but their actions would probably just make things worse. She steeled herself and followed Sarko out of the Embassy and into the unknown future ahead.

***

RANA STEPPED ONTO THE bridge of Sarko’s sleek starship, her eyes widening at the viewport showing the city skyline. “It’s bigger than I expected.”

He came up behind her. “Yes. The ship is basically self-contained. I know it doesn’t seem like much parked among the other ships here at the Embassy docking station, but when you see the stars...” His sharp face formed a wide smile that was oddly appealing.

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