The next three days, I wasn't disturbed by anyone. I was hanging around the station, staring at the work of the best minds in the world, sometimes talking to Jessica or Arnold when they were free. Jess and I used to go to the bio complex, where the giant aquarium surrounding the complex was a real ray of water.
- His name is Alpha, - explained Ian Webber, head of the complex. He was one of those who met us with the ships. - Guess in whose honor?
The slope was black, big and a little creepy. He used to slide quietly in the middle of the waters, sparkling with his white belly, but sometimes it was like sticking to the glass of an aquarium and, as the staff put it, "watching" them.
- He is our love and pride, - said Jan. - We brought him out. He is much smarter and bigger than his wild relatives. We are all watching him closely. There is no less water in the aquarium than in the big lake, and we are constantly watching its composition. Besides Alpha, we have other fauna, but he is the king of these waters. The local Rex.
Spitz, when he heard his name, moved his ears.
- And you rule the land, my friend, - Jan smiled and patted the dog on the back.
On the fourth morning, I received a message that my presence was required in Dr. Smith's office.
I cleaned myself up and headed to the health center. This time Rex wouldn't let me go, even biting my legs, so I had to lock him in the bathroom. When I opened the office door, his pitiful barking still stood in my ears.
There was another person in the office besides Ursula. I knew from the photo at the complex's booth that the head of the entire medical complex, Guillaume Poitre, was standing in front of me. He was about fifty years old, but he didn't turn his tongue around, he was alive. Monsieur Poirot looked at me with pleasure.
- Good afternoon, good afternoon! He kissed me on the cheek and took my hands on his own. - We are so happy to see you. Luckily, the tests showed that you are really right for us! You're just perfect! - the man almost glowed with happiness. Just a little bit more, and the lamps would have burned out.
Oh, I wish I knew why I was so perfect! But I was soon destined to find out about it.
- The DNA analysis showed that you'd be the perfect mother! You have an incredible genotype!
All the paint had gone off my face in a moment, but the French doctor interpreted it in his own way.
- I understand, I understand, you're excited, it's a great honor! Here on Alpha 1, no government prevents us from doing science. - He raised his forefinger up, still holding my hands with the other hand. - Here we can revive the art of eugenics and prove its importance to the world! Ah, - his face became very sad, - why did mankind turn away from this teaching in its time? Why? Is it possible to put the common good and individual fears on the scales? Unethical, they said! But is it ethical to condemn one's own view of degeneration? Tell me, is it fair?
I was negative, but I shook my head without wanting to.
- Of course not! This is absurd! - The doctor's face turned red, but immediately
- cooled down. - Imagine, you will become the mother of the greatest people! - Guillaume's eyes glistened from his emotions. - Your sons and daughters will make incredible discoveries, lead us in future generations, change the very face of humanity! You are truly blessed, you will see it!
He almost shouted, raising his hands to him. It was funny to me because it was ridiculous and frightening. Ursula kept silent and looked at me with love. That's how they look at tribal bitches.
- Naturally, you have to choose the method of fertilization, - said Mr. Poitre, the real doctor in his business tone. - Extracorporal or classical. But I dare recommend you the latter. - The Frenchman advised with some special pressure, but a second later his face was smoothed out. - You could say that this would be the last test for the candidates," the doctor giggled. Ursula usually drowned out the laugh with her palm.
- Are you one of them? - suddenly I gave it away. The question sounded rudder than I thought.
- Oh, come on!" Guillaume said in shock. - I'm not worthy! Only the best of the best will be allowed to come to you!
You can kill a man with words, it's true. I just got killed.
The only person who did not share emotions was me. Their theater distracted me from my own feelings, which I tried my best to drown out. But now there was nothing to distract me from.
I didn't want to, you know? I didn't want to! DO NOT WANT!
- Do you understand how important this is? Maybe you don't like it, but you have to give up your feelings. What are the feelings in the face of the common good? - Guillaume looked into my eyes. - Do we understand each other?
- Of course, - I said quietly. Shame on me, I just wanted to leave. As soon as possible.
I bowed out with the doctors and walked out of the office. I immediately met Vitovt's eyes, wanted to ask what he was doing here, even opened my mouth, but fainted.
