The People Makers Ch 14

The Story of Robert & Jennifer & Nettie Powell

Husbands and wives were rarely seen at the Station. The Federationistas for whatever reason preferred to rescue one person at a time. If husband and wives were a rarity, then husbands and wives and children were even more so. Technically speaking there were only two families at present on the Station. There was Michelle Delving and her young children Damon and Eva who nearly everyone was convinced were not-quite-children.

And then there was Robert & Jennifer Powell and their 18 year old daughter Nettie.

All three had been rescued and brought there by the Federationistas, which raised more than one set of eyebrows. Obviously the Federationistas saw some additional potential in this family by choosing to bring all three of them together.

Robert & Jennifer Powell were both loyal servants of the World Government. He worked in the Department of Conformity in the Division of Unanimity and she in the Department of Mass Line in the Office of Official State-Sanctioned Spontaneity. Both were eager fans of the World Government, feeling that only the brightest minds could guide humanity. The fact that the Earth had apparently destroyed itself diminished none of their faith in smarter central planning.

And thus they uncritically accepted the claim that the Earth had been destroyed by Man Made Galactic Temperature Change and that they had been rescued by the Federationistas to repopulate New Earth. They were excited and honored to have been selected. As a rare husband and wife combination, of course, it was only natural that they would first want to partner with each other.

"That is the natural instinct, but not always the correct one," Bessie warned them. "You might be better genetically compatible with a different man, and a different woman."

Jennifer gave a nervous smile and grasped her husband's hand. "Oh, I'm sure we're the best ones for each other, aren't we, Honey?"

"Of course!" said Robert.

"Better keep a tight grip on him, Jennifer," said Bessie. "There's more than one woman out there who I know would delight in getting to know such a handsome man like Robert." She licked her lips and rubbed her thigh in a way that somehow made Jennifer uncomfortable.

"We'll be fine," said Robert. "When may the pairing begin?"

"Well, first you have to have sex," said Bessie.

"Sex?"

"The Federationistas like to see that couples are emotionally compatible. It's not a formal requirement, but it's something they... they like to see. Is that a problem?"

Jennifer grasped Robert's hand tighter. "They... they are going to watch us have sex?"

"No one really knows," said Bessie. "But it is presumed they are watching everywhere."

"Come on, Jennifer. It's not like we've never done it before," said Robert.

"But... to do it in front of an audience."

"You'll be in your quarters, and no one else will be there," said Bessie.

"But... they're recording, watching?"

Bessie shrugged her massive shoulders. "No one really knows."

"Dear, it's about saving the human race," said Robert, rubbing her shoulders.

Jennifer reluctantly nodded. "All right."

"Great!" said Bessie. "You too have a romantic evening together, and first thing tomorrow morning I'll set you up with Graylor."

"Graylor?"

"A most charming man. I think you'll really like him."

After they left Bessie turned to Frog, who had been motionless and silent the entire time. "What do you think?"

"He could be a good addition to the program, but I am not sure she will cooperate when we split them up." Her talk crystal glowed with every word.

Bessie scratched her nose. "Yes, she could be a problem. I'll inform Graylor."

********

Robert sensed Jennifer's nervousness as he kissed her that night. They were all alone in their new quarters, and their daughter Nettie had her own room, but who knew who was watching them? Despite having given her the rod for nearly 20 years, his wife Jennifer was still a little uptight about sex, a reluctance which might hinder her participation in the Experiment.

He took off his own jumpsuit, and heard her whimper slight as he removed her own. "Hey, hey, it's going to be all right. We're going to create a whole new human race, just the two of us."

"We... we are?"

He looked down at her trembling naked body. She looked so sexy with her small pointed breasts, her flat stomach, her muscular thighs. He always enjoyed making love to her and would do so even more tonight.

"You bet," he smiled grimly. He pulled her down to bed and slowly eased himself into her. He felt her warm wetness embracing him like a velvet glove as he entered Jennifer's vagina.

"Ahhhhh," Jennifer smiled. "But they're watching," she whispered.

"Then let's give them a good show."

Before long Robert was poling inside his wife's tight, moist vagina as she smiled up at him. Neither had a care in the world. It all felt so familiar, so good. But for Robert the extra spice was the idea of being watched, being observed. He would never have admitted it to Jennifer, but it excited him.

"Think about it, Jen," he said. "We're going to create a whole new human race, just you and me."

"Yes," she gasped, as his hard, red rod plowed into her.

"Our genes, yours and I will create an entirely new human race!"

"Oh, that would be so great!" Jennifer cried. Her vagina was stuffed full of penis. She was wet and lubricating; she could hardly be otherwise. Her nipples were hard and pointing at her best friend in the world. She felt a familiar tingling in her cunt.

Robert felt her warm, animal wetness stimulating him, and felt an increasing tightness in his shaft.

"A whole new human race," he whispered. "Your vagina, my penis."

"Yes!"

"Your egg, my sperm!" He drilled her faster.

"We're going to be the Adam and Eve of a whole new human race!"

"Yes, Robert, yes!"

"Oh Jennifer! Jennifer!"

"Me too!"

"Ooohh! Ooooh Oooooh!" He flooded into her just as she cried out, feeling an orgasm radiating out of her cunt. As he filled her with his seed Jennifer realized she had never felt so grateful to be inseminated.

To create a whole new human race.

********

Jennifer held her breath as Graylor studied their gene plates.

"Is there a problem?" Bessie asked.

"There is some overlap," said Graylor. "They are not as complementary as they could be."

"But we love each other very much," Jennifer cried.

Frog said, "Graylor does not mean the word as you think he does. He means that you have many of the same gene traits in common with your husband."

She grabbed Robert's hand instinctively. "Well, isn't that a good thing, for both of us to have decency and respect and love?"

"It can be, but there are other factors to consider," said Graylor. He stuck out his forked tongue and hissed softly as Jennifer shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Very well, you may make the attempt."

The results came in quickly.

600.

"600? What does that mean?" Jennifer asked.

"A passing grade is 800 or higher out of a thousand," said Frog. "600 is average, or very slightly above average."

"Oh," said Jennifer.

"What, what do we do now?"

"The logical course of action would be to select different mates," said Bessie sweetly.

"No!" said Jennifer, clutching onto Robert tightly. "I won't allow it."

Bessie's eyebrows shot up.

"Isn't there another alternative?" Robert asked desperately.

"Well, you could try to adjust your gene weights."

"Gene weights?"

"To weigh some of your wife's gene traits more than yours. Or some of yours more than your wife's. Truthfully, in cases like this, it doesn't usually change the results radically."

"We'll try it!" Jennifer cried. "Let's do it right now!"

"First you must think about which gene traits you wish to increase or suppress. Then you must discuss it with the First One," said Graylor. He turned away. Obviously, the audience was over.

********

Nettie greeted them outside the Council Chambers, giving her mother a big hug. "Did you do it? Mom and Dad, did you do it?"

"Not quite, dear," said Robert.

"But they told us to give it another try," said Jennifer.

Robert winced. They hadn't quite said

that

.

"Dad?"

"Yes dear, we're going to try again."

"I'm sure it will work. You two are perfect together!" said Nettie.

Robert gave a reassuring smile.

********

On their second attempt, they suppressed some of Robert's genes associated with diligence on the theory it was hurting their Community score and played up some of Jennifer's empathy related genes.

They scored a 580.

********

They tried a third time, this time suppressing some of Jennifer's shyness related genes on the theory it was hurting their Population scores and enhancing Robert's genes associated with diligence and decency in the hopes it would boast their Community and Standard of Living Scores.

They scored a 560.

********

When they returned to Bessie a fourth time she shook her big head. "No. After three tries it's like drilling a dry well. You'll never do better."

Jennifer looked like she was about to break out in tears. "But we tried so

hard

," she said, in a cracked voice.

"I'm sure you did," said Bessie. "But remember, this is not about creating a child, it's about creating an entire human race, one which has to survive at least a thousand years. It's a very high bar to pass."

"What... what is the alternative?"

Bessie sighed and actually scratched her voluminous pudding like left breast. "What I told you before. To select different partners."

Jennifer shook her head strongly. "No! I can't do it with another man!"

"Wait," said Robert. "What if we did it with different partners without sleeping with them. We could do that, couldn't we?"

"Robert, I could never-"

"You could if you had to," said Robert. "Well, First One? Could we do it without having sex with them?"

Bessie frowned and looked at Frog, who turned away slightly. Then she said, "There is no formal requirement to have sex with your partners, that is true. But in our experience we have found that people who do have relations with each other tend to get their partnering approved more often."

"Then let's try it!" said Robert.

"No!" said Jennifer.

"Yes!" said Robert. "Jennifer, it's about the survival of the human race! We have a duty to see it continue."

Her lip trembling, she ran a hand over him. "But... I wanted to reproduce with

you

."

"We already did that. With Nettie, remember?"

She gave a weak smile. "Yes. We always have Nettie."

********

Gavin Ansom seemed like a perfect partner for Jennifer. He was a distinguished former World Government Controller for the Free Free State of California and had a very impressive resume. He was also quite handsome which did not hurt. Gavin himself was gentle and personable, traits that both Jennifer and Robert appreciated. He was also eager to cooperate when he learned what was wanted of him.

"You want me to partner with your wife?" Gavin asked. When Robert nodded, he gave a broad smile. "Of course, I'd be happy to, my friend! Jennifer dear, shall we have dinner tonight, in Bermuda? I know a table with the most wonderful view of-"

"No!" said Jennifer.

Gavin looked confused. "No, what?"

"No, I'm not going to have dinner with you. I mean, I'm not having sex with you. That's what you mean, sex, right?"

"Yes," said Gavin. "How, how do you intend to partner with me if you won't..." he cast a quick glance at Robert, "...if you won't... sleep with me?"

"Bessie said it was not an absolute requirement," said Robert quickly.

Gavin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It may not be. But it's well know that that is what the Federationistas prefer."

"We'd like to try without it."

"I don't know," said Gavin. Jennifer was one sexy woman! How he'd love to plow her pussy! But to partner with her... without sleeping with her... somehow, it just didn't feel right. It didn't feel

moral

.

"That's all right," said Robert, cutting Jennifer off before she could reply. "I'm sure there are other men who would like to partner with Jennifer. Many other men."

Gavin looked at Jennifer and realized that Robert was correct. They would almost certainly be able to find someone else to do it. Some humble freak like Abner Dune, perhaps, or maybe even Benny Johnson, who would do anything as long as the word "Rustabunny" was involved. And Gavin's scores of late had been low, uncomfortably low. Just last week he had scored a pathetic 490 with Gina Carrano. He

had

to take a chance to do better.

"All right," he said, swallowing his pride. "I'll do it."

********

Susan Shinn was one of the few (like Laura Giancomo) who had dyed her hair after arriving. Most everyone else had left their hair white. She looked very attractive as a blonde and had a sunny smile. She was very pretty, perhaps a little

too

pretty for Jennifer's tastes. But she was certainly very personable; when she understood what they were asking for, she held Jennifer's hand and told her how she understood how difficult it must be for her and how she appreciated this opportunity to briefly share her husband's affection.

Jennifer stiffened and pulled her hand away. "You're not going to share anything, except his genes."

"What?" said Susan.

Then they explained the rest. Susan's smile wilted like a flower suddenly exposed to winter. "But... but... you can't do it without the sex part."

"We think we can," said Robert. "Bessie says... she says it's possible." That was the best way to portray it.

Susan looked from one to the other and bit her lip. Robert was handsome,

very

handsome. She would

love

to pair with him. The added spice of having sex with a married man would be

incredible

. And... once they learned that they would be unable to partner without having sex, then she would have first crack at him.

"All right," said Susan. "We'll try it your way."

********

Their 18 year old daughter Nettie tried to understand the situation. "You're each going with someone else?" she asked.

"Only for genetic purposes, Sweetie," said Jennifer, grasping her hand. "It's all about the genes."

"But... won't you be-"

"No," Jennifer said quickly. "We won't be. We're not doing

that

."

"All right," said Nettie. "But you and Dad... you're going to stay together, aren't you?"

"Of course, foolish girl," said Jennifer, laughing slightly.

********

Bessie, knowing the unusual nature of the situation, had passed them directly on to Graylor without a recommendation. And so for the first time two pairs of applicants sat before him, describing what great matches they would be for each other, Gavin and Jennifer, and Robert and Susan.

Graylor listened in complete silence. The longer the silence went on the more uncomfortable Jennifer became. Even Frog could be seen constantly shifting weight from one foot to another. Finally Graylor shook his head. "Denied."

"What? Which pairing?" Robert asked.

"Both of them."

"Why?" Robert asked.

"I'm not yet convinced that you are good genetic matches for each other." And then he got up abruptly and left the room, leaving the four of them with Bessie and Frog.

"I told you," said Bessie. "I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen."

"What?" said Jennifer. "What does he want?"

"You have to show affection for each other," said Bessie. "It's the only thing which will convince him that you're compatible. The fact that you won't show affection raises an enormous question mark-"

"No!" Jennifer jumped up. "I'm not doing this."

Robert grabbed her arms. "Dear-"

"

We're

not doing this! Let's get out of here!" she said.

********

The following morning they were sitting at a mixed table in Algeria when Hot Dog and Hamburger walked by escorting a motorized scooter with a white, powderized body on that.

"Who is that?" Robert said, as Jennifer held his hand tightly.

"That is... was... Robert Palmer," said Ardis.

"Is that... rapid cellular decay?" Robert asked.

"The very thing," said Haggis O'Leary.

Robert stared at the powderized body in horror. It had been dessicated, completely drained of fluid. All that remained was dust... white dust.

"It's frightening to think that could happen to us at any time," said Robert. "I'm told we have between six and nine months on average before it happens to us."

"Three and six months, actually," said Haggis.

"Three?"

"And it doesn't just happen randomly," said Haggis.

"It doesn't?"

"No one believes that, not even them," said Haggis, waving his hand contemptuously at his fellow table mates. "They only keep people around who are useful to them. Those who are not useful wake up one morning, or shall I say don't wake up one morning when they no longer are needed."

"But... surely they don't murder people... that would be barbaric-"

"Utilitarian," said Haggis. "There is only room for so many people in the Station and there are many more in the Cryo Room waiting to be unfrozen."

"And this man, this Robert Palmer-"

"He was a Resistor."

"Resistor?'

"He refused to play the game," said Haggis.

Two small children were chasing the motorized stretcher now, cackling and laughing. Robert looked at the powderized body of Robert Palmer.

He even had the same first name.

He turned to Jennifer and saw a reflection of his own concerns.

********

"I don't know if I can do this!" said Jennifer.

"You have to," said Robert. "If you don't, you'll turn into powder!"

"Oh!" Jennifer put her hand to her mouth. "What about, what if just you do it. You do it, and I won't."

Robert shook his head. "That may protect me for a time, but you'll still be vulnerable."

"Robert, I can't have sex with another man!" she cried. She hugged him tightly. "Could you do it?"

Robert swallowed heavily, thinking of Susan Shinn. He found her very attractive. "Yes, I, I could... if you wanted me to."

Jennifer looked up at him. "Yes, I would, if it would save your life."

"Then I want you to do it too," said Robert. "It's just sex."

"Robert!"

"It's just sex," he said firmly. "And Gavin is a kind, gentle man. And he's the former World Government Controller for California! He's a great man who will treat you well."

Jennifer said nothing for a moment rocking back and forth against him. Finally she said, "All right. On one condition."

"What?"

"I want you there."

"What?"

"I want you there. I want you to watch." she looked up at him. "If I'm to break my holy matrimonial vows, I want you there, to see exactly what happens. If there's full disclosure, maybe I can live with myself in the morning."

"Jennifer-"

"Those are my conditions." She rocked against him tightly. "Hold me! Hold me tight, Robert!"

********

Nettie struggled to understand. "Dad, you're going to sleep with another woman?"

He nodded.

"And Mom, you're going to sleep with another man?"

She nodded as well, not trusting her voice.

"How can you do this?" said Nettie. Tears started to flow freely

"Oh my darling girl!" said Jennifer, grabbing her tightly. "It has to be done."

"Why does it have to be done? Don't you love Dad anymore!"

"I do, more than anything! And your father knows that!" She pressed her breasts against her 18 year old daughter's. "We have to do this to survive. We're doing this for you?"

"For me?" Nettie looked confused. "Dad, you're having sex with another woman... for me?"

"Yes, dear," said Robert. "I'm doing it for you, and the entire human race, so we'll all have a future."

"I'm trying to understand," said Nettie, making a face.

"Come here." His daughter flew into his arms. "Someday you'll understand. I love you so much, baby girl."