Chapter 7 The First Priority
Susan Stone turned pale, which for her might be a first. "Are you telling me that when Adam joins us, I should either accept the fact that he's going to sleep with everyone or keep every female out of the facility?" The disbelief in her tone appeared obvious to Wyatt and Eve.
"Yes," they both echoed and looked at each other instead of laughing inappropriately.
"I refuse to run an all-male facility. There has to be a way we can compromise. We want to know everything you remember about your previous life. Additionally, we will continue to monitor your process both physically and mentally. You must list your objectives in full transparent detail to maintain peace between us.
"I will tell Wyatt and only Wyatt everything. The only things I require are my current living quarters and Dr. Thornton. As for the rest of my people, I recommend you allow your staff to sleep with them at will. If you deny us our baser instincts, it won't end well when several of us get together."
Director Stone scowled. "Your news is troubling, but I admit it is not unexpected." Sighing, Susan closed her eyes for a moment and rubbed them. "Dr. Thornton can stay with you permanently, but we need to iron out a few details. Our biggest concern is birth control. Is there a device or pill your people use to prevent pregnancy?"
Eve visibly turned colors as a variety of emotions swirled around her like a cloud. Wyatt panicked, stood, and pulled her to him. "It's alright. The Director is only asking."
Slowly, Eve's breathing returned to normal as she regained her amethyst hue. "I'm sorry, Director, but why would you want to prevent a child?" The horror in her voice made her sound raspy.
Wyatt held Eve close as he stroked her back. "I think I need to continue this conversation with her alone. I suggest we take a break while we explore our options."
Wow, that's why she never let me pull out!
"I agree, we'll talk tomorrow evening. You two can go," Director Stone picked up her tablet again and started working.
"My people will want something else that we can not negotiate," Eve told the Director in passing. Her hands trembled, and she had trouble keeping her eyes on the intimidating woman.
"Please, tell me since it's a priority," Susan's eyes conveyed her annoyance, but in the name of diplomacy, she listened anyway.
"We require the right to have as many children as our partners agree to carry or produce." Eve set her mind to her task, standing her ground as a woman fighting for her people.
Beside her, Wyatt nearly jumped into the ceiling in shock. He leaned over to whisper into her ear, "We need to add children to our serious discussion topics."
I can't believe we didn't talk about this already. I'm shit at being the adult in this relationship.
"That's an extremely high bar and would require a ton of time as well as money. You said you require the right. Does that mean it's your mission objective and the reason behind you all transferring bodies?" Unknowingly, the Director stood.
"As I explained before, our reasons are private but yes. Our people are dying -- if you do not accommodate us, we will find a nation that will." The fear in Eve's eyes threatened to engulf her.
"Ok, Eve, you don't have to say more. You've given the Director plenty to discuss with the board. Let's get you back to our room so I can give you that reward I promised." Gently, Wyatt led her out the door, where she promptly stopped. Her limbs shook without warning, but he caught her at the last second.
"Please, get me out of here," she begged, feeling all the resolve fueling her disappear.
He maneuvered her tired form into a dignity-saving piggyback. "Close your eyes, rest if you can." On the way back, they both contemplated the events of the day. Wyatt felt responsible for her exhaustion and doubted for the first time that she would be interested in anything other than sleep tonight.