Zu Works

Breed - Part 2

The session finished uneventfully after that and I walked the long hall back to my compound alone. He hadn't bothered to speak anymore and I hadn't encouraged him. Due to Lexicora's unmatchable processing skills, she would have calculated my fertility rate exactly. There would be no error, in nine months I would deliver my first. I placed my hand on my belly, but unlike Charity, I still felt hollow. It would take time to grow, I could be patient.

"Oh, Finch is back!" One of the Youngers squealed in delight as I entered. "Oh, how did it go? Was he handsome?"

I didn't answer, Charity was already at my side, ushering me away.

"Hush Bijou," she said, pushing her aside. She looked up at me, almost pityingly. "Listen, Finch. Lexicora has a message for you; you should go read it before you say anything. I promise I didn't peek at it...much."

I took my leave, exiting the common area to go to the smaller message room. It was grey like the other rooms but devoid completely of furniture. The only object of consequence was the two glass screens; it was how Lexicora communicated with us. The Humans no longer used our archaic language, but they were able to translate our speech between us. The top one almost constantly scrolled endless strains of binary code. It was impossible for me to read, but on the smaller screen underneath the message had already been translated I touched the glass surface to open it wider.

The child will go to the stud's compound upon weaning. That is the agreement.

My stomach dropped. Arte would get the child? Of course, I shouldn't really be surprised. Harper had only been able to keep half of the young she actually birthed... studs were entitled to at least half of their offspring. Charity's current young was, after all, agreed to go to the other compound. It was likely that Lexicora would get to keep my next offspring. Once this child left the compound however, I'd never see them again. How would I know what they looked like?

I began to slide down against the wall, my legs sprawling, unwillingly on the grey floor. I stared up at the screen. Lexicora could be at several places at once, able to monitor things in a way I could only pretend to do, but usually she devoted the minimal amount processing power to us. The indicator next to the screen showed that she was monitoring the message room with an extra .02% of her capacity than normal. If I asked something, Lexicora would answer immediately.

"Lexicora? I have a question."

The monitor flashed, indicating that the humans had heard, and would respond.

"What will..." I began but stopped.

The humans could never know what this child would look like. Despite all their processors, they could never fully know, never fully predict. It was, in fact, the whole reason this child was to be born.

The monitor flashed again, waiting for my question.

"Why are all of our rooms grey instead of brown?" I asked instead.

The binary code scrolled on and the lower screen translated. In less than five seconds, Lexicora's answer flashed below.

What is grey?