Uncovered Porject: When Splendor Falls: Part One

When Splendor Falls was one of my first attempts at science fiction. It deals with a world where natural births have dropped significantly. Naturally born boys are raised to one day be breeders to the handful of women that remain. Everyone else is a clone in order to keep up the numbers. The story deals with twin siblings, one male and one female, and the way their lives are severely different. But now, a signal from space raises worries as well as hopes.

Chapter One: Meteor

The dormitories were as bleak as cinder blocks. Square grey rooms with only one window a mattress, a desk and a single skylight. It was hard to make it look any more hospitable considering that most of the time there was school and work and the only time spent in the cubby hole was for seven exact hours of sleep. Oz hated it more than he hated his job and his school. 

The Hannes Military school was the best on the planet. It was glorified in magazines. The students were treated like celebrities. The uniforms were even considered haute couture. Even if he was often featured on front covers, it was all as bland and shallow as his dorm room.  He was bored with all of it.

He would much rather be one of the lower class citizens. One of the clones that made up nearly the entirety of the planet. They could choose their fates. They could move across the board in any careless and lackadaisical fashion they chose. Oz was stuck to his piece, his squares, his predetermined movements.

He was a Natural. A child born rather than cloned. He was desired and looked upon as a key to saving civilization. He was seventeen and he already had a list of women who wished to bed him to create more children. He was a twin after all, that was a highly desired trait. His sister, bless her, was looked even more highly upon. Her responsibility more daunting than his own.

Speaking of which, he thought as he reached out and pulled up the screen of his computer. In a moment there was a notification flashing on the bright screen and with a click his sister’s face appeared.

“You nearly forgot, didn’t you?” She asked, her soft face pulled down with a frowning pout.

Oz smiled at her. “Sorry, Zoe.”

Her bright eyes lit up and she was smiling again. “You came! So I’m happy,” she said as she leaned closer to the camera. “You look down, what’s the matter?”

Oz sighed, leaning back in his seat and glancing down at his hands. “Are you happy, Zoe?” He asked. “The more as life goes on I can’t seem to find something I enjoy about where I’m at.”

Zoe’s smile melted away again and her expression matched her twin. The two near identical in that moment. “You know how I feel,” she murmured after a silent pause. “I don’t want to be a mother, even though thats all I’m good for.” She looked back up to the screen. “I have a year of freedom left.”

“That’s barely freedom,” Oz grumbled.

“We’re both tied to a post,” Zoe replied. “Like, I was reading about the traidtion of the May Pole and I feel like that’s what’s happening to us,” she moved off screen for a moment then returned, holding up an old and dusty tome to show him and grungry old photo. “See?” She asked, pointing. “They’re all holding this ribbon and going around and around and around until there is no more give to the ribbon.”

Oz leaned on his elbow, looking over the tinny picture. “You’re saying our give it almost up?”

“We’re close to the may pole,” Zoe replied. Soon we’ll be tethered to it forever.”

Oz sighed, leaning back. “Way to make it even more depressive, Zoe.”

She set the book back and pouted. “What would you do?” She asked him abruptly. “What in all the world would you chose to do and live if you weren’t a Natural?” She more than Oz fanaticized the outside world from their polished tower.

He looked away, looking down at the stack of books by his bed. Old ones he had taken from his professor’s classroom. Books about how machines work, how old vehicles used fossil fuels. “I would be a mechanic I think.” Oz answered after a long pause. “I like it in my classes. I enjoy getting my hands dirty.”

Zoe nodded in agreement. “I’d be a florist. No. I’d have a nursery or a farm! I’d love to farm. Even though I really don’t know how. Even more so I’d love to travel.”

“Where to?”

Zoe’s bright eyes wandered. “You get to go to so many places don’t you, bro?” She said. Using the slang terms she heard about and loved so much. “You get to go into space for trainings. You have simulations and exercises. Once you become a soldier you’ll see so much more than I could ever grasp.” She hung her head slightly. Her uncomfortably long hair spilled over her shoulder. They both had the same slick black hair. Almost purple it was so black. Zoe had to keep it so long and so perfectly beautiful, it was the biggest frustration for her.

“Oh Oz,” Zoe whispered, small tears sparkling her eyes. “I’m so lonely. I’m beginning to resemble Ma more and more. That look in her eyes,” she trailed off. Afraid of her own future more than anything. 

Oz reached out and pressed his palm to the computer screen. “You can survive it, Zoe. You above all else can.”

Zoe’s smile returned and she pressed her palm to the screen. “You think so, bro?” She sniffled. “I hope so. Because I want to see the day where we Naturals aren’t special. Where a woman is more than a last hope.”

Zoe’s may pole ribbon had never been as long as Oz’s. She was one of the chosen, a woman. Women were treated like goddesses and kept in a tower high above the rest of the world. All in all there were only fifty natural women on their little planet. Only a slightly higher amount of men were naturally born and most of the population were clones. Only Natural women were able to conceive children. While male clones could help in conceiving it was looked upon that Natural men were far superior in fathering children. Despite the fact Oz was a Natural himself he was still expected to live in that tiny grey cubicle while his sister hated her life above the clouds. 

The twins were unsatisfied. Zoe wanted nothing of her female status, especially the fact that once she turned eighteen she’d be expected to have children almost immediately. Oz wanted nothing of becoming a soldier or being selected to help conceive children that he might never get to see or know. How on earth were they considered lucky?

“Where’s Mom?” Oz asked.

“At the doctor’s I think,” She replied. “One of Ella’s daughters is giving birth and asked her to be there to sing for her.”

“I hate she isn’t there. I feel like I haven’t spoken to here in so long,” he murmured.

Zoe’s eyes looked down, glancing at one of the photo clippings she had just cut from a magazine. “I think sometimes it’s hard for her.”

“Maybe you’ll be lucky,” Oz brushed his hair from his face. “You’ll be like mom, except you’ll have twin girls. You’ll give birth and loose the ability. You’ll have both you’re children.”

“I would rather have boys and know they can walk where I can’t. I don’t want girls at all.” Zoe wiped at her eyes. 

“Oh I….” Oz bit his lip. “Sorry, sis,” he grumbled. “I wish there was an answer to this problem and you’d not be stuck forever.”

“Yeah,” Zoe whispered and lifted her head again. “It’s late,” she tucked a curl behind her ear. “Same time tomorrow?” She asked.

Oz nodded. “Of course. I love you.”

“I love you too. So does Ma. Good night,” she lingered for a moment before the call ended and she looked back at her clippings.

Zoe liked to keep clippings in magazines and newspapers about herself, her brother, and especially of the ones when they were together. In all honesty, it was the only way their mother even got a glimpse of her son. It was the one thing Zoe liked about her life as a woman. She was able to be raised by her mother. And until the day Oz was selected as a candidate for fathering he’d never be allowed to set foot in the women’s world. So Zoe kept collecting clippings in what was now becoming a large collection of scrapbooks.

One day as she flipped through magazines, reading only the articles she deemed intelligent, she came upon a small quip about an asteroid or meteor headed towards the planet. It was still to far away to judge if it would hit, let alone be dangerous. But it caught Zoe’s attention. And when she cut out the article she looked at what was on the back. It was one of the teachers at Oz’s school. Atlas Cutler, doctor, teacher, scientist and most surprisingly a Clone. Zoe felt a little queasy. It had only been yesterday when she was alerted that she had a week to her eighteenth birthday and was given a list of candidates. Atlas Cutler was number one.

“My, what a handsome man!”

Zoe quickly threw down the clipping as her mother looked over her shoulder. She had the same blue eyes as Oz and Zoe. But her hair was shockingly red and so amazingly curly. Her face smattered with freckles. Zoe wished she had inherited those freckles.

“Um, I guess.” Zoe huffed and looked at the other side at the article about the mysterious meteor. “Did you hear about this, Ma?”

Violet took the clipping from her daughter as she sat beside her on the floor of their shared apartment. “Yes. In fact.” Violet said. “I asked Mother Monday about this and she said it would bring great luck, grave misfortune, and extraordinary amounts of change with it.”

Zoe rolled her eyes. Mother Monday was a supposed psychic who was extremely famous and made most of her money telling all the women their fortunes. But Zoe envied the woman for her ability to choose to fool everyone and do it so well.

“Doesn’t that sound amazing, Zoe!” Violent gasped.

Zoe nodded. “Yes, Ma. It does.”

Violet placed the article in the center of Zoe’s growing pile of other clippings and reached for one of Oz in his uniform standing beside his best friend Milo Hammstock. “He’s such a beautiful boy.”

Zoe smiled, seeing that serene and happy yet tragic grin spread across her mother’s face. “He is.” She agreed.

“He looks just like his father here.” A new look appeared in Violet’s eyes. One that made Zoe stall. “That scowl.” 

“Who was our father?” Zoe asked slowly.

The look vanished and Violet became defensive. “Oh. Oh Zoe you know I can’t say anything about that.” She quickly stood up.

“But-” Zoe stopped and looked back at the pictures of her and Oz. “Oz should have been raised by him. Instead he was raised in the house of Samuel Clock and then at the Hannes school. So who was he? What happened to him?”

“Another time dear.” Violet answered and rushed off.

“It was so weird!” Zoe later told her brother. “She’s never talked about him. And you’ve never been told anything about him. So is it possible maybe we were accidents?”

“Accidents?” Oz laughed. “How is that possible?”

Zoe blushed. “I’m told stories. Sometimes the women are able to sneak out some nights. On some of those nights it was quite common that they-” she blushed harder. “Oh when you’re a clone you need not worry about contraceptives.”

Oz nearly chocked on his drink. “Oh!”

“On indeed.” Zoe huffed.

“You don’t think our mom did…that?”

“Maybe.” Zoe shrugged. “I mean. It answers a few little things.”

Oz sighed and glanced up. “Oh no.” He groaned.

Zoe furrowed her brow. “What is it?”

Oz shook his head then hung it. “Milo is headed this way.” 

Milo Hammstock and Oz were raised together. It was customary for the Natural born males to be raised by their fathers and take on the mother’s name. Milo’s father being Samuel Clock. They were considered best friends and while yes Oz found Milo to be a good confidant he was highly unbearable. He also fancied himself Zoe’s paramour. And since his father had established relations with raising her brother Milo was sure he’d be a top candidate for fathering children with Zoe.

“Do you mind if I join you two?” Milo said, sitting down beside Oz before he was even invited. “Zoe,” he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Do you get prettier everyday or is that just the angel in you?” His pickup lines were also the laughingstock of many a girl.

“Why thank you, Milo.” Zoe replied. She too like Oz enjoyed Milo as a confidant and she bared his affections as well as any other high low reaction situation.

“So what were you talking about?” Milo asked. He removed his hand which released his buoyantly voluminous sandy colored hair. 

“This and that. Shit and bull.” Zoe replied.

Milo balked. “Zoe, where did you hear that language?”

Oz and Zoe both laughed. Milo was so proper and so high society it had never occurred to him that anyone but the clone society talked like that. “Oz teaches it to me.” Zoe giggled.

Oz laughed. “Yes. But only because she forces me to.”

“Both of you are besmirching yourselves. If anyone were to hear you speak that way it could ruin you both.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

Zoe then gasped suddenly. “Oh Milo. I am glad you came to sit with us. You’re studying in astronomy and it’s sciences correct?”

Milo grinned. It was the first time Zoe was ever in need of him. “Why yes! Is there something I can do for you?”

“Tell me what you know about this meteor. I am dying to know all I can.”

Milo beamed. “It’s not a meteor. No one is sure what it is! The shape is odd but almost as if it were manmade. The trajectory is still undeterminable by us. But some are guessing it could land as close as outside city limits.”

Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Remarkable!”

“Indeed.”

“What if it carries some sort of life upon it?” Oz asked. “Can you tell that yet?”

Milo through his head back and scoffed. “Please! That’s so laughable, Oz. Life on such a thing? Ha!”

“It would be amazing wouldn’t it?” Zoe said dreamily.

“Yeah,” Milo scoffed. “If any such technology existed anywhere else outside this galaxy.”

“Don’t you ever dream of anything that’s not expected of you, Milo?” Zoe asked, taking his hand. “Don’t you ever let your mind wander when you’re looking into the stars?”

Milo’s face was bright red. “Well. Um…not exactly but.” Then his phone began ringing and he pulled back to answer it. “Hello? Yes. I’ll be right there professor.”

“What is it?” Oz asked.

“Irony.” Milo said, rushing to stand. “That meteor, well…” His eyes lingered a little on Zoe before he stuffed his hair back into his cap. “It’s sending us a message. I’ll let you know more later but I have to go. Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Zoe.” He breathed a thank you and dashed off as fast as he could go.

Zoe smiled. “Oh Oz! Can you imagine it?”

And then Oz’s phone began ringing. “I’ll bet you this is related.” His kissed his sister’s cheek and they parted.

Chapter Two: Telephone

Atlas Cutler may have been a Clone but he had climbed through the ranks to become one of the most respected men in the world and on par with his Natural equals. He was a handsome man, tall and purposefully rugged. His hair brown and curly. His eyes cold hazel. His superiors loved him. The women, both Natural and Clone, adored him. And being rewarded the number one spot to become a father had been proof enough of his efforts. But all his efforts now were being put upon the strange meteor racing towards the planet. That and the strange message it was broadcasting. And his assistant was running late.

If it weren’t for the fact his ever late assistant was a veritable genius, despite his lack of common sense, Cutler would have had him replaced months ago. But as it was he saw great potential in his young ward and he hoped to nurture that natural gift. If he ever showed up that is.

Cutler then heard the doors open and the hurried footsteps of his assistant as he raced up the long hallway into the observatory.

“Sorry I’m late, Dr. Cutler!” Milo gasped as he came to a skidding stop beside Cutler. “I was actually quite a ways away from-”

“Never mind Milo. I need you to listen to this for me and tell me what you hear.” Cutler said, moving to the computer and handing Milo the definitive head phones.

“Uh, yes sir.” Milo sat down before the station and placed the headphones over his ears. Cutler then switched on the recording and he watched Milo’s intent face. Milo reached up several times to repeat the transmission. Then several more times to make adjustments to volume, bass and other such things. Milo then reached for paper and began writing down notes.

Cutler couldn’t help but remark at how Milo worked. No one would of guessed the pampered son of Samuel Clock would be such a studious and hard worker.

Finally, Milo removed the headphones. He took a breath and sighed. “I can’t believe I’m actually saying this sir, but,” he hesitated, turning towards Cutler. “But I think that isn’t a meteor at all. I think it’s a ship.”

“What did the message say?” Cutler insisted.

“Well, that’s the thing. After I managed to isolate the main track. Getting rid of interference, both local and things in space I was able to make out some of the message. It’s pretty broken. Their equipment I’m guessing isn’t as advanced as ours.” He wrote something on the paper below all his shorthand and notes. “Well, here sir.”

Cutler took the paper and read the small sentence carefully. “Women and children onboard.”

“It is perhaps a refugee ship, sir. Or maybe even a safety vessel from a ship that was shot down.” Milo suggested.

“Women and children onboard.” Cutler whispered. “This is…” a smile spread across his handsome face. “Milo this is amazing!”

Milo huffed. “It could be a trap. Perhaps a trick of the enemy.”

“Take a look at that thing, Milo. Does it look anything like our enemy’s technology?”

“No.” Milo pouted. “But I just can’t believe that there is actually life beyond our galaxy. It’s…it’s inconceivable.”

“It’s a sheer miracle.” Cutler chuckled. “I have to take this to the high ups. Stay here Milo. Just think. You’re a part of history.”

Milo sat there for a moment as Cutler rushed off. He had solved the puzzle of the transmission. He was helping make history. And despite this he couldn’t wrap his mind around the whole thing.

He took out his phone and he dialed. He had been thinking a lot about Zoe lately and about how everything she said reminded him of a bird in a cage. If birds could speak that is. And yes, he had dreams. Dreams of being with her. Marrying her like the clones could marry. And Milo wondered if he was the only boy in the world to feel this way about a Natural. Natural women were untouchable. Goddesses for the chosen few. And despite how well he thought of himself and how much his father praised him, Milo knew he would never have a Goddess.

“Hello?” A voice chimed on the other end of the phone.

“Oh,” Milo hesitated, gauging the voice and realizing it didn’t belong to either Violet or Zoe. “Um…I must have the wrong number. I’m looking for-”

“Is this Milo Hammstock?” The girl on the other end giggled. “Zoe! It’s Milo calling for you!”

“Pardon me but-”

“This is Alleluia Simler,” the girl replied. Milo was stunned. Alleluia Simler was the fifth daughter of Stella Simler the highest ranked Natural of the Goddesses. Stella was the only Natural to give birth to all female children. Not only that Stella and all her daughter’s were considered the most beautiful people in Libra. Zoe had never mentioned being friends with the Simler girls.

“Hello?” Milo croaked.

Alleluia giggled and Milo could hear more girls in the background laugh. And then he realized that all the Simler girls were in Zoe and Violet’s apartment.

“Alleluia, hand it over.” Zoe said calmly. “Milo?” She asked into the phone.

“Since when do you host the Simler family?” Milo whispered, feeling as if the Simler girls were standing beside him as well.

“Stella and my mother are good friends. But they normally host us. Now what are you calling me about?”

“It’s the meteor. You were right, Zoe. There is alien life on it. It’s a ship!” He heard Zoe gasped excitedly and it made him smile. 

“That’s remarkable!” Zoe awed. “So what was the transmission then?”

“Women and children onboard.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s what the transmission said. Zoe, the ship is full of women and children!”

In her apartment, surrounded by the beautiful and golden Simler family Zoe started to openly weep.

“Zoe?” Alleluia came up and stroked Zoe’s hair. She brushed her knuckles across Zoe’s cheeks and Zoe shooed her away with a reassuring smile.

“Excuse me,” Zoe moved out of the room and away from the Simler girls and into a quiet room. “Sorry Milo,” she sniffled, rubbing at her eyes. “So, this is all really happening?”

Milo wanted to grab Zoe up in his arms and kiss her. “Yeah. It’s happening. But don’t go getting your hopes up yet. For all we know these women and children aren’t even human. They could be Jonte or Rhu.”

Zoe chuckled. “I know, Milo. Oh thank you so much for telling me. You’re a good friend.”

Milo held his tongue. “Well. I’ve basically known you my whole life so…”

Zoe sat down on the floor and brought her knees to her chest. “I know we make fun of you a lot. Oz and I, I mean.” She hesitated. “But um, Milo…you really do mean a lot to me. Us. Oz and me.”

Milo smiled. “I know, Zoe.”

Zoe chuckled. “So. No questions about the Simler clan?”

“Not really.” Milo sighed. “I’ve been told all women are the same,” he laughed.

“Sort of.” Zoe turned. “I need to go I guess. Thank you for calling me and tell me that wonderful news.”

“Anything for you.” Milo said.

Zoe stood up and turned off the phone before she went back out into the living room where all eight of the Simler girls were sitting. Considering that there were only eighty women, fifty of whom were still able to have children, a great portion bore the Simler name.

The oldest was Rhiannon who already had two children, both boys. The second was Dulcie who also had two children also both boys. Then there was Jinx with two children, both girls. The fourth was Hollis and she had a daughter. The fifth was Alleluia, who like Zoe was nearing her eighteenth birthday. The sixth Simler was Maralynn followed by Zara and Thora. And all of them looked just like their mother. Beautiful, tall, blonde hair, blue eyes and shapely. No wonder all the men in Libra wanted their children to be born a Simler.

Stella was one of the few lucky women who was able to give birth to more than one or two children. Zoe’s mother had not been so lucky. It was a miracle at all Violet was even able to conceive Zoe and Oz. But Stella continued her duty in repopulating the planet. She had taken a break, the doctors said, for her health. But Stella was ready to have another baby. All her daughters it seemed were born with this desire to breed as well. The four eldest were all pregnant again and Alleluia was going in for her first match soon and would be pregnant no doubt by the end of the week.

“I heard someone was matched with Dr. Atlas Cutler.” Hollis bragged.

“So what is she doing talking with Milo Hammstock?” Rhiannon sniffed.

“He’s a friend of Oz’s,” Alleluia argued. 

Zoe looked at all eight pretty faces and especially paid attention to the four who were glowing with regal pride. Zoe realized then that she wanted none of this. She didn’t want to sit around gestating a baby and gossiping. Fear clutched at her then and weighed her down. She felt it’s pressure building and building. Calling her name. Her birthday was ever approaching and with each second she could feel her fate being sealed. If only that ship would come. It would distract the world and she could forget about her birthday and stretch her fate from happening.

“Excuse me,” Zoe whispered as she swept herself from the room.

“So rude,” Hollis muttered behind her.

“I agree.” Rhiannon sniffed. 

“Violet has taught her no manners whatsoever.” Jinx laughed haughtily. “I heard her using common Clone slang the other day. Dreadful!”

Alleluia snapped. “How dare you? All you four do is criticize because she gets all the first picks. Because she has better genes than you. Because she’s considered the next Stella Simler!”

Zoe hurriedly closed the door behind her. She didn’t want to hear it. She had heard enough from her mother. From Stella. From all the doctors. Yes, the tests showed she could quite possibly be the next Stella Simler and give birth to a massive clan of beautiful girls. But it was all the more reason to hate herself and fear her fast approaching fate. Did none of them hate their lives? Or were they brainwashed by their mother? Zoe fell onto her bed to go through all the escape routes in her head. But her head was intoxicated by the ship and its cargo. She pictured hundreds upon thousands of Natural women who would be able to give birth to more Natural children and make her role in society debunked. She could live her life as she wanted. She could escape.

Tomorrow all the news papers and magazines would be filled to the brim about the transmission coming from the supposed meteor. They’d all have the message Milo decoded plastered about. They’d have Milo’s picture everywhere. He’d become the golden boy. Quite possibly even the number one in place of his mentor, Atlas Cutler.

Zoe sat up to look out her window. If Milo became number one then it’d be him. If Milo were her first they could easily fake it. But she didn’t want to put Milo through that. Her only hope was the ship and it’s cargo. 

As she stared out the window at the rolling pink clouds and heather sky, the creeping of night and stars coming through, she pictured the ship. She saw it parting the clouds and coming towards the ground. And when it landed and the doors opened she’d be greeted with hope and light.

Zoe pressed her cheek to the window. “First star I see tonight. Wishing against you with all my might. I wish I may. I wish it right. I wish for you my guardian angel tonight.” She whispered. “I wish they’d get here. I wish they were like me.” She began to cry again.

Chapter Three: Card

It was customary for the boys of Hannes to sneak out of their dormitories and flock to the many bars and clubs beyond the gates. Oz was always in one of these rendezvous groups. Anything to escape those bleak gray rooms. And tonight he was looking for any sort of distraction. 

Oz had worked himself dizzy that day. What with all the preparations for the ship and the demanding rigors the young soldiers now had to be prepped for as well. It also didn’t help that he had to be in the company of Atlas Cutler. The Clone who was supposed to be first choice for his sister, Zoe. In Oz’s eyes Cutler was nothing more than a social-ladder climbing brownnoser. A man who was going to hurt his sister in the worst way imaginable. But also he was the person Oz wanted to be most. A Clone free to be a social climbing hero. Oz hated Cutler merely for the fact that he was free to live a life outside the confines of the Naturals and yet he fought tooth and nail to get there. For Oz it was as unthinkable as killing Milo.

The bar the Hannes boys oft visited was popular with local girls for its live music and the fact the Hannes boys were there. Oz rarely spent time with his classmates in the classroom or otherwise. So when they hit the bar he separated from the pack. Anything to appear like he was one of the Clones. 

“You look awfully perturbed.”

Oz looked up to see a pretty redhead standing beside him. Her hair was a massive wall of flame colored curls and added inches to her otherwise pixy-short stature. She was short but curvy with full breasts and luscious hips. She wore a plain purple t-shirt and comfy looking blue-jeans. But on her feet she wore this shoes that looked like they belonged on fashion runways.

“I like being by myself.” Oz answered.

The girl climbed up onto the barstool next to Oz. “So you come to a bar?”

Oz smiled. “I suppose I do make some rather awful decisions.”

The girl nodded, arching her brows. “No. I just think you’re confused.” She then smiled brightly. “I’m Christmas,” she said, fidgeting with her bracelets.

“Well then,” Oz waved his hand to the bartender. “I’m Oz. And let me buy you a drink, Christmas.”

Christmas blushed and nodded. “Well thank you.”

“So what brings you here?” Oz asked. “You don’t seem like the bar hopper yourself.”

Christmas shrugged. “My classmates dragged me along. Said I needed to get out and meet somebody.”

“Oh I’m sorry.” Oz said with a sly smile. “I’m actually not anybody. Somebody is actually over there.”

Christmas’ nervous smile waned and she beamed. Rolling her eyes she laughed and playfully pushed Oz’s shoulder. “I’m not an idiot. Your Oz Highcourt.”

Oz’s smile faded entirely. “So that’s why you approached me?”

Christmas shook her head. “No. I actually thought you were this guy in my chemistry class. But I was far off.” The bartender handed them their drinks.

Oz’s smile was slowly returning. “Oh. So you’re saying I’m not as good looking as this chemistry class guy?”

“Oh. No I didn’t mean-” Christmas coughed on her drink. “It’s your hair. From behind you look the same. But you have two very different um…looks.”

“Looks?”

Christmas was blushing again. “Ya know?” She chewed nervously on her bottom lip while Oz gave her the look over. “You’re um, what they’d call something of a handsome guy and-”

Oz chuckled. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Christmas.”

Christmas nodded. “Thank you.” She then waved her hand in the air. “So why are you here?” She pointed to the Hannes boys grouped in the corner. “Don’t you have some high society life you can go to?”

“Sure.” Oz said with a shrug. “But some of us like the reality of life. Some of us like the women. Some of us are just bad eggs.”

“And who are you?”

“I just want a way out.”

Christmas nodded slowly. “Is the ivory tower too bright sometimes?”

Oz sighed. “No. Too dark.” This caused Christmas’ brows to raise. “I just can’t take the pressure anymore. I want to think for myself sometimes. And sometimes its like…its like my mind is already made for me.”

Christmas stood up. “C’mon. I wanna show you something.”

Oz stood, leaving some cash on the counter and left behind Christmas. Together they walked down the street. And aside from the muffled music coming from the clubs and bars it was quiet and peaceful.

“So you’re not going to take me somewhere where you’re going to kill me or hold me for ransom are you?” Oz asked.

Christmas laughed. “No. I’m taking you to my house. I have something there I wanna show you.”

They stopped at some point and Christmas turned to look up at the glowing tower where all the Natural women were kept. Oz always thought the tower looked like a big candle sitting in a wide glass base. Somewhere in that tower his sister was stuck in her room with her books and her dreams.

“It must get awfully lonely for them in there.” Christmas said suddenly. “The whole place just reeks of desperation.”

“Pardon?” Oz asked, turning to look down at Christmas.

“Sure they’re goddesses and all but even in mythology goddesses got to have fun every once and a while. To me it isn’t fair. You get to have your freedom, why don’t they?”

“Because they’re precious.”

Christmas scoffed and continued walking. “You have a sister right?”

“Yes. Zoe.”

“Do you ever get to see her?”

Oz nodded then shoved his hands into his pockets. “Every so often. I just saw her this afternoon actually.”

“That’s good. At least.” Christmas reached into her purse and pulled out a heavy lauded key chain. “This is my place.” She said motioning to the small brick house ahead of them. She unlocked the door and led Oz inside.

Christmas started switching on lights and Oz found himself regretting all the other girls he had followed home. Sure it wasn’t his first time going home with some unknown girl in one of the bars or clubs but this time it felt different.

“Take a seat,” Christmas said motioning to the leather sofa against the wall to her left. “I’ll get us some drinks and be right back.”

Oz looked around before he sat down. His eyes glanced over the paintings on the wall and piece of iron work hanging just at eyelevel. He sat down and took a nervous breath. “So do you live here with anyone?”

“My brother.” Of course when she said this she meant the Clone she was raised with. Since Clones cannot have children it was common practice for married Clone couples who wanted children to adopt newly made Clones. “You might actually know him. He works at Hannes.”

“Is that so?” Oz asked.

Christmas walked out carrying two beers, one she handed to Oz. “Yeah. Um, he actually has his fingers in many pies. He can’t seem to stick with just one certain thing. I’m sure you know him. He’s pretty famous.”

“Who?”

“Atlas Cutler,” Christmas said.

Oz spewed his beer.

“What?” Christmas gasped, jumping away from him and rushing back to the kitchen to fetch a cloth.

Oz coughed into the crook of his arm and wiped himself up with the hem of his shirt. “S-sorry.” He muttered. “I just…” he laughed nervously then scoffed a little too loud. “Of course I know Atlas Cutler! He’s the asshole who is going to rape my sister.”

Christmas looked up with a horrified look in her big brown eyes. “Excuse me?”

Oz groaned. “Gawd, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just-” he took a calming breath. “He’s my sister’s first choice for fathering.”

“Oh! Oh wow um…Atlas doesn’t talk about work or anything much. He knows I don’t like it. Wow! Your sister? Really?”

“Yeah. And Zoe is really dreading the whole thing.”

Christmas finished wiping up Oz’s mess and sat on the table across from Oz. “It doesn’t seem like anything Atlas would do either. If you sister didn’t want any part of it he wouldn’t force her.”

Oz rolled his eyes. “I’m so sure.”

Christmas slapped his arm. “My brother is more gentleman than you!”

“Sorry!” Oz snapped, rubbing his sore arm. “You hit hard. Too hard.”

Christmas laughed. “Oh well. What’s done is done.”

Oz racked his fingers through his hair. “I never expected my night to go like this.” He sighed, closing his eyes.

Christmas put her hand atop his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know about you and my brother and your sister. You must worry a lot about her.”

“I do.” Oz huffed. “I mean, I think I have issues with what’s expected of me. But it’s nothing like what’s expected of Zoe.” Christmas came and sat beside him on the sofa as he talked. “She’s so…against it. I’ve never heard of anyone so against their own fate before. I worry she’ll do something extreme to escape it.”

“What do you mean?” Christmas asked.

“She’s expected to be the next Stella Simler.” Oz breathed. “When they told her that it was like someone shot her. She’s still not been the same after that.”

Christmas shook her head. “So she’s the next queen bee? I couldn’t imagine.” She looked over Oz’s expression. “Have you been chosen for anybody?”

Oz shook his head. “No. And in all honesty, after hearing Zoe’s side, I don’t want to. Besides,” he hesitated. “What’s the point if I may never even get to see the kid? If it’s a boy sure but I’m supposed to be a soldier. I’ll be gone all the time and more than likely killed. But because I’m a Natural I’ll be given a desk job and that means long hours, travel and time away from my son. I don’t even want to think if it’s a girl.”

Christmas leaned over and kissed Oz. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”

Oz went to kiss her again but stopped himself and groaned. “Dammit. I should probably go and get back to the dorm.”

Christmas arched her brows. “Because of my brother?”

“No. Yes. Because of everything.” Oz huffed as he got to his feet. “I’m sorry. Maybe next time I’m out I can call you.”

“Maybe?” Christmas stood back up. “Sure. But first I wanted to show you something.” She said waving her hand for him to follow her.

Oz followed her down a hallway and into the room at the end of it. The room was filled with books and papers.

“My brother has been researching history since we were both kids.” She said pulling out a small yellow book. “He’s come across some pretty interesting stuff. But this is by far the most remarkable.” She handed Oz the book.

Oz smoothed his hand over the rough, leather cover and looked back at Christmas who was smiling. “Then should you be giving this to me?”

“He has the original copy. This is a duplicate. It’s about what happened when women first started disappearing and all the changes that followed it. It’s amazing.”

Oz looked at the book then held it up and smiled. “Thanks. But why me?”

“You sounded like you wanted to listen. And from what you’ve told me all tonight I think you’ll need it.”

Oz stuck the book into the pocket of his jacket. “Should I call you or anything when I finish it?”

Christmas reached for something else on the messy desk and then handed Oz a slip of paper. “My card.” She said. “Bussiness, personal, email, and all that good stuff. I own a toy store so if you ever need anything you call me.”

Oz took it and smiled. “Cool.”

Chapter Four: Microscope

Customs. Traditions. Manners. Those three words had been drilled over and over into the minds of all Naturals from birth. None more so than the goddesses. And like goddesses they had their rituals and the lower classes would present them their offerings. Today Zoe was performing one of these rituals. This included coming down from the Tower to grace the world with their presence. She and all the other young goddesses were given a tour of the Hannes school along with all its facilities which included it’s observatory where Milo worked and the Hall of Records where Oz was stationed. It was actually one of the traditions Zoe was looking forward too. She’d still be amongst the higher class but at least she’d be amongst people.

Alleluia was tightly clung to Zoe as the two walked arm and arm down the halls and through the gardens to reach the vehicle taking them to Hannes.

Alleluia had her long golden hair styled up in a braided halo that wrapped around once and then dripped down like a fountain of honey across her shoulder. She had also styled Zoe’s hair into a crown of tight ringlets all sprouting from the top of her head and then into a braid that wrapped around them like a fence. It had also been Alleluia’s favorite hobby to style hair. Especially Zoe’s.

“This is very exciting.” Alleluia giggled, squeezing tighter on Zoe’s arm so that she pressed her body against Zoe.

“Yes,” Zoe said brightly. She was used to Alleluia’s affections. “This will be my first time seeing my brother at his job.”

“And the Hammstock boy as well.” Alleluia snickered. She playfully pinched Zoe’s arm. “You must really fancy him?”

Zoe laughed. “I have known Milo for a very long time. Just like you. He is as part of my life as Oz or Ma.”

“But?” Alleluia asked with wondering eyes.

Zoe shrugged. The tiny ringlets in her hair bouncing like springs. “Well,” she hesitated, thinking. “Milo is different from everyone else I suppose. Oz and Ma are family. And you are in the same ship as I. But Milo is different. I suppose he’s a small light at the end of this tunnel.”

Alleluia pouted. “But in terms of feelings?”

Zoe shook her head. “I care. But I don’t think there is anything special in it.”

Alleluia’s bright smile returned. “Alright.” She squeezed back onto Zoe’s arm and leaned her cheek against her shoulder. 

After a car ride to the school, Zoe, Alleluia and the other six girls arrived at Hannes. Against the dark uniforms the young goddesses in their bright dresses were like polished gemstones in dull silver. As they walked across the grounds they caused the boys to stop and stare in amazement. Even the teachers stopped to ogle. And as they came upon the school, when they looked up they saw boys hanging out of the windows and cheering. Much to the chagrin of the professors.

Waiting at the door was the school principal, Chester Solstrings, one of the top professors, Dr. Sean Marcus, and the world’s most famous Clone, Dr. Atlas Cutler. 

“Welcome ladies, welcome!” Solstrings said warmly. “Please, make yourselves at home. I can’t tell you how excited all of us are to have you here.”

Zoe looked up at Cutler, her blood turning cold. He was better looking in person but at the same time he was still the cause of much dread for Zoe. Cutler was examining the crowd of girls with a gentle smile before he turned and led the group into the building.

“First, I thought we’d take you girls to the gymnasium where you can see our boys practicing their sword fighting, hand to hand combat, and their physical prowess.”

“Sounds like,” Alleluia whispered into Zoe’s ear, “they’re showing us the lobster tank and asking us which one to pick.”

Zoe covered her mouth with her hand as she tried to suppress a huge belly laugh. The others girls looked at the disapprovingly but Alleluia and Zoe kept their bright smiles as they walked stiff back down the hallway, holding their breath so as not to laugh.

The gymnasium was a huge glass building with gold in bleachers on all sides. In the middles was the expansive woods flooring and high above it the girls looked down from the glossy concrete that also served as the track.

As the girls looked over the railing at the young boys below the principal went on and on about the boys training regiment. Zoe’s eyes watched as boys pulled out mats to practice wrestling upon. She saw two boys in white padded suits sword fight with wooden swords. There were boys playing with a big ball and fighting to keep each other from scoring in nets on opposite sides of their section of floor. 

“Ew.” Alleluia grunted. “Don’t they look weird to you?”

Zoe had to admit, she wasn’t used to male figure. But unlike Alleluia she found them somewhat attractive. Especially their arms and slender waists. She looked over at the others girls to see then bearing the same amorous blush as her. But Alleluia looked thoroughly displeased.

The boys then noticed the girls and all stopped where they were to stand erect and salute. The girls all giggled and waved like they were trained to. Then to everyone’s surprise Sara Cross whistled loudly down at the boys and everyone laughed. Save for the teachers.

“Onward, ladies.” Solstrings sniffed.

The girls continued ogling the boys though who went on with a more robust, testosterone fueled version of what they had been doing before.

Their next stop was the expansive science lab where Solstrings partnered the girls up with one of the studying students. Zoe watched worriedly as each of the girls was placed with a handsome young man with stars in his eyes. She was last in line thanks to Alleluia’s very purposeful placing. Then, as Alleluia walked off with a dark skinned boy with a look like she had eaten something awful Zoe looked up as the principal gathered a boy from the back. And as he got closer Zoe took a breath of thanks. She smiled brightly as Milo was brought to her.

“Lady Zoe, this is Milo Hammstock. He’s one of our most promising students. It was he who distinguished the message in the transmission received from that supposed meteor.”

Zoe smiled up at Milo who was turning several shades of red and even purple. “I heard about that from a dear friend.” She held out her hand to Milo who took it, bowed and kissed her knuckles.

“This way, my lady.” He said, leading Zoe off to his work station.

Zoe inched a little closer to Milo and whispered up to him, “I’m so glad you were here. I was actually pretty worried being placed with a boy I didn’t know.”

“How many do you know?”

Zoe giggled. “None. That’s why I’m glad you’re here.” She gave his hand a little squeeze and even she could feel his pulse quicken.

“I didn’t even know you would be here today. I lost my schedule calendar and so I’ve been out of the loop on a lot of school activities.” He pulled out a chair for Zoe to take and then he took the chair beside her. He pulled over the microscope so Zoe could look inside.

“I thought you were an astronomer?” Zoe asked.

Milo smiled. “Well, I do have to study science like everyone else. I like to think of it as looking into a tiny galaxy.”

Zoe nodded and looked into the scope. “There’s nothing there yet,” Milo laughed as he pulled out the box of samples. “I’m looking for irregularities in some of these blood samples.”

“That’s blood?” Zoe gasped. She grabbed a slide from Milo and held it between her thumb and forefinger. “Wow.”

“You don’t find it gross?” Milo asked.

“It’s fascinating to me!” Zoe said, handing the slide back to Milo so he could slide it into place. “Do you enjoy it?”

Milo shrugged. “It’s okay. A bit monotonous but…” He watched as Zoe happily examined the slide. It was a smile he had never seen before but a smile that should of existed long before.

“We’re expecting the ship to land within the end of the month.” Milo said.

Zoe looked up into his hopeful gray eyes. “Really? That’s remarkable! So soon?” She cupped his knee, not realizing what her body language meant and what the warmth of her palm was doing to Milo.

“Um?” Milo took a breath. “And here’s the real kicker. Dr Cutler thinks it’s not the only one. He suspects that there may be many more ships out there waiting for word that a safe haven has been found.”

Zoe’s smile brightened. “That’s wonderful! If that’s true we won’t need clones anymore. We won’t need Naturals.” She reached up and squeezed Milo’s hand tightly and kissed his knuckles. “If we didn’t have so many eyes on us I’d hug your head clean off your neck!”

Milo brushed a stray hair from Zoe’s face. “If were didn’t have so many eyes on us I’d kiss you.”

Zoe’s face went blank then she let out laughing. Thinking that was another one of Milo’s lines. “You’re so silly, Milo.” She said, playfully punching him. She then turned back to the microscope.

Milo swallowed. “Yeah. That’s what it was. A joke.” He ran his fingers through his hair and pasted on his best fake smile. “Alright. I’m going to switch slides between normal and abnormal and lets see if you tell me which is which.”

“Okay.” Zoe nodded excitedly. 

Cutler came around to inspect Zoe and Milo’s team. He had noticed them laughing and talking more fluidly than some of the others and he wanted to see why they were so comfortable with one another. 

“How are things?” He asked with a teacher’s smile.

Milo looked up, his face both rouged and blanched. “Oh. Dr Cutler. Um, well, it seems Lady Zoe is a natural at this.”

Cutler raised his brow. “How so, Hammstock?”

“She can instantly tell the difference between abnormal cells and normal ones. It’s quite amazing. With the proper training she could become quite the scientist.”

Cutler looked down at Zoe who’s smile had now faded and she looked as if she were curling into herself. “That’s a good skill to have. Tell me, Lady Zoe, how are you able to distinguish them so well if you have never had the proper schooling for it?”

“Well,” Zoe murmured, avoiding eye contact. “I just can. And it isn’t as though this was my first time seeing things like this. I read a lot and I once read an old book on cells and their structure. Why is it so amazing that I can tell?”

“It normally takes a very trained eye, you see.” Cutler replied. “If you like I can refer you a tutor who can teach you more.”

Zoe met his eyes for the first time and Cutler liked what he saw in hers. “In fact, since you seem so comfortable with Hammstock here, why don’t I refer him?”

Zoe smiled and Milo felt as if he were lighter than air and as heavy as lead all at once. “But Dr Cutler I-”

“You need experience Hammstock if you’re going to be a professor one day like your father and I.” Cutler said with a smile. “I’ll have it all set up by the end of the week.” He said walking back off with his hands behind his back.

Zoe grabbed Milo’s hands and squeezed them tighter than she ever had. “This is so wonderful, Milo! What if I can learn a trade?”

Milo leaned in closer to Zoe. “Yes. That would be great.” He pulled back again.

“And with you. It’ll be so much fun, won’t it?”

Milo nodded. “Of course.” Inside Milo was erupting but he had no idea how to release it. He’d be spending time alone with Zoe. It was too good to be true.