Within a few hours, the ‘Ark’ carrying civilian passengers had already departed for the drifting base Avatar-1. Ann sat turned away from Lika, ignoring her questions completely. Finally, Lika’s patience snapped, and she grabbed Ann by the shoulder:
“Hey, answer me! What did I do to you that’s so bad?”
“Nothing. Just leave me alone,” Ann hissed venomously, not even looking at her.
“What did they tell you?”
“That my request will be reviewed once we’re at the base!” Ann snapped, brushing her off angrily.
She couldn’t come to terms with this turn of events. Ann knew that Zur would never find her on Avatar-1, or at least, it wouldn’t be easy for him—and worst of all, it wouldn’t be soon. She tormented herself for not listening to Zur, for convincing Cheo to join her on this reckless search for Tiar. Mentally, she cursed herself for Cheo’s death, blaming her grief and anxiety for landing her in this mess. The reproductive program! It was unthinkable. The daughter of a pirate, who rejected every Imperial law, couldn’t end up—shouldn’t end up—in this wandering space city. The closer they got to it, the more dread gripped her. She realized the unforgivable mistake she’d made and could already picture Zur’s mocking smirk. But how much she’d give right now to see Zur and the others instead of these brainwashed, Empire-loyal drones. The worst part was that she didn’t even know where in the universe her family was. She couldn’t begin to guess where Zur might be scouring the galaxy for Tiar’s kidnappers. But a wild, risky escape plan was already forming in her mind. Staying on the base was out of the question; she wanted to find her father just as much as the others did. Ann didn’t know exactly how yet, but she’d try to steal a ‘Tomahawk’ and slip past the Imperial border guards. They didn’t know any other life. The children of the seasoned pirate Tiar couldn’t imagine a life free from control!
***
“Let’s stop dragging this out. The more you overthink it, the stronger your inner resistance will grow. Sometimes it’s easier to just follow orders out of a sense of personal duty, without analyzing them.”
Eli shot his friend a heavy, reproachful look but stayed silent.
Ann sat in the cramped waiting room of the executive controller, fidgeting in her chair and sighing deeply. She’d been waiting for ten minutes with no sign of being called in. From the corridor, a lively male argument echoed. The automatic doors slid open silently, admitting more visitors. For a split second, surprise flickered in the officers’ eyes and in the gray eyes of the girl.
“Ah! An old acquaintance. Hello again!” Boon gave an awkward bow, but Ann, casting them a disdainful glance, silently turned away.
Finally, the controller appeared in the doorway—or rather, a female controller—who, ignoring the girl waiting in agony, immediately addressed the soldiers:
“I’ve been informed of your decision. I’ve already received the corresponding directive. Please, come in!”
“Hey!” Ann stood up decisively. “Doesn’t it matter that I got here way before them? Maybe the gentlemen could let a lady go first?”
“Young lady, I have clear instructions regarding these two officers. You’ve come here on your own initiative without prior authorization, so wait your turn and show some respect for executive authority!” The controller’s sharp, impartial response and condescending look pushed Ann back into her seat.
Before the doors closed behind them, Boon managed to throw a smug glance over his shoulder at her.
“Well, gentlemen, as you know, this program has been in place for quite some time, and its results have proven successful. Through research and observation, it’s become clear that the natural reproductive program is far more effective than artificial methods.”
“Can we skip the preamble and get straight to the point, please?” Eli grimaced as if in pain. “We get it. I’d just like this to take as little time as possible.”
“But there’s a certain protocol to follow! You must review the database, select candidates, finalize your choice, and only then will you gain access to the program,” the controller snapped, clearly annoyed.
“Good grief! What if I’ve already made my choice? Can I get access right now?” With every word, irritation grew in Eli’s voice.
“Theoretically, that’s possible, but what do you mean by ‘made your choice’? Do you have an agreement with one of the candidates? That goes against our rules. There’s a queue, as you’re aware.”
“Then make an exception for me. Given my combat service to the Empire, don’t I deserve a small favor? Let’s not test each other’s patience!”
“I’d like to interject,” Boon raised a finger. “Officer Eli Bosch isn’t known for his patience. A soldier’s life has turned us into irritable wrecks.”
“Are you blackmailing me?” the controller hissed threateningly. In response, Eli turned on his heel, strode back into the waiting room, and pulled Ann up by the elbow:
“Come with me!”
“Why?” Ann tried to pull away, but the military officer pushed her forward like a tank until they stopped in front of the executive controller.
“Let’s process the clearance! If you don’t, I’ll report that you’re obstructing the execution of a direct order from the supreme commander!” His raised tone seemed to have an effect on the official.
“What’s going on here? Will someone tell me or not? Why did you drag me in here?” Ann’s demanding gaze darted between them, suspicion growing in her mind.
“Fine, I’ll process you, but don’t come back to me later claiming something doesn’t suit you!” the controller barked. She carelessly tapped a button, her fingers flying across the holographic keyboard of the Imperial database’s internal computer. “There! Done! Computer, run a verification check! Display participants of the reproductive program under code numbers KM-157 and KM-376 on the monitor.”
Ann’s mouth fell open in shock when she saw her face on the screen next to this crazy soldier.
“Computer, provide data for number KM-157!” The controller seemed to be mocking one of them.
“KM-157 – Officer Third Rank Eli Bosch. Human. Caucasian. Male. Place of birth: Avalon Base. Age: twenty-eight years. Hair: dark blond. Eyes: blue. Face: oval. Lamansk profile. Weight: 76 kg. Height: 180 cm. Distinguishing features: prosthetic pinky and ring fingers on left hand; diagonal scar above right lower back, twenty centimeters long and eleven millimeters wide; extensive burn scar on left shoulder. Married, partner code KM-376. No children. Information regarding assignments and military operations: classified!” the mechanical voice recited.
“Computer, information for number KM-376!”
“Code KM-376, refugee from Targo. Annjina Vadebun. Human. Caucasian. Female. Place of birth: (data approximate) colony on planet Kora. Age: twenty-two years. Hair: brunette. Eyes: gray. Face: oval. Pro-Asian profile. Weight: 56 kg. Height: 170 cm. No distinguishing features. Married. Partner: Code KM-157. No children. Data unverified. Clarification unavailable. Code KM-376 not identified in database.”
“There you go, Officer Bosch, a pig in a poke. Congratulations, you’ve been granted access to the program and assigned living quarters on the main base Avatar-1. You may proceed to the residential blocks. Your family room number is 456. Good luck!” The controller pursed her lips in irritation.
“I’m not going anywhere!” Ann suddenly shouted. “I have no intention of participating in this program. That’s why I came here! Fix this immediately. I don’t want to live on this base! This decision violates human rights!”
“Sorry, but the decision has been finalized. If you want to overturn it, you’ll need to appeal to the Imperial court. Thank Officer Bosch—maybe he’ll help you file the paperwork with the legal department. Now, leave my office!”
Eli silently and effortlessly lifted the girl by the waist, practically carrying her into the corridor. Within a minute, she started struggling.
“I think I’ll take a look at your database,” Boon said calmly, watching the scene unfold.
“You!” Ann swung a punch at Eli’s chest. “What have you done?! Who gave you the right to control me, you Imperial grunt?! Why do you all keep meddling in my life? Did I ask for this?!”
“Quiet!” Eli snapped curtly. “What’s done is done. Let’s go! Don’t push me. I can be pretty rough. Come on, we’ll talk somewhere else.”
Almost in a state of shock, she followed him down to the fourth level to the residential blocks and obediently entered the room assigned to them.
“Remember, the lock code is 3380 XX.”
“I don’t care about your code! This is nonsense! I can’t believe this is happening to me!” Ann burst into hysterical laughter. “You have no idea what you’ve done, soldier! Find yourself another partner—it’s in your best interest!”
“My name’s Eli,” he said quietly.
“I don’t care what your name is. I’m not staying here!”
“Even if you file a lawsuit, it’ll drag on because they’ll prioritize my opinion. And I’m asking you not to do it. You’re in this program just like I am. So why not pay our debt to the Empire?” His voice carried exhaustion and even a hint of sadness.
“You… I…” Ann stammered, suddenly realizing she couldn’t prove anything to him, couldn’t convince or persuade him, and absolutely couldn’t tell him the truth. The weight of the situation drained her completely, and she collapsed onto the edge of the bed, hands falling limp.
“Do you even understand, soldier, how this is supposed to work?” she asked wearily.
“Are you asking about the biology or the logistics?” Eli replied in an equally tired tone.
“I’m talking about the moral side, the emotions and feelings, you idiot.”
“I don’t get you. That side has nothing to do with it. Look, let’s not talk about anything right now. Let’s just sleep. I’ve been dreaming of a real, decent sleep for so long,” he said, pausing to pull off his jumpsuit. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”
Ignoring her wide eyes and raised eyebrows, he lay down on the bed, hugged a pillow, and fell asleep instantly.
Ann finally swallowed the lump in her throat and ruffled her short dark hair. Scanning the room, she sighed heavily again. Out of habit, she reached for her calf to check if her knife was still there, but remembering it had been confiscated during the inspection, she sighed once more. Without undressing, she lay down on the opposite end of the bed, keeping her eyes fixed on Eli’s back until she drifted into a heavy sleep.
Her life of danger and pursuit had made her sleep light and brief. Every five hours, she’d take watch, relieving one of her brothers. So, exactly five hours later, Ann woke up. In his sleep, Eli had turned to face her and was still fast asleep. A sharp feminine curiosity prompted Ann to quietly inch closer to get a better look at the peaceful features of his face. It seemed so calm and noble, his breathing even and deep. Occasionally, his long, curled dark blond lashes trembled slightly, and the nostrils of his straight, handsome nose flared subtly in sync with his chest, which rose and fell slowly. Ann’s gaze lingered on a small scar cutting through his right eyebrow, and involuntarily, she smiled. There was something amusing about this absurd situation. Beside her slept a trusting, carefree Imperial soldier who had no idea he’d forced a… pirate to be his marital partner.
Pirates, outlaws constantly hunted and arrested. Adding to the thrill was the fact that relationships with Imperial soldiers were strictly forbidden among the pirate brotherhood. Tiar despised Imperial trackers with a burning hatred, grinding his teeth whenever he spoke of the officers, and even in his worst nightmares, the old pirate couldn’t have imagined his daughter living with one of them. For Ann, it was like forbidden fruit. She didn’t want to disappoint her father—not at all! But the taboo was so captivating, so alluring! She longed to know her enemies better, to understand what drove them, and whether their souls were truly as monstrous as their actions against her people.
Lost in thought, Ann lay there for a few more hours until Eli finally woke up. He stretched sweetly, and all his carefree demeanor vanished the moment his eyes landed on the girl.
“Man, you’re a heavy sleeper, Officer,” Ann teased, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed. Despite the ridiculous situation, she was smiling.
“I see sleep did you some good too. Honestly, I didn’t think you knew how to do that,” Eli said in a sleepy tone. “While we’re at it, maybe we should fulfill our purpose?”
Still smiling, Ann shook her head in refusal:
“Oh, no way. I’m not doing that. And I wouldn’t advise you to even touch me. It’s disgusting.”
Eli sat up, raising his eyebrows. His voice turned serious, though Ann’s keen senses picked up that familiar sadness.
“What’s disgusting? It’s natural. Humans continue their lineage the way nature intended.”
“No, it’s not reproduction that’s disgusting—it’s doing it in such a cynical, empty way. I mean, couples should be drawn to each other, feel something, love each other, or whatever. That’s when it’s right. We should be different from animals, after all.”
“You’re nuts! Where did someone like you even come from? It’s like you’re from a past millennium. If people followed your methods, the Empire would’ve ceased to exist long ago!”
“I’m not talking about the Empire. I’m talking about people,” Ann said, lowering her eyes and biting her lip. “If I ever have a child, it’ll only be with a man I love. … That’s regarding the reproductive program. As for sex… I guess people do that with someone they just like. But for someone like you, it’s probably just when there’s a need. I feel sorry for you. You were ordered to do this, and you’ve got no other choice. I warned you to pick another partner. You’re gonna have problems, soldier!”
Eli turned away, sighing and rolling his eyes. He was at a loss for words. He wanted to understand this oddball, but he couldn’t.
“I’m hungry, soldier! Where do they serve food in this tin can of yours?” Ann asked, hopping off the bed with ease.