Free Messages from the Deep by Theo Marais Page A

requires our approval.
    Earth 2 will be used both as a settlement,
which will grow gradually, mainly with research scientists, and as
a refreshment station on the way to other planets. However, the
‘refreshment’ will be mainly in the form of fresh food, water and
accommodation for a week’s holiday break.
    Some of our younger members will be selected
to join these missions, after studying training manuals and doing
practicals in preparation. We will also be sent mini-laboratories
and equipment to further our research here. We should make lists of
our most urgent needs in this regard.
    What do you think of this proposal from
Earth?”
    There is general agreement that this is a
fair proposal.
    “We can continue with research here, with at
least basic equipment; we can be trained to join other space
missions; we can open up a Backpackers Beach House Lodge,
self-catering, and meet some new people for a change,” are some of
the comments.

CHAPTER 5
     
     
    Mariada and Alex both start to find that they
are winding down in their respective careers and are not feeling as
driven as they used to feel, with little time or inclination for
leisure and pleasure. They have reconciled their differences about
mining and technology, since the proposal from Earth was such a
reasonable compromise. Mariada seems more happy with ‘vegetating’ a
little, sometimes. They spend more time swimming and playing with
the dolphins in the bay and studying the teeming life on their new
planet.
    They are rowing in a little dug-out dinghy up
a river which is similar to the Keurbooms River. Mariada muses.
    “I have been wondering how ethical it would
be to have a baby in your 60s, especially if you have a good chance
of living for another 30 years. Then again, you may be a better
parent than you would have been in your 30s, when your career came
first. And even more, if you don’t have the constant stress of
living on Earth, and you can see a positive future for raising a
child, would that not be an ethical decision?” (Mariada has been
reading Plato and loves using the Socratic method of debate.)
    Alex replies with a smile.
    “I wonder who the you is that you mention?
You sounds like you but it also could be me. And it sounds entirely
ethical to me if you need a mother like you and a father like me.
The only problem I can think of is the tiny matter of an egg, but I
do know from certain tests done fairly recently that a fertile
father is no problem. Where do you find a fertile egg?”
    Mariada clicks her fingers as though
summoning the final synthesis.
    “Back in the 20s, before I went to Mars, I
had some of my ova frozen, just in case something like this ever
happened. I can get them sent here and I’m sure, with a small
contribution from you, our good Doctor Zeus can organise a
get-together which can be transferred to me. What do you think of
that?”
    “I have to admit that technology does have
its benefits and, if it will help to make us parents, let’s start
the count-down. In the meantime, how about trying the usual way,
just in case that may still work?” says Alex, rowing the boat
straight for a small beach with some shady bushes.
     
    The eggs finally arrive and two are
fertilised in vitro and implanted in utero. Zeus later tells
Mariada that, when he introduced the sperm, after a few seconds two
of the ova gave off tiny sparks as they were fertilised. It was
these two that he selected.
    A few weeks later, Mariada and Alex are
swimming in the little bay. Mariada has developed a close
friendship with the dolphin that greeted her first after their
arrival. She has named her Corky as she loves to stand upright in
the water, bobbing up and down like a cork as she talks excitedly.
Just then, as though she knows they are talking about her, Corky
appears out of the blue. Mariada has not told her or, in fact,
anybody else, of the implantation as she fears it may not work.
Corky suddenly becomes very quiet, so Mariada comes