A hint of surprise crossed Veyalor’s face. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his long fingers beneath his chin.
“The procedure. I see.” A thin smile crossed his face. “And why would a security officer need to understand the medical protocols?”
“Because I am responsible for the safety of this facility and everyone in it.” He kept his voice cool and professional. “I cannot do my job effectively if I don’t understand what is happening inside these walls.”
“A reasonable argument.” Veyalor’s tone suggested he found it anything but. “Very well. What specifically do you wish to know?”
How will you touch her? What will you do to her body? Will it hurt?
The questions burned in his throat, but he forced them down and made himself speak calmly.
“The human females. How will they be… impregnated?”
Veyalor’s smile widened, and his tail lashed with irritation.
“Are you concerned about contamination, Captain? Or perhaps something more… personal?”
“Answer the question.”
The scientist’s eyebrows rose at the sharpness in his tone, but he shrugged and turned to pull up something on his display.
“The process is quite straightforward, actually. Dr. Pagalan’s research indicated that the primary barrier to interspecies reproduction was biochemical rather than physical. Cire genetic material is simply incompatible with most other species without intervention.” He gestured at a complex diagram that meant nothing to Becsul. “We’ve developed an injection to be administered to the female, followed by the introduction of the male’s genetic contribution.”
“An injection?”
“The process itself is quite painless. No surgery, no invasive procedures beyond the initial injection.” Veyalor’s clinical tone made the words sound almost innocent.
Some of the tension in his shoulders eased. Not because the situation was acceptable—it was still a monstrous violation of everything he had been taught to honor—but because at least she would not be subjected to violence. At least there would be no straps, no forced coupling, no?—
“And the male’s contribution,” he heard himself say. “How is that… introduced?”
Veyalor’s smile turned knowing. “Ah.That’swhat concerns you.”
“Answer the question.”
The scientist turned back to his work, dismissing him. “The males will provide samples, which will be processed and introduced to the females at the optimal time in their cycles. All very clinical. All very controlled.”
Another male’s seed inside her.
The thought hit him like a punch in the gut, and his tail lashed angrily behind him.
“Which males?”
Veyalor looked up again, and this time there was genuine interest in his eyes. “Now that is an interesting question. You seem very invested in this particular subject, Captain.”
“Which males will be providing samples?”
“We need males with strong genetic markers and good health histories. Evidence of previous successful bonding might be helpful?—”
“I want to be considered.”
The words were out before he could stop them. Veyalor stared at him, and for the first time since he’d entered the office, the scientist looked genuinely surprised.
“You have no scientific background, no?—”
“I have strong genetic markers. I have been contributing my sperm to the efforts in the capital since I was old enough to donate.”
And I will not let another male touch her. Not even in this clinical, sterile way. Not while I breathe.
