Page 20 - The Chronicles Ser2 (6-10)

she was one of the few women in the crew. Unlike Bedouin and Muslim women on Earth, Buraxin
women were treated as equals in every way. Her present duties were to keep the ships records,
trading licences etc. in order. To be asked to cook for guests was deemed a social honour and she
had wowed the crew before with her ingenuity when it came to spicing up bland rations. She was
also the Doctors nurse on this occasion. So it would be no surprise later when Meorr was ushered
into the Med bay to discuss her “needs” Lehran was there. The two were of a similar physical age,
and knew of the difficulties of “women’s problems”.

“This is really embarrassing. Our two races share long periods between viability cycles, but I’m
worried as I haven’t had the usual indicators that a cycle is due. In fact it’s well overdue” Meorr
confided with Lehran.

“Does your species have a “menopause”?” Lehran asked

“Yes, but we don’t usually enter that phase until late maturity. I’m worried that The Greys may have
done something to alter the cycle. Could you tell from a scan if I’m … Pregnant? I recall my older
sister went through something akin to this when she was with cub” Meorr added

“The equipment on board is cumbersome, but I think I can adapt its use. You will need to disrobe.
Does your species have any taboos I should be aware of? “Lehran asked sympathetically.

“Nudity within the same sex group and in private is not an issue, public nudity on the other hand…”
Meorr said. The two giggled.

“I’ll make sure we’re not disturbed. It’s good to have someone of a similar spirit aboard. I can get
along with the crew, but I miss the intellectual equality. Most of the other female crew are more into
chatting about boys to be interesting, “you’re a breath of fresh air”, as the Terrans say” Lehran
laughed.

The examination and tests went smoothly. It would take a day or two for a final result, but initial
findings pointed to Meorr not being pregnant. It was a safe conclusion that The Greys had not
impregnated her artificially with a hybrid foetus. It was worrying that she was not following a natural
cycle, but this could be for a number of reasons. Lehran was of the opinion that it might be down to
Meorrs’ prolonged stasis.

Over the long flight, some three weeks, with trading stops along the way, the two women
grew close. Meorr opened up to Fenton more too. She even teased him about starting a
relationship. However; the trip to the Venarr system was approaching an end and the tentative
reunion process put a chill to that idea. Catrah had sent contact details to the Terran Embassy on
Venarr with a detailed map of the colonies remote location.

“Wow; that is remote. Why there I wonder?” Fenton mumbled

“Good hunting terrain probably!” Meorr countered “Only joking” she added “My kind like open
spaces to relax in. We are descended from a Hunter/Gatherer society” she continued.

“I’m glad to hear it. But seriously, do your people still hunt… Even just for sport?”

“Not since we developed synthetic food replacements and our longevity treatments. The urge to
hunt was suppressed by the latter” she replied. She grinned showing her incisors again. Jicklac
summoned them to the H’Gru’ Fen’s Bridge. They arrived just as Jicklac was finishing a conversation
with a crew member from Engineering.