Chapter 7

Taryn’s heart raced as she pushed her way to the front of the crowd. Her mission was clear: stay close to Jorim and watch out for any suspicious activity from the agents who were surely searching her apartment by now.

The atmosphere was filled with nervous excitement as people gathered to hear about the Synthari’s offer. Taryn could see a mix of emotions on their faces—fear, hope, and uncertainty.

As she weaved through the crowd, Taryn noticed a sense of relief and optimism that seemed to permeate the air. The imposing spaceship loomed high above them, its shiny surface reflecting the fading sunlight. It was both beautiful and intimidating—a visual reminder of the choices that lay before them.

A large screen had been set up near the ship, ready for the announcement. Taryn was surprised by the size of the crowd that had gathered. As Losax began to speak about the aliens’ offer to help humans find a habitable planet, his authoritative voice echoed across the square. The crowd listened intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and doubt.

Taryn couldn’t shake off the feeling that some in the crowd were not there out of genuine interest. She spotted a few individuals whose expressions didn’t match those around them, suspicion growing in her mind that they were planted to disrupt and discredit the aliens’ offer.

But despite these potential naysayers, most of the crowd seemed convinced by Losax’s words. The offer was too promising to pass up, and Taryn could feel a growing consensus among them. This was a crucial moment for her and everyone present.

When Losax called for volunteers to join the mating program, a silence fell over the crowd. Taryn’s heart pounded as she waited for someone to step forward. But when no one spoke up, she knew she had to take action—even if it meant taking more of a risk than she already had. The state of the world left her with few options, and this offer was her best chance at a fresh start.

With a determined expression, Taryn raised her hand and boldly declared, “I’ll volunteer.” All eyes turned to her, and she could feel their weight upon her. This was a pivotal moment, and she was ready to embrace it.

As Taryn made her way through the bustling crowd, she saw the stern expressions of the guards stationed around them. She felt a sense of nervousness wash over her, knowing that they were there to prevent anyone from changing their mind about volunteering for the alien program.

Just as the guards started to move in her direction, Jorim and two other aliens stepped forward, creating a protective shield around her. Looking around, she noticed a few other women stepping forward in support, their hands raised in solidarity with her decision. The strength and courage of these women gave her a surge of relief, knowing she wasn’t alone.

The leaders of the crowd tried to intervene, arguing with the aliens and attempting to stop the women from joining the program. They questioned their suitability for the program. Taryn’s heart sank at the mention of the exam—the earth’s decline had left her weaker than she once was and she wasn’t sure if she could pass.

Despite their objections, the aliens remained firm, having already prearranged everything for Taryn’s inclusion in the program.

Feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder, Taryn looked up at Jorim. His confident gaze conveyed a silent promise that everything would work out as planned.

As Taryn and the other volunteers were escorted away from the crowd, she felt a mix of emotions—relief at taking a step towards a new future, fear of the unknown path ahead, and concern about her health and its impact on her suitability for the program.

Walking towards the spaceship, Taryn pushed aside doubts and questions that raced through her mind—it was time to focus on what lay ahead. Jorim led them into the ship, leaving behind the chaos of outside. Taryn felt a sense of calm wash over her as she heard the familiar drone of alien technology.

Jorim explained that they would undergo medical evaluations, overseen by both alien and human physicians. Despite her anxiety, Taryn knew this was necessary for their safety.

“If you choose to move forward, report back here tomorrow at sunrise for your exam. This is not a decision to be made lightly, so we understand if you change your mind,” Jorim stated.

But Taryn knew she had made the right choice. She had taken a leap of faith, believing in the aliens’ intentions and the potential for a new beginning. As she prepared herself for what lay ahead, hope sparked within her—maybe this was the start of a brighter future.