Chapter 11

Jorim led Taryn and the other women through the sleek and serene corridors, lit with soft blue lights that created a tranquil atmosphere. They followed him through a series of twists and turns until they reached a hallway lined with doors. Jorim gestured towards each door, indicating which room belonged to each woman. Taryn’s room was at the end of the hall.

Before entering her room, Taryn took a moment to introduce herself to the woman across from her. She wore a red jumpsuit and her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. “Hi, I’m Taryn,” she said with a smile.

The woman’s eyes lit up in response, “Hello! I’m Mara. It’s nice to meet you. This place is something else, isn’t it?”

Taryn let out a small chuckle, already feeling a sense of camaraderie with Mara. “It really is,” she agreed. “I’m still trying to take it all in.”

“Where are you from?” Mara asked.

“North America. Quakewood,” she answered.

Mara grimaced. “Oh, although I’m from North America as well. Vortex Plains to be exact.”

As Taryn fought back a wince at the mention of the tornado-prone territory, their conversation was interrupted by a young woman with kind eyes and a gentle expression who stopped at the door next to Taryn’s room.

“Hi there,” Taryn greeted with a smile. “I’m Taryn.”

“I’m Mara,” her neighbor chimed in.

“We just wanted to say hello,” Taryn continued. “Looks like we’re all neighbors.”

The woman smiled warmly and offered a friendly wave, “Hi, Taryn. I’m Olivia. It’s good to meet you.” Her voice carried reassurance as she added, “This is quite an adventure.”

Taryn nodded, sharing Olivia’s sentiment. “It definitely is, but I’m looking forward to the journey ahead. We should probably get settled though, it sounds like they have a busy itinerary planned for us.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Mara joked as she entered her room.

Taryn chuckled and shook her head before entering her own room. As she closed the door behind her, she gasped at the sight that greeted her. The room was unlike anything she had ever seen before—breathtakingly futuristic and extravagant.

Soft natural light streamed in through large windows that offered sweeping views of the cityscape. The walls were a calming neutral tone, creating a serene backdrop for pops of vibrant colors scattered throughout the room. The furniture was sleek and modern, yet there was a warmth to the space that made it feel welcoming.

Her eyes were drawn to the living area where a comfortable seating arrangement invited her to sit and relax. The cushions were plush and soft, providing luxurious comfort against the minimalistic design. A holographic display floated above a low coffee table, projecting news and updates from Naar—including a broadcast about the arrival of human women. Taryn gaped at the technology, impressed by how seamlessly it blended into the room. The whole apartment seemed to defy the limits of human design.

Filled with excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead on this journey to a new world, Taryn couldn’t wait to explore more of this breathtaking place she would now call home.

As she continued to explore her new place, Taryn’s jaw dropped as she stepped into the luxurious kitchen. The island, with its sleek design and integrated food replicator, was a chef’s dream. She imagined herself experimenting with new recipes, the possibilities endless.

As she continued her tour of the futuristic apartment, Taryn couldn’t believe her luck. The bedroom was a serene oasis, complete with a large, inviting bed and soft, luxurious linens in calming shades of purple and silver. The lighting could be adjusted to mimic different times of day, creating the perfect atmosphere for rest and relaxation.

But it was the closet space that truly blew her away. Equipped with an advanced wardrobe organizer, it could customize her clothing options based on her preferences and schedule. Gone were the days of scrambling to find something clean to wear due to washing day restrictions.

The bathroom was equally impressive, with a large freestanding tub and a walk-in shower featuring a cascading waterfall effect. The fixtures were like the ones on the ship, so she knew they were touchless and intuitive, adjusting to her temperature and pressure preferences with ease. A mirror doubled as a digital interface, providing updates on weather and news as she got ready for the day.

Taryn felt grateful for the opportunity to live in such a modern and sophisticated space, but guilt weighed on her heart as she thought of those she had left behind on Earth. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gazed at the magnificence around her.

At that moment, a hologram message appeared before her, startling her out of her thoughts. It instructed her that she had two hours to settle in before reporting for orientation. The hologram also offered assistance if needed.

Feeling overwhelmed, Taryn approached the console by the door and asked for help understanding how to use essential items in the room. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that this new beginning held limitless possibilities for adventure and growth.

A new hologram materialized in front of Taryn, its pixels forming a humanoid figure with a calm, soothing voice. It gave detailed instructions on how to operate the various features of the room, from adjusting the lighting and temperature to using the advanced technology at the desk. Taryn eagerly absorbed the information, feeling grateful for the support as she adjusted to her new life on an alien planet.

With each passing moment, Taryn’s smile grew wider as she realized she could navigate her surroundings with confidence. The hologram’s reassurance that it was always available for assistance brought her even more relief.

Once the hologram finished its instructions and disappeared, Taryn took a moment to reflect on her journey so far and the challenges she had overcome. Despite leaving Earth behind and facing emotional turmoil, she knew she was ready for the opportunities that awaited her in this new world.

Feeling settled and excited, Taryn explored her luxurious living space, marveling at the advanced technology and attention to detail that had gone into creating it. She knew she had less than two hours before orientation and planned to use every minute wisely to prepare.

* * *

Taryn and her fellow participants in the mating program gathered in a spacious room with circular windows that offered stunning views of Naar. The soft lighting and comfortable seating helped to ease their nerves as they awaited orientation.

Whispers and nervous glances were exchanged among the women, each with their own thoughts about the journey that had brought them here. Out of one hundred initial volunteers, only sixty had passed the medical screening, and from there, twenty-one were carefully chosen for their compatibility with the Synthari and adaptability to life on Naar.

Taryn also learned that a smaller ship had remained on Earth to assist in finding a new habitable planet for those left behind. This news gave her some comfort, knowing that her fellow humans would have a chance at a fresh start. However, she wasn’t surprised to hear that several governments were working independently rather than together, each searching for their own planet to inhabit.

The room fell silent as two healers from the ship and four Synthari men entered. Taryn recognized Losax and Morvex from the ship, bringing a sense of familiarity. The third alien was a towering figure, while the fourth commanded attention with his regal bearing.

“Welcome to Naar,” he began, his voice resonating with warmth. “I am Prince Anuth. Thank you for making the decision to join us. We are honored to have you here and are grateful for your participation.”

Taryn listened intently as the prince outlined the rules of the mating program.

“None of you are obligated to accept the advances of any male you do not wish to engage with. Unwanted advances are strictly forbidden and will be met with serious consequences.”

The prince’s assurances brought Taryn relief, knowing that her autonomy would be respected throughout the program. It was comforting to hear that the aliens prioritized the women’s comfort and safety.

“It may take some time for your bodies to adjust since time moves faster here than on Earth,” the prince explained, “daylight lasts for about five hours while nighttime lasts for six.”

Taryn knew this would be a major adjustment, but the healers had already informed her to come to the med bay if she experienced any difficulties. Losing twelve hours in a day was going to be a huge adjustment. That also meant that there would be another group of Earth women joining them every six months. This arrangement meant the next set of volunteers would arrive in six months on Naar, roughly once a year on Earth. Taryn was intrigued by the potential for new faces and the chance to reconnect with other humans as time went on.

“Will we be allowed to work?” another woman asked. “Or are we just here to have babies?”

Taryn turned to look at the woman, her own curiosity piqued. It was a valid question, considering the nature of their agreement with the Synthari—even if it did sound a little condescending.

Prince Anuth smiled, appearing to take the question in stride. “Yes. You are allowed to work. We even encourage it. Once you have settled in, you will be sent a survey to find out what your skills are and what type of work on Naar may appeal to you.”

“What if we don’t have any skills?” another woman asked.

Prince Anuth turned his attention to her. “Everyone has a skill, even if it hasn’t been discovered yet. If you are unsure of what it is you can do or want to do, we have guides that can help you determine that. Everyone on Naar is valuable and has a role to play.”

That seemed to answer all of the questions for the moment, but the prince waited patiently. When no one else spoke up, he continued.

“Now, I would like to invite all of you to a celebration in your honor this evening. This event will feature the finest delicacies of Naar and provide an opportunity for eligible males to introduce themselves in a controlled environment. This is meant to be a welcoming gesture and a chance for you to form meaningful connections.”

One of the women raised her hand. “Can these males openly express their interest in us?”

“Yes,” the prince replied. “The males are free to express their intentions respectfully, but you should be aware that we are straightforward.”

As Taryn absorbed this information, her gaze met that of Losax standing nearby. His commanding presence and the intensity of his gaze left her with a flutter of anticipation. She felt a connection as their eyes locked and wondered what it meant.

The prince concluded the orientation by thanking the women once more for their volunteering and assuring them that they would be well taken care of during their time on Naar.

“I encourage you to embrace this evening’s festivities as an opportunity to immerse yourselves in the culture of your new home.”

As the orientation ended, Taryn’s mind raced with the possibilities of the evening ahead. She knew the celebration would be a pivotal moment in her journey on Naar, offering her the chance to explore new relationships and begin her new life in this world.

Taryn exchanged smiles and words of encouragement with the other women as they left the room. There was obvious excitement about the celebration, eager to experience the best of Naar and meet the eligible males.

Her mind wandered to Losax once again, and she couldn’t help but hope that they would cross paths during the celebration. She felt a mix of nervousness and curiosity, wondering what the evening would hold for them all.

As Taryn left the orientation room, she took a deep breath, her heart filled with the possibilities of the evening ahead. She was ready to embrace this new chapter, knowing that the night would offer her the chance to connect with others and explore the world of Naar in a whole new way.