Pulling your Weight by msboy8

Codes:
no sex Sci-Fi

This story is a work of fiction, and friction, any resemblance to living, dead, or undead people is merely a coincidence. This story may not be used for wrapping fish or any other commercial endeavor without the author's expressed permission.

I, msboy8, can confirm that I am the originator and copyright holder of this story.

Edited by doppleganger. All mistakes are mine and not his.

Originally published in Pleasures from the Pen

This is another story in the 'What If' series. Many stories these days are based on 'What if', and rightly so. Just because the story is not in this series doe not mean that the authors are not asking themselves 'What If'. These stories will be on a grand scale, involving counties, worlds or the natural order of things.

Pulling your Weight

The following is an excerpt from the United States Library of Congress, Government Records Division, Critical Events Sub-Division, Mandatory Compliance Group.

Gentlemen, congratulations on your being chosen for being in the first group to be selected for this most important duty. It is not just important to our Nation, but to the world as well. We realize that not all of you are happy with being here, but we acknowledge and appreciate your sacrifice.

This facility will be your home for at least the next nine months, perhaps longer. You will soon be paired up with your female counter part, your birth partner. It is hoped that the two of you will form a lasting bond. I know that you all would prefer nature to take its course, but we just don't have the time. Humanity cannot afford a misstep at this time.

Some of you might think that the United States is taking more of their fair share of this burden, but, I assure you that is not the case. All the nations of the earth have been assigned a schedule based on many factors, such as population and technology.

The only exceptions have been for religious reasons. I fully expect entire nations to become extinct within a hundred years. It's your duty, however personally unpleasant it may be, to ensure that our nation does not go gently into that good night.

That concludes our lecture. We will all enjoy a healthy meal in the cafeteria next. This afternoon is reserved for you to become acclimated to our special, low intensity work-out regimen. If there are any questions, please come see me during lunch.

- - - - -

Major Jackson was not surprised to see the young man waiting to speak with her. He looked to be just out of High School and too young to shave. She knew that he had to be at least eighteen years old, or else he wouldn't be here. He was very nervous; he kept folding and unfolding his hands, both in front of and behind him. He reminded her of a student called to the Principal's office.

"Come in and have a seat, you're not in the military. Tell me what's troubling you." As if she didn't know.

"Well Major, Ma'am it's just this. I'm too young to be married, never less to have a child. I haven't even met this woman, this birth partner. What if we don't get along?"

"It would be wonderful if you and your birth partner got married, or formed a lasting relationship, but that's not necessary. What is important is the child. We must keep the population young and vibrant, especially with people living longer these days."

"Did you get a chance to view the inspirational film yesterday?" The young man nodded his head 'yes'. "Do you think Governor Schwarzenegger had it any easier than you will?" The young man shook his head 'no'.

Major Jackson shook her head in frustration, and then spoke to him just like she was trying to explain to a child that the stove was hot. "We don't know who released the virus or what their intentions were. We only know that human women can not get pregnant anymore. That's why men now have to carry the babies to term, just like in the movie 'Junior'. The birth partners are to help the fathers and to provide breast milk for the needed nutrients once the baby's are born."

The major got up and walked around her desk to help the young man to his feet. "Don't worry son, women have been doing it for centuries, I'm sure you guys will catch on fast." She helped him out the door with a swat on the butt. I can't wait until his tummy swells up, he'll look so precious.

© 2007 msboy8

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