Neither of the teenagers noticed the Headmistress’s shadow over them as they kissed passionately.
“As much as I appreciate that you two are getting along so well, I’d prefer you did it in the cafeteria.”
They released each other quickly. Allison blushed. Both of them turned to get away from the headmistress as soon as possible when Allison heard her call her name. Tyler glanced at her. Allison turned to the headmistress, she was expecting a lecture on remembering her Civil Studies class. She was surprised.
“Are you alright Allison? I called everyone I could think of including your mother when I saw the police take you.”
Allison couldn’t bring herself to meet the Headmistress’s gaze. She was still blushing.
“It got sorted out. Helen, sorted it out.”
The headmistress nodded.
“She is a good soul. The Dark Mother chose well with her. Next time you see something like that at the front of the school, please call me, we’ll arrange an entry through another door. You are quite well known now. We can take steps to make your time here less easily interrupted by those who wish to raise themselves up by bringing you low. You should go clean yourself up before you go back to the cafeteria.”
The headmistress made a motion with her head. Allison did not have her bag, or her secure case. She had no makeup kit, so she decided just to clean her face off. She was in the middle of it when she heard the door open. She looked in the direction of the door expecting Trixie but was surprised to see the pregnant nineteen-year-old girl she’d met on Yellowstone. She seemed quite hesitant to approach Allison, or even address her. Allison was kind of shocked they had a maternity version of the uniform. Seeing the girl’s discomfort, she addressed her.
“Hey, we’re alone. I didn’t get your name.”
The girl inched closer.
“I am Mary. I wasn’t sure who to talk to about this.”
She held her swollen belly.
“T’hyl told me you know people and know how to get things done.”
Allison nodded.
“Are you okay at the embassy? I know how your… church feels about non-humans.”
Mary kept her hands on her belly.
“I… we are adapting. They are good to us. We have beds, food, shelter, just like you promised. I am scared.”
Allison moved closer leaning on one of the sinks with her hand.
“About what, no one will hurt you here, especially at the embassy. The Yorleer would never allow it.”
Mary started crying. One thing Civil Studies was very cagy about was the impacts of pregnancy on a woman’s body. She assumed because it might make some shy away from having children.
“What are you scared about?”
She was sobbing so much Allison could not translate a word coming out of her mouth into anything resembling a language. Her translator tried but it just came out as gibberish in text form on her AR HUD. Allison hesitantly touched the girl’s arms gently.
“Shh, shh, I don’t understand.”
After several more attempts the girl managed to explain through sniffles and gasps for air.
“They’re going to take my baby away.”
Allison wasn’t sure why she herself was surprised. Mary had no parents to take responsibility for a baby, and she was a child in the eyes of the System’s Alliance.
“Surely they’ll let the baby stay with you at the embassy.”
Mary started shaking her head and dissolved into more sobbing. Allison could not understand her once again, but Mary was holding out her tablet, the one that had been given to her by the embassy. Allison read the document. It was legalese. Even with the read aloud feature it would have been gibberish to an uneducated girl from a cult that expected women to deal with household chores and baby-rearing. Even she was having trouble making out the terms of whatever this was, so she did what she always did with legal stuff she didn’t understand, she asked Bit. She made the call after sending the document to her AI friend.
“Hey Bit, sorry for waking you up again.”
Bit responded quickly.
“Helen sorted out the issue I see. What do you need?”
Allison nodded.
“I just sent you a document of legal junk, can you tell me what it is saying?”
“Processing that request for you.”
Bit took a few minutes to respond.
“This is a standard release absolving parents of all responsibility for a child, passing said responsibility onto the System’s Alliance Child Adoption Lottery, agreeing to have no contact with the child. It has been agreed to by one Mary Elizabeth Belmont. Born on Earth in NAFTA Dome via Genesis Pod. Adopted by Leeroy and Ronda Belmont, declared missing shortly after adoption. Her legal guardians, Guardian Tree Orphanage have not signed off on it.”
Allison handed the tablet back to Mary before she snapped it in her anger.
“Thank you, Bit.”
Bit signed off after bidding Allison a good day. Allison felt like she was going to snap the sink so she stopped leaning on it and crossed her arms so she wouldn’t accidentally break anything. She was furious on Mary’s behalf. The girl probably had no idea what she was agreeing to until T’hyl told her. With the mother’s legal agreement, the Orphanages was probably a formality the SA could just ignore because it is a foreign power. She called Eyre, she was surprised the very busy vampire answered twice in one day.
“Allison, twice in one day, you are actually making me think you like me. What’s up?”
Allison swept the legal document along with Bit’s notes towards Eyre’s image. Eyre glanced over it.
“That’s pretty standard. The law is clear. A child cannot be responsible for raising another child as primary legal guardian caregiver. As an orphan this Mary really has no legal standing.”
Allison was pretty mad.
“You’re telling me they can just walk in and take someone’s kid because they’re a year shy of being an adult? Even the primitives back in the twenty-first century couldn’t do that without evidence the child was being neglected.”
Eyre sighed.
“She agreed to it, as Bit assumed here, it is a formality at best that the orphanage agree to it.”
Allison frowned.
“She can’t read, I didn’t even understand what it said until I got Bit to translate it for me. How can a girl raised in a… church that doesn’t believe girls should read or make any decision for the family possibly be able to make a choice like this?”
Eyre kept her voice level. Allison could already tell she was going to get nowhere with her sister.
“Allison, all Mary did was save herself a court case where they would have been given custody anyway. The only way this can be invalidated is if an adult adopts her and accepts responsibility for the child. Or if she wasn’t in the System’s Alliance. It is what is best for Mary and her unborn child. Neither is going to have the life they could have had if they are stuck together.”
Allison tried another tactic.
“How old were you when you had your first kid?”
Eyre closed her eyes.
“That was another time and place with different laws, and honestly if I could go back now, I would have waited. I’m sorry Allison, there is nothing anyone can do, and any legal challenge would be pointless, it is an unwinnable case. The System’s Alliance wins, no lawyer will take this.”
Allison didn’t even say goodbye, she just disconnected the call. She wanted to ask her parents to do it, but they didn’t have space. Mary was about to pop and once she did the baby would be gone before anyone could stop the System’s Alliance. Sister Silra and her husband might adopt both, but so far, the government had been pretty much straight up refused to allow cross-species adoptions as far as she knew. There had been several legal cases that made the news in a big way. She could go to the media but most of them would back the SA after pulling a few heartstrings to increase ratings and make a quick ad buck. Truth Network which was basically a conspiracy station would be honest but, who listens to conspiracy nuts?
Allison did have a favor to call in. Was she willing to use it to keep Mary and her baby together though? It had cost her a lot and almost k… it had killed her once. She sighed. Mary was still gulping for air.
“Mary, I’m sorry, I don’t… the only thing I can do would mean you could never come home… ever. By home I mean to live with humans. You’d be away from everyone you know. Your almost ready aren’t you.”
Mary nodded.
“Look, the League capital is far away from here. So far it takes almost a week to get there going as fast as we can, and I’m not sure going that fast would be alright for your baby. It is very hard on adults and kids our age. Their ruler owes me a huge favor. I know I can get you asylum there, you would have no human support, your child would not be a citizen of the System’s Alliance and you would give up your citizenship. That means you would have a very hard time coming back. If you were ever allowed. You are going to be breaking the law in a big way. Kidnapping your unborn child, and yourself. You will be surrounded by aliens. You won’t know the languages. Nothing you know exists there.”
Mary looked at Allison.
“I can keep my baby.”
Allison nodded.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
“Yes, I know how their asylum works for minors. You will be sent to stay with a host family until they find a permanent home for you. Your new adoptive parents could be anyone. I’m guessing a Yorleer. They tend to like to take in kids. They will support you, help you give birth, help you with your child, there are no humans there except at our embassy, and if you go there, you could be arrested. So, you… you might never find a partner you can have more children with. Or, you can stay here, like all of the adults want, you can give your baby up for adoption and you can start a new life free of the past. It will hurt you in the short term, but your baby will have a better life than it would with you. You are in a strange place, with no family, you have no support, and you are just a child yourself still. I want you to know that I am adopted. I have had an amazing life. I have amazing parents. There are people out there who cannot have children on their own who want them desperately that will love your child so much.”
Allison did not envy Mary’s choice. She never wanted children, but she could empathize with not wanting to give your own up for adoption.
“If you stay, they will take your baby, there is nothing anyone can do about that. At least here you know the baby will have a good life. If you go out there, there are no guarantees you will be happy. I don’t want to be cruel, but you need to face the facts, you are uneducated, you have no life skills, and you will not be able to support your baby. If you were still in the caves and it was a girl she would be the same as you, no choice. If you had not come with me both of your chances of survival would have been low.”
Mary’s bottom lip quivered.
“The doctors told me it is a girl.”
Allison sighed.
“I wish you had been adopted by a family like mine. With all my heart. Maybe your parents were like mine then… their beliefs got twisted… Tell me what you want to do but please don’t wait too long. It is much better if you’re leaving the baby is born in League space. Because I have a feeling since they have no ships in the area, I’m going to be the one taking you, I do not want to get charged with kidnapping a baby.”
Mary looked at Allison.
“I want to meet my daughter. Help me.”
Allison sighed and called Bit again.
“Bit, please open a link for me to the hyperwave. I need to send a message to the Primarch. Encoded.”
Allison sent off her request for Mary to receive asylum, she was rather surprised to receive an almost immediate response. It had one word. Done. She took a deep breath.
“Come on, we need to go get my stuff and get you back to the embassy. My mom is going to kill me.”
Allison grabbed her things from the cafeteria. She went to the office and knocked on the headmistress’s door frame. The headmistress looked up.
“Allison shouldn’t you be on the way to class?”
Allison glanced back at Mary.
“Mary is feeling tired and sick. I had a request come in from their Primarch. They need to speak to me. So, I need to use their communications at the embassy. I was going to give her a ride, also just letting you know I have to go deal with this. I am their military advisor from the Alliance.”
The headmistress sighed she looked past Allison.
“Mary, is this true?”
Mary nodded. The headmistress nodded.
“Well, I wish they would pass this through me, but I suppose school isn’t important to foreign powers. Go.”
Allison waved.
“Have a good day Headmistress.”
She escorted Mary to her truck and helped her inside. She sighed as she got in and started the pickup. After this stunt she’d be lucky if she was allowed to look at it. She spoke on the open encrypted channel to Bit.
“Hey, Bit, the Embassy was wondering if you could deliver a package for them to League space.”
Bit sounded confused.
“A package? Would they not use one of their ships?”
“Usually, but in this case it’s a very sensitive package and they need it there quickly.”
Bit seemed convinced.
“Of course, Allison.”
Allison drove to the embassy and parked the truck underground. Mary looked at her.
“You are going to get in a lot of trouble for this.”
Allison shrugged.
“Its not the dumbest thing I’ve done, but it is definitely the most worthwhile thing I’ve done. Come on.”
Allison helped Mary out, she went directly to the embassy part of the facility. She walked up to T’hyl who was heading back in from the orphanage.
“Hello, this is Mary Belmont, the System’s Alliance is going to take away her child and she does not want to give it up. The Primarch has agreed to grant her asylum.”
T’hyl smiled.
“I have her signed authorization already, it came through a few minutes ago, please, come this way. You and your child are now under the protection of the League of Sentient Races. You have been granted asylum on the basis of our belief in biological autonomy. As you are of sound mind and body, pose no risk to your child we believe firmly you should be left to raise the child as you see fit. You have been assigned a host family already, the Primarch’s own brother has agreed to sponsor you. You will be cared for and supported by him, and his life mate until such time you are an adult, or an adoptive family can be found for you and your child. You will have a choice in all of this, aside from the first host family. You will be granted a monthly stipend once you are considered an adult that will be sufficient to care for yourself and your child. You will be provided with suitable living quarters. All medical care is free. You will have your choice of provider species. You will be provided with accelerated citizenship. Your child will be an LSR citizen from birth with all associated rights and freedoms. By seeking asylum, you may risk having your citizenship revoked by the sovereign government that granted it. Your child will likely not be eligible for dual citizenship Do you understand?”
Mary looked at Allison. Allison nodded.
“You and your child will be safe, have shelter, food, clothing, medical care and they will support you until you can support yourself.”
T’hyl nodded.
“Yes, that is the main body of it. Do you agree Mary? You can probably never come back here.”
Mary nodded.
“I agree.”
T’hyl saved something on her tablet.
“Alright, I will just need the ambassador’s signature.”
T’hyl walked off. Mary sat down. She bounced her knees nervously. Allison noticed the girl’s nose was bleeding. She went into the washroom and returned with a wad of toilet paper and offered it to Mary who held it to her nose.
“Thank you.”
Allison nodded.
“Robin has had a few, its much dryer here then where you grew up.”
Mary shrugged.
“I’ve been having them since the noise, I was outside gathering.”
Allison sighed.
“Sorry, it should get better. I’m glad your baby is alright.”
Mary touched her belly again.
“The doctor’s said being inside me kept her safe.”
Allison smiled again and eventually sat down. She wasn’t sure how the hell she was going to talk her way out of being gone for two days randomly. She received a call from Major Ghai. She didn’t answer it. He called three more times. She figured he’d send the MP’s if she didn’t answer soon.
“Hello, Lieutenant Wanjala speaking.”
Major Ghai looked annoyed.
“Three calls? If we were under attack that could have cost lives.”
Allison nodded.
“I’m sorry, sir, I was in class. Is there an attack?”
He shook his head.
“I have had a request for you to fly some sort of sensitive cargo to League space for the embassy. As their military advisor from the System’s Alliance, they seem to think they can use you how they see fit. No speeds over five light years per hour. I have agreed. I tried to schedule it for the weekend but it’s urgent. Please go to the embassy ASAP and make the best possible speed to the destination they request. I will ensure your school has been advised and your parents. I apologize, I know your father just got back. Keep me advised of progress.”
Allison did her best annoyed face.
“Aye, sir.”
He disconnected the call. Allison smiled slightly. T’hyl had helped her with that problem. She was glad she had befriended the Yorleer embassy chief of staff. Mary looked at Allison.
“Are you… do you need to go?”
Allison shook her head. T’hyl came out twenty minutes later. Allison did not envy her job. She could barely handle the ambassador in small doses. T’hyl approached Allison with a locked case.
“Battlelord. I apologize for the inconvenience. This case contains a diplomatic package of the utmost urgency. However, it is sensitive and needs to be kept to minimum FTL speeds. Please deliver it to the coordinates provided. The Grand Eminence is waiting for it at your destination. I believe you are familiar with it, Za’na’gash Medical Center. By coincidence this fine Citizen of the LSR is heading there as well for a prenatal checkup. If you have space, could you possibly assist with dropping her off? Her legal guardians are awaiting her arrival. The ambassador and League would be very thankful as our nearest ship is several hundred light years away and still in transit.”
Allison bowed her head slightly.
“I have just received orders confirming I am to deliver that package to LSR space. I accept responsibility for it. I will ensure it reaches the Grand Eminence without being inspected, scanned or opened. Since I’m going there anyway, I do not see why I can’t give one of your citizens a ride.”
T’hyl bowed her head slightly and offered the diplomatic case. T’hyl touched Mary’s arm.
“I am glad we are able to keep you together. May it rain at night, and give you warm clear skies during the day, my young friend. Well, you two should get going, it is a long journey, and we wouldn’t want anything to get in your way during launch, who knows a sudden storm might roll in.”
The three walked towards the stairway to the roof where Allison’s starfighter waited. Allison tried to hurry it along, but Mary was having some issues moving as quickly as the pair of them. Allison took the hint that T’hyl was throwing her that someone was coming. She was right, there was the SA Ambassador with the same cranky woman who had tried to take Robin away from her. Their eyes met. Allison spoke quietly.
“How did they even know?”
T’hyl addressed her quietly int Silwrath.
“They don’t. They are coming to tell us that Mary was going to be taken into medical custody because they were concerned about her health. I received a call a few hours ago. I tried to delay them, but it appears that it did not work. Hurry, I’ll delay them. Once you’re in the air I will provide them with the asylum documents. Good luck.”
T’hyl rushed forward to intercept the ambassador and the woman that accompanied him from social services. The woman was looking at the hallway Allison and Mary had vanished down.
“Ah, Ambassador Chorpa it is such a pleasure to see you again. It always makes our days brighter around here when we are able to host you. How can we assist you today? The ambassador is in session with the council, but I am sure he would not want to miss the chance for an afternoon tea.”
Ambassador Chorpa, a lifelong bachelor, straightened his shoulders as T’hyl launched her charm offensive.
“Well, T’hyl, I am happy to say it is nothing serious. I would love tea with the ambassador, this is in regard to one of the orphans, a Mary Belmont, my friend, here is concerned you would bring her into the embassy and refuse to let her leave. Nonsense of course. I have agreed to join her to ensure there are no miscommunications or cause for offense on any side.”
The woman couldn’t hold back.
“She just went down that hall there, they are already in the embassy, with that insolent Wanjala child.”
T’hyl blocked the woman gently.
“I apologize ma’am but past this particular door is sovereign LSR territory, and while I am authorized to allow the ambassador entrance, I have received no such request for you. Please, if you’ll have a seat, I will have one of our staff come out, verify your identity and reach out to your government to verify your requirement for entrance.”
The woman was fuming.
“You have one of our children back there, a very sick child, you need to allow us entry so we can take her to the medical center.”
T’hyl feigned confusion.
“I am sorry, ma’am, are you accusing us of kidnapping your children?”
Ambassador Chorpa held up his hands.
“No, T’hyl no one is saying that, we would never accuse the LSR of such a terrible crime. What we are concerned about is that she may be trying to flee with her child, and she is in no condition to travel.”
T’hyl smiled.
“What a relief, such accusations are not taken lightly by the League. While we are not required to do so, I will share that, we do in fact have a citizen of the Alliance back here, Battlelord Allison Wanjala, she was loaned to us by your government for a task. There are no other System’s Alliance citizens in the embassy currently. Oh, I apologize, there is a Keira Grant, she is at an appointment with her Freedom Guide and attending online classes under supervision today. She is getting very close to finishing her basic diploma. I’m so proud of her.”
The woman was getting really frustrated, the ambassador was getting suspicious. She wasn’t sure if Allison was in the air yet, but she needed to stop this from escalating.
“Actually, ambassador there is something we need to discuss. We had a young woman who was distraught at the violation of her personal autonomy. She requested asylum. We are bound by our laws to investigate and grant temporary asylum. It appears this case was so egregious that our Primarch herself took an interest and signed the asylum petition today.”
She lifted her tablet and flicked her finger sending the official declaration to the Ambassador who read it over.
“Oh, this is… yes… yes. All in order. I am concerned this wasn’t brought to our attention beforehand, I am sure we could have found some sort of arrangement that would not have ended so drastically for the poor girl.”
T’hyl bowed her head slightly.
“I am sorry ambassador it is nothing personal, we have found in such cases the government they are seeking asylum from often employs pressure tactics to change their mind. With the emergent issues that could arise from delaying such asylum we felt it best to be timely. The poor girl did not understand the agreement she was forced to sign by this woman here. She could not possibly comprehend the text as read to her. A clear violation of her rights and that of her child. I understand it is not your government as a whole but possibly overeager actors but none the less she was scared for herself and her child. The ambassador will be happy to discuss any of the details with you over that tea.”
The woman was already speaking to someone. She gave T’hyl a dark look.
“You have no idea what you’ve done.”