A New Breed

A New Breed

In the nuclear holocaust of 2030, billions perished immediately in the cataclysmic explosions and resultant firestorms, and untold others from radiation poisoning and disease, reducing earth's population to less than a billion, sterile souls unable to replenish mankind.

By the year 2080 the youngest survivors were fifty years old, with the exception of a handful of genetically viable, fertile teenage men and women. The members of this select group were known as "breeders."

Constantly tested wards, though prisoners was a more appropriate term, of their respective governments around the globe, it was a breeder's duty to reproduce. Most yielded to their servile fate -- but not all.

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         "Shhh," Destin whispered, blocking Katia's forward motion along the peeling linoleum hallway with his muscular forearm. "The guard is leaving his post now. When I take your hand, my heart, run as you have never run before."

         Katia, sixteen, and in excellent physical condition, exhaled softly into Destin's right ear. "I'll be right beside you. Now and forever."

         His hand squeezed hers. "Now! Run, and don't look back!"

         They dashed together past the guard station and hit the release bar across the exit door at full speed. Bursting out into sunlight, they bolted to the eight foot chain-link fence. Leaping as high as possible, they caught the chain links, wedged the toes of their shoes and scurried up and over, dropping easily to the other side. Across a narrow clearing of waving grass stood the forest -- shelter -- a place to hide.

         Running full out now, Katia heard the "Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!" of the compound's alarm and knew she and her love had but minutes to lose themselves in the dense woods. Breeders were the property of the State, and the State would hunt them like animals, to return them to their planned lives of forced procreation. The females were expected to mate and reproduce as often as possible, but only with partners chosen for them by the State. Katia and Destin were not so paired. And only months remained before Katia would be impregnated for the first time.

         The couple reached the edge of the forest and disappeared among the trees and heavy vegetation. Leaping over fallen limbs and tangling roots, their faces whipped by slender branches, young lungs burning, they ran with no thought other than finding refuge.

         "Do you know which way to go?" Katia panted. Having lived in the breeding facility from childhood, she knew nothing of the outside world.

         Destin's arm encircled her waist, pulling her along even faster. "Yes. Straight ahead. I remember where they captured me, and the way home from there," he answered.

         Six months earlier Destin was captured by the army of New Canada when he crossed into their territory from the far northern border of the Reorganized States of America while hunting. He was spared only because he was discovered to be a Breeder.

         He had made friends with Katia, and the friendship soon became more. He told her of his intent to escape and begged her to accompany him. Frightened, but willing to do anything to break loose from the future awaiting her, and be with him, she agreed. Though only eighteen, he seemed so self-assured she gladly placed herself in his hands. He even had a specific date planned for the escape. That day was now.

         Deep into the woods, they stopped to rest, dropping to the pine needle-carpeted ground. Katia heard the call of birds and the buzz of insects. It sounded like freedom. She nestled her smooth cheek against Destin's neck and felt the blood throbbing through his veins. He turned, peered into her pale blue eyes, then kissed her full lips gently.

         Cupping her hand behind his neck she drew him closer, and lay back, pulling him down with her. Being a breeding animal for the State, with no control over her own body, and giving herself willingly to Destin were worlds apart. She longed for him to consummate their love.

         Suddenly, however, Destin moved away from her. "Not now, Katia. We must go on," he said, getting to his feet.

         Katia's lips pressed together in a pout and she crossed her arms beneath her breasts. "It's always, 'not now,'" she grumbled. "Don't you want to . . ."

         "When we are safe, my love, yes. But not here . . . not now. We must hurry."

         She huffed in exasperation, stood, brushed away the pine needles from the seat of her green jumpsuit and started walking. "What are we going to do for food out here, Destin?" she asked over her shoulder.

         He caught up with her and hugged her to him as they continued on. "Don't worry, Katia. Everything will be fine once we're home."

         She shrugged away from his embrace. "And where is this home. How far? When will we get there?"

         Instead of answering her, he caught a glimpse of the sun's position through the forest canopy. "Come on, we'll be late." Grabbing her hand, he hurried her forward.

         Katia's forehead wrinkled. Late for what? she wondered.

         An hour passed as they continued moving steadily, the sun slowly sinking toward the horizon. The trees began to thin out and before long they stepped into a wide clearing. Katia, hungry, thirsty and still chagrined at Destin's earlier lack of affection, complained, "It's going to be dark soon. When are we going to stop? I'm tired and hungr . . ."

         "Quiet!" Destin ordered, searching the sky and cocking his head as though listening for something.

         Then Katia heard the sound: a rapid shek, shek, shek." The helicopter appeared suddenly from beyond the treetops. "No!" she screamed, tugging frantically at Destin's arm. "They've found us! Quick, back into the woods!"

         Instead of fleeing, however, she was amazed to see him run further into the clearing, waving his arms. "Come on!" he yelled to be heard over the noise of the helicopter blades whipping the air as it set down.

         When she didn't move, he ran back to her and dragged her toward the chopper. "Who are these people, Destin? How did they find us here?" she asked, more confused by the second.

         "I'll explain when we're aboard. Trust me," he pleaded.

         Moments later, aboard the helicopter, heading south, Katia said, "You knew we were going to be met here, today. How?"

         Destin brushed a strand of blond hair from Katia's forehead. "This was planned before I crossed the border and was captured, knowing I would be taken to the nearest breeding compound. And, on this designated day I was to escape and make my way here with a female breeder."

         "A female breeder? Not me in particular, but any female breeder?" Katia questioned, her voice rising in anger.

         Destin leaned to kiss her, but she averted her face and pushed him away.

         "Originally, yes. My mission was to return with any female breeder. But you're the one I fell in love with, Katia," he said softly. "My country has only a few female breeders, and we must replenish our dwindling numbers or someday be taken over by our enemies to the north or south."

         Tears filled Katia's eyes. Her lips trembled as muffled sobs escaped her chest. "You-you tricked me! You've stolen me away from one breeding farm only to hand me over to another! I loved you, Destin, and trusted you. I-I thought we would be together . . . be free!"

         "Katia, you don't understand . . ."

         "I understand I've been betrayed! That I'm still going to live out my life as a breeding animal! But I won't!" Before Destin could react
Katia had her hand on the door latch. She slid the side door panel open and leaned forward -- toward the fading blue of the evening sky and the dark ground below. "I won't!" she cried, pushing herself up from the seat toward the opening.

         "No!" Destin screamed, reaching desperately for her. He thought she was already gone when his fingers snagged the belt of her jumpsuit. Using all his strength he pulled her back, into his lap, away from certain death. She cried against his chest as he stroked her hair and planted gentle kisses across her brow. He managed to reach the door and slide it closed with one hand.

         Katia tilted her face upward to meet his eyes. "Why are you still pretending to care about me? You've gotten what you wanted."

         "My little Kat, I am not pretending. I have loved you from the first time we met. I want you to be my wife."

         "But your government will not permit that. I will be used by many men, not committed to one."

         Destin started to answer her when the helicopter began to descend. It landed near a three-story white building. Katia noticed the absence of fences and guards.

         Destin opened the door and got out, reaching back to assist Katia as an elderly man wearing thick glasses and a long, white lab coat approached them. A smile spread across his bearded face. "Destin! It's so good to see you again!" the man said, hugging Destin. Then he turned to Katia and extended his liver-spotted hand. "I'm Dr. Carlsen, young lady. And you are?"

         Katia took his hand timidly, unaccustomed to being treated nicely by members of the medical profession. "Katia," she answered.

         "Katia. Lovely name for a lovely girl," the doctor said, nodding. He put one arm around Katia's shoulders and the other around Destin's and led them toward the white building.

         Once inside, he escorted them to his office and offered them chairs in front of a scarred desk. He sat behind the desk, in a chair that squealed loudly when it swiveled. Katia opened her mouth to speak, but Carlsen had pressed a button on his telephone and said, "Janice? Our guests have arrived. Please bring them something to eat."

         Pushing the intercom off he leaned forward and said, "You have questions, Katia?"

         Not to be fooled by the attempts at kindness, Katia said, "I've been brought here to be a breeder, haven't I? Why should I feel any better about being a constantly pregnant farm animal here than back in New Canada?"

         Carlsen's smile fell from his face. He looked hard at Destin. "You didn't tell her?"

         Destin slowly shook his head. "I didn't think she'd believe me."

         "Believe what?" Katia asked, a chill sprinting up her spine.

         Before Destin or Carlsen could answer, the door opened and a heavy, gray-haired woman wearing a too-tight nurses uniform entered carrying a tray. She set it on the corner of the desk near Destin and bent, with obvious effort, to kiss his cheek. Then she looked over at Katia. "Oh, Destin, she's beautiful! What handsome children she'll produce!"

         Katia exploded from her chair. "Don't talk about me that way you fat cow! I'll kill myself before I allow myself to be used as nothing more than a baby-making machine!"

         To Katia's surprise, the woman laughed -- a hearty, jovial laugh. And Destin and Dr. Carlsen grinned at her outburst. What the hell is going on here?Katia wondered.

         The woman stepped over and hugged Katia. "Honey, I'm not that fat. I'm pregnant! Due any day now."

         Katia blinked, then eyed the woman's protruding belly. "But you . . . you're so old. How . . ."

         Destin took Katia's hand, urging her to sit back down. "Tell her, Doctor."

         Carlsen first slid the tray of sandwiches and soft drinks over in front of Katia. "You eat while I talk."

         The smell of the food made Katia's mouth water. She picked up a sandwich half and bit off a piece, her eyes fastened on Dr. Carlsen as he continued.

         Carlsen nodded. "Now, to explain. New Canada and most of the other countries on earth suffered the loss of much of their technology after the nuclear ruination of our planet. The Reorganized States of America, however, retained much of its technology and many of our medical achievements, though only recently we have made even further advances.

         "Every fertile woman is born with thousands of eggs in her ovaries. One egg is released monthly and may or may not be fertilized by the sperm of a male to produce pregnancy. At any rate, the number of children a woman can produce during her child-bearing years is severely limited . . . not nearly enough off-spring to repopulate our country. But, using new techniques, we can produce thousands of children each year."

         The sweet, iced cola fizzed against her tongue and throat as Katia washed down the sandwich. "I still don't understand," she said, stifling a small burp.

         "Back before the holocaust, doctors performed in vitro fertilization on sterile females. Simply said, they used an egg harvested from the woman herself, if she was producing eggs, and the infertility was due to some other cause, or from a fertile female who donated her egg. In the laboratory the egg and sperm from the sterile woman's husband were united to produce a fertilized egg. This egg was then implanted in the uterine wall of the woman, resulting in pregnancy. It made no difference that the woman was sterile . . . she was still perfectly capable of carrying the fetus to full term," Carlsen explained.

         Katia tugged at her ear and screwed up her lips. "But if a fertile woman only produces one egg each month . . ."

         Carlsen smiled. "That's where our new advances come in. We can, using a long, slender needle and syringe, withdraw thousands of eggs directly from the ovaries of a fertile woman. Through in vitro fertilization we can produce pregnancy in thousands of willing, infertile women, such as Janice."

         The nurse, Janice, still standing behind Katia, tapped her on the shoulder and said, "What the old windbag is saying is that old, sterile women like me make darn fine incubators, and wonderful mothers."

         A hot blush ran up Katia's neck, into her cheeks. "I'm sorry I called you fat. And old."

         With a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, Dr. Carlsen mumbled, "But the truth is hard to overlook."

         Janice shot him a stern look followed by an exaggerated air kiss. "I love you, too, you old quack."

         For the first time, Katia noticed the name "Carlsen" on Janice's black and white name tag. She stood, took a deep breath, and turned back to Dr. Carlsen. "So I won't be a breeder? I'll be a voluntary egg donor?"

         Destin, quiet during the entire conversation, stood and embraced Katia. His lips met hers with heat and yearning. She felt the love he had sworn in his kiss and returned it eagerly. Slightly dizzy when they finally parted, she heard Destin whisper in her ear, "How about being both?"

The End

DM