Gabe POV

Gabe stood in front of the giant view screen fairly certain I must be shaking. The ambassador started pacing in an effort to calm his nerves. I had gotten to know a little about Patrick over the last few weeks, because we'd spent time chatting over this very view screen. Every time I started to get distracted by the way ze flipped zir hair out of zir eyes - or melt with zir smile - or worst of all, start to believe that a life together was possible, I'd had to keep reminding himself the most important thing of all. Ze's not yours, and we will never be. He belongs to someone else. To her. The voice of the computer came to life letting me know that the network was ready and started to pace. I had to calm down.

Computer: Captain Patrick Stump has received accepted your request.

Thank you computer. That's all.

As soon as the face, that angelic face came on the screen, I stayed in one place and tried to plaster on a smile. I felt my breath catch, but I recovered quickly. He was just so beautiful to me. Zir pale skin, that face which is neither feminine nor masculine, but also both at the same time, and a smile. that is my undoing. That shy, oh so innocent smile.

“Captain Stump, so good to see you!”

“You as well, Liaison Saporta. Any news to report? What's the progress on the ships and the underground facilities?”

“I have much to report thankfully. We've been able to circulate a cover story globally that has resulted in most of the population finding cover in their own bomb shelters or storm cellars if they have them. Neighbors are sharing with those who don't have them, although we are trying to keep it orderly and keep sharing localized to keep track of everyone. Due to the constant threat of mutually assured destruction that occurred throughout the years 1970- 2040, it eventually became fairly standard to have several bomb shelters on each street. Those who are left are heading to their nearest Bomb Shelter Center. They can hold roughly 2,000 people and major cities have up to a dozen. Smaller cities might only have 2 or 3. So at best, we are looking at over a million casualties in the largest cities like New York and Los Angeles. But we're still not out of the woods as far as covering Earth. The average Bomb Shelter Center can withstand a nuclear attack about 3 or 4 times. If we were bombed more than that it won't hold. I highly doubt the civilian bomb shelters can hold more than one bomb. Earth has declared a state of Martial Law and things seem to be going quite well with that so far. We have twenty five ships of 8 to 10 people, in couples, ready to launch within the next 12 hours staggered at fairly short intervals. Do we have an estimate of how long we have until the Killians arrived?”

“We have a few ships following as close behind as they can. The estimated arrival time currently at 3 weeks. How long until the Earth ships arrive at the various base station?”

“At the current launch times, they will arrive between 2 and 2 and a half weeks. That's pretty close. We might have to bump up the last launches. What do you advise? If they're not here yet, could we launch more than one ship at a time? Or have the launch times closer together?”

“That depends on if they are picked up by Kilian sensors and if you end up attracting their attention. You are launching different types of ships are you not?”

“Yes. Yes of course. In each is equipped with enough unfertilized human eggs and sperm to theoretically spawn 50 human babies, if all turn out to be viable. Of course there's always a margin for error. but it 25 ships... We are also putting aside the cache of eggs and sperm each important bomb shelter such as President, Vice President, Secretary of the State, etc. Just for extra security this is happening around the world. I don't think we can have too many of this point. But there's only so many bomb shelters equipped with freezers anyways.”

“That's wonderful. When are the ...um.... intended …. wives set to arrive at our location do you know the launch date and time yet?” I saw the pain I felt, but just for a moment. Yes, we were both doing our best to fake it, I was sure of that now. My stomach lurched with something almost like hope. I know they said nothing was set in stone and they could say no after meeting with the others. I let out an unguarded sigh before I realized what I was doing, and scrambled to cover it with a cough.

“Er, sorry about that. Yes, all launches will take place today, the first at 0600 hours Eastern Standard Time. Which means an arrival date of March 20, 2089 if all goes smoothly. There has been one change that the Corlians will hopefully appreciate. Originally, there was no Liaison set to join the Humans bound for Electra 1 but many things have happened. There will be a large group of Humans and Corlians that will be in a completely unexpected location and still making contact with Humans on Earth. It was suggested (by me) that a Liaison would be helpful and since I am already the one serving that purpose, they logically chose me (I volunteered). So, I will be joining the first ship sent with me human couples." I tried to hide my smile, unsuccessfully, but he was doing the same thing.”

“Oh? What a wonderful idea. I am relieved to know we have a Human Liaison as competent as you coordinating this unforeseen situation. Your assistance have proven invaluable and we will clearly need help with extra couples. After all, we don't even know where we'll end up.” Zir face turned troubled and more serious than I'd ever seen it. Although I honestly hope we can save your planet, we may not end up on earth for awhile, or it all.” The last part was just a whisper. I just nodded because I had already thought of all those eventualities myself. Even though placing myself abroad the “Titan” did sort of benefit me, I did honestly think that “our” peoples needed me. I wouldn't have maneuvered all of this for a hopeless crush. The chances of this turning into the beginnings of a permanent Human/Corlian settlement were a very real possibility to me. Maybe not on a space station forever, but I don't think we're coming back.

“Thanks for the update. The amount you were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time is impressive. I guess I should be going. Good bye, Gabe.”

“Yes, thank you, bye Patrick.”

Computer: Transmission Ended

This gets worse every day. Why did I volunteer to do this? Earth needs my help. Why did I think being near zir was better than nothing? I think it get harder each time I see zir. Just need to stop thinking about myself. I just have to keep telling myself he's not mine. Ze belongs to someone else.

Notes

Hi ppl,

I'm up to my eyeballs in plot twists and surprises. I'm working hard to make sure its all cohesive and doesn't contradict itself - which is easy to do when you decide to skip weeks and place your characters on different planets. :p But I have a lot more coming your way soon.

In the meantime, once your done with mine check out one of my new favorite stories at the moment Barbed Wire Love by killjoybyname
http://www.mychemicalromancefanfiction.com/Story/70065/Barbed-Wire-Love/