Closing the Loop
copyright comidacomida 2019

Max walked down the corridor, his steps quick but not specifically hurried.  Although he had, at one point in time been so neurotic when it came to time that he practically ran everywhere, life had slowed down significantly since joining The Unity Programme.  Oh, he still appreciated the sped with which life happened and he was no less punctual, but he didn't obsess as much and, he was told, that was a much healthier alternative.

Life had, in fact, changed a lot for him since joining the Unity Programme.  Although it was well over fifty years since famed physicist Nathan Cohen learned that Earth was more than a singular world, humanity was still learning a lot.  Human Earth was connected to a mirrored, alternate Earth by a loop that allowed the transfer of matter between them, and when a new intelligent species was discovered on the other side the whole of mankind's understanding changed.

The Unity Programme only accepted a limited number of applicants, and Max had been lucky enough to be selected to join, attending the Unity Centre for two years where he not only learned about the other race, but had the opportunity work and learn alongside them.  The Phin, an intelligent, sentient people who closely resembled bipedal cetaceans turned out to be a friendly people and, after some friction in the beginning Humans and Phins ended up working well together, not just in interaction but in collaboration.

Both Earths had suffered similarly when it came to the effects of pollution and overcrowding, but each race's approach to handling it were based off of different technologies and focus.  Mankind, being land-dwelling had perfected waste processing on land but suffered from a build up of marine pollution; likewise, the Phin knew a lot about handling water-pollution but had neglected to improve their understanding of terrestrial waste management.  Together, Humans and Phin were able to greatly facilitate a mutual exchange.

Although that had all started well before Max's lifetime, at not-quite-20, the young man had born witness to the established relationship between the two Earths and was growing up in a world where things were finally improving rather than spiraling downward with each progrssive generation.  Max had, in fact, spent over a year living on the Earth where the Phin originated, known simply for reference sake as Water Earth.  Land Earth, where Humans called home would always be his point of origin, but Max was happy to call Water Earth Home-- more than that, however, it was his most recent step on the path in relation to his participation in the Unity Programme.

Max came to a halt when he arrived at his residence.  Rather than being provided a dorm room like students received in the Unity Centre, his new post at an installation on Water Earth called 'Station Zero' afforded him the benefit of a full blown apartment.  True, he had to share it with his Phin partner, but that was hardly a negative in Max's mind.  Carver, a humanoid Orca (known as a sub-species of Phins called 'Amplus') was his best friend and, in fact, something more.

The two had been a proper couple for over a year and it was due to that closeness that Max found himself at Station Zero.  Back when he was at the Unity Centre, the Human had decent grades but hadn't really stood out; Carver's introduction into his life changed all that.  Not only had the Orca helped improve his grades and self esteem, but they had become lovers.  The fact that they were both males didn't mean a thing to the Phin; almost all creatures on Water Earth had evolved differently from those on land Earth-- organisms were all male, becoming female only after conception so they could carry offspring to term.

One side effect, however, was a fascinating realization that Phins could actually impregnate Humans... and not just females.  Part way into his second year in the Unity Program Max became pregnant with Carver's child.  Human males, however, weren't able to accommodate a pregnancy and it ended in heartache.  Although it was regrettable, the experience strengthened their bond and made them grow even closer as a couple.

That experience, in fact, coupled with Max's improved grades was the reason that the couple was invited to take part in a special education and work study program on Station Zero itself.  Humans and Phins were able to create viable offspring, and the closeness the two partners shared caught the attention of the directors of the Unity Programme, identifying the possibility of a future where Humans and Phins could be more than just temporary visitors to one another's worlds and create a lasting partnership between the two species.

Station Zero, in fact, had continued to study the comparative sociology and biology of Human and Phin and, over the course of a decade, had been able to develop a series of procedures that would allow Phins and Humans to successfully procreate; it actually WAS possible for a Human male to carry a Phin child!  That thought was incredibly important to Max and Carver, who often thought about starting a family.  While the procedures could facilitate the viable conception and carrying of a child by either parent, the important thing was that they would have that option.

Max entered into the apartment, pausing when he saw that Carver was already home.  The tall, black-and-white Phin turned at the sound; although any Human might have said that, like any orca, the Phin was always smiling, Max had come to know Carver well enough to tell when his partner was truly happy and, when their eyes met, the Human knew that to be the case.  The Amplus' lavender eyes twinkled in joy and he click-chirped out in the Phin tongue  "You're back early."

The Human nodded.  "Yeah... I came back as soon as I could."

The Amplus turned to face him, a hint of concern in his voice as he switched over to English; the Phin's vocal chords weren't as well developed as those of a Human but they were capable of mimicking all of the sounds (and more) of a Human thanks to the varied resonance chambers in their heads. "IS everything alright?"

Max smiled. "I'm pregnant again."