Chapter 16: Why?

Bronwen broached the subjuct with the visitor which worried her the most, “Tell me why do you want live adult women, they weigh so much more than ova, and are so much less useful?”

Hln replied, “Their knowledge is of little use for us as we are centuries ahead of you, but our historians may find them interesting to talk to.”

Utterly unconvinced by this response she tried again, “Tell me again, just how you justify carrying so much weight of little practical use, and before you answer I will warn you honestly that I don’t believe that historians had any influence in such decisions.”

After much thought Hln replied, “It is true that the main decisions were based on purely practical considerations, for example a woman can produce almost twice her own body weight in viable ova during her life time, as extended by the use of cryogenic sleep and each of these can be impregnated.”

She persisted, “So you intend to harvest these ova and use them to produce more people?”

“That is our intention, yes.”

“And will these women ever meet, or know their children?” she inquired.

“Naturally the children will be raised in our kindergarten and school facilities, exactly as are used by normal children.”

She looked horrified, “You mean none of the children in your time know their own parents? Here we raise our own children.”

Hln obviously thought that was a poor system, commenting, “But isn’t that terribly inefficient? And, as you demonstrated, there is no control over mating.”

Huw intervened at this point, “Mostly people mate with whoever they like, though long term relationships do exist, and are encouraged.”

“We encourage mating between suitable couples,” offered Hln.

“And what exactly determines – suitability?” asked Huw.

“Genetic and psychological compatibility, naturally,” came Hln’s predictable reply.