Personal Log 31: 27th July to 2nd August, 3301
17 Sep 2016Jemine Caesar
27th July to 2nd August, 3301 (Part Two)Shortly after the admiral's debrief, the station medicentre called to inform me that they'd need to keep Bekka in the morgue for another week or so. After that Bekka's body would be released for transport back to my homeworld for her funeral.
I spoke to grandpapa by k-cast, and explained everything to him. He said he would sort out all the arrangements for the funeral and the transfer of Bekka's body.
"It's over, Sam," I said. "Apart from one or two loose ends, to which we may never have the answers, it's all over."
Sam nodded, and held me gently. He asked if I wanted to go back home now.
"Not yet," I replied, trying to sound strong. "I still haven't had my Grand Sol Tour, remember."
So we returned to Sol, and docked at Abraham Lincoln starport once again. I sold over 3,200CR worth of astronomical data, half of which was gathered during my frantic rush to Ba Po only two days before. I had paid no attention to any of them at the time.
We checked into a double room. "Sam, it's time," I said, after a long moment. "I've decided to take the refertilisation treatment now."
Sam opened his bag, produced a small metal box, and took out the contents.
"It's a nanobot injector, Jem," he said. "I'd guess the method of injection is fairly obvious, given the purpose."
The injector was a silver-grey cylinder, about ten centimetres long and two centimetres in diameter, with one end rounded. I smiled to myself. I'd had far worse things shoved inside me before now.
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"Oh, look," I said, "there are some instructions in the box." I read them aloud.
"One: Lubricate the vaginal opening using the gel provided.
Two: Insert the injector all the way into the vagina.
Three: After a few seconds the injector will self-activate. You may notice a slight tingling, this is a normal function of the device.
Four: Wait for five minutes, while the device discharges the nanobots.
Five: Once discharged, the injector will rapidly biodegrade. You may notice a silvery-grey discolouration in your next urine. This is normal. Six: The nanobots will commence treatment immediately. There should be no discomfort, but painkillers may be taken as required.
Seven: The nanobots are designed to biodegrade after the treatment is completed.
Eight: The course of treatment should take approximately one month to complete. The return of the menstrual cycle will indicate that the treatment has been successful. Confirmation should be sought from a medical professional."
"Hmm," I said. "It seems straightforward enough."
I undressed, lay on the bed, and applied the lubricating gel. "Do you want to put it in, Sam?" I asked, knowing it was a silly question! Kneeling on the bed beside me, Sam gently slid the device into place between my open legs.
"There, all done," he said. We exchanged a passionate, searching kiss.
"Oooh, hahaha!" I giggled. "It's vibrating! It's tickling me inside!"
Sam smiled. "Probably an agitation mechanism," he said, "to get the nanobots moving."
I sighed. "Mmm, it feels nice!" It actually felt very, very nice.
And then it began to feel not quite so nice. "Sam..." I said, "it's become a little... uncomfortable. It... it's hurting! OH!"
I bent double, and gripped at my crotch with both hands. My whole body was suddenly wracked with a terrible, searingly hot pain, and I started gasping for breath.
Then everything went dark.