Refugees on Urloon. Melissa Aires
crops are still raised on land, however, mostly large grain crops.
“The two moons of Urloon come together annually, always in the spring. This night is called the Moonfest or Dance of the Chandolay.”
The film showed large beasts in the clear, blue-green water of Urloon. The beasts were huge, the size of a starfighter ship, with long tubular snouts that brought them air while they stayed submerged, eating the rich plant growth in the warm water vents of the sea. They had heavy, blubber-rich bodies and six flipper-like legs, paddles that gave them surprising speed for such large animals. Their heads and paddle-shaped tails were covered with a bright white crystalline fur that grew to about two feet in length, which shed in the summer, producing abundant fiber for the Urloon’s use.
“Chandolay are indigenous to Urloon. We believe they are intelligent but no form of communication has ever been made with them, and they miss the Sentient Being Scale by several points, due to the communication issue. We all know this does not conclusively mean they are not sentient. Urloon hunters in distress have been saved and returned to Urloon colonies many times by chandolay, which certainly indicates highly evolved understanding.
“During the two moon conjunction, the chandolay leave the waters for the beaches near warm water vents, places that are green with new growth by the conjunction date.
“They dance and mate under the two-moon light. The dance is a type of circle dance, done in unison and quite complex. It is beautiful to watch. The chandolay also emit musical notes not heard at any other time.
“The chandolay emit strong pheromones, so strong that orgiastic activity is prevalent during their dance among the people of Urloon. This has become an annual of celebration for the Urloon, who often use local intoxicants on this night to heighten the affect.
“The strength of the pheromones cannot be stressed enough. Nearly all Urloon children are conceived at the Moonfest. Visitors have often found their own effective contraceptives, especially those hormone-based, totally eradicated, and found themselves with an unexpected pregnancy following participation. Older couples also have often been surprised by an unexpected late life baby.”
The young Elaine bent down and lifted up a crystal fur basket that held two dark haired babies with alabaster skin. “Multiple births are also at a higher percentage after the dance, both fraternal and identical multiples such as my own sons. Much scientific study still needs to be done to fully understand the effect of the chandolay pheromones. However, we know it is a true fertility booster.
“Join the dance if you desire. Be aware that old-fashioned barrier methods of contraception are of greater use to prevent pregnancy at this event than the common hormone based methods.
“An Urloon couple that is monogamous during and after the festival is considered legally married on Urloon. Visitors are not expected to abide by this custom, of course. Young people on Urloon who are not interested in marriage often join small groups where they share partners, thus avoiding marriage. However, if a woman becomes pregnant at the festival the father will be determined by tests, and the couple will be considered legally wed unless one member is already legally wed. Child rearing in such cases will be determined by the parents and the Matriarchal Child Welfare Counsel. Children are a delight on Urloon. Unwanted pregnancies and children are extremely rare and homes for such children are quickly found.
“Visitors have been scarce here the past few years since there is civil war in the Confederation, but we though it important to have an simple explanation of our Moonfest to share with any who venture to Urloon during the spring. Any of our people on land can direct you.”
The film ended. Liam wasn’t sure if he was glad or disappointed there was no racy film of the actual Moonfest. Watching something arousing with Svana might be unwise.
“Sounds like it could get complicated for our young people, since many will be attaining Urloon citizenship,” Liam said.
“Do we even have those types of contraceptives? Barriers?” Svana asked. Svana couldn’t remember any in her supply hold.
“No, all of our crew are on fertility hold.” He thought for a time. “Perhaps I should formally decline the invitation.”
On board the ship, any relationships between crewmembers were on a “don’t ask, don’t tell” basis, because of the need to keep professional boundaries. Officers were forbidden to have relationships with crew in the Confederated Military. Since grounding, things had changed somewhat in that there were known couples and even a few shared cabins now. He made no formal announcement of a change, but he made no objections, either. They were no longer in the Confederated military. Now they were all refugees together.
Svana sipped her tea and gave him one of her searching looks. “They are not children, Liam. Maybe some of them want children of their own, want to marry. Many of them have paired up since we landed. And it will be many years before we get back to a medic who can reverse the fertility hold.”
He thought about it. “You are right. Back home, many in their age group marry and start families.” He sipped his tea. “I guess I still see them as academy students thrown into war in desperate times. Children not ready for such responsibilities.”
Svana patted his hand, her touch warm and gentle. “Children you trained and protected during the dark times, Liam. Desperate times are over. Perhaps they wish to move on with their lives. Their futures.”
“You are right, Svana. A wise woman. I’ll load the film for the crew to watch. They can decide if they wish to participate.”
“Do you have children, Liam, back home?”
“No. I was married briefly. We were both military and were separated for years. It seemed right to dissolve the contract.”
“You’re not too old, you know, Liam. To find a wife and have children. The war is over now, you have a new future.”
He laughed at the foreign thought. “I feel too old.”
“Maybe this festival is what you need.”
“How about you?” He grinned as Svana grimaced. “You are no older than I am.”
Svana grinned. “I’m scared of water. And I could still get pregnant. What would I do with a baby with gills? Besides, I had a husband and raised my daughter.”
And lost her husband and two other children in the war, he remembered.
“Can you imagine, either of us, married with a child? Conceived at a wild alien fertility festival?” Svana rolled her fine brown eyes.
They laughed.
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