Chapter 3 — by basketballdemon

An infinite sea of unadulterated knowledge. That is what Amphilion saw as he stepped into the library - his own personal domain. Here, he could be anything he wanted. He could live the adventures he always fantasized of as he browsed through millions of pages of electronic tales. There was nothing more he could ever want. Here he was content. Here he could be himself. Oh so he would tell himself on a daily basis just to get by.

There were always those who attributed his thirst for knowledge to his Shozien heritage. Maybe they were right, to some extent. Being half Shozien, his thoughts were never really just his own. His mind was part of the hive and the hive was always seeking new knowledge. However, he wanted to believe it was something much more.

This was his passion. He genuinely enjoyed his job as Gi'āna's librarian. He enjoyed seeking out the knowledge beyond his people. Sometimes he wondered if it had something to do with his Human heritage. He often found himself wondering if he would have been less curious if he wasn't half Human.

Every day he would walk into the library station, the generic greeting sequel would echo all around him as the station's AI systems welcomed him back for another day. The station would wake up for each and every day as it welcomed dozens of curious souls into its interior as many came to the library for all manner of research and he was always ready to assist everyone. Even with the peace and tranquility he felt, there always seemed to be something missing.

"Are you going to sit there daydreaming or are you going to assist me?"

Blinking, Amphilion found himself staring at an older woman - a Human. She regarded him curiously with her warm brown eyes. He was always fascinated by how their species had varying eye colors. Some had blue, green, gray, purple, even amber eyes. Although part Human, Amphilion had inherited most of the Shozien genetic coding from his father. Unfortunately that meant he had inherited the same silver white eyes that all Shozien possessed.

Realizing he had drifted off again, he smacked his own forehead with a chuckle.

"Oh, my apologies. I was lost in thought," he said with a warm smile.

"Yeah, I could see that," she replied, squinting her eyes to get a clear look of the text written on his name tag. "Amphilion, is it? Did I pronounce that well?"

"Yes you did. How may I assist you ma'am?" he proceeded to ask.

"Please, call me Hana," she replied with a smile, as she tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I'm not sure if you can help me... honestly I don't even know if what I'm looking for exists in your archives."

"Well I'm sure I have whatever you're looking for. So what do you need?" he asked as he prepared his search engine for whatever she may be looking for.

"I'm looking for anything on ancient Human civilization," she replied.

"Hm, interesting topic," he replied and he typed away into the AI's search engine. "Anything in particular?"

"I am actually interested in Human reproduction. I've heard myths that there was a time when Humans could reproduce naturally. I wondered if that's true," Hana replied with a thoughtful expression.

"So you'd be more interested in something that talks about the biological scope of the Human species," Amphilion said as he continued his search. With no given time period he could only hope that the engine didn't pull billions of results.

They both watched as the screen loaded before spewing back dozens of trf downloadable links at them.

"Well, there seems to be quite a lot it appears. Too much it seems," he remarked as he scrolled down the page, showing her the numerous reading sources that were available.

"I better get started then," she replied in determination.

"I can help you with your research if you want. I have read quite a bit on this subject myself," he offered.

"Really? You're a lifesaver. I was actually contemplating reading all that and making sense of it myself," Hana said with a laugh. "So, do you know where I can start?"

With a nod, Amphilion began generating the numerous trfs for her which he downloaded into a personalized microchip.

"I find it easier to learn much when the scholar who wrote the text is quite detailed and descriptive. There are a few whose work has caught my eyes from time to time. Particularly George R. R. Martin, J. R. R. Tolkien and J. K. Rowling. Their writings are far less complicated and confusing than the writings of Shakespeare. These three depict a history so magical it makes you wonder just how much Human civilization has evolved; maybe even devolved. It's a shame we only have excerpts of their writings. It's quite unfortunate that most of it has been lost over time.

"I can't help but feel that there's a whole story before the parts we have. There's even a certain disconnect in the documents that suggests that part of the middle pages was lost."

As he explained all this, Amphilion opened three separate files for her to view.

"Wow. You seem quite knowledgeable," Hana noted as she smirked at him, causing him to blush a little, the skin of his face turning a slightly darker shade of blue. "Let's see what you have for me."

He handed her the microchip with a smile.

"You can browse these whilst I create a catalog for you," he told her.

"Thank you so much; that would be extra helpful," Hana replied as she graciously took the microchip and headed over to occupy one of the empty booths.

Plugging in the chip, she browsed through the numerous trfs that Amphilion had given her. There was so much to read - nothing specifically related to human reproduction unfortunately - but she supposed that each of the texts she now had access to did mention it somehow.

She found one text that was written by one of the scholars he had mentioned before and she curiously opened the file. 'A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin,' the file was titled. She quickly browsed the first page. She soon found herself engrossed in the document. She imagined it was some sort of detailed biography or something. The document explained the lives of numerous characters and their factions but the first thing that it explained was some sort of biological threat, humanoid creatures that were referred to as wights - a predator perhaps? Were they part of the reason Humans had fled from old Earth.

After a while, she decided to browse the other documents. She read the brief summary of the trf that was titled 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.' This scholar seemed to describe Humans as being somewhat magical creatures going on magical adventures. It made her wonder if there was perhaps a race of Humans at one point that had been capable of such feats. The book ended abruptly in the middle and Hana was convinced there was a huge chunk of it missing.

"Old Earth must have been quite the interesting place," Hana said with a smile, however she couldn't help but be a little disappointed as she still hadn't come across what she was really looking for.

"Sorry it took a bit. I've created a catalog to help you with your research," she heard Amphilion say as he walked over to her booth and sat next to her. "Have you found anything useful so far?"

"I wish. So far I've been reading about witches, wizards, white walkers, and plenty of back stabbing. Oh I read somewhere that some girl apparently birthed dragons. I think it must have been the summary of the Game of Thrones trf or something, I can't remember. I don't know what to believe. I wanted to learn about how natural biological child birth occurred but so far all I've seen mentioned is a supposed mother of dragons," Hana whined as she slouched against her chair.

"Ah, you're referring to Daenerys Targaryen. George Martin was quite... colorful with his words. Sometimes it makes you wonder if his book is a work of fiction or if it was all real. I mean, there was a prophecy in there about how the world would end in a long winter. Perhaps Humanity left their native planet to escape this," Amphilion said thoughtfully.

"Hm, interesting. So there's a possibility that old Earth is now a frozen planet?"

"Maybe. It's been a long time. Perhaps it was even a misinterpreted prophecy."

"That's well and all, but uh - what does any of this have to do with ancient Human reproduction? Don't get me wrong, this information is helpful, but not what I wanted right now."

"While the volumes are long there are mentions of natural childbirth in there somewhere," Amphilion explained as he typed away into the screen and brought up a few pages. "Individuals like Cersei Lannister and even Daenerys Targaryen herself were mentioned to be with child - which was a commonly used term for saying that a woman was biologically pregnant. Perhaps that's why these files appeared in your search,"

"I see. Do they give specifics? Or do I have to read the whole thing?" Hana said, squinting her eyes suspiciously at him.

"There are sections in the entirety of the text. But, thankfully I was able to catalog a more detailed scientific text that can assist you far much better. I do remember reading something about the Earth's atmosphere being conducive for the Human species. For a while it was believed the planet was the only life bearing one in the Milky Way Galaxy. It could be true though seeing as the Human population has been unable to naturally reproduce," Amphilion told her.

"Here, I even found a book by an author named Heidi Murkoff. It's called 'What to expect when you're expecting,' a really old book by the looks of it. I also came across some article from an old sketchy website talking about the beauties of pregnancy and childbirth. I can't promise it's a legitimate source but anything is better than nothing, right?"

"Really? Wow, Phili, you're a godsend," Hana said gratefully as she took the little disk he had made for her and dived into her research, leaving him a little stunned.

"Uh - Phili?" He stuttered, not quite used to nicknames.

He had to admit that it felt endearing in a way and he couldn't help the little smile that spread across his face.

"Well... I will leave you to do your research for now. You can ask me anything you wish to know," he said with a smile.

"Wait, before you go back to attending to others, can you tell me if you know anything about how the Humans who lived on ancient earth incubated their young? Surely Humans didn't always raise test tube babies." Hana's eyes widened curiously as she waited for him to respond.

"Of course not. Scientific records state that natural childbirth was something that was quite common for the human species a long time ago. But it's so far back that no one remembers what it was like. At least that's what the records say," Amphilion replied. "You seem quite invested in the topic. Are you doing a study on it perhaps?"

"Well... it's something like that," Hana replied with a slight blush. "See... the thing is I'm curious about old Earth. Can I tell you a secret? You seem like a trustworthy lad."

"Sure, I'd be honored."

She looked around carefully, making sure no one was listening.

"I am trying to find old Earth. I know there are records of a famous explorer making the trip there, even if there are none to confirm she actually made it there." Hana spoke in a low, almost inaudible whisper.

"Amber?" Amphilion asked in an excited voice. "I have read quite a bit about her but... Hana, that seems like a long shot to search for the planet. No one knows where it is - if it's even real."

"Perhaps you're right, Phili. Unfortunately I have my reasons," Hana said, with a strange look in her eyes. "You're half Human yourself, Phili. Have you ever been curious?"

"I admit, the thought of finding the ancient home of my mother's ancestors does sound alluring. My father, on the other hand, would go mental if I went on such a dangerous adventure. I'll help you as much as I can. We just have to be careful. Such a topic could attract all the wrong people." He warmed her.

"You're right." Hana replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

She couldn't help but admit to herself that having someone else to talk to about her plans was comforting. There was just something about the young librarian that made it easy for her to confide in him.

"I have to get going for now. Can I take this chip with me to do a little more research?" Hana asked as she logged out of the search engine.

"Of course, Hana. Just remember you have a little over forty eight hours before the trf disappears," he replied with a smile as he watched her stand up to leave.

For hours afterwards, he couldn't help but think back on his encounter with Hana. She was indeed a curious woman but he had to admit, her little quest sounded way more fun and adventurous than his current life.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea. It's not like I have anything better to do," he said to himself as he made his way to his living quarters. "What, no! I can't be thinking like that! Reading about space explorers and being a space explorer are two different things. Not that it isn't intriguing and all."

He continued on his merry way, trying to ignore that little voice in his head telling him that he wanted to go on this adventure with Hana. He barely knew her and yet he felt that she was a good person and that he could trust her.

As he kept walking, he came across her yet again. She seemed to be going about with her own business. Perhaps she was looking for a shop or something?

"Hey Hana, what a coincidence running into you again. Are you looking for something?" he said as he walked up to her.

"Oh hey there, Phili. I was just wandering around trying to find a spot that serves pickled piri fruit," Hana replied.

"Hm, that's curious. Why pickled piri fruit in particular? How are you able to gobble down that super spicy thing?" Amphilion asked, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"I have been craving it quite lately. I swear if I don't find it somewhere here I'll lose my mind!"

This made him giggle a bit as he found the scene quite adorable.

"Okay, calm down. I know a place where you can find some," he told her with a smile.

"I'm starting to think you're my little guardian angel or something," Hana said with a chuckle. "Are you sure it's not any trouble?"

"No. Not at all. Come on, I'll take you there," he replied as he led her down the streets towards a cozy little food spot.

After they were settled they ordered their food and whilst Hana helped herself to the piri fruit she was craving, Phili got himself some dehydrated aqua-algae.

"This is quite the cozy place," Hana said as she looked around the comfortable decor of the cafe.

"It is," he replied with a smile. "So... I've been thinking about your trip... It's kind of on a whim but I would like to join you."

"Really, you would? I can't guarantee there won't be any danger," Hana said in a serious tone.

"I know. I can't really expect to go on an intergalactic space trip and think there won't be any danger. However I am fascinated by the universe around me. I want to see it all. I can't learn about how the universe operates if I stay cooped up in Gi'ãna forever."

"What about your family? Won't they wonder where you ran off to?" Hana asked curiously.

"My dad will probably not be up for it but I'll talk to him," he said with a shrug.

"Of course he won't be up for it. How old are you?" Hana asked curiously.

"I'm twenty-three years old."

"In Human years you'd be mature enough but I'm pretty sure the Shozien consider you a baby. I wouldn't be surprised if your father throws a fit. As a mother to be, I wouldn't want my own child to be in any danger." As Hana said this, she placed her hand subconsciously over her belly in a protective gesture.

"Wait, you're pregnant?" Phili asked curiously.

"Yes. That's also part of why I'm making this trip. I suppose I have to tell you if you really want to come with me. I'm pregnant," Hana said with a dreamy smile.

"Pregnant... as in biologically pregnant?" He was stunned with her revelation, the gears in his brain turning as he processed the information she was giving him.

"Yes. That's what I mean."

"But... that shouldn't be possible." He couldn't help but think of all the different possible scenarios in his head that had led her here as he analyzed her words.

"I know and yet by some miracle I have a child growing inside of me. I want to have this baby. I don't want to lose him or her. I don't know if there's a way to deliver my baby safely. That's why I'm doing all this research,"

"Well then, we have no time to waste," Phili said with an excited smile as he showed her the microchip he always had with him.

"Huh? What's that for?" Hana asked in confusion.

"Perks of being a librarian is the access to limitless knowledge — which we are going to need once your forty eight hour access expires."

"Wow, that's smart," Hana said as she regarded him with a smile.

"One has to be prepared for all eventualities. That and your research made me curious," he replied with a light giggle.

Whatever else awaited them, he was determined to help Hana on her quest.

Interview with the author of this chapter