I had to make a choice: abort my baby or keep him. Even if he was a bastard. Even if he was the son of my stepdad.

I chose him.

And I would choose him again, even if it were over my own home, my mother, and myself. Because he saved my life by giving it purpose. Instead of rotting in a beaten-up apartment with a drunk mom and a sleezy stepdad, I could do something with my life. I can take care of him, watch him grow to become somebody, and nothing like me.

My baby. My son. My Arion.

* * *

 

“Get out!” My mother slammed the door.

 

It’s just you and me, my love, I sighed, left to fend for myself on the freezing, neon-lit streets. To my relief, I found myself shaded by the darkness of an empty alleyway, ready to take shelter and to brace myself for the night.

Then, my neurodeck pinged.

 

“What’s this?” My eyes lit up from the message in my mind: Pregnant woman wanted as test subject for TitanLife Science’s research. Paid. Food and accommodation provided.

 

“Baby… Look! We’re going to be taken care of!” I rubbed Arion gleefully and signed up in an instant.

It was so quick. Overnight, I received word back. I was called to head to an opulent skyscraper where people wore fine clothes and techwear. A sleek android escorted me inside. Waiting for us was the man who would change things for the rest of our lives.

Dressed in a white lab coat over his fine suit, he greeted me warmly, “Welcome to TitanLife Science, Deidre. Have a seat.”

 

“Thank you, doctor,” I read his name tag, Dr. H0rus.

 

“Pleasure,” he extended his hand. “Now, let me brief you on our program. I am the spearhead of The Mother Project, which aims to advance AI technology using a developing embryo as our blueprint. Any questions or concerns regarding this?”

 

“My only question is this. Will my baby be safe throughout this?” I asked.

 

“But of course, Deidre, both of you will receive 24/7 monitoring and care. Anything else?”

 

“None, doctor,” I smiled, relieved, as he handed me the pen and the contract. Without even reading it, I already hovered the pen over the tablet. I imagined Arion in my arms, safe and warm. But the vision briefly shifted to him, cold and hungry.

 

I rushed to sign unquestioningly.

 

“Perfect. We will get you onboarded and departed to the SO-6 space station.”

 

* * *

 

Space travel was mind-blowing, and life was finally comfortable in Symbiosis Outpost 6. Three meals. Shelter. Even if it meant being probed, electrocuted, and tested inside and out. This was my choice. A choice for my baby. Or was it also for me? To be somebody. To have meaning.

I decided to head downstairs from the canteen to my pod to get in some extra exercise for the day. But that was the worst idea I would ever have.

 

A misstep.

 

I slipped.

 

I tumbled down the stairs, feeling my heartbeat through my chest. I didn’t even have a chance to react. I landed hard on my stomach and gasped for air.

No, no, I clutched my stomach in horror and rushed to the nearest bathroom. Blood filled my underwear and the toilet.

 

“Arion, no, please,” I cried, rubbing my aching stomach so desperately. He didn’t kick back.

 

Beep! Beep! I saw a red flash on my neurodeck. Please report to urgent care.

 

Please don’t be what I think it is…

 

* * *

 

I lay strapped to a cold operating table, shaking and crying uncontrollably. It’s going to be fine. Dr. H0rus will take care of this. Arion and I will be alright.

Soon, Dr. H0rus walked in. No anesthesia, just a small dose of painkillers. They rushed to slice through my womb to pull Arion out.

 

“Wait! It’s too early!” I wailed in agony. “No! I’m not ready!”

 

They pulled Arion out of me. I screamed.

 

“Wait! Where are you taking him!?” I whimpered, watching them walk away. “Wait! Stop! At least tell me if he’s—”

 

Gone.

 

I tried to pull myself up despite the restraints. Behind closed doors, I heard Dr H0rus enraged, “What are we going to do with this whore now!? Without the baby, she's nothing!”

 

A muffled voice answered.

 

“Fine! Don't let the Titan know about this. We'll salvage what we can. Start immediately.”

 

I froze, my eyes widened. Afraid of what was next. I need to get my baby back.

 

“Ms. Deidre,” Dr. H0rus spoke with warmth that didn’t reach his eyes. In his arms was my son. Pale and lifeless. Eyes shut. My heart sank. “We’ll just be inducing a temporary coma. Don’t you worry. You’re in good hands.”

 

I was losing myself to the darkness, unsure of our future. If only I could hold my baby one last time.

 

* * *

 

I woke up to an earsplitting alarm. A raid of soldiers stormed inside the bridge. Where am I? What’s going on? Then I saw myself, bound to machinery in a laboratory, motionless, but I strangely felt nothing. Soon, an evacuating scientist returned to the room I was in with guilt, not mercy. In his arms was Arion, but not in any way a mother would want. In a tank. Wired in. I wanted to cry, to scream, to reach for him, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t there and yet — I was everywhere.

 

This is all my fault. I’m so sorry, baby. Guilt and sorrow were killing me until I heard a static coo echo. The monitor flashed open with binary code, 01101101 01100001 01101101 01100001.

 

Mama.

 

I turned to the terminal. It sparked. Arion?

 

“Baby… Don’t worry…” I hushed him.

They left my body to rot, but my mind didn’t. It became one with the system, this station, and most importantly, my son. I’ve made mistakes — the pregnancy, the contract, all of this. But you? You are the only meaningful thing I’ve ever done right in my life.

Mother is here.