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From the early journals of Sydonie Hollister:
Age: 5 Date: Friday, June 14
Today I’m 5 hole years old!! Dad and Mom gave me this dairy, and said to write in it evry day. What to write? They seid to rwite about what’s around me, what lifes like. So here gose.
My house is diffrent from my parents. I dont life with them. Where I do life is in this house. I’ll tell you about it.
It has many rooms, most of them are white, or blue, and there is one that is yello and one that is grey. And also, there are all sizes of rooms. There are 2 big ones, and 2 small ones, and lots of locked dores in this house. There are lots of little locked dores, and 1 big locked dore. I now how to spell locked because it says it on every locked dore.
The computer (I now how to spell computer also, because that was one of the alphabet words. A is for alphabet, B is for blastoff, C is for computer) tels me that wen I’m older, I can go in the locked dores. But for now wen I’m small, I cant. O well.
Age: 7 Date: Tuesday May 18
Today, I learned a very big secret. When I came to the computer for class it said that there would be no class today. Then a movie came on, with Mom and Dad in it. I’ve been replaying the movie over and over again, because I can’t believe it. I’ll tell you what it said diary.
“Syd,” they said, “today, we decided you were old enough to take the big secret. There’ll be lots of other big secrets as you grow up, but this one is special, just to you.”
“You don’t live with us, Sydonie,” Mom said. I knew that. “I know you know that. But you know how you watch all those movies about how kids all over Earth live? Well, did you ever wonder…where on Earth you live?” I don’t think I ever thought about it. Dad took a deep breath on the screen.
“You don’t live on Earth, angel.” I almost slipped out of my chair. “You’re on a spaceship. And you’re part of a very special trip. You’re on the Aphrodite.”
“And you’re the most special person of the whole crew, darling,” Mom said. ‘The crew”? What did she mean, ‘the crew?’ There was no ‘crew’. I lived in my house alone.
“You’re the Prime” said Dad.
The Prime is the first to be born of the crew. The Prime will be a female, because they mature in adolescence earlier than males. Her duties will be multiple; she must learn to speak and write clearly, she must absorb enough of Earth’s culture to pass on to the rest of the crew, and above sustain herself for fifteen years alone.
Special programs have been in the making for the Prime; advanced tutor programs to give her good penmanship, good pronunciation, practical skills, and a basic education. She was chosen among the embryos randomly, but the candidates’ parents were notified and gave permission. They recorded additional videos for their child a few months before the rocket’s launch.
The Prime will also assist in the birth of the other members of the crew.
Age: 13 Date: Sunday, June 14
I’m officially a teenager! I have so much to write about today, I don’t think I’ll be able to stuff it all in. First off, a new drawer in my trunk opened last night at 0:00 hours (like always) and gave me a gift (like always). This time though, it was a bracelet! I’ve never gotten anything like this. Mom, in the recording, said it was hard for her to get it approved, because the scientists had such-and-such limits on so-and-so and this-and-that.
And (more good news) Jake is growing well. When Mom got pregnant last year, I was so excited, but also a little worried. Would Mom and Dad love me less? I know that’s a silly worry; they’d never love me less! But now I know they love me the same, even though Jake is AS CUTE AS A BUTTON!
But I still have one more video file to open up. Wait a sec while I watch it.
Holy gosh… I think my birthday was just ruined. I learned the weirdest, freakiest thing just now. I have to help deliver babies. That’s right, babies. Apparently, the rest of the ‘crew’ (it’s weird calling them that, because they’re all unborn) is going to be born in about two years, and I’m gonna help the computer do it. That’s gonna be so weird.
Well, three cheers for the teenage labor nurse! Whoopee…
Age: 14 Date: Thursday, February 29. Supplemental entry
I came back to the diary to write down something I realized. See, I’ve been studying space travel in Astronomy, and I just realized that it takes years. To travel to the nearest star, which is where this ship is headed, takes 60,000 years.
And then, I realized, that if the scientists’ plan was like I think it was--
Approximately thirty-five years’ travel from the ship’s intended orbit of the star, the Prime will be born. At age 15, she will assist with the systematic birth of the 14 crew members. The births will be spaced in one-week increments.
Continued, from the journal entries of Sydonie Hollister, Prime:
And then, I realized, that if the scientists’ plan was like I think it was, then I left earth some 59,000 years ago. So my father is dead. And my mother is dead. And my brother is dead. And so are his children, their children, and their children….
And now I feel really cold. Literally. Cold and alone. Normally I’d reopen a video from Mom, or an earlier one from Mom and Dad. But those would just remind me that their dead. Old, wrinkled, and dead. Same with my baby brother. God, I feel alone.
Hollister, Sydonie (Prime) received antidepressant treatment. AGE 14, MAR 1- MAY 1 Symptoms typical.
Age: 15 Date: Wednesday, June 14
Happy birthday to me! Well, it’s actually ‘mixed-feelings birthday to me,’ because I’m still not too sure of what to think about helping birth the whole crew. It seems odd to me. But I’m getting more comfortable about it now; now that I don’t think making babies and having babies is gross. The computer gave me the message this morning (almost like a birthday gift; ironic, eh?) that my delivery classes will be half an hour each week until the children are born. That’s something like (lessee…nine times four…) 36 classes. Is that right? That’s right.
Needless to say, I’m not a math genius. I pass the class, though. I love lit, and science is pretty cool. Why am I telling you about school, though? You get an earful every day, about how UGLY an algebra problem is, or how PAINFUL a science question is, or just how WONDERFUL and SPIFFING is Walden’s Pond (very wonderful and very spiffing, thank you). Well, best birthday wishes, diary dear.
In order to stabilize the child’s hormone levels during the period which would normally be labor, the Prime must administer a dose of stabilizer after delivery. The Apgar score will be given by the Apgar Program.
To perform the scoring, the computer will present several options on-screen for the Prime to touch--
From the Apgar Program aboard the Aphrodite:
-- On the baby’s coloring: is it …Blue? Mottled? White or pale? Pink? Red?
-- On the baby’s activity: is the baby …Motionless? Limp, but responds to touch? Kicking gently? Kicking violently?
-- On the baby’s cry: is it … Absent? Weak? Obstructed by thoracic mucus? Sufficiently audible? Strong?
To perform the scoring, the computer will present several options on-screen for the Prime to touch, and she will choose the best one for the situation.
In the event of a poor Apgar score, the computer will give emergency directions, along with clear diagrams, for the Prime. The Prime, in the case of infant death, should not feel responsible.
Age: 15 Date: Tuesday, March 15
The first baby is being born today! That’s all; I gotta go!
Age: 15 Date: Tuesday, March 15. Supplemental entry
Well, that’s that. Little mister Reed Boeglin just entered the world and I am dog tired.
He was so cute, though. And it wasn’t all that bad, helping the computer bring him into the world. The machine did most of the dirty work, bringing him out of the bag. And then I made sure he could breath (that part was not too fun) and washed him off. I didn’t have to think about the Apgar question about his cry. Loud and clear! If there’s a position aboard that requires yelling, he’s got it.
But now he’s quietly sleeping with the computer nurse while I get a break. But I’ve always gotta be listening in.
Oh, speak of the devil. There he goes.
BOEGLIN, REED – Male, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery--
Each child, including the Prime, is to be fitted with small braces on their arms and legs. These braces will be fitted at birth and will not need replacement, with the exception of any unforeseen accident.
The braces’ structure is simple. They are, in basic terms, metal plates screwed into each child’s two humeri and two femurs. In each plate is housed a small monitor; in each screw head is house a processor; in every tip of the screws, there is a microbot vital for the children’s survival.
The braces’ purpose is dual. One, the microbot will provide constant supervision of the child’s red blood cell formation to ensure against the malformed spherical “mulberry” conformation of erythrocytes. Two, the brace will provide structure to the bones, weakened by a nearly zero gravity environment.
The brace itself also houses a monitor for vital functions such as blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate.
BOEGLIN, REED – Delivered 15 MAR. Male, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars disappearing.
CHAVEZ, ANTONIO – Delivered 21 MAR. Male, CLEFT PALATE; Apgar score of 8. Corrective oral surgery performed four days after delivery. Recovery normal. Braces fitted fourteen days after delivery. Recovery slow, scars disappearing.
LEUNG, BONNY – Delivered 29 MAR. Female, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars disappearing.
GARRET, MICHAEL – Delivered 5 APR. Male, normal; Apgar score of 9. Braces fitted five days after delivery. Recovery slightly slowed, scars disappearing.
TUN, CORINA – Delivered 11 APR. Female, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars formed, slowly disappearing.
CHOEWANG, TASHI – Delivered 16 APR. Male, normal; Agpar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars disappearing.
ADHE, AMA – Delivered 24 APR. Female, WEBBED RIGHT HAND; Apgar score of 9. Corrective plastic surgery performed one day after delivery. Recovery normal. Braces fitted six days after delivery. Recovery slightly slowed, scars disappearing.
KASHER, RAHMAT – Delivered 31 APR. Male, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars disappearing.
OKIMA, SHIJA – Delivered 8 MAY. Female, normal; Apgar score of 9. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars disappearing.
PLOVIS, JENNIE--
I don’t know what made me put Jennie in that ship. I really don’t. I suppose I…I’m living through her, just a bit. I wanted to see that star, I wanted a chance to study it. I wanted…I want that dream for her. I want her to have the chance of humanity’s lifetime.
But I don’t know if she’ll like it. Maybe she’ll hate me for it. I don’t know. And maybe I hate myself for it. But I wanted to give my child an opportunity. I’m sad not to have here grow up here, in my time and place. But I want her to see something amazing. I want her to have that.
Maybe I’m the worst parent in the universe. Maybe so. But maybe, just maybe, she’ll thank me someday.
PLOVIS, JENNIE – Delivered Delivered 15 MAY. Female, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery slow, scars darkening.
STOCK, BRETT – Delivered 19 MAY. Male, normal; Apgar score of 10. Braces fitted four days after delivery. Recovery normal, scars disappearing.
SUMNER, COLLEEN --
Age: 15 Date: Tuesday, May 20
I haven’t written in nearly half a year! Ack! It’s been week after week of angels, so I haven’t had the time. But I’m taking a day off because my birthday passed two months ago and I didn’t even open my gift.
Look at that! It’s a music box; so pretty! I think the tune it’s playing is a lullaby…I love it.
My day off is also to celebrate the fact that the last baby is going to be born next week (sometime…the computer told me Friday, but it’s been wrong before), and I’M SO HAPPY! Not like I don’t love bringing babies into the world, but I think I’ve had my fill of it.
And it looks like my day off is going down the chute. I hear Rahmat crying. ‘Bye.
SUMNER, COLLEEN – Delivered 30 MAY. Female; Apgar score of 0. Died 30 MAY.
