Starcrossed - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,4
who could mate him and make him the happiest of men. And she was human.
Tigh could hardly believe it. She was a vision. A military woman with wavy brown hair and eyes of hazel green. Her uniform made her look neat and trim and altogether proper. It also made him want to see what she looked like out of that very prim uniform.
Michael must have noticed Tigh’s fascination, for he placed himself in front of the woman, blocking Tigh’s path. He might have challenged the Son of Amber, right there in front of everyone, but the leader’s voice called him back to his purpose.
“Dr. Waithe, what do you have to say on this issue? How would this ‘blending’ impact human genetics?”
All eyes turned to the woman who had laid the groundwork for the fight against the virus.
“I would like more time to study this, but off the top of my head, I can tell you that the infusion of more jit’suku DNA would be a benefit to future generations on a purely genetic level. Now, politically, you’ll have to decide for yourselves, but as for continuance as a species, my research tells me that jit DNA, when mixed with our own, creates very advanced beings, with high resistance to disease and improved sensory perception and reflexes. I don’t think it’s much of a secret, anymore, that this was how my long-passed predecessors created Enhanced spec ops soldiers during the Rim Wars. What the emperor said about us is correct. There is residual jit’suku DNA already laced throughout humanity from those early experiments. It wasn’t widely known due to the Genetic Purity Movement at the time, but many of the Enhanced soldiers went on to have children of their own, and those children reaped the same benefits of Enhancement. It got watered down a bit over the successive generations, but the DNA is still there, and it’s spread throughout most of the human worlds.”
The leader nodded. “So then, it’s not really a question of introducing jit DNA into our own gene pool, but merely adding more?”
“Essentially, that is true,” Dr. Waithe confirmed.
The leader turned back to him. “What do you propose?”
Tigh tried to hide his excitement. It would not do to act the fool at such a crucial moment. Better to appeal to their generous human hearts.
“We have many motherless boys among our people now, as you have many women who might enjoy the chance to raise a male child. I would guarantee safe passage for any woman who wants to come to our galaxy to visit, at first, or settle, if they wish to stay. Our orphanages are overrun, and our men are, in many cases, unable to cope. Many wish to get away from the reminders of their loss. If you permit, I’m sure a few jit’suku men and their children would relish the chance to come to your galaxy and make a new life among your women, as well. My plan is to make such movement completely voluntary. It is only up to us, as leaders, to remove the obstacles and allow for it.” He read skepticism on many faces, particularly those involved with the military. “You can, of course, put limits on how many men you allow through, and where. For my part, I will place no limits on the number of women who may want to come look for a mate or a child among my people. We can use all the help we can get.”
“And who would you take as your empress to cement the deal?” Leader Grey challenged him with an odd smile. “I’m too old for you, sadly.” Her little joke broke the tension in the chamber and startled laughs from several ladies.
Tigh bowed his head gallantly towards the leader, but everything in him was focused on the alluring scent of the female who stood just behind Michael Amber. Tigh turned back to face the other man, meeting his eyes with a plea in his own that the Son seemed to understand. Michael moved aside, and the brunette beauty was once again revealed, a welcome sight for Tigh’s hungry heart. She was radiant, and a little uncomfortable with all eyes now focused on her. Still, she stood her ground, and Tigh noticed, for the first time, she wore the uniform of a high-ranking military officer. He grinned at the thought. She would make one hell of an empress.
“I’ll take her, if she’ll have me.”
Shocked gasps sounded through the room, but he paid them