Once the introductions were over the third shift was dismissed. Ester and Naomi slipped out before the crowds and the sisters walked arm in arm down the hall. Naomi lead her in the general direction of the gardens and animal sanctuary. The news about the deaths of those in the cryobeds shook Ester as it had everyone else in the auditorium. To be killed when you were at your most vulnerable, completely unconscious and by a person who was supposed to take care of you. It was hard to think about. They walked in silence as people streamed past them, separating and going down various corridors towards their new work stations. 

Naomi gestured for her to follow, walking with a slight sway as she compensated for the increasing weight in front. She paused, putting her hand on her belly and grabbed Ester's hand, putting it on a bump that moved under her skin. 

"She's awake, feel that? I think that's an elbow or a foot," Naomi said. "It's so strange, feeling something alive inside you...and that you would love it more than anything." 

Ester smiled gently, feeling her niece announce her presence. "I can imagine. I'm sorry David can't experience this with you." 

The young woman sighed and nodded, her dark eyes meeting her sister's and the glowing smile faded, "I am as well but it could be much worse. I know you want to talk about it, I can see it in your face, [i]ac'hot.[/i]" 

Ester nodded, "I have all the same questions that were posed in the briefing. What can you tell me?" 

"I can tell you that the feelings you felt in the meeting were tenfold when the crimes occurred and that one woman survived," her sister replied. "I've become her friend and she told me what occurred."

Ester's brows drew together in concern as she saw her normally self-assured sister hesitate and look upset. She held her tongue, giving her time until she composed herself. Naomi took a deep breath, "Her name is Pauline Weber, she's American...a pretty college student who was supposed to sleep the entire journey but...that man. She woke up during the attack and managed to fight him off. He raped her, Ester. He raped the other women as well before he killed them. The man and child were killed so that...so there might not be a pattern, at least that is what the authorities suppose." 

The botanist blinked at the hard words, her chest tightening as Naomi continued. What horror it must have been to wake up to being violated by a stranger, a nightmare brought to life. That the girl had found it in her to fight despite the weakness upon waking from the cryosleep was incredible and to escape the hands of a killer. 

"Pauline could not be put back to sleep you see?" Naomi said, raising her eyebrows and placing her hands on her belly. "She would not get rid of it and some think she is a fool to keep that man's child. But she sees it as I do, that child is hers not his. He's dead and life goes on, even after such tragedy. She's smart and she's tough and will make a good mother." 

Ester put her fingertips to her full lips and closed her eyes. The poor girl had been impregnated by the attacker and now would bear the results of the rape. She could not blame her for not wanting to be rid of it, humans were few in number and any life that would help replace those five...no six, she could not forget the attacker, should be welcomed. God would find a way to preserve them and she had to believe that now, no matter what the religion or lack there of, the people of the Copernicus were His chosen. 

"That's terrible," she said softly, "To think we can travel to another world but we cannot leave the worst of what we are behind."

Naomi glanced away for a moment, her lips pursed in thought before turning back. "Come with me, we'll visit the nursery before you go the gardens it is on the way." 

They continued in silence until the large room where the doctors offices were located was in sight. Naomi led her off to the right and through the glass she could see what looked like a day care with cribs and another room with a scattering of toys and two women sitting cross legged on the floor as a toddler giggled over knocking over a tower of plastic blocks. One of them was young and fair faced with long strawberry blonde hair and was applauding playfully as the baby started to stack the blocks on his own. She looked up at the two as they entered and smiled at her friend and the one that was obviously her older sister she talked so much about. 

"Pauline, how are you?" Naomi greeted her, "This is Ester, I'm sure you guessed that though."