Geena, Jeffries and White walked across the parched, dry dessert of the old military base. Graceless, regimented streets, dreary beige and white buildings, lots of space where there once was poorly-tended grass and were now dried up weeds. It looked like any other closed based in the country. There still remained the traces of expectancy, of the youth and even the excitement that was once there. Cheap base housing - duplexes that were once alive with young families. Wide streets that big trucks and jeeps once rumbled down. The atmosphere was still evocated. It brought back memories for White. It was alien to Geena, and, of course, it meant nothing to Jeffries.
They were walking slowly, from the parking lot to a giant hanger some distance away. Slowly, for the benefit of Geena, who was pregnant. Jeffries walked just a little ahead, Geena and White behind. White's body was turned toward Geena as he walked, in a protective, solicitous posture. His arm hovered behind the small of her back, as if he wished to support her but had too awe of her pregnant state to dare touch her.
A construction crew was at work. The threesome could see their trucks parked around the hanger, and could hear very faint noises of the work they were doing.
White was relieved when they walked into the shadow of the hanger, and some moments later, when they actually entered the huge structure, he relaxed and dropped his hand to his side. The three found some aluminum chairs and sat down near the great open doors. It was cool there.
They talked about the plans for the construction of what would be a combination maternity ward, school and laboratory.
"Are you excited, darling?" Jeffries patted Geena's swollen stomach. She put a loving hand over his and clicked their wedding rings together.
"To think, this place was once devoted to war. And now it's going to be devoted to creating a new type of human, one that will help us evolve past war."
Jeffries gave her a heartfelt- and genuine-looking smile. "Of course that's our plan, but don't let any of the brass hear you talking like that. The Army is funding us to create a super soldier, not a super peace-maker."
She smiled back. It felt good to be pregnant. Tired and sore and clumbsy, but good to be the mother of something really wonderful and special. She put her right hand over her husband's hand and reached out her left to Dr. White. It was a good day.
A large truck pulled up to the far side of hanger doors. Geena, White and Jeffries watched the workmen unload several room-sized, heavily reinforced animal cages.
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