Horaya lay upon the table as the scan was completed inside the medical pod. A precocious thirteen year old, she was as nervous as hell.

The android waited until the report flashed upon his screen before
delivering his final judgement.

“You are pregnant.”

“What do you mean pregnant?”

“You have had sexual relations.”

Horaya was shocked by the news.

“How far gone?”

“Four months.”

“My parents will kill me!”

The android reacted according to his programming.

“That is a capital offence. Would you like me to call security?”

This request threw her into a panic.

“Don’t you dare! It’s a human term. Something you would not understand.”

“Oh I see. Please leave now. I have real patients.”

Horaya gave it a filthy look and stepped off the table. As she entered the corridor, she thought things over.

“How will I explain this to my parents? Wait a moment. Perhaps Mike can help?”

She checked her watch and smiled.

“I know exactly where he will be right now. The adult pod.”

When she entered the well lit bar, the android server pointed a
finger at her.

“Children are not allowed within this establishment.”

Mike glanced away from his Grouse and saw the problem.

“Hello my girl. What are you doing here by the way?”

She stood her ground, eyes locked to the infamous red line.

“I really need a word Mike.”

The guard recognised the plaintive cry within those words and
finished his drink off. Once outside she opened up.

“Who’s the father?”

Horaya shook her head.

“I cannot remember Mike. There were so many.”

The guard was worried.

“You know the rules as well as I know them.”

“Don’t remind me. No father and the pregnancy is terminated. That is the least of my problems right now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you really think my parents are going to accept this? You know what they are like.”

Mike thought this conundrum over for a moment.

“As I see it, we have only one option my dear.”

“Which is?”

Mike smiled sweetly.

“Find the father of course. That might put a different complexion on things.”

The girl tried to smile but failed miserably.

“I just hope you are right.”

“Do you keep a diary by any chance?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then go and get it. I’ll meet you on the sports pod, badminton section.”

The girl dashed off to collect the well-kept record of her life.

As she entered the apartment, she was thankful that her parents were at work. She collected the book and dashed out as Mike played badminton with the android instructor.

As she dashed in, he turned just as the shuttlecock slammed into his skull.

“Are you hurt? Should I call the medics?”

Mike shook his painful head.

“No harm done.”

As Horaya handed the document over, he flicked through it.

“How far are you gone?”

“Four months.”

He found the date easily and said, “According to this you were at a
birthday party. Does not say who’s though.”

The girl thought back.

“I was at Cassandra's fourteenth.”

“We should speak to her then. Come on, lead the way.”

They found Cassandra in the knowledge pod, just a fancy name for a
library.

“Hello Horaya, nice to see you again dear.”

“I’m in a bit of a fix Cassandra. Can you help?”

“That depends upon the problem.”

“She’s pregnant,” Mike said sharply.

“Your not are you?”

“I certainly am. Up the creek without a paddle.”

“What do you want to do then?”

“I need to find the father. Do you know that I cannot remember?”

Cassandra giggled.

“What’s so funny?” Mike asked.

“Horaya was out of it that night. Pretty smashed.”

“Who did I go with?”

Cassandra smiled.

“Vince of course. You know. Tall, slim and damn handsome. I was really jealous.”

“Do you know where he is?” Mike asked.

Cassandra nodded.

“At the pool. He loves to swim at this time of day.”

When they found the pool within the sports pod, Vince was swimming lengths as usual.

“That’s him,” the girl said.

“Hey you, we need a word.”

The young fifteen year old swam to the ledge and said, “What for?”

“This young lady is pregnant,” Mike informed him.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

“Remember that party?” Horaya asked.

“Oh no...”

“Oh yes,” she whispered.

“We could prove it through DNA,” the guard warned.

Vince shook his head at once.

“No need mate. I’m man enough to accept this.”

“Decent bloke,” Mike said. “Let me help you out.”

“What are we going to say to my parents?”

Mike thought this over.

“Well they both work in the retail pod. If you want I’ll have a word for you.”

“You would do that?” Horaya asked.

“Of course my dear. Don’t worry yourselves about this.”

Staring hard at Vince he said, “You have responsibilities now. What do you want from life?”

Vince smiled.

“Believe it or not I am a pretty good musician.”

Mike raised his eyebrows.

“It takes all sorts.”

He left the lovebirds alone to sort themselves out and headed for the parents. He found them in the clothes store, working hard as the queue got longer.

“Sorry to interrupt,” the guard said.

The woman looked at him and said sweetly, “Go to the rear of the queue please.”

Mike shook his head.

“This is official business mam. I need to see both you and your
husband right now.”

The mother knew better than to argue with that demand.

“Come into the back room then.”

As she led the way, she called the husband to her.

“We seem to be in trouble.”

As soon as they entered the back room, the guard put them at rest.

“Don’t worry. Neither of you are in trouble.”

“So what’s the problem? We have customers you know.”

“There is really no way to say this but your daughter is pregnant.”

“She’s what?” the father said in shock.

“Who is the father?” the mother asked.

“The musician,” Mike replied carefully.

“Why not come to us?” the father asked.

“Seems that she was a little frightened.”

“Of us?” the father asked.

“Not of you per say. Just at how to break the news.”

The mother smiled and said proudly, “Horaya is our daughter and we will take care of her. Where is she by the way?”

The guard told them.

The mother gazed at her husband and asked, “Can we invite this
musician to supper?”

“I don’t see why not. After all, he is part of the family now isn’t he.”