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Alex and Dredger waited patiently after the two Album Doctors left. They sat together on the table side by side, Alex had an arm wrapped around behind the Phin and his hand was resting on the side of her belly. Dredger meanwhile had one arm over Alex's shoulders and the other hand was placed on top of the humans on the side of her swell.

When the door finally opened the same Longos from earlier that morning was standing there. In his hand was a pad and a waterproof pouch of pills.

“These are for her, she is to take two with each meal," he says simply walking in and handing over the small bag “Her first dose will be with second meal, more will be available upon request. Now follow me please, I will escort you to your first lesson, we will be walking as I have important information for you."

“Thank you, I will hold onto these." Alex said taking the pouch and slipped it into his wetsuit pocket before looking to Dredger beside him “Looks like we will need to request a pocket to be installed into your suit."

“That is already being handled, the Doctors anticipated that need and have already ordered it. Come this way please," the Longos instructed and started walking causing them to need to catch up “You are going to be given a quick orientation lesson on the station today and tomorrow you will be placed in your respective classes. The class today will cover everything you will need to know about the Tikk, and station Zero. The lesson will be in Phin and English and will go all day."

“Tomorrow you will be having two different lesson types, the first will be a more in depth style about sociology and various other topics including language lessons in Phin and the various Human languages. The second type will be with other, first time pregnant females and will inform you on how to raise and care for your calf, before and after it is born. You will be expected to do well in all of your classes or you will find it hard to find employment here or raise your child."

“Will the pregnancy classes possibly cover how this even happened?" Dredger asked and Alex quickly agreed.

“That is possible, however it depends if the doctors are aware of it and if you are permitted to be told," Came the Longos's answer “However I was not provided with a definitive answer to that question. This is where you will be today, in here please."

They nodded and thanked him before they walked into the room, instantly stopping in their tracks as the various faces turned to look at them and to Alex's surprise his big, strong, Amplus Dredger, squeaked in embarrassment and tried to hide herself behind the smaller human, a blush forming on her face.

“Why is she in here?" An Album asked “Besides there's humans in here. Why is she walking around naked?" there was a cry of agreement from a couple of the others and Alex turned to try to comfort Dredger before the Album leading the class whistled shrilly and slapped his flukes against the water silencing them all.

“That is enough," he called firmly in Phin “Dredger currently has no suit because it requires to be tailor made for her and will not be finished till later this evening. While here you are expected to listen, not speak, during these next few hours, that includes insulting other students. We have a lot to get through, information that normally would take weeks for you to be taught."

“Take a seat you two, back of the room preferably." Requested the male Human who was standing next to the Album teacher “The others will struggle to see over her if she is towards the front." they nodded and found a seat together, Alex trying his best to sooth Dredgers now rocked confidence.

“As not all of you speak Phin but do speak English, you have been provided with two teachers who will be able to teach you in either language or several other human languages if necessary." The human called out and simultaneously the Phin repeated it in Phin, like they were reading it off of the same script “My name is Oliver Smith and my partner here is Junior Facilitator. We are here to give you the watered down introduction to Station Zero, the Unity Program, the Tikk and some of what goes on here." Alex didn't miss the little look that Oliver gave Junior Facilitator next to him when he referred to him. He was familiar with it having given Dredger the same look multiple times in the past.

Alex listened as intently as he could to both instructors although he found himself listening to Oliver primarily. A lot of what they spoke about was simple house keeping, avoid these areas, don't be alone in these, if they required aid be it medical aid or security assistance where to find it. With so many different species in one place it was expected that problems may arise somewhere.

Just before second meal Dredger had started squirming a little and giving light grumbles of discomfort. When Alex looked to her she told him softly so that no one else could hear, that she was finding it hard to sit due to her back causing her discomfort. Alex got up from his seat and moved behind her and started to massage around where the scars were getting a soft chirp of thanks.

“Alexander, May I ask why you are not seated?" Oliver asked and everyone turned to look at them.

“I apologise if I am being rude or disrupting the class Mr Smith and Junior Facilitator," he answered with little hesitation and as professionally as he could “Dredger has an old back injury that is causing her a great deal of discomfort at this time. We do have medication for it but it must be taken with food and we did not receive it till just before being brought here. I am simply attempting to alleviate her discomfort in a way the Doctors suggested until Second Meal when she may take the medication. I am paying attention please continue."

“If you have been paying attention then please repeat the last thing I said." Oliver requested and Alex gave a sigh rolling his eyes a little.

“In English or Phin sir?" he asked then chuckled softly “Although while I understand most Phin, I may struggle with speaking it."

“Making allowances for human throats and lack of a melon, I would imagine Phin would be difficult. English please." was the curt reply from their instructor.

“You were informing us about Station Zero's zones. Each is colour coded for quick and simple understanding. Light blue tinted for general population living areas, Red tinted for security if we need it, white tinted for medical and any other colours are to be considered off limits unless we are taken there by a member of station staff." he answered smoothly and loudly, keeping his hands on the Amplus's back as he tried to sooth her discomfort.

“Very good thank you, seeing as you are paying attention, we shall continue." Oliver responded then returned to the lesson.

When brunch, other wise known as second meal finally came, Alex and Dredger debated about joining the others out in the communal dining area or going back to their room. They ended up deciding just to join the others after a little encouragement from the two instructors.

“They will need to get used to it," Junior Facilitator told them in Phin, Alex only just keeping up “There is a much more relaxed attitude towards pregnancy and females here."

“It is still preferred that they are covered," Oliver picked up with ease “However we don't sequester them away as is usually the case in the rest of Phin society. Go, enjoy brunch you two, we will see you back here afterwards."

They found the common area with relative ease and after acquiring their food found their way to an empty table where they sat together. The food provided had been a mix of Phin and Human and they had both gotten a mix of each with Alex piling more onto the Amplus's plate when he wasn't impressed with what she had.

“So..." A voice called out drawing their attention and standing not too far away was a human female, roughly four foot nine with blonde hair. Next to her was the Album who had started insulting Dredger earlier “A Hayworth huh? Mommy and Daddy pay for your way in here? Couldn't get in the way everyone else does through hard work, skills and determination? Even got a Phin to hang off your arm. What, did you take pity on her just because she was knocked up and single? I'm not impressed, she is only an Amplus, wouldn't anyone else sink to your level or accept your bribe money?"

Alex bristled but didn't let it show, kicking off into his lifetimes worth of training on how to handle these situations. “Before I answer you, it is only common courtesy to offer me your name." he requested and she huffed.

“My name is none of your business!" she retorted and there was a groan from somewhere else in the room.

“Drop the attitude Cassy, you are about to have your ass diplomatically handed to you." A human male called from the kitchen area and she stomped her foot, making a splash as she did.

“It's Cassandra to you Derrick!" she replied angrily and Alex just shook his head in disbelief.

“I see manners are not your strong suit, Cassandra was it? Very well, Listen carefully for I have neither the time, nor the patience to repeat myself," Alex started as he stood up to face her and the room went silent as he straightened his wetsuit, all eyes and ears on him curious as to his response “For your information, my parents are unaware of my current location nor will I be informing them of such or the reason for my being here. I may have used my family relations and business to get me through the gateway, however those connections and finances had no impact on my admittance to Station Zero." She didn't seem to believe him but this did little to prevent him from continuing.

“I will neither ask nor assume your reasoning in being here but with an attitude like yours I am surprised you were permitted admittance through the gateway. As for why Dredger is by my side or why she is pregnant, it is of little concern of yours and it shall remain none of your concern. Needless to say she is with me, she is pregnant and that is all you need to know, period. Now, are there any other concerns you wished to have addressed or may I go back to eating?" he waited patiently for her reply, Dredger watching him from her seat with a little surprise on her face.

“Think you are so clever don't you? Born with a silver spoon in your mouth clearly you believe it's stained your tongue. Rich boy like you, you have everything you want handed to you at a whim." she retorted and Alex couldn't help but chuckle.

“I see you are under some false illusions Ma'am," He responded with ease “I was handed nothing. My parents raised me how they believed every other child should be raised. If I was good I was given praise, if I misbehaved I was scolded, I even went through public schooling instead of through any private kind of education establishments. I may have made it through a bachelors in business management but it was anything but easy and it was not by choice. I was pushed in that direction and I had to pay off my own student loans, even apply for a job and go through an interview to get a position in the family business. The only thing that has ever come to me easily was Dredger here, no insult intended to her but our meeting was by pure accident. Now I really must get back to my food, I have wasted enough time on you today. Good day."

She seemed shocked and quite angry at how bluntly he dismissed her and sat back down. Alex gave Dredger a soft kiss on the shoulder before he returned to eating and she only seemed to throw a bigger tantrum now she was being blatantly ignored.

“Hey there, mind if we sit here?" Came a request and they looked up to see the human, Derrick as he was earlier identified and a Longos requesting to seat with them.

“Nobody owns the current." Dredger replied and they both sat down although Alex noticed Dredger was trying not to make eye contact with the Longos.

“Sorry about Cassy, she's always had a superiority complex." Derrick said with a chuckle “Doesn't like it when someone is better than her in some way. That was why she was kicked out of the Unity program, she would bitch and moan when she got worse grades then lord it over everyone else when she had better. I am not surprised she is here with an Album, I think she discovered it existed then tried everything she could to be sent here. I'm Derrick by the way."

“And Comber has always been the same, always needed to be better than everybody else," the Longos added “I am called Fisher, it is pleasing to see you again Damaged Dredger." Said Amplus squeaked and blushed looking away.

“I...It is just Dredger here, please." She responded and Alex chuckled lightly.

“You know each other?" he asked and she nodded.

“Yes, we both used to work at B72, I was her supervisor until she was found to be pregnant. Was a pitty too, she was one of our best workers." Fisher said as he started eating.

“So why are you here?" Dredger asked and Fisher looked to Derrick next to him before she added “Tell us your secret we will tell you ours?"

“He is why I am here," Fisher said after they both nodded in agreement “He used to work at B72 as well, one encounter and a drunken tiff later, and... well..."

“I'm two months along," Derrick exclaimed with a chuckle “I nearly won that Tiff too, to be fair I'm not complaining that I lost. Turns out we had been eyeing each other off for the last year but neither of us have been willing to make that first move."

“How is that even possible?" Alex asked only to get blank looks and a shrug from Derrick.

“Anyway why are you two here?" Derrick inquired with a smile and the two looked to each other almost asking if they could answer it legally.

“Her calf came from somewhere," Alex told them as a hint finally deciding that they had probably signed the same non-disclosure forms “And she has been pregnant for just over six months now."

“Wait a minute, did you not stay in her room when you last used the gateway?" Fisher asked and Alex just nodded “Wow how did you manage this?"

“We don't know," Dredger answered with a shrug of her shoulders “The Doctors have some idea, they muttered as much during our first check up but currently are not sharing, much like for yourselves it appears."

“I'm sure they will tell us eventually," Alex said and nudged Dredger with his elbow and pulled out the pouch of pain killers “Eat Dredger, you need to eat something before I can give you this." She gave a sigh and nodded starting to eat what was in front of her.

When the lesson started once more the four sat together at the back of the room. Thankfully this time Alex didn't need to massage Dredgers back. They managed to get all the way through to the next meal with little issue other than the occasional glare from Cassandra at the front of the room. She clearly was still brooding over the telling off she received from Alex.

When they went to lunch they sat at the same table once more. No one batted an eye at the amount dredger had before her, or the fact she had said it would definitely be gone by time the meal was over. The conversation they shared entailed the details into what brought them to that point, Dredger and Alex had gone first and was followed by Fisher and Derrick.

*******

Derrick was waiting at the doctors office with Old Grey Manager and his doctor Deep Medic as Fisher was brought in. They hadn't told either of them anything yet, Deep Medic had simply called for Old Grey Manager and Fisher then had Derrick wait.

The Longos appeared with several other Longos and Album and the door was shut behind him unceremoniously “Old Grey Manager, Deep Medic, why have I been summoned?" Fisher asked curiously.

“Because we have something to discuss," Came the Albums simple response “We made it clear from the beginning that your team is not supposed to be interacting with humans. None of them have gone through the Unity Program and so are not qualified, including yourself. Yet here we find that you have been interacting with Derrick Lewis Plattern."

“Hey this isn't fully his fault... I have been going to that bar on my own," Derrick protested “I have been through the Unity Program, I knew the rules and decided to... bend them a little... I just wanted to see the parts of Phin society that we didn't get to see in the program that was all."

“Break the rules more like," Old Grey Manager interrupted “Now there is nothing wrong with curiosity but I believe you humans have a saying? 'Curiosity killed the cat'? We will now inform you both of the consequences of your curiosity. Your employments here at B72 are as of this moment, terminated, your next set of consequences will be decided after you answer this simple question. Do you want it?"

“Want what?" Fisher asked bewilderedly and Old Grey Manager motioned for Deep Medic to speak.

“Derrick Lewis Plattern, our tests have concluded that you are pregnant." Deep Medic informed them Simply “And after telling us of your recent actions we have concluded that Fisher is the father."

"I'm... gonna be a father? ...with a Human mate?" Fisher asked looking at Derrick who's eyes had gone wide and he just stared at Fisher "How does that...?"

"I. can't. Even..." Derrick started but neither of them could get out complete sentences "What in the....?"

"Oh, trill-squeak-chirp."

“Such language is not appropriate Fisher," Old Grey Manager said calmly breaking them out of their mental breakdowns “Back to the question, do either of you want it?"

*******

“I take it the others in the room were lawers?" Dredger asked after they all finished laughing once she had translated what Fisher had said to Alex.

“Yeah, we had to fill out non-disclosure agreements and several other things before we were made to pack our things." Derrick answered “It may have been an accident but we don't regret anything, do we?" Fisher just smiled and nuzzled at his hair.

“Not one second of it." he answered with a churr.

The four bonded more over lunch and agreed to try to remain in contact with each other if they could once they are sent to the general living areas. It probably wouldn't be easy but Alex knew there would be ways for them to find each other even if it involved official channels.

The lessons ended at dinner time, meaning they would all eat their meals and then head directly to bed or their rooms depending if they ate in the common area or in their room.

“Dredger and Alexander Scott Hayworth, Please remain behind for a few minutes." Oliver requested “Everybody else, That concludes this class, thank you for your attendance and attention. Except you Cassandra Sinclare, you may need to redo this lesson as you were far too busy looking over your shoulder at others than you were focused on the lesson." She went to open her mouth, but Junior Facilitator was slightly faster and cut her off before she could protest.

“We care little about what excuses you may have. You were here to learn in this class, we told you we would only accept your full attention and you seemed quite distracted." He said firmly “Go, sleep, maybe tomorrow you will pay more attention."

“But I.." she started only to be interrupted by Junior Facilitator who slapped the water with his fluke and whistled loudly.

“No 'but's Cassandra Sinclare," Oliver said angrily “You were here for one reason that you agreed to and you failed to fulfil that agreement. Go, now!" she started sobbing and ran out, Oliver shaking his head as he closed the door behind her.

“How she got to be here I will never know," He muttered then turned back to the other two “Now, you two. You did well today, I'm impressed. Able to tend to each others needs and continue to pay attention in class, a sign of a good couple."

“Thank you Oliver Smith." Dredger said with a happy whistle which faded quickly “But why are we still here?"

“You two are not in trouble, we simply were given some information during lunch that we were instructed to pass to you," Junior Facilitator answered “Dredgers wetsuit has encountered some complications and so will not be ready till tomorrow evening. I am sorry to inform you but you will need to attend tomorrows lessons without it."

“We have no other options?" Dredger asked timidly.

“Afraid not. However you will get used to being more social while pregnant." Oliver answered with a light smile “As we informed you earlier things are done differently here. While there may be some consternation over the fact your belly is exposed, the fact you are pregnant is not something to be as ashamed of as you normally would be." they nodded and Oliver just smiled.

“Tomorrow night you two will be relocated to the general population area, you will have time to scrub and get dressed after your class." Junior Facilitator informed them “Expect to encounter a lot of Tikk, they make up majority of the population here as we informed you earlier. We may or may not meet again, you may even attend classes with our son at some point but that is questionable. For now return to your room and rest up, you have a big day ahead of you."

“Thank you, both of you," Alex told them with a smile “You have been most helpful."

“Everything ok?" Derrick asked as they got out into the hall where he and Fisher had been waiting.

“Hmm? Oh yes perfectly fine, just had some information to tell us for tomorrow." Alex answered with a chuckle “Want to have Dinner together?"

“Hey I was about to ask that!" Derrick retorted with mock irritation “But sure sounds good to us right Fisher?" he looked to Fisher who just nodded in reply.

When the morning came about, they were escorted once again to their new class. Dredger remained timid despite the fact she was probably the strongest person, Phin, Tikk or Human they passed. Alex offered her reassuring words every now and then, telling her that he didn't care that she was on display and he was more than happy to show the world just who he loved and what that love had caused.

Their escort simply motioned to the door to the room they needed to enter and stood silently to one side. When it opened both were surprised to find the room full of children with the Phin and Tikk calves around six years old and the Humans around eight years old. There was one Longos at the back of the room with a smile on his beak, Fisher. All heads turned to look to them as they stepped in and while the human children and Longos and Album calves were surprised to see Dredger naked. The Tikk calves in particular however looked Terrified of Dredger who in turn looked terrified of everyone else.

Alex quickly found himself standing alone just inside the doorway as Dredger gave an embarrassed and frightened noise and stepped back out of the room and hid around the corner.

“Well this is going to be a fun day." Alex mumbled and gave an apologetic look to the human teacher who had an amused look on his face and was shaking his head as if promising he would not laugh “Sorry sir."

“She'll be right mate," he said in an Australian accent waving his hand dismissively “Settle down class. You're Alexander Scott Hayworth I take it? Get your sheila, we'll wait." Alex nodded and quickly ducked back into the hall to find Dredger had not gone far.

It took several minutes of reassurances and comforting before he managed to get her to stop her ephemeral crying which went through him like a gutting sirens call. It had been painful to feel and hear her distress but he did his best to comfort her. Finally he managed to get her to tell him what was wrong and she simply explained that for some reason, they terrified her. He managed to get her to follow him back into the room, even then he had to hold her hand and almost drag her to the front of the room where the teacher instructed them to stand.

“Everyone, this is Alexander Scott Hayworth and Dredger. Be kind to them, they wont bite." the teacher called.

The class erupted into whispered mutterings and questions in both Phin and English. One muttering about how she was being rude not being in suit, another saying that she was an Amplus and thus couldn't understand the classes, even one stating that she was a dangerous savage just because she was an Amplus. Alex was getting more and more irritated as the insulting whispers kept coming. Meanwhile Dredger was trying her best not to implode from embarrassment. When a comment was made that she wasn't pregnant just fat and he had eaten a calf Alex was about to pull Dredger away but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.

“Calm yourself Alexander," the teacher says placing his hand on his shoulder “Don't blow a gasket, most of this is just misinformation, fear and rumours. Your arrival actually works perfectly, we have been talking about the differences between Tikk, Longos, Album and Amplus recently. This is a beaut opportunity to kill off some of the furphy about Amplus."

“Just don't upset her any more than she already is please," Alex responded with a sigh knowing they weren't going to get away “It isn't good for the calf." the teacher nodded and smiled.

“Perish the thought mate, I'm Sydney Taylor by the way, just call me Sydney, good to meet ya," he gave Alex a handshake then turned back to the class and pulled out a whistle. He gave it a good hard blow silencing them all “That's better, now, seeing as we have been talking about the differences between Tikk, Album, Longos and Amplus, I will permit you lot to ask Dredger a few questions. If I deem it inappropriate, she won't need to answer. Before we begin, she is pregnant not fat, is that understood? Now, Slap the water if you have a question." There was a series of slaps from around the room and he pointed to one.

“If you are Pregnant," an Album child started and Sydney raised a finger in warning “Why aren't you covered up?" Sydney gave a nod and lowered his hand looking to Alex and Dredger to answer, the smile on his face showing he was pleased with the question.

“Her suit is having to be custom made for her," Alex said answering for her “She is too short for a standard female Amplus suit and the largest female Longos suit is too tight. So sadly she has no choice but to wait until it is ready." Sydney nodded and pointed to another this time a Tikk.

"Did your parents beat you when you were growing up?" he asked and Dredger shook her head.

"No. It is a myth that Amplus parents beat their calves any more than any other Phin parents." She answered “If anything my parents tried not to hit me."

"Have you ever eaten another Phin?" Another Tikk asked before Sydney could point one out and Dredger gave a light roll to her eyes.

"No. Amplus aren't cannibals any more than other Phins are." She said almost firmly and Alex rubbed her arm to calm her. Sydney was quick to scold the Tikk calf for not waiting to be selected.

"Have you ever gotten into a fight?" A human boy asked.

"Yes. Once or twice." The class erupted into murmuring and she squirmed a little "...but not because I am an Amplus."

“Are the scars on your back because you lost a fight?" another boy asked and Dredger shook her head “What are they from then?" Alex turned to Sydney and shook his head trying to signal a 'not a good question' to that one.

“That has no importance here Andrew." Sydney said catching on quickly to Alex's attempt at wordless communication “Couple more."

“Are Amplus really less intelligent than the other Phin types?" This was a human female and Dredger gave a soft whistle of irritation.

“It is considered that but I haven't noticed any difference," she answered truthfully “I know that the stereotype is we are slow of body and mind, however while I did not do any serious education, I am not stupid nor slow."

"Yes, Will?" Sydney called out to the next.

"This one time when I was going through the Gateway I saw an Amplus carrying a really big box back on Land Earth."

"Is that a question?"

"Um.... no." Both Alex and Dredger chuckled softly

“Amplus are generally stronger than other Phin just due to the fact we are bigger in build than the others." Dredger answered and Sydney pointed to another.

“My mom says that Amplus are all huge monsters who eat people..." a young Album piped up.

“That isn't a question Sam." Sydney pointed out.

“It is ok," Dredger cut in seeing an opening to be somewhat helpful to the class “We aren't monsters who eat people as I said before... most of us are are generally big though." she replied and Sydney just smiled.

“Ok, that is enough for now. If I may ask however, How far along are you? And are you looking forward to your calf?" Sydney asked causing Dredger to blush.

“Seven months," she answered giving a smile as she gave her belly a rub “And yes, very much so." there was a series of 'aww's and Sydney nodded.

“Thanks, was curious is all. Please take a seat at the back there with Fisher and we will begin the lesson proper." They nodded and made their way to the back, finding two seats at the back next to Fisher for them “Today we are going to continue our lessons in biology and maybe later, with Dredger and Fisher's cooperation, I can even show you some of the more subtle differences between a Longos and Amplus."