Go to the town center

"So we're not going out today?" Jessie asked as you finished putting all of your stuff away.

"Nah, I don't want to risk losing the light while we're out there. Don't worry, we'll start early tomorrow." You teasingly reassured her, it was obvious that her main concern had been for being able to get out of her armor. You heard her heavy footsteps as she made her way down stairs to go get it off. No the jungle could wait. Besides you wanted to go meet up with everyone before you went out to see what kind of plants they were looking for. Just randomly going out and grabbing them was one way to do it but the scientists who you'd be working closely with all had their own preferences.

You didn't really have to wait for Jessie before heading out, she was only your bodyguard in the woods, but the two of you had become friends during the journey and she would be just as interested in talking with the 'eggheads' as she affectionately called them as you would. Particularly the ones who knew a little about the local predators. As such you waited for her as she quickly stripped and took a shower before changing into a more practical outfit for a social situation. The dark blue cargo pants and the white V neck complimented her figure nicely. As did the pistol on her hip that she was required to keep with her.

"Come on, Wendy just messaged me. The council has an announcement." You said, having only received the message a moment before Jamie had stepped out of her room. Wendy was one of the Xenobiologists assigned to the mission, a buxom blonde with blue eyes who disproved every stereotype about the hair color she'd been an invaluable help when you were struggling with your studies. Her ability to turn science back into English was what had gotten her assigned to this mission. If she said that there was an announcement you weren't about to miss it.

As you made your way to the center of town you could see the other colonists doing the same, you waved to some who you'd befriended on the voyage but you didn't stop to talk. It was pretty easy to fit everyone into the town square, Wendy saw you as you walked up and hurried over. Her ample chest bouncing as she did to Jamie's enjoyment.

"Can you believe it? I can't imagine why they would want to do something like this. Its so far out of the way!" She said, obviously a bit flustered. Considering that the meeting was in the middle of town and that it was fairly standard practice for a governing council to make an announcement soon after arrival you didn't think this was about the meeting. Jamie helpfully reached the same conclusion.

"What do you mean?" She asked, obviously also not having gotten the memo.

"Have you not seen the news yet?" Wendy asked

"No."

"Well the-"

"Everyone please settle down." A voice boomed over the square, obviously enhanced by a sound system. "As many of you are aware, the IAA is currently considering a challenge to our colony. Despite the rumor that's been going around, they have not yet issued a formal declaration. If they do we will immediately send out a message to let you know." The speaker was Brittney Tanya, the council's chairwoman. She was a retired soldier whose strong record had gotten her recommended for colony leadership. Those same qualities had made her perfect for this colony. "I know many of you are concerned. I've already been in contact with the military and they're preparing a **** to defend our colony should it come to that. They've informed me that the nearest possible IAA attack **** is three months away. We will have plenty of time to prepare if this comes to pass."

"I understand that some of you are particularly concerned about the nature of your status in an armed conflict. I assure you that should it come to that I share the same risks as you and our brave soldiers and marines will make sure you stay safe." The risks in this case were a bit unique. In most cases where a colony war happened the civilian population would enjoy a protected status. They could be captured but unless they consented they wouldn't be touched in any other way. The need to quickly send out a colonizing mission for Hadley's Hope however had involved using a large number of retired military and people like you who'd been attempting to join. To do this you'd signed a colonist consideration military contract.

The advantages to the UCA were that they would have a ready supply of both enthusiastic younger colonists and a group of older more experienced ones who could be sent quickly. The advantage for the colonists was that they would get special consideration after their contract was up for joining the military and they would also be paid more while on the colony. It was generally understood that most of them would decide to just remain in the colony afterwards, some becoming militia. The extra money for something that appeared low risk had been an extremely appealing factor for many of your age group. The retirees were getting double their pensions and a promise of land and a home on any planet they wanted.

What it meant however, was that they surrendered their protected status if there was an invasion. Further you were locked to the colony for five years. That meant you couldn't leave unless the IAA let you. Which they wouldn't. There was plenty of other legalese that had to do with various treaties and the way your documents had been written but in the end it meant the same thing. If the IAA invaded and they won. You were theirs for five years. When you had signed your contract you'd been assured that it was unlikely that would happen. The colony was far out of the way, months away even. The idea that someone else would try for it had barely even crossed your mind.

"Now I know that in light of this new information some of you will want to start with a chosen partner, just in case. Currently children are still prohibited." A bunch of voices called out in protest at this statement, mostly from the retired section of the crowd. The council leader waited for them to die down before continuing. "I know that this is hard for you. Many, myself included, came out here to finally start a proper family. I must remind you however that IF the IAA were to attack and in the unlikely event they won your child would have to spend the first five years of her life in a colony controlled by them. She wouldn't be old enough to understand why her sister or sisters couldn't come when you leave. So just for the sake of insurance I ask that you wait a little longer." When she put it like that it was much more reasonable than, you can't because I say so. You knew some of the colonists would ignore the warning, unlike on the closed environment of the ship they couldn't watch you every minute of every day here. Human nature made it inevitable that some pregnancies would occur and the chance of them being prosecuted for violating orders this far out was next to none. Especially if what she said came to pass.

The meeting was now broken up as small groups gathered together. You turned to face Jessie and Wendy as the three of you stood a bit awkwardly. None of you had anyone special but you knew you were the only virgin of the three. You'd heard plenty of stories of people who had their first time on the losing end of a battle. Jessie had certainly been more than willing to tell stories of those she had taken. If it was someone like her doing it it didn't sound so bad but you'd heard many more whose had been much rougher. You weren't going to worry about something that might not even happen in the first place.

"So, who wants to go get some grub?" Jessie asked, breaking the silence