Theo’s knees cracked as he eased into the supervisor’s guest chair. He scrubbed a weary hand over his face and waited patiently. In a cloud of perfume, Martin swished into the office. With a wink, he offered Theo a hot cup of chicory. Theo accepted the beverage but not Martin’s offer.

“Beat it, baby, we got man talk here,” Lance said.

Giggling, Martin closed the door. Theo sipped. His drink was super sweet just as he liked it. That was one of the few things Theo missed out in the wilds, real sugar. Closing his eyes in bliss, Theo slurped.

“We found one in Center City.”

Theo choked. Hot liquid scorched his tongue. Lance smiled.

“I know, right? I didn’t believe it myself. Figured one of the sniffers was on the fritz. But the techs ran test after test. The traces are faint but undeniably feminine,” Lance said, excitement leaking into his voice.

Theo set down his mug. He cocked his head, study his supervisor and old buddy. Suddenly he laughed. Leaning back in the chair, Theo set his dirty boots on his boss’s desk.

“You’re pulling my leg, Lance. I’ve been tracking feral tribes up north for weeks in hopes of finding a female and you expect me to believe there is one just roaming around the city. Bull!”

“I know but the sniffers have picked up significant traces of estrogen at the water distribution center. I’ve seen the data myself man. I think a female is hiding in plain sight. Trackers like you have gotten too good. It makes sense that she would try hiding here,” Lance said.

Running his hand through his hair, Lance began to pace behind his desk. Theo shook his head in non belief. He knew Lance and the leadership in general were under pressure. Millions died from the AK-7 virus. Then population numbers had plummeted further as fewer and fewer girls were born each year. Only later did scientists realize that the virus caused irrevocable chromosomal damage to female embryos.

They had space travel and miraculous machines but they were a world without mothers. Theo knew the forays into human cloning and gene manipulation had been disastrous. Outside of a handful of secure birthing crèches, women were scarce.

“If you’re so sure just send in a squadron with a few sniffers. You’ll probably get a bootleg estrogen dealer for your troubles. I’m going to take a hot bath followed by a cold brew. Good luck with your wild goose chase.”

Theo sat up and downed his drink. He headed for the door.

“Theo, you’re the best we have. You know why we need you. We don’t want to cause a panic. The female may be injured in the process. We need someone to go undercover in the water lines, infiltrate the refuge camps, and lure her out. We need you man,” Lance said. “We need mothers.”

Theo sagged at the doorway. It was hard enough to track women from a distance but up close profiling made him feel some kind of way. He walked out the office door.

“Let me think about it.”