So now things take a darker turn. Brace yourself kiddies.

I went about the usual grind of lab tests and training all the while plotting. There was a subtle change in the air in the lab which the others may not realize but I did.

For a person who's world is such a small isolated space, even the most minute occurrences are like cataclysmic events.

The tests became ... colder more clinical. I did not have an assigned name but the lab members used to call me 'sonny boy' or 'dude'. We had a good working relationship. Had.

However soon after my return they started calling me by my specimen no. I was the first successful attempt but I wasn't the only one. Before me my success there were 4000 cultures with different genes of interest,of which only 12 were synthesized and stable.

These 12 attempts at generating a viable specimen. Of these 12 only 5 reached the fetal stage.

Of these 5 there was 1 that was genetically unstable and was terminated.

Of the 4 left 2 were found to be lacking the ... desired traits. They were transferred to another facility. Till this day I know not what became of them.

Then there were two. My 'elder sister' and 'elder brother'. They progressed rapidly and looked promising.

At age 10 they were superior to any other living humanoid in existence.

They were named Protessa and Secundus and they were perfect ... till age 12. The scientist didn't take one crucial factor into account as this was the furthest stage they had successfully managed to get to in this experiment. Puberty.

Everything was already groundbreaking ... too bad what next was earth shattering.

Secundus grew excessively aggressive due to hormonal changes. He refused orders and lashed out at the lab help and staff. He was the problem child.

Protessa was equally ... temperamental. She would be sad, happy, aggressive ... unstable. She became more and more arrogant as time passed by. She became more demanding. Their own spoiled little princess.

During one training exercise they were made to face of against the other. They were always competing so they were good training partners. Were being the operative word.

As they fought Secundus grew more an more aggressive until his actions lost all precision. His moves became unpredictable but also full of wasted movements. He began to tire and Protessa managed to take advantage of his berserk-like state and fling him to the floor. She then spat on him and called him trash. When he was getting up and ready to retort she simply turned around and started walking.

Stolen story; please report.

This drove him furious. All his eyes could see was her back ... dyed in red. So as she turned around to return to her side of the stage he hit her on the back of the head. Stunned she attempted to right herself when the next blow came. She wasn't even able to retaliate as he mercilessly punched the back of her skull. Smash. Smash. Smash. One fist after the other.

His fists made short work of her enhanced cranial bones. Bits of done pierced his hands and cerebral fluid entered his wounds. He was screaming in rage as his fists reigned down.

At first the scientists were too shocked. By the time they sedated Secundus all that remained of their Perfect beings was a headless corpse and a raging monster. In a matter of seconds decades of research came to a screeching halt.They tried to get Secundus back to normal but he only grew worse.

These two were unable to cope with things beyond their understanding. Normal things that parents would teach their children in a normal nurturing environment.

So decided to modify the experiment. They compiled their notes and observations. Listed out the new equipment they would need. A neural-transfer device to feed the child memories and experiences. A training program to teach it social interaction and the essentials of life ... and death.

Secundus was of course put down.

...

So now that they learned their lesson and with the changes in mind they restarted the program in 2 months time.

I would be lucky no.13.

.

.

.

Well fuck that.

I decided that the first thing I would need is a name. Something to ground myself. An identity of my own choosing.

In many cultures names are assigned to shape their holder.

So I became the thing that plagued me. Something to keep me grounded. I had no country and I sure as hell had no people.

Granny and grandpa had their own reasons for being here. Their life's work. Me.

I would be the first in the line of many if successful. A soldier made to perfection. Capable of handling any situation. One that would not be missed.

While the research itself cost billions making me a vital asset. I knew that from their findings they would be able to cut cost and mass produce their work. Entire armies bred for battle while the 'humans' lived in peace.

Once that happened I would be an antique. I had wondered if they would have me stuffed and mounted.

Till then I was the answer to their needs ... or so they presumed.

No.

I am a question to the world ... not an answer to be heard.

I am Quentin Markus.