A holographic message popped up in Elisa’s room as she woke up, “GENOME SEQUENCE: NORMAL.”
Elisa groaned, “That can’t possibly be a good sign.” She shook her head and headed to the lounge area. The lounge had several different sections. There was a general area where all of the eight subjects could gather to chat. There were televisions, various equipment to use for working out, and holographic board and card games. It was used mainly as an area for the subjects to bond. In addition to this, the lounge had several branching rooms for each individual subject.
These were mainly decorated with items that tested the bounds of each subject’s genetic modifications. Created with the sole purpose of gathering more data for the scientists. Elisa rarely used her individualized room. The workout equipment was all that Wynona needed, so she also was often in the main section of the lounge. The other 6 subjects were often eager to provide more personalized data.
Wynona called out, “Hey Elisa!” she put her workout on pause as Elisa sat down. “Why the long face?”
Elisa shrugged, “I think their system malfunctioned. I got a message saying that my genome sequence was normal.”
Wynona’s head turned slightly and she brought her finger to her lips, “Hmm. I’ve never heard of that happening, but it’s entirely possible.” She paused for a moment and then continued her thought, “I heard you made quite the scene at the testing lab. Reading the report this morning was quite entertaining.”
Elisa rolled her eyes, “Hey it was their fault, not mine.”
Wynona laughed, “Sure, sure. Nonetheless I think you may be the breakthrough they’ve been looking for.”
Elisa raised her eyebrows, “Breakthrough? What do you mean?”
“Toward achieving immortality Elisa, obviously.”
Elisa drummed her fingers on the arm of the couch, “Why not just hunt the supernatural? Wouldn’t that be easier, Wynona?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Hunt them? Well I suppose we could, but they’ll kill us. We may eventually win Elisa, but death is permanent. It’s the last hurdle NeoHumans have to overcome. To ensure our victory, no our survival.”
“We’ll be the one’s fighting Wynona, won’t we?”
“That’s very likely Elisa. Why?”
“Genetic modification is expensive and often unsuccessful. It’s very likely that only us, the Shield Bearers, would get this ability.”
“I’m sure several of the scientists would. They’d have forever to perfect the process Elisa. There’s no rush.”
“You're a teacher Wynona, are you not?”
“I am. Why is that important Elisa?”
“Do you want to see your students die?”
There was a long silence between the two of them. Wynona opened her mouth several times to speak, but nothing could escape her lips. Wynona steeled her resolve. Taking a deep breath before responding to Elisa, “It’s for the good of our race. You should know that.”
Elisa could see through her shallow facade, “You’ve known me for a while. You even endorsed me. I don’t want to die either, Wynona.”
Wynona’s voice was erratic, “Well you get it then, don’t you? We need this to win, to survive, to overcome, and to learn.” Wynona’s body closed off from Elisa, “If the scientists find out what you’re saying. You’ll be thrown out or worse, killed.”
Elisa looked Wynona dead in the eyes. No matter where Wynona tried to hide from Elisa’s gaze, she simply followed. Elisa then with an intense, unforgiving gaze let out a piercing whisper to Wynona, “You don’t want me dead. You want to be immortal and you need me to do that.” Elisa cleared her throat, “But I suggest that you ask yourself a question Wynona. Sure maybe you don’t want to die, but do you truly want to live forever?”
Wynona recoiled and hurriedly stormed out of the lounge.
Elisa ranted to herself, “Playing the villain is exhausting. She needs to come to the decision on her own though. That’s the only way I have a chance. After all, I'm one of the ones they want dead.” Elisa glanced at her tattoo and sighed.
A voice came onto the loudspeaker, “SUBJECT 8 TO GENOME SEQUENCING ROOM. SUBJECT 8 TO GENOME SEQUENCING ROOM.”
Elisa stood up and stretched her body. Her bones cracked and she let out a sigh, seemingly reinvigorated, “I’ve sowed the seeds. Now all that’s left to do is wait.” She paused and then let out a laugh, “And I’m damn good at waiting, aren’t I?”