“GENOME SEQUENCE, NORMAL.” The same message Elisa had received just the other week. Elisa’s only possessions were what she could carry on her back. She slung her backpack over her shoulder, “It was only a matter of time I guess.”
Elisa hastily left her room and took a tube down to the lower level. She stormed to the exit of the building and was stopped by the receptionist.
The receptionist grabbed Elisa by the left wrist, “Where are you off to subject 8?”
Elisa struggled to regain control of her arm, “Let go. I have somewhere I have to be.”
The receptionist squeezed Elisa’s wrist. Her cybernetic arm dug into Elisa’s flesh causing it to tear and bleed. Her wrist became locked in a cycle of constant regeneration as they continued to struggle against one another, “I don’t believe you have residence anywhere else in Harmony. You’re too important to be let out of sight so easily. Don’t worry, the scientists just have a few more questions and then you can happily leave.”
The sing-songy tone that the receptionist had taken with Elisa sent shivers up her spine. Elisa briefly glanced at her right hand thinking of a way to escape. Her tattoo on the back gave her the perfect idea. Elisa taunted the receptionist, “This whole thing is silly anyway. They can shove their questions back down their throats.”
The receptionist's grip tightened. Elisa winced in pain and gritted her teeth. The receptionist smiled a bit, “You can still feel pain I guess through that regeneration of yours.” The receptionist continued to tighten her grip further and further until the silence of the building was broken by a loud, “CRACK”. Elisa’s wrist fell to the ground and the receptionist looked up, stunned.
Elisa chirped, “Thanks!” She ran out of the building and through the streets of Harmony, “Come on, come on…” Elisa’s eyes darted around the city. She reached the nearest hover train station and hopped on. Public transport between Harmony and the other keystone cities was free. Except for one, Bastion. The city bordering the territory of the supernatural. Elisa had little money, but the ride was cheap. She sat down and prepared for the long journey. In the distance, as the hover train flew away, a siren rang out in Harmony.
Bastion was a bleak city in comparison to the shimmering city of Harmony. The buildings had a similar look to them, but their exterior was worn, dirty, and dull. The technological focus of the NeoHumans differed significantly in Bastion. Rather than cybernetics honed for daily use such as prosthetics, they seemed to focus more on tools of war. Bastion was the final stop on the hover train. Elisa stepped out onto the platform, alone.
The population of Bastion paled in comparison to that of Harmony. There were few commercial homes that lined the streets. It seemed more like an outpost to Elisa rather than a full fledged city. The few people that roamed the streets seemed to be well-equipped and rugged guards. Elisa could hear the soft clicking sound from her shoes hitting the ground, as she continued her trek throughout the city.
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As Elisa made her way to the heart of the city, she began to notice the density of people slowly growing. Although many of them were in training, seemingly conducting a military routine. She’d seen only a few normal looking civilians whilst on her way.
A gruff voice rumbled out across the street, “Hey! What are you doing over there? This area is for military personnel only.” A man with a thick white beard and shaggy white hair approached Elisa. As he got closer she noticed his well-built body and a large scar across his left eye.
Elisa gambled on, but didn’t miss a beat with, her reply, “I came from Harmony. They’re a bit too stuck up over there for my tastes.”
He let out a hardy laugh, “On the run are you?”
Elisa raised her eyebrows, surprised by the man, “You could say that I guess.”
“What are ya running from?”
Elisa nervously shifted her glance away from the man.
“I’ve heard it all. All these Neos have issues with the other 6 keystone cities. Using us like a meat shield.”
Elisa pulled out her medallion and presented it to him.
He looked in awe at the medallion, “Holy shit…You’re a Shield Bearer. What’s your name?”
“I’m Elisa.”
He extended his hand, “I’m General Kutz. Pleasure to meet you.”
Elisa extended her hand in return and gave Kutz a firm handshake, “Pleasure’s all mine. I have to ask though, why the change of tone?”
He hid his anger and spoke in a low tone, “You’re one of the genetically modified Neos. They keep ‘em all holed up in Harmony. Earth’s most valuable soldiers.” He clenched his fist, “But you…you came here anyway. You must be a dead-woman if you go back.”
Elisa struggled to hide her amusement, “Oh, they couldn’t kill me if they tried. Don’t worry.”
His teeth shone through a sly grin, “Tell ya what. If you’re that damn confident join my brigade. They won’t come searching for you here.”
“I’ll warn you, I never considered myself much of a fighter.”
“You’ll be a damn good one anyway. One fight. That’s all it’ll take for me to show you the truth.”
Elisa’s eyes shimmered, “The truth?”
“You’ll find out in due time. Come with me, I’ll get you situated.”