Number Five

[Cherubian]

[This thread is currently closed for Gothic_Shujin.]

BioCorp

Project New Eden
Head of Facility Log
Top Secret​

2019-01-02 Professor Maynard: The new facility is finally up and running. We are going to refine the genetic adaption procedure for mass production. If everything goes according to plan we will be able to show the first results in six months.

2019-03-04 Professor Maynard: We are encountering unexpected problems with the gene imprinting. All the modified fetuses show terminal mutations within a few weeks. We have to conduct further investigations and refine the method.

2019-07-23 Professor Maynard: We seem unable to reproduce the successful attempts from the smaller laboratories. There are rumors that the project is too costly and about to be shut down.

2020-09-15 Professor Maynard: Good news. Of the last batch of 100 modified embryos 7 show stable growth for almost a month now, while the rest again has succumbed to mutations. Now we only need to find out what kept the seven healthy. This should give us some breathing room.

2020-11-07 Professor Maynard: No progress made. The next batch again mutated completely. One of the seven intact embryos was lost in the analysis experiments. We will have to try other implantation techniques.

2020-12-14 Professor Maynard: We need a break through soon, or we will not be able to even start on the aging accelerant modification. The six intact embryos have grown into healthy fetuses by now, but we have lost another two batches. The rumors of project shutdown become stronger.

2021-01-08 Professor Darnier: With the reduced funding it will not be possible to start any new batches. The new directive is to first evaluate the existing six intact fetuses before investing further into the adaption procedure.

2021-03-09 Professor Darnier: Of the four male fetuses #1 and #4 show above average growth. The others develop normally. The two female fetuses #5 and #6 also grow according to plan.

2021-06-14 Professor Darnier: Today fetus #1 has been extracted from the artificial womb. The child is healthy, although huge for his age. The process went without complications. We will extract the others in the days to come.

2021-06-20 Professor Darnier: The last fetus #6 has been successfully extracted. All six are healthy and well developed, although #1 and #4 are still of significantly above average size.

2022-07-20 Professor Darnier: All fetuses except #3 are able to walk by now. Those five all seem to have a very high knowledge adoption, with #5 ahead of the rest.

2024-05-03 Professor Darnier: All fetuses are by now capable of articulate speech, #5 being the first and #3 being the last to do so. #6 shows an alarming disinterest in many things.

2029-09-27 Professor Darnier: #1 and #4 both are more than five feet tall by now, although they seem to have difficulty coping with their body mass. The lethargic tendencies of #6 have increased. #2 is showing aggressive antisocial behavior with increasing frequency. The low learning capacity of #3 has led to a neural resonance scan, which revealed cell based brain damage. Only #5 is developing as expected, and exceedingly so. We will intensify her martial arts training and start with firearms and military tactics soon.

2032-08-09 Professor Darnier: #3 died tonight due to a sudden collapse of his nervous system. We will conduct the autopsy tomorrow.

2034-01-30 Professor Darnier: We had to dispose of #6. Her lethargic and depressive tendencies made it impossible to interact with her in a reasonable manner. #2 had to be restrained for two hours today after physically assaulting and injuring the military tactics instructor.

2035-09-27 Professor Darnier: #5 continues to exceed expectations. Hopefully she will be the showcase that will ensure the funding to allow a restart of the original project. Unfortunately the 7 foot tall #1 and #4, while both offering greater strength, lack the speed, coordination and mental capacity of #5. The military might still be interested in their model, though. #2 is not publicly presentable in his current mental state.

2037-01-26 Professor Darnier: The security personnel had to terminate #2 today in class, as he attacked first #1 and then the instructor with a stolen kitchen knife. Both #1 and the instructor suffered no critical injuries. A psychological evaluation will have to be started immediately to ensure this incident has no lasting negative impression on #1, #4 and #5.

2038-07-05 Professor Darnier:. #5 did fornicate with a member of the cleaning personnel in her room today. The guard on watch preferred to – I am quoting – “enjoy the show” on the video screen rather than intervene immediately. I have filed his dismissal. When asked about her motives #5 could not give a conclusive answer. Fortunately #5 is sterile and highly disease resistant by specification, so we do not need to worry about complications in these directions.

2038-08-17 Professor Darnier: #5 is gone! Investigations are under way to clarify how she managed to escape the compound. The first results indicate that she managed to sneak aboard a laundry van and leave the facility that way.
She must be secured immediately to avoid conflict with the existing laws against gene engineering. A live retrieval would of course be preferable. I have contacted Mantle Division and requested assistance in the matter.

Description sent to Mantle Division:

Height: 5’7”
Weight: 118 lbs.
Body type: slender, 34-23-36D
Skin tone: fair
Hair color: blonde
Eye color: green
Hair style: shoulder length

 

[Cherubian]

Night had fallen over the metropolis an hour ago, and thick clouds covered most of the stars. A slight rain drizzled down on the run down buildings and the ruins between them. This suburb had seen better days, but they were more than a decade ago. Whoever had a roof to crawl under had done so, and locked the door behind him.

#5 saw all this, and she did not. She was crouched on the roof of one of the two story buildings, only dressed in a dark blue T-Shirt, blue jeans and light sneakers. At the moment she saw the roads covered with potholes and walls from which the plaster was crumbling only with a small fraction of her awareness. What she did see was hiding spots, cover, line-of-sight obstructions and targets. Three of them.

She had expected this to happen. It was unfortunate that the driver of the laundry van had discovered her, and when she ran away after knocking him out some people most certainly noticed her, especially the males. With her slender figure and D-cup breasts, she surely would have attracted their attention if the movies she got to see at the facility were any indication. This set the three men approaching her position on her trail.

#5 had decided that it was necessary to take them out. She would have preferred not to have to kill them, but saw no other way. Most likely they would be replaced, but the delay caused by this would allow her trail to cool off enough for her to disappear in the big city, as long as she stuck to the low reputation neighborhoods where an investigation would be hard to conduct, even for BioCorp.

She watched her targets closely. The way their long mantles fell indicated that they wore some body armor, most likely a bullet proof vest of some sort. She also took notice of the grip of a knife visible for a second at one of their belts. They most certainly were also armed with guns, and more than willing to use them. And they were smart enough to stay together. So her timing had to be perfect.

Calmly #5 watched as the group approached the corner of the building she was currently positioned on. It was at a bend in the road, which would separate the team, at least for a fraction of a second. No one else was to be seen so when the first two were about to turn around the corner she struck.

She leapt from her vantage point and silently descended on the third target like a bird of prey. Just in time before the impact her right foot shot forward, and amplified by the momentum of her drop shattered his shoulder throwing him to the ground. She landed on him, his body dampening her impact, several of his bones giving way in the process, and she immediately reached for the knife in his belt.

The other two pursuers had just rounded the corner when they heard the noise behind them. They were professionals and it did not take them long to react, just too long. As they were turning around and reaching for their weapons, #5 dashed into their field of vision. Although they had been briefed extensively they were no match for her speed. Simultaneously she sunk the knife in the neck of the first one and swept the second one off his feet with a low kick. Before the second one could recover, she was over him, and then it was all over.

#5 took a moment to catch her breath, but she knew she was not done yet. She had to hide the corpses, at least for a few hours. So she quickly grabbed them, and one after the other dumped them in the nearest waste container. Her genetically engineered strength surely was helpful. Then she took one of their coats, and a belt complete with pistol and knife. The coat was definitely too large for her, but it would protect her somewhat from the rain, and hide the weaponry she was carrying. That settled she started to walk down the street. She just had gotten herself a slight head start, better make use of it.

 

[Gothic Shujin]

The mist was thicker tonight than normal. Spewing from out of manholes and pipes, littering the landscape. Cloudy tendrils curling lazily up into the night sky. Grissom caught sight of an advertisement blimp... lumbering its way across his view... obscuring his vision of the stars... stealing his dreams of the future.

Feet firmly planted on the ground, the filthy man twisted the key on his locker, taking his eyes off the window and placing them back on the task at hand. He pulled off the grimy janitorial body suit and tossed them into his duffel bag.

The locker station was empty, as it had always been at this time of night. Working unpaid overtime was just one of many ways the corporation... many corporations... had screwed him over the years. The middle aged man brushed his dirty fingers through his matted black hair. It stuck to his face via the oil that had accumulated while he cleaned out several air purifiers that very evening. Grissom tossed his bag to one side and approached the adjacent shower head... now standing directly over the drain vents. He turned the knob...

Not a drop.

Using his peripherals he caught sight of a corporate notice which wasn't there earlier that day. His puzzlement melted away... while his aggravation steadily grew.

"Early AM water usage has been banned until further notice."

"Of course," Grissom muttered "... another corner cut, another cred out of my own fucking pocket."

He begrudgingly stuffed his athletic and sweaty body into the work uniform. Once dressed he hoisted the bag over his shoulder and locked up for the night. The large security fence slamming down locking the staff maintenance facility. It was all a joke really... the only thing worth stealing here wasn't worth the cost of the electric fences surrounding the compound. More than likely there were things going on here, in the other departments he had never seen, which the higher ups didn't want anyone to know about... but what else was fucken new.

He took a moment to fill his lungs with fresh air. Or what passed as fresh air these days. Working all day in doors and vents and causeways had a way of stuffing up his respiration. It had been much worse when he first started several years ago. Slamming the door to his compact, the now off the clock janitor turned the key and smiled as the cars engine turned over and hummed to life.

Simple pleasures.

He floored it. Figuring he could get home before the neighbors next door got up. Perhaps then he had a chance at washing in some warm water without playing hot pipe cold pipe with them. Halfway home the roads were pitch black. Unlit expanses of corporate highways and rubble. He hit his lights just in time to see something dash past the hood of the vehicle.

He screeched to a halt and took a look around. The engine seemed louder in that way things do when you just want them to shut up. He hopped he hadn't struck anything... or one. That was the last thing he needed. Only a mile or two to go before he was back in the city and that would just be his luck.

Grissom opened the door. He removed his glasses and wiped them on his chest before blinking hard and replacing them firmly on his smudged face. Hopping out he could see the figure of a what looked like a woman. She was wearing a coat and didn't appear to be hurt.

He put his hair in a pony tail and approached. His hand reaching for the firearm in his pocket.

"You alright Miss?"

 

[Cherubian]

Number Five was crossing the dark road when she heard the sound. She had been walking away from the lights of the city for hours by now, and she was at the very outskirts, if they could even be called that that any more. No light reached this desolated landscape littered with ruined homes, and barely a sould wandered here. Which would make it a good hiding place, at least for one night.

Like the roar of some beast charging at her out of the pitch black curtain of the night the sound rushed up to her. Her reflexes immediately took over and almost instinctively propelled her out of harms way into the roadside ditch. She was barely aware of the beams of light cutting through the blackness right before something big and loud brushed less than a yard past her and she came to a halt on the muddy ground.

The roar immediately changed to a wail, like that of a predator angry that he had missed its prey. Wait, not a wail, a screech of tires blocking and leaving a trail of dark rubber on the pavement as the car slowed down. Of course it was just a car, she had just crossed a road. But why did he drive with his lights turned off?

She slowly got to her feet, staring into the direction where the car now stood. Her enhanced vision adjusted to the darkness of night again, while her hand reached for the gun. Was this the next squad sent after her, and if yes, how had they found her that quickly? She pulled out the automatic with her left hand and hid it behind her body as she slowly approached.

Only one person left the vehicle, and his appearance did not hint of any immediate danger. But appearances could be very deceiving, so she watched him intently as he reached inside his pocket, prepared to react on the first hint of danger.

"Yes, I am all right, barely managed to get off the road in time. You better turn on those lights when you are driving at night."

 

[Gothic Shujin]

She was definitely a looker. Her eyes sparkled in the night, and beneath the jeans and t shirt she was wearing Grissom could tell her figure was a ten. He wondered what the fuck she was doing walking around the ruins... these areas weren't safe... known for raiders and other dangers.

"Yeah," he began explaining while trying to not look her up and down "...I don't like to draw attention to myself out here. Also I see just pretty well at night...you kinda snuck up on me." It was true enough. The fact that he couldn't afford to be pulled over for any of the countless violations on and in his vehicle was the other reason. He was surprised he didn't see her sooner, working in a dark vent all day made his fairly useful at night.

Grissom wiped his face some more. Something about her was off... he couldn't tell what it was but it bothered him, it was then he noticed he hadn't seen her hands. They were behind her back.

"Well, as long as your alright. If I were you, I'd get my ass home or wherever your headed. A lot of gangs roam around here."

He stopped, the door to his ride open, his foot inside.

"I can't believe I'm even asking this but my conscience won't let me sleep tonight if I don't ask if you want ride."

 

[Cherubian]

Number Five relaxed a bit. He seemed to be harmless, or at least not intent on causing her any harm. As he turned away from her for a moment she carefully put the gun into the back of her trouser waistband and draped her jacket over it, while she kept looking at him impassively.

Yes she would like nothing more than to get out of here, but walking was a rather slow process, and currently she did not have any alternatives. And there was no place she could currently call "home" where she could wander towards. Until now her focus had been on getting "away".

She was about to ask him whether he would take her along for a bit when he beat her to it with his suggestion. Her face visibly lighted up, as she excitedly replied "Oh yes, that would be very kind of you" With these words she started to walk towards the car.

 

[Gothic Shujin]

He climbed in opening the passenger side for her. He left the light on, thinking it would no doubt be easier for her nerves to see the road he was speeding on.

Grissom took a better look at the stranger. The interior lights helping wash away some of the mystery. He couldn't remember seeing such perfect features before... she looked like a model, or some corporate groomed commercial child, raised with a silver spoon up her ass. She seemed down to earth...and obviously brave...but what the hell was she doing way out here?

Her hair was bright and silken...and like the rest of her complimented her in just the right way. She looked troubled, no doubt hiding something...but who wasn't these days huh?

"So were ya headed?," he began as he put the car in drive and pulled away down the long stretch of dark road "...I'm headed home...back to town...where can I drop you?"

 

[Cherubian]

Number Five followed his invitation without hesitation and nimbly climbed in through the passenger door, closing it behind her. She settled into the seat and instinctively fastened the seat belt around her as she had been instructed in the few training sessions she had had with vehicles so far.

Once she was comfortable she could feel the weariness of the day in her body. She would be capable to keep going for quite a bit longer if necessary, but her instructors had also told her that 'out in the field' she should grab each opportunity to rest, and supposedly she was 'out in the field' now. So she wrapped her arms around her tightly and leaned her head against the inner wall of the cabin as she gave the driver a short survey.

Her benefactor appeared to be quite dirty, but the sort of dirt that clung to him - oil and grease amongst it - indicated that that might have to do with the work he was doing. Besides that his body seemed to be in a rather good and well-trained condition. Could he become dangerous to her? She ignored the thought for now.

Then he started to query her, and she quietly replied "Just take me away from here, almost everywhere lese is fine." Back to town? Well, chances were low that he would live right next to BioCorp, and this was a perfect opportunity to finally get rid of any remaining pursuers on her trail. "Just drop me off where you feel like" Her voice was almost fading with the last words, and she felt her eyelids grow heavy.

 

[Gothic Shujin]

Muttering something about nearly anywhere being better, his passenger grew silent. He kept his eyes partially on the road and turned to find her sleeping soundly.

Grissom never would of thought he'd be having company tonight. His place was a shambles and no doubt much... "simpler" living than she was used to, if her appearance was any indication. She was a bit of a traveler though. So perhaps she had left the life of a model behind...or whatever the hell she did for a living. For a moment he had a frightening thought. Perhaps she was a runaway... perhaps some millionaire had an ongoing manhunt for her. Last thing Grissom needed was to be tossed in jail for alleged kidnapping.

Tired of entertaining paranoia... the exhausted man sped the car along towards its destination The bright lights of the nocturnal city.


----------------------------------------


Pulling her out of the passenger's side he hoisted her up in his arms. He was strong enough to lift her with ease but it was a few flights up and after a long day/night at work he didn't have much in the way of energy left.

Up seven flight of stairs, no thanks to the broken elevator, grissom managed pull out his Ident card and slide it through the verification slot. The red light shifted to. Green and letting out a sigh, he was home. The domicile was littered with drawings and posters, sculptures and paintings. He walked through the living room and into the bedroom where he rolled the girl off his arms and onto it the red sheeted bed softly. Still in her coat, she seemed to sleep soundly...her ample chest rising and falling in a tempting rythym.

Granted she never said where to take her, it was far too late to start hunting around for a safe house or hotel she could afford. Grissom figured she'd ask him for another lift tomorrow, which would be fine....even though it would be burning gas he couldn't afford...something about this girl... made him not mind so much. Maybe he was just thinking with his other head... nevertheless, the damage was done.

He tucked some covers over her and half closed the bedroom door. Peeling off his work uniform he again crossed the living room in time for a hover copter's searchlights to flood the room through the large blinded widow. As it passed and he heard it fly overhead he stepped into the small shower chamber and closed his eyes as it shut behind him...the cold water hitting his body with a shock.

He felt sorry for whatever son of a bitch they were looking for tonight.

 

[Cherubian]

The last thing Number Five was aware of were the stripes in the middle of the road eaten in rapid succession by the hood of the car before she closed her eyes completely and immediately drifted off into a deep and dreamless slumber.

She was stirred out of it when she felt herself being lifted up. A quick glance out of her green eyes however confirmed that there was no immediate danger, the stranger was just carrying her somewhere. So the weariness started to pull at her again, and she allowed her eyelids to almost close again, resting in his strong arms and only vaguely aware of her surroundings. The door, the staircase, the apartment, the bed and the warm covers. That man was very kind to her. More so than the people at the institute, and in a different way. Not calculating, just genuinely caring it seemed.

After he had left the room she finally stirred. Lying there still fully clothed did not feel comfortable, she was not used to sleeping in clothes. So she willed herself to rise one more time, crawling out of the bed and mechanically stripping down naked. While she did so she could hear the shower run in the bathroom, but she was just too tired to bother asking him if she could shower as well. She heaped her clothes in a neat pile on the floor, but was conscious enough to hide her weaponry under a her pillow - she felt a little weird doing so - before climbing back under the warm blanket and pulling it up to her chin, now ready for a night of restful sleep.