Chapter 1: The accident
Mason Anderson walked as casually as possible out of the sprawling genome facility into the car park. His hands were shaking and cold beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. His contact had told him to walk slowly towards his Induct 30 electric car and then to look up to the sky at the vague points between the various shades of cloud. He was then to take a walk so that anyone observing would note that it was a kind of impulsive action after a hard day’s work.
With every step he took, he became nervous. It was as if his body and mind were walking independently. He should have refused the meeting. It was too dangerous. He realized however that he was frustrated and disillusioned with the Corporation and would have agreed to meet anyway.
The streets were quite empty at this time.
He smiled wryly at a large billboard with the slogan, ‘Genes Create the Future’ hung by a building that had a number of bars frequented by corporate staff. It had the face of an attractive young woman looking expectantly into the horizon. In huge bold letters were the corporation’s logo and name ‘Babylon Corp’ (BC).
The woman in the mural was one of the new non-military grade clones that were being created. The rumor was that there had been some flaws in their genome and the main lab was working to reconfigure them. All clones were created to accept their situations. A few of the newly designed ones had rebelled.
Mason looked around furtively.
There was still no sign of his contact.
He had the strange sensation he was being watched.
He could feel his heart pounding. He wished Emily had been around. She would have helped him to make wise decisions in situations like this. They had taken her away.
She was walking briskly towards him.
She looked calm.
“You were supposed to be configured,” he said sounding dejected.
“I managed to escape. Now is not the time to be curious. We don’t have much time.”
“How did you escape?”
She ignored the question, “All things that have happened or will happen are part of a design.”
“But how can you expect to remain free? You’re not military grade.” His voice and demeanor showed disappointment.
She knew what he was thinking. “Your question is; how can I protect you when I could be caught at any moment? More to the point, you feel I wasted your time. Let me put it bluntly Mason Anderson. Your life was already in danger.”
“All I’m saying is that we’re up against a trillion dollar corporation that controls everything and I risked my life coming to meet you.”
Babylon Corp had facilities all over the world and it had developed the KlSeq 2045; highly complex and very advanced genome sequencing and creation machines. They are integrated to design, create and produce most things required by humankind. BC has a huge clientele amongst the super rich and states producing clones, creatures and GM flora and fauna for various purposes.
“It doesn’t control time!”
That intrigued Mason and gave him a small window of hope.
“Things are going to happen. But you must trust me and also believe that what you’re trying to do is worth fighting for.”
“And dying for?” he had not meant to sound cynical but it came out that way.
“You said it. Believe me; I am not as flighty as I look. You are an unusual man Mason and I admire you. Have some trust.”
“You still haven’t told me your name.”
“Stella.”
“You’re the face of Babylon and they won’t let you roam around so freely. It threatens the corporate brand.”
“Genes create the future. I get bored of that slogan and my face staring from everywhere like a sick zombie. They are coming Mason. Stop feeling overwhelmed. Get a life. Face these people.”
“But you are alone.”
“Don’t be naïve and don’t insult me. Think of Emily so that this mission is not in vain.”
“What has she got to do with this meeting?” he asked sounding flabbergasted.
“You still don’t
Mason Anderson walked as casually as possible out of the sprawling genome facility into the car park. His hands were shaking and cold beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. His contact had told him to walk slowly towards his Induct 30 electric car and then to look up to the sky at the vague points between the various shades of cloud. He was then to take a walk so that anyone observing would note that it was a kind of impulsive action after a hard day’s work.
With every step he took, he became nervous. It was as if his body and mind were walking independently. He should have refused the meeting. It was too dangerous. He realized however that he was frustrated and disillusioned with the Corporation and would have agreed to meet anyway.
The streets were quite empty at this time.
He smiled wryly at a large billboard with the slogan, ‘Genes Create the Future’ hung by a building that had a number of bars frequented by corporate staff. It had the face of an attractive young woman looking expectantly into the horizon. In huge bold letters were the corporation’s logo and name ‘Babylon Corp’ (BC).
The woman in the mural was one of the new non-military grade clones that were being created. The rumor was that there had been some flaws in their genome and the main lab was working to reconfigure them. All clones were created to accept their situations. A few of the newly designed ones had rebelled.
Mason looked around furtively.
There was still no sign of his contact.
He had the strange sensation he was being watched.
He could feel his heart pounding. He wished Emily had been around. She would have helped him to make wise decisions in situations like this. They had taken her away.
She was walking briskly towards him.
She looked calm.
“You were supposed to be configured,” he said sounding dejected.
“I managed to escape. Now is not the time to be curious. We don’t have much time.”
“How did you escape?”
She ignored the question, “All things that have happened or will happen are part of a design.”
“But how can you expect to remain free? You’re not military grade.” His voice and demeanor showed disappointment.
She knew what he was thinking. “Your question is; how can I protect you when I could be caught at any moment? More to the point, you feel I wasted your time. Let me put it bluntly Mason Anderson. Your life was already in danger.”
“All I’m saying is that we’re up against a trillion dollar corporation that controls everything and I risked my life coming to meet you.”
Babylon Corp had facilities all over the world and it had developed the KlSeq 2045; highly complex and very advanced genome sequencing and creation machines. They are integrated to design, create and produce most things required by humankind. BC has a huge clientele amongst the super rich and states producing clones, creatures and GM flora and fauna for various purposes.
“It doesn’t control time!”
That intrigued Mason and gave him a small window of hope.
“Things are going to happen. But you must trust me and also believe that what you’re trying to do is worth fighting for.”
“And dying for?” he had not meant to sound cynical but it came out that way.
“You said it. Believe me; I am not as flighty as I look. You are an unusual man Mason and I admire you. Have some trust.”
“You still haven’t told me your name.”
“Stella.”
“You’re the face of Babylon and they won’t let you roam around so freely. It threatens the corporate brand.”
“Genes create the future. I get bored of that slogan and my face staring from everywhere like a sick zombie. They are coming Mason. Stop feeling overwhelmed. Get a life. Face these people.”
“But you are alone.”
“Don’t be naïve and don’t insult me. Think of Emily so that this mission is not in vain.”
“What has she got to do with this meeting?” he asked sounding flabbergasted.
“You still don’t
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