View User's Journal

It was nothing like what she’d read, or imagined; nothing like one of her pictures. The cold was something she had never considered. In the temperature controlled space of the lab cold and heat were not such things one noticed. The only memory she had of cold were those first moments of being, before she had even been able to think. To even try and remember brought her to the brink of that dark place; to the brink of ‘un-being’.
“It’s November, see. So everything’s sleeping.” Bailer explained, walking up to a naked tree and putting a hand against the bark. It was shrivelled and sickly, on account of all the chemicals in the soil and the air. Bailer thought about running back inside and getting Eunomia a mask but Stern had said it would be fine. She’d been fed on chemicals and unnatural things for two years; she’d be immune by now. Looking at her face he didn’t have a clue what impression this all was making on her. She was not smiling, but her eyes were flicking about drinking in all the sights. She staggered up to the tree and laid her hand against it, like Bailer.
“How’s that feel?” Bailer asked, smiling as she ran her hand up and down the bark.
“Is it alive?” She asked, ignoring his question.
Bailer nodded. “In a manner of speaking.”
Eunomia looked hard at the tree. “Nice to meet you.” She said, automatically. The words came out at exact intervals, like a mechanised voice. She had been taught that phrase days before, and despite its stiff delivery it made Bailer smile again. And then he remembered what would happen when was deemed competent and independent. She would go away, to another facility with others like her, she would be furnished with a job, a purpose, and then finally she would cease to function. He wondered how many years she had. Life expectancy was one of those things that varied extensively. Some lasted only a few years while the oldest was a hundred years old by now and still going strong. Until she began to fail there was no way to predict.
Eunomia began to wander about the courtyard, examining things and introducing herself to plants and to the snow on the ground. “My name is Eu-no-mi-ah. It is nice to meet you.” She said to the first couple. She still struggled with her own name. For the later introductions she simply resorted to calling herself ‘Mia’. Bailer liked that. It was short and sweet, a little like her.
“Hey, Mia, I think it’s time to go in before you turn blue. Well, more blue.” He said, smirking.
Eunomia nodded and slowly, reluctantly, stumbled over to Bailer. She leant heavily on her walker, uncertain on the uneven ground.

The radio was on when they came back in. Bailer heard someone, a politician most likely, ranting and raving about something. The phrase ‘aggressive counter-measures’ was being bounced about a lot. It made Bailer nervous.
“Are you listening to that?” He muttered to Stern, who seemed to be looking into space. There was something on his desk which Bailer did not catch a proper glimpse of before it was covered.
“Yes. I am. But you can turn it off if you insist.”
“If there’s another war you’ll be well off, won’t you…” Bailer muttered, watching Eunomia as she scurried off back to her corner. He saw her hesitate as he spoke and look at the pair of them.
“Whatever do you mean?” Stern replied gruffly.
“Your job with the military. They pay well I hear.” Bailer circled his desk and perched on the edge.
“Why do you ask? Not considering a career in weapons design are you?” Stern said, unsmiling.
“Not a chance. It’s this pesky conscience of mine. I’d never manage it.” Bailer muttered, looking carefully at Stern. The man’s lips became noticeably thinner but he said nothing.
Eunomia handed her hat and scarf back to Bailer. She and Stern did not look at each other.
“I want to run some more tests. Check her motor skills, brain functions and so on.” Stern said, matter-of-factly.
Bailer shrugged. “I thought you weren’t going to waste your time with her.”
“I am merely curious. She is after all my creation, I have rights to oversee her development. I simply want to satisfy my own curiosities, regarding any extraordinary qualities she may have.”
Bailer grinned. “So you’re still holding out hope. Good luck to you.” He muttered. “Well, I’ve got to go.” He jumped up off the desk, nodded to Stern and turned to Eunomia. “See you tomorrow Mia.”
“Goodbye.” Eunomia said, lifting her hand in a slow wave.
When he had left the office fell silent. Stern drew out the paper he had hidden and looked at it. Eunomia retreated into her corner and picked up a book.
“What did you think of the outside world? Disappointing?” Stern murmured.
Eunomia shook her head. “Better than here.” She said quietly.

“Oh my. She looks like a cake…a wedding cake.” Child sniggered to the woman standing next to her, the photographer’s assistant.
It had been several months since Eunomia’s birth and she was finally making a public appearance. Since she had been created by one of the foremost independent labs magazines had been clamouring for the first interview and pictures. Stern wanted nothing to do with any of this ‘shallow publicity nonsense’. Child and Bailer had endeavoured to pick a reputable magazine, but all the more prestigious magazines were not interested in a plain and simple artificial. Child had absolutely refused to meet with any of the erotic magazines, the dubiously titled ‘Sexy-tech’ and ‘EroGeek’. Instead she had opted for Eunomia to make her debut in a small publication, named ‘Bio Review’. She could not help but grimace as she saw Eunomia all decked out in ribbons and ruffles and she imagined Eunomia was less than happy herself. As a contrast, the background and props suggested a summer picnic in the countryside. Child liked the idea, but the execution was lacking. The photographer was now trying his utmost to get Eunomia to smile.
“I’m afraid she can’t.” Child said, apologetically. “You’ll just have to take the photo like she is.”
The photographer nodded and snapped a few shots. Eunomia shut her eyes against the flash and let out a small, short cry. Child rushed to her side.
“What’s wrong? Did the flash hurt?”
Eunomia shook her head. “No. Surprised. You did not warn me.” She said crossly.
“I’m sorry Eunomia. Can you sit still and let the man take another few pictures?”
Eunomia nodded and Child hurried out of the way. The photographer raised his camera, and began again. This time Eunomia’s eyes stayed open.

The office was empty that day, except for Stern. He sat at his desk, with his ear to the telephone. His brow was furrowed so deeply you could hide pennies in it. He was nodding in time with whatever it was the other person was saying.
“Well, I have certainly put great faith his predictions before. He is a shrewd man, rather wet but what do you expect.” Stern said after a while, shortly followed by “Yes, preparation is key. I have looked over the blueprints you sent me, and I have a few improvements to suggest. I will submit a full report, as you wish.” There was a further period of silence.
“About Project Eunomia? Yes, I have my doubts. I will be running more tests-“ He did not finish the sentence. Again silence descended in the room.
“I have the theory that she may possess some latent abilities…I will be testing this theory soon, though it will not distract me from my other work for you, you may be certain.”
Stern glanced anxiously at the clock.
“I understand. My loyalty does not need to be questioned. I have played my part before, and I shall not hesitate to do so again. My allegiance is to this country and its rulers.” Stern said, tiredly as if he had repeated this same phrase many times before. More time passed.
“Yes. I shall wait to be contacted. Goodbye.”
With the phone down, a thicker silence fell and Stern seemingly lapsed into thought. His eyes flitted towards the two desks of his colleagues, and he heaved a sigh. He turned back to his work, the unspeakable blueprints. He concentrated on them until the horrors they proposed broke down into simple numbers.

Continued in Part 6 ---->

Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

More Information