The grey, metallic cot stood in the centre of the bare room, monitored by
three cameras. To the infant known as 599 that cot and that room were
his only refuge. Each day, when they had finished with him, his exhausted
little body finally found peace in the tranquillity of the room. A man
stood to one side of him casting a shadow over his tiny form, which
squirmed even as he slept. But this was no doting father, watching over
his young son – the child had no father, instead he had military Trainers.
He was, in fact, the best that the American military had to offer. As
Donald Lydecker watched the boy sleep he could well imagine how others
would laugh at the notion. A one-year old, the best the Americans had,
pull the other one. But it was true. This one boy was worth millions and
would one day be the most advanced soldier in the world. Even now, his
unique DNA was already producing spectacular results. 599 was an
extraordinary child and always would be, especially with the intense
military training that he would receive. He was the prime example of the
incredible advances in genetics; he was Lydecker's pride and joy.
The first few months of 599's life had passed without any problems. He had grown at a steady rate, the first transgenic to be born without any genetic anomalies. The rest of his unit had subsequently been born, with only a few problems. Angela Mildston, the surrogate to 452, had tried to escape in the final months of her pregnancy. After she had given birth she was sent to a mental institution, where no-one paid any attention to her wild ramblings. There were twenty-two members in 599's group, but one of them had severe abnormalities and had to be terminated. All of the unit were doing well and their abnormal genes were becoming more and more apparent. 452 and 763 barely slept, but all were progressing much faster than normal children would. 599 was doing exceptionally well, but he was several months older than the others.
At just six months old 599s harsh training began. Although he had only just started walking he already spent the greater part of his day being bombarded with various military terms and tactics and shown a variety of different guns. The rest of the time he spent in the medical labs undergoing various tests. His food was carefully monitored and he was not left unguarded for a single second.
After he had taken his first unsteady steps, Lydecker had been mightily relieved. He knew that if this unit did not turn out successfully, then there would be little hope for Project Manticore. The success of 599 had meant that many other X5s were born and everything was going well. Lydecker had never felt so proud as when the infant walked over to him on unsteady legs, smiled and said his first word: "gun".
Lydecker was delighted with the progress that was being made and he was looking forward to the day that 599 and his unit would be ready to receive the advanced military training that they had been born for. 599 was, so far, a success and if he continued on his current path, Manticore could expect great things of him. The child now rested peacefully and Lydecker walked quietly to the door.
The first few months of 599's life had passed without any problems. He had grown at a steady rate, the first transgenic to be born without any genetic anomalies. The rest of his unit had subsequently been born, with only a few problems. Angela Mildston, the surrogate to 452, had tried to escape in the final months of her pregnancy. After she had given birth she was sent to a mental institution, where no-one paid any attention to her wild ramblings. There were twenty-two members in 599's group, but one of them had severe abnormalities and had to be terminated. All of the unit were doing well and their abnormal genes were becoming more and more apparent. 452 and 763 barely slept, but all were progressing much faster than normal children would. 599 was doing exceptionally well, but he was several months older than the others.
At just six months old 599s harsh training began. Although he had only just started walking he already spent the greater part of his day being bombarded with various military terms and tactics and shown a variety of different guns. The rest of the time he spent in the medical labs undergoing various tests. His food was carefully monitored and he was not left unguarded for a single second.
After he had taken his first unsteady steps, Lydecker had been mightily relieved. He knew that if this unit did not turn out successfully, then there would be little hope for Project Manticore. The success of 599 had meant that many other X5s were born and everything was going well. Lydecker had never felt so proud as when the infant walked over to him on unsteady legs, smiled and said his first word: "gun".
Lydecker was delighted with the progress that was being made and he was looking forward to the day that 599 and his unit would be ready to receive the advanced military training that they had been born for. 599 was, so far, a success and if he continued on his current path, Manticore could expect great things of him. The child now rested peacefully and Lydecker walked quietly to the door.