They worked almost 24 hours a day retraining Rick's body to walk, familiarizing him with the neural computer interface that allowed him control over the various weapons installed in his prosthetic limbs, and getting him used to the extra weight. But in a mere two months Alex managed to get him ready enough for his first encounter with Penny.
In the end McDowell came for the 'birth'. He was excited and talked with every member of the team. Alex introduced him to Rick. "This is the Guardian?" McDowell asked, "Describe him to me."
"This is Rick Barnes. We've just managed to complete his first round of therapy and training. He has black hair and grey eyes. He's not wearing the outfit you originally chose for him, but we thought we'd dress him up for the occasion."
McDowell stuck out a hand. "Pleasure to meet you Officer Barnes." Rick slowly took his hand.
"Thank you, for everything." Rick replied. He caught Alex watching him from the corner of his eye. "Something wrong?" He asked.
"You just look uncomfortable." She replied leading him somewhere else.
"Oh, it's the tux." Rick replied quietly.
"It isn't." Alex replied pulling him aside. "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable about all the strangers here?"
Rick didn't answer. "You haven't tripped up once today." She assured taking his hand in hers. "Or are you scared of being her protector?" She asked.
"I don't feel ready to protect her." Rick admitted.
"It's ok. You'll have a few more months." She replied.
"But do I have to take her with me?" He asked.
"We want her to grow up outside of our facility. I will stay with you until she is old enough to not require constant care. She needs a home, somewhere safe and comfortable."
"But you're going to leave her alone with me?" Rick didn't seem very sure of himself.
"Yes. I know you don't understand much about Professor McDowell, but he requested that her childhood be as close to normal as possible. Even with a guardian like you. You're supposed to be the only person she trusts. And when she's old enough, you're going to tell her everything she needs to know." Alex replied.
"Yeah, that's quite a load to throw on a guy's shoulders." Rick replied smiling slightly.
Alex chuckled. "You'll get the hang of it." She lead him toward the short podium. "Now we have to get up there in time for the dedication." Rick paused and she turned to him. He'd gone pale. "You aren't afraid of saying hi real quick?" She asked.
"No." He shook his head and resumed walking after her. When they reached the stairs she climbed up them quickly her heels not hindering her steps. For a moment Rick watched her, clothed in a sapphire evening gown that followed her slender curves. He glanced over at the gathered crowd. He was acquainted with McDowell's team of scientists, but their family members, and the few press allowed in were strangers.
With a final swallow of his fear he made to climb the stairs. But in his moment of fear his mind had frozen, and he'd lost the connection with the digital part of his brain. His right leg refused to move, the rest of his body approached the steps. Thrown off balance he fell face first. Alex turned when she heard him gasp and sighed.
Luckily he caught himself by thrusting one hand towards the stairs sparing himself further embarrassment. Alex walked over to offer a hand, but they both knew that was a bad idea.
"Thanks, but I got it." he whispered pushing himself onto his knees. He straightened up and then stood, she shook her head slightly and Rick noticed that his right hand was still on the ground. The prosthetics that replaced his ravaged limbs were able to extend out to highly useful lengths. He blushed and retracted his elongated arm.
The two took their seats on the stage behind the podium. McDowell was just beginning to start his speech. "Welcome everyone, and thank you for coming. I am pleased to announce that after nearly two years we have completed our goals. We have not only proven that cybernetic prosthetics are indeed a feasible alternative, but also that humans can be born much stronger and smarter than any newborn alive today. Project Penultimate has been a dream of mine since I was a much younger man. And I finally get to see it fulfilled. Of course this would not be possible without my team of talented professors and doctors led by my first pupil Dr. Alex Lawrence."
This was Alex's cue and she stood up and crossed the platform as McDowell helped by his son returned to his seat.
"Thank you Professor McDowell," She began. "Everyone I am honored to be here to witness the birth of the future of our great race. Project Penultimate and Project Guardian are not about pushing the limits of scientific capabilities, but about securing a less violent future for this planet. Penny as we have dubbed her is going to be a logical, compassionate human who's greatest purpose is to begin the journey from our current state, to a grander more enlightened one. That is why on this day December seventeenth of 2018 we will celebrate not just the birth of a child, but the birth of the future of humanity!"
The crowd clapped enthusiastically and Lawrence smiled at them. "Now everyone without further ado let me turn it over to the master of ceremony our own Project Guardian candidate Officer Rick Barnes." She turned and waved him up to the microphone.
He stood up and walked quickly to it. Alex passed by him whispering "Good Luck" under her breath.
"Hello everyone," Rick began managing to keep an even tone. "First off I just want to say thank you to all of you for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I am grateful to play such a role on this grand day. But we're not here about me, we are here to welcome Penny into the world. As Master of Ceremony I declare this moment of eight fifteen pm on the seventeenth day of December in the 2018th year, the time of birth of Project Penultimate." At this moment he pushed a button on the podium. A curtain pulled away behind him revealing the Womb Chamber that Penny had developed in.
The crowd gasped and murmured. Rick looked at it intently, he had yet to see the child he was going to be guarding. She was visible through the slightly cloudy liquid she floated in. Where the umbilical cord should have been there was a synthetic bio-wire instead. The chamber was circular and large, with a curved glass top. The sides fitted into a metal frame secured with pressurized locks. There were a number of key pad panels and interface screens around it.
But it wasn't her chamber that made him stare. It was her tiny, unblemished body. She had her eyes closed and she was bald and naked, but she was innocent and helpless. Penny needed him. It was at this moment his new purpose sank in. She needed him, he needed her. Without her he would have died seven months prior to this great day. She had saved him, and it would be his job to keep her safe.
At this moment several of the press opened up their cameras revealing machine guns hidden inside. The leader fired at the ceiling grabbing everyone's attention. "You're all fools to play with humanity like that. To say that that child will be our salvation, that she will bring us to a new generation. You all should be locked away for insanity, and that 'Thing' should be put out of it's misery before it even learns of it's horrid existence!" McDowell and his son dropped to the floor. Some guests ran, some fell to the floor their hands over their heads. A team of security guards came forward, but the machine guns made them pause.
Alex pulled a small hand gun from a secret pocket in her dress. "You don't intend to harm the innocent people gathered here?" Rick stepped back from the podium keeping himself in front of the chamber.
"No. Our objective is to destroy the abominations you've created and to rid the world of fools who think they can play at being god!"
Alex shot the fluorescent lights above sending bits of glass raining down on the attackers. The guards used this to jump the two other crazed villains. The leader managed to evade the guards and fired at the stage. There were screams as the rata-tat-tat of the machine gun rang out.