I do not own any part of BioShock. Some characters in this fanfiction are OCs.
This fanfiction is rated M for language, adult content, violence, and mortal peril. ;)
"She's certainly an impressive specimen, isn't she? Shows such promise." Andrew Ryan tapped the glass wall in front of him with his cane and the little girl on the other side paused to wave at him.
"You condemn her to a difficult life," said Dr. Tenenbaum.
"As difficult as the lives of those who toil without such talents?"
Dr. Tenenbaum sighed, making notes on her clipboard. "Her reaction time has improved, and this morning she managed to navigate the obstacle course without triggering a single alarm."
"Wonderful! My little one is always improving! I do loathe stagnation, dear doctor, for stagnation leads inevitably to decay. So many citizens of Rapture are stagnant – chinks in the Great Chain! But this child is the start of something new. She'll be something to aspire to." Ryan walked over to the control panel and tapped the button which opened the door between the observation room and the testing area.
The girl skipped through the open door and winced as her bare feet met cold metal. Seeing this, Ryan lifted her up in his arms and spun her around once, beaming at her.
"Mr. Ryan! Didja see me? Was I good today? Will you come again tomorrow?" The girl's tiny voice was bursting with eagerness.
"You were superb, m'dear! I'm afraid I can't come see you tomorrow, but I'm sure I can visit the day after. I must make time for Rapture's little prodigy, after all." He set her down with a laugh and, with a nod to Dr. Tenenbaum, he strode out of the observation room.
"Doctor, what's a prodigy?" asked the little girl.
"It means you are intelligent beyond your years," explained the doctor. The bitterness in her voice was not lost on the girl. She clasped her hands behind her back and looked at her feet.
"I'm sorry, doctor. I know you don't like me to show off for Mr. Ryan."
"Do not worry, little one. Come." Dr. Tenenbaum led the girl through the halls back to her room.
"Doctor," said the girl as she climbed onto her bed, "why don't you like me to show off for Mr. Ryan?"
"He plans to make you into a weapon," murmured the doctor, "and you encourage him."
