Pluto looked out of the window. She saw outer space... and floating below them, the blue planet... Earth.
"The ARK was the first space colony to be built," Gerald explained. "And the most advanced of its kind, too. There are many people living here, but a big part of the colony contains research facilities the Earth government let me use... under the condition I only use it for the good of the people... but that's what I always try to do with my work.
Remember that well, Pluto... everything... everything I create up here... is only for the good of this planet..."
"Are there... other beings living on earth like me?" Pluto murmured. "Or will I be a... freak?"
Gerald chuckled. "Oh, no! In addition to humans as me, there are several humanoid animals living down there on Earth. They are as intelligent and smart as we humans are... so don't worry about that."
Suddenly, a strange, hissing voice could be heard from the other side of the room: "Professssor, I finissshed my work."
Gerald turned around. "Oh, of course! I almost forgot - Pluto, let me introduce you to Bio... he's what I call the 'Prototype of the Ultimate Life Form'. I guess you can say he's your brother."
From under the wide cloak, a reptilian face with red scales looked at Pluto. He extended a bulky hand. "Niccce to meet you... sisssster!"
Nervously, Pluto took his hand... and shuddered. Bio's hand was cold. But at least, he seemed to be a nice person.
"Several miscalculations caused some deformations on his body," Gerald said in a sad voice. "I probably will never be able to forgive myself for that. Bio may be able to move freely... but everyone else on the ARK thinks he's an ugly monster. I fear I have ruined his life by just bringing him to life."
The lizard grinned at the professor. "It'ssss okay, professsor! I don't blame you. Thossse humanssss jussst don't know how to judge a perssson right." His gaze returned to Pluto. "But I'm sure they will be able to sssee your beauty easssily, my sissster."
Pluto blushed.
"Well, Bio... if you're finished, please take these results to Dr. Johnson. He'll need them for his report."
Bio nodded, scooped up several papers and left the room.
"You will get used to him, eventually," Gerald told his 'daughter'. "He can be scary, but deep inside, he has a golden heart, I know it."
Suddenly, he smiled at Pluto. "Perhaps you're interested in meeting your other sibling?"
"There's someone else?" Pluto asked. Gerald nodded. "Well, I guess it would be polite to introduce myself to him or her."
Gerald laughed. "Oh, he won't be able to talk to you, I'm afraid... but that's okay! You'll see what I mean."
Together, they walked out of the room.
----
Professor Gerald led Pluto through various corridors. Several times, other men or women in lab coats hurried past them, muttering a quick "Good afternoon, professor!" while they were on their way. Sometimes, they also passed some men dressed in what looked like military uniforms. They didn't say anything, but Pluto felt like they were staring at her with grim faces.
"Don't mind the soldiers," Gerald whispered. "They're here to make sure we scientists do our work, and to protect the ARK from intruders. Many of them don't agree with my work, so I fear they won't like you."
Pluto felt afraid. "Will the other people from Earth like me?"
"Of course," Gerald assured her. "The soldiers are forces from GUN - the top military defense force, and they can be kinda rough... but they are the best of the best, I can assure you!"
Suddenly quick footsteps approached them. "Grandfather, grandfather," a high voice shouted. "There you are! I was looking all over the ARK for you."
Gerald turned around, smiling down at the little blonde girl. "Maria, I told you today I was going to finish the new project. Pluto, this is my granddaughter, Maria! Her parents are working for the government, too, but on earth. Maria was born on the ARK, but as her parents don't have the time to take care of her, I'm looking after her. Maria, this is Pluto."
Maria smiled. "Nice to meet you, Pluto! Grandfather told me so much about how happy he was to bring life to you. I hope you like it here."
Pluto smiled back at the nice girl. "Thanks, Maria. I haven't seen much yet, but I believe I will enjoy living here."
Maria nodded, then turned back to the professor. "Grandfather, Chester ran away from me again. Every time I try to make him do his homework, he just sneaks out of the room."
Gerald sighs. "And his mother told me to take care of the little guy... Well, I don't have the time to help search for him right now... Try searching in the leisure room! That's his favorite place."
Maria nodded. "Okay, grandfather. I'll try to find him." She smiled at Pluto. "It was nice meeting you, Pluto. Perhaps we can meet later in our apartment, okay?"
Pluto nodded. She definitely liked the cheerful girl. "Thanks, I'd like to come."
And as Maria left, they continued their way to another room.
The inside looked like one would expect from a high-tech research facility. There were blinking lamps and machines everywhere. And in the middle of the room, Pluto saw some kind of massive tank, filled with a dark green fluid.
And floating in the middle of the tank was... a male black hedgehog.
He looked almost identical to her, but his fur was a pure black, with several crimson red stripes. His eyes were closed.
Gerald put a hand on her shoulder. "This is your brother, Shadow... the Ultimate Life Form, Second Version. He still is not ready to wake up yet, but he will in several days. You were my first great success in my research. I wanted to create a living being that would be able to protect the humans from all peril that may come onto our beloved planet... Bio was the prototype of my research... but as I said, something was still amiss. I took much more precautions when I designed your body. I was very proud when you were ready to open your eyes... the first great success! I expect Shadow to exceed my previous results even further... he probably will be more powerful and pure than you are. Now that you are awake, I can concentrate on making your brother the true Ultimate Life Form... this is my goal!"
Pluto looked at Shadow's unmoving form. "But professor," she said in a small voice. "Isn't it... dangerous of creating something... someone like this? I mean, we're living beings. You can't exactly control us. I know I have no intentions of ever harming you, but how do you know Shadow will be the same?"
Gerald looked at her in surprise, then he laughed. "Don't worry. I will treat Shadow just like I treat you and Bio... as my son. He will live a happy life here on the ARK... I will teach both of you how to control your powers... and you will only have to fight if something or someone threatens the Earth. Have faith!"
Pluto nodded. But when she looked back at the floating form of the black hedgehog, she couldn't help but feel a shiver running down her spine.
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(Posted Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:56)
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