Outcast

Chapter 2

Cook was the oldest Harlan. The only remaining first-generation clone on the ship, he was one of the few who had seen and spoken with the original template: their genetic father. He had given Cook his mission, his purpose. Not only was Cook responsible for feeding the crew using whatever scraps he could find, but creating new clones was his duty too. The irony wasn't lost on the other family members or Cook himself. Because of his importance for the survival of the family, he was unique compared to the other clones. While other clones began suffering from genetic degradation due to mutations or other variations in the cloning process, the Cook was different. The others knew this too, and it was obvious, as he had outlived every other first-generation clone on the ship.

The sheer weight of responsibility placed on Cook made him respected among his siblings, and many considered him to be a father-figure, the closest thing to Dr. Harlan in the whole universe. The crew often sought counsel from the man, even though he preferred to stay in the clone laboratory or the kitchen. Since a blatant disregard and hatred for any kind of authority was a personality feature shared by all Harlans, they often argued with one another, but when Cook spoke, everyone else listened.

As Engi entered the dark antechamber of the cloning laboratory, a distinct smell of antiseptic and chemicals wafted over him. The room was mostly bare. A small chandelier with mounted LED lamps modeled after ancient halogen lights washed the stone walls with a pale, blue light. The whole ship was built by Dr Harlan centuries ago, and his twisted, eclectic sense of style pervaded its many halls and decks. Two imposing metal doors slowly slid open as he moved onwards, his steps echoing in the empty space.

Glancing at the data-pad mounted on his forearm, Engi scoffed. As a man built for efficiency and pragmatism, the ship's patchwork architecture disgusted him. He stepped through the portal. Inside, the combination of modern technology against an ancient gothic-dark-stonework construction was discordant. The room itself was split into two different sections.

On the western side of the room, there was a small medical bay. Partitioned from the rest of the room with a small white-and-silver hospital screen, it had six mechanical beds arranged in two rows of three. Each bed had a foldable glass cover, and tucked beneath them there were mechanical instruments that would spring to life to treat most, if not all, medical issues a person could have. On the sides of the room there were closed metallic cupboards filled with medical supplies, and at the centre there was a small, bare sink.

The main cloning facility dominated the eastern side of the room, and it was clear that this area was particularly well-maintained. Large cylinders were pumping liquids through translucent pipes. Sets of server stacks, electronics, computer screens and interfaces were scattered throughout the area. In the middle, there were four well-maintained vats. They were primarily made of a transparent, durable polymer, and surrounded by metallic bands. Each vat was filled with a bright-blue liquid, and vague, humanoid forms could be seen floating within. Pipes and wires connected the cloning vats into the large system of computers, pumps, and other machines. In the background, sneering gargoyle reliefs looked down at the entire room.

The master of this room, Cook, sat on a green office chair leaning over a table. He had many of the same features as the other Harlans, but most strikingly, time had stolen the colour from his long, curly hair. He wore a white lab coat, and had rolled his sleeves all the way up to his elbows. Both of his arms were covered in tattoos. He wore surgical gloves, and was currently examining something with a microscope.

Engi approached the man and cleared his throat. Cook flinched.

"Ah. You're here. Great."

His eyes were weary. They had always been that way, even in Engi's earliest memories, but something seemed different this time. There was an odd glint, an urgency in his manner. He took his glasses from the desk, and put them on.

"You wanted to see me. I assume this is about the cloning facility? You wanted me to inspect them for any faults, and recalibrate the systems?" Engi asked, briskly. He shifted his weight nervously. He hated large, open spaces.

"Yes, but I fear that might not be necessary," Cook said, and beckoned Engi closer: "Come, take a look at this."

Engi approached the table. He had already assumed that the cloning facility was functioning fine. Cook knew more about these devices than all the others combined. He had built many of its complicated systems, and for him to even ask the Engineer's help was unusual at best.

He stood next to his brother, and leaned over the table.

"Look. Here." Cook spoke, and pointed at a nearby computer screen: "Genetic markers of Subject 13. The planned array and the result, post-birth. Current biological data, and the degree of genetic variations and mutations. Look."

Impossible.

"There are no mutations or other variations in his genome. Hereditary markers are all met, including the "flaws" of the original." Cook said quietly.

Engineer read through the data and gasped quietly.

"Holy fucking shit. This isn't what I think it is, is it?"

Cook nodded. The results were plain to see. Each Harlan was different, unique, because of variations and mutations. But 13 was different.

"Checked the results myself. Went through the whole system twice, looking for anomalies or errors, anything. Found none. It's identical. He's Dr Harlan's identical clone."

Neither of them quite knew how to react. It was Engi who broke the silence.

"How did this happen? I knew you'd improved the setup enormously between my generation and the third, but this is just, well, insane. Impossible."

Cook let out a small, nervous laugh, and rubbed his eyes with his fists.

"That's a great question. I don't know. It should be impossible. It's a statistical anomaly. Tried to repeat the result with tissue samples but no dice. Sequenced and then re-sequenced our available genetic material. I mean, fuck, Engi, the main improvements were for stability, to eliminate some of the risks involved in the procedure. Sure, there's some upgrades in the tech but the genetic material and the process used are virtually identical to previous batches."

"Is this good or is this bad?" Engi asked quietly.

"I haven't got a fucking clue," Cook sighed softly. "Only you and the Cap know."

"How'd he react?"

"Same as us, at first. Then said that 13 would be treated the same as all others. For fairness. Said that even though he's identical to Dr Harlan, it doesn't make him the Harlan, but a Harlan like all the rest." Cook explained.

A convoluted, nonsensical expression - Captain's favourite, Engi thought.

After a moment of silence, Engineer spoke up.

"Well. It makes sense. The Cap's not treating him any different, based on the yelling on the bridge. I'm supposed to set up some scanner drones with him, to check out a debris cloud for salvage. The engine's fucked. Oh, and the planet's full of Praetorian energy signals. The kid calibrated the scopes and nearly ruptured a vein trying to explain the results to the rest of the bridge crew, " Engineer snorted. "It was quite funny."

"Just.. keep a look out for him," Cook said.

"What, you getting soft? Are you gonna start moping after every failed clone next? It's gonna make your actual cooking much harder to manage without the ingredients." Engineer taunted.

The Cook scoffed. "Ahh, fuck off. I'm just sure that whatever he's gonna do, it'll be interesting. And I'd like to see that."