Cutie Heroes and Villains

Prelude

                The baby in her arms quietly slept as she stood in the darkness savouring the last remaining moments of peace. It was almost time. Soon her sister Lin and her husband Xian would come for her. Only two of the twenty children that had been genetically engineered still survived. Most died at birth along with the surrogate mother. The others died from her colleague’s inability to control the children’s powers.

                Twenty tries from the same DNA strand. Every child produced differed so much from the next. Xian came to the realization that the mother held the key to the child’s level of enhancement. Their colleagues thought him a fool. How could the mother change the DNA? When all she did was grow the baby in her womb.

                The door opened and the lights turned on as two people entered. Xian held a determined expression on his thin face. Lin’s eyes darted back the way they came, worry etched on her round face. This was a huge risk they all took. If caught they’d be tortured then put to death.

                “The hard drives are wiped, papers shredded and burned and the cameras are down for the next twenty minutes or so.” Lin told her in a low voice. “All our research has been destroyed.” She said with sadness in her eyes.

                “Shouldn’t we have taken our research to our new employer?” She asked. She too felt the sting of all their hard work over the last ten years being destroyed.

                “No.” Xian quickly answered. “We can’t take the chance of being captured and our efforts going for naught.”

                Walking over to the row of cribs lining the wall, Lin picked up the remaining baby. RN8827 was there only success. Tests confirmed that their efforts were not in vain, they could enhance the genes. Given time the baby would grow to be stronger, faster and more agile with added durability. The perfect weapon, the perfect killing machine.

                Xian turned and waved for his wife to hurry. “Leave QT7992 Meifeng, we have to go now.”

                “No,” she told him, pulling the child closer protectively. Unlike RN8827, QT7992 showed no signs of enhancement, save the eyes. The eyes were a purple and grey ever moving cloudy mist.

                “Leave it.” Xian called again. “It’s of no use to us. Come.” He said waving his hand as he walked out the door.

                Knowing full well she should do as he asked, Meifeng hesitated. She just couldn’t bring herself to leave the child. After all she did give birth to it. She just couldn't leave her child. With grim determination she followed Xian out the door.

                Scowling, Xian turned to her. “This is why I didn’t approve of you volunteering to carry a QT series, you grow too attached. You take this.” He gestured down at the child in disgust. “And I’ll not hesitate to leave you if you fall behind.”

                “I understand.” She told him as she began to run.

                A helicopter was hidden from sight a mile or so down the coast. It would take them to a ship awaiting their arrival. Once onboard they’d be safe from pursuit. They only had to get there unnoticed. The easy part would be leaving the facility. Making their way through the jungle unseen would be difficult. Luckily the run wasn’t that far and help would be waiting for them.

                Catching up to her sister, Lin turned to her. “Meifeng, what are you doing? Get rid of QT7992 at once.” Anger flared in her voice. The plan was to take RN8827, not the other.

                “It’s both or none.” Fixing her sister with a scowl of her own. After a few moments Lin relented.

                “Fine but…”

                “Yes I know.” Meifeng said cutting her off.

                Xian led the way, stopping at a corner to check to see if the hall was clear before waving them on. They had picked a time of night where the halls would be the emptiest. Fortunately they were and they quickly made their way to the exit.

                Stopping, Xian opened the supply door. The door groaned as the motor fired up and pulled it open. Meifeng’s heart leapt up into her throat. The noise would surely bring guards to investigate. Xian peaked his head out then waved for them to go as he took the child from Lin.

                They took off in a dead run, trying to be away as fast as possible. Meifeng never ran so fast or as long in her life. Vomit was trying to force its way up but she bit hard and continued on. They ran for what seemed like an eternity before finally slowing down. So far they had escaped without being noticed. Relief flooded through her. “Almost there” she whispered under her breath.

                Stopping, Xian leaned on a tree to catch his breath. “We’re at the beach. The helicopter is just around the bend,” he told them as they walked passed.

                Lin pushed her way through the trees on to the beach. Smiling back at them, she pointed to the helicopter tucked away in a cove. Four armed guards started making their way towards them. With a smile of her own Meifeng picked up her pace, eager to be away from here.

                “Dr. Hsu, I’m Anderson.” A man with a thick mustache said as he ducked his head in greeting. “I was told there was only going to be one child.”

                “Change of plans, now there’s two.” She told him before Xian could answer.

                Anderson nodded and gestured to the helicopter. “Shall we.”

                “Yes let’s.” Xian said giving her an annoyed glance.

                The sound of a jeep made them all turn. The beach patrol had made their way here. Shouts from the jeep announced they had spotted them. “Run!” one of the guards yelled as the patrol opened fire.

                Meifeng did as told, running as fast as she could. The pilot fired the helicopter up and it was now kicking sand up in the air. Gun shots rang in her ear as the escort tried to fight off the advancing patrol. Something bit her in the back, then again. Ignoring it as best she could, she ran on. Lin was first to board, followed by Xian.

                Suddenly feeling weak, Meifeng needed help from one of the men to board. Meeting Lin’s eyes told her something was wrong. Xian was staring at her waist. Looking down she saw what he was looking at. Blood was pouring down her lab coat.

                Fearing for the child, she checked for wounds. “The baby.” She said as Lin took the child. “Help my baby.” Two men laid her on her back and applied pressure to the wounds. Cold swept through her, making her arms and legs go numb.

                Lin leaned closer, tears in her eyes. “QT7992 is fine Meifeng.”

                Glancing at Xian she saw him quickly look away. Realization hit, she wasn’t going to make it! “Take care of my baby Lin.” She managed to speak. It was getting harder to stay awake. “Promise me Lin, Please.”

                Lin turned to Xian who was still staring out at the sea. “I promise Meifeng.” She said squeezing her hand.

                Smiling at her sister, Meifeng could feel hands picking her up. The last thing she saw was the helicopter quickly fading away and felt cold water washing over her.