Artificial

Change of Heart

Operator Riot

My shield remains deployed.
"Who are you? Why did you turn on them?"
The soldier removes their helmet, revealing a female face with fair skin, bright blue eyes, and high cheekbones. Her blond hair is tucked into a tight bun. Her features are attractive, but somehow she still seems... plain.
"My name is Katya, I am General Toxx's daughter. I—"
She stops short, hesitant to say any more, then steels her resolve and stands up straighter.
"I want to defect."
There's a tense pause, then Evo speaks up.
"Alright then. Riot, watch her, someone else, off the sniper," he orders without hesitation. Apex impales the unconscious marksman with his armblade, eliciting a gasp from Katya. Apex then retracts it and begins walking with Evo, remorseless. Katya stands frozen, taken aback by the speed and brutality of the execution. Evo stops beside her.
"Welcome to the IAF, Katya. I do so hope you'll like it here," he says cheerfully.
She shivers, and I place an arm around her shoulders.
"It's fine, he just likes to be dramatic. Let's get you processed."

Six hours, two interrogations and a pair of faded fatigues later, Katya joins us in our barracks.
"So," Velox begins, approaching her with the intent to intimidate.
She wears her training gear: an IAF tank top that exposes her midriff, and short exercise shorts. Her muscular arms, legs, and abdomen on full display, she stares down at the former Special Forces soldier with a full four-inch height difference.
"Why defect?"
"I was sick of them and their agenda."
"What, specifically, disgusted you?"
"Vel, please," I interrupt. "She's already been interrogated twice, lay off her."
"Yeah, well, I didn't get to talk to her yet."
"Vel—"
I step forward, and she holds me back with a palm on my chestplate.
"I'm not gonna do anything to her. Don't tell me you're going soft, Riot." She flashes me a wicked smile, and I sigh, take a step back, and fold my arms, watching her work over the short, plain woman.
"I didn't like the way they spoke of IAF citizens."
"How did they speak of us?"
"They called you abominations. Heathens. They say you defy The Creator's vision."
"The Creator?"
"Yes. The Creator of all life. We are taught from birth that He made all life just the way He wanted it, and that any changes that occur naturally are His doing. Any changes that occur unnaturally are blasphemy."
"So why do they think we defy this vision?"
I speak up.
"Didn't pay attention much in school, did you, Vel?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Never took a biology course? Genetic modification is legal all across the IAF. It's the norm. We're not standard humans. Standard humans aren't over seven feet tall, and certainly can't punch through someone's lung."
"And if they could, they wouldn't look nearly as good doing it," Evo adds with a smile, and Vel gives him a smirk of approval.
"It's a sweet comment, but he's right. Our muscle fiber works more effectively, meaning we need less of it to accomplish acts of great strength. Look at Shockwave. Body of a goddess. Slim, but curvy in all the right places, and still toned. If by some miracle a baseline managed to look like that, they certainly wouldn't be able to accurately fire a machine gun in each hand, or take you in a fight."
Shockwave is red as a tomato.
"I... I'll be in the next room."
She looks to Reach, who takes her hand and escorts her out.
"Damn," Vel comments. "Did she not know?"
"Probably not," I reply. "Too humble to even consider describing herself as a 'goddess'. But my point stands. They hate us because we took it upon ourselves to improve, and they don't believe in that."
"Bastards," Vel concludes.
"Indeed," Katya confirms as the aggressive Operator turns to her.
"So you really hate them as much as us?"
"I do."
"Then welcome to the good guys."