Defective Realms

Reality

"Genetic ID, please.", demands the cold mechanical voice. Without losing time I quickly pass the copper lamina to the reception mechanism, waiting impatiently to be accepted.

Genetic IDs are what exactly the word means, literally. They are our definition, our validation, our everything. You lose it and you get arrested for irresponsibility. You keep it and you join the stemming benefits, if you deserve any.

The lazer detector finally does its job and I am allowed to enter the building, leaving behind me the relentless snowfall.
"5th floor." I order the elevator, which responds, leading me to my destination.
"Surprise me for a change and arrive in time, Mrs Dawrrens. Just once." the wing's responsible scolds me. "Others are already in the lab. Phase two starts today. Good luck."

When I finally enter the laboratory, it isn't difficult to find my bench, since it was the only empty one, while my classmates had already started work.
Leaving my stuff in the drawer, I put on my robe, gloves and goggles, gaining an angry look from our supervisor. I start following the guide brochure's instructions carefully for the creation of the bacterial culture.

Phase two is the practical application of what we had been theoretically taught the last two years. Our University decided to conduct that part in BioGold, one of the most well known corporations in country, expertised in Molecular Biology and Genetics.

The rest time of our attendance will include lab practice and research, while at the same time our performance will be evaluated.

After the sterilization and vaccination of the culture with a small amount of Ecoli bacteria, I have to wait for half an hour to multiply themselves and collect the sample, while checking repeatedly my steps' correctness.

It would have been more effective, if I cooperated with someone, to ensure any mistake coverage. Though, it is public knowledge, that individual work is my only chance to prove my possibilities.

The procedure isn't that difficult, yet it still remains our assessment's beginning. "Damn it!" Mark says next to me, while his culture has changed colour. He must not have done the right sterilisation, so now rushes to replace the plate and the nutritional material. Even though we are still in the starter phase, stress in inevitable, since our grades and even professional prospect depend on its success. Competition is extremely hard, especially if you attempt a good position in a high class company, in the field of Health. It's like an arena you might never survive in, unless you are qualified enough.

Our work finishes late in the afternoon. Streets are buzzing like a living swarm of bees, thus this one is not moving coordinated. Every means of transport, each human being are spreading around the city busy in an intense hurry.
I lazily notice them from my bus seat. Lucky us, both Eleanor and I as Copper Genetic ID citizens, face some sort of difficulties in driving license. We can't take classes and learn how to drive, or even own a second hand car, because of our low quality, but at least we are allowed to use subway or bus like most of the public.

The thing is that my way home is extremely far from centre and most times I can't be punctual. But that's the least important lack of our rights.
I usually fall asleep midway. But today something is different. The whispers are becoming louder and louder, the conversations are too anxious and everyone is discussing about the popular Purgation. Purgation is our secret hope and the only possible way for the discriminations to cease. This forthcoming government funded program will take care of the citizens that face health problems, because of their DNA defectiveness. Everyone wants to be next, taking the ticket to the Promised Land.

The windows are shut because of the cold and the atmosphere is intolerable. My sleep is more condemned than Eleanor's payment.

I must be the last one to realize the sitution when the bus stops instantaneously and the floor shakes, as if a disastrous earthquake strikes. The driver starts barkimg inapropriate words, while every passenger has stood from the seats watching what is happening.

"Aren't these cunts ever bored?" an annoyed man says checking his watch. "They are so rude pretending to be altruists. They are wild hooligangs." "They are paid by government, I've been told this by my wife's cousin in Social Care Department." Peoples' lines barely arrive in my ears, but everyones' scream does, when a heavy bloody-colored rock falls on one of the windows, some inches in front of me.

Across us, a big label is held by many mask covered people. They are poorly dressed, some of them are with naked feet in the cold pedestrian way. "You are killing us!" Is their obvious message, their secret complaint. They are the Aluminium Genetic ID citizens. The lowest rank of citizens, accompanied with their DNA value.

I hear myself release a small scream, but the windows are fortuntely doubled after last year, fifty Cooper Genetic ID citizens died in a chaotic situation like this one. Such demonstrations are taking place in Metropolis, but immidiately interrupted by Forces. The last months more and more incidents happen everywhere from antisystem people, the ones who face an inhuman standard of living, because of their Genetic ID.

They do simple things such as parading in highways creating small troubles, or even vandalize public buildings causing governement to blame them for terrorism. I am not allowed to vote in elections apart from local President and even if people like me could, nothing would definitely change.

These people are convicted because of their DNA and so am I, in multiple ways. Their fate is though far worse since their position doesn't allow them to enjoy even the basic benefits a citizen like Golden, Silver and Copper ID have. Everyone pitties them, yet no one can do anything.

The hit left the window half broken half painted in red and it looks like it is bleeding. "We are bleeding. You are killing us." Large banners are everywhere, white fabric with red paint, a mix creating a bouquet of two colours of roses.
Or a bunch of bleeding people indeed.

..............

So, this is the first chapter from the story!
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