Spiryt - Initial Rise - C1

The halls were brightly lit, the lone employee peering down to the other end.  The bright, halogen lights glistened off of the freshly waxed, ceramic floor tiles below him, their ivory color allowing him to see a pale reflection whenever he looked down.  The smooth, white walls seemed closer than they usually were, his mind playing tricks on him as nervousness crept about his being.

He was waiting…he had no choice.  He felt nervous in being there, the importance of the day slowly weighing down on him.  He ran his fingers through his short, auburn hair, feeling the perspiration on his forehead as he did so.  He shook his head of what sweat was there, this fruitless effort causing some of the liquid to slide further down his face.

He had been given his job two years ago, chosen due to his knowledge in this field of science and from what was seen of his intellectual capacity.  He considered himself very fortunate to have been able to obtain such a high paying job immediately after graduating from college.  To even be trusted with such a responsibility as the one given to him over a year ago…it seemed so sudden back then, yet he knew that he would do his best to accomplish the goals placed before him.  In spite of all of this, everything felt as though it was all new to him, the feeling of disquietude enveloping his being, nervously waiting as he was told to do.

Removing his glasses, he wiped his face of the sweat that was pouring from his forehead.  He replaced his glasses, adjusting them properly as he wiped his hand on the back of his white lab coat.

How well can this go?, he thought, How badly can this go?  He looked down at the chart before him, strumming his fingers on its underside as he went over in his mind what he would soon say.

He heard the door open at the other end of the hall, his head shooting up when the footsteps began.  Coming his way were the two he was supposed to meet…the ones who owned all that was around him.

His glanced turned to the curvaceous figure on the right side of the hall, peering from toe to head as he took in the sight of the female superior to this industry.  Ashira Shunta, one half of the intellectual power that helped advance the world with the genetic discoveries this industry created, appeared comely to him as he noted again her Asian-American background.  She wore a dark blue business dress and heels to match, her dark, shoulder length hair waving lightly with every step she took.

He then looked to the left side of the hall, the African-American male silently walking alongside the female head of the company.  Rogert Plone, the other half of this powerful corporation, stood about a foot taller than his female business partner.  He was dressed in a black business suit, his black shoes echoing along with his business partner’s as they made their way towards him.

The employee swallowed nervously as the two approached.  He stood up straight as they approached, clearing his throat as he prepared to greet them. Before he could speak, however, the baritone voice of Rogert Plone addressed him.

“You are Faltix Gendrako, are you not?”

He nodded his head in assurance as he responded, “Yes sir, Mr. Plone.”

“So,” Ashira asked, “you have some information for us, then?”

“Yes ma’am,” Faltix responded, turning his back on them momentarily as he looked to the keypad next to the door.  He entered the combination code quickly, the numbers having been engraved into his mind due to the numerous times he had to enter this area.  A descending tone, reminiscent to that of a flat lining patient, gave confirmation to the numbers he had entered.  As he took the door handle in hand, he slowly opened the door as he gestured to the two behind him.  “Please, right this way.”  

The three entered into the next room, computers running along the walls as various other employees made sure to keep busy.  Faltix walked in front of the two company owners, leading them through the plethora of employees stationed at various monitors and work stations.  All was quiet, with the exception of keys being hit and computers humming, as everyone knew that it wouldn’t be wise to speak openly on a day like this.

“As you already know,” Faltix began, adjusting his glasses as he glanced at the clipboard, “this experimental project began earlier in the year.  Since the samples were brought in, many analytical procedures were done as different chemical hypotheses were tested.  From the day that the samples were combined, we monitored all progress and took notes on everything that was given to the mixed sample.”

“Would those happen to be the results that you have there?” Rogert’s voice cut in, Gendrako briefly stiffening his step at the sudden interruption.  He regained his step as he turned to the side slightly, holding out the clipboard that was in his possession.

“Y-yes sir, Mr. Plone,” Faltix gave Rogert the clipboard as he walked backwards now, both Rogert and Ashira continuing forward.

“Very good,” Rogert replied, flipping through the documentation, “Continue.”

Faltix turned and continued his walk past the other employees and various computers.  Even with the immense size of this particular area of the facility, he felt things around him grow in size.  He now had to give his report without falling back to the aid of the information on the clipboard.  Swallowing nervously, he continued with the results that were given to him for this day.

“Thank you, sir,” he finally spoke, going through a large pair of double doors and into a different part of the facility; this area wasn’t as bright as the one before it, and the hum of electricity was louder than before, especially with the lack of employees inhabiting the area.  He continued with the report, “As you can see in the notes, extra chemical enhancements were implemented during the in vitro fertilization process, as you both had recommended.  From then to now, we’ve managed to produce stronger samples of these additives and, after thorough testing, added these to the sample.  At this time…,”

“270 days today, correct?” Ashira interrupted, Gendrako’s neck stiffening at the gelid tone of her words.  Rubbing the back of his neck, he gave his response and continued with his report.

“Yes ma’am, Ms. Shunta, and it is at this time that gestation has been completed.  You were notified the moment everything was completed, and the preparation and presentation is being finished as we speak.”

They arrived at a large door in the middle of the hall, a few employees emerging from the room within.  Each wore a long, white lab coat with goggles, medical gloves, and hair caps.  Other than what figure each person had, it was difficult to tell any of them apart from one another.  As the last person exited the room, the lights in the area brightened a little, the humming slowly dying down as this last person stood by the doorway.  The employee gave Faltix a nod before standing at attention by the doorway, Faltix leading Rogert and Ashira into the room before them.

“Ms. Shunta, Mr. Plone, I present to you the fruit of many months’ labor.”

Faltix stood to the side as he held out his arm, bowing a little as the two company heads passed him by.  The room was perpetuated with an assortment of chemical ladened carts, the mixture of fluorescent lighting and halide lamps producing an effulgent glow along the walls.  In the rear center of the room, a large, cylindrical container stood empty and transparent, the sparkle from the glass giving evidence to its recent cleaning.  The two industry leaders made their way to the object in the center of the room, the contents of which held a small crib.  Peering within, they could see a small child sleeping soundly, tucked comfortably under a blanket as Faltix informed them about the new life before them all.

“He was ‘born’ a few days ago, having a weight of 7 pounds and 11 ounces.  He has brown eyes, black hair, and was fed and taken care of before your arrival.”

There was a moment of silence as they looked upon their sleeping little boy, Faltix standing in wait of their next order or question.  Rogert caressed the child, his body wrapped in a soft, orange blanket with part of it covering his hair.  Ashira reached down and lifted the child, cradling him in her arms as she lightly pushed away what was covering the child’s head.  The little boy yawned in her arms, wiggling slightly as he got comfortable and went back to sleep.

“He’s beautiful,” she said, smiling down onto the newborn, “sleeping so peacefully…a new life of innocence now within this world.”

“Yes, one fresh soul, free from sin,” Rogert commented, caressing the boy’s hair lightly, “he definitely has your hair.”

Faltix looked on at the two, smiling at the kindness he beheld from them.  For as long as he worked for this industry, he had never seen his superiors in such a happy mood.  Their current placidity put him at ease, satisfied at seeing their show of parental compassion

“I had great confidence in this hypothesis,” Rogert commented, placing one hand on the crib while the other still held the clipboard, “And it is good to know that our assumptions have come to fruition.”

“Indeed,” Ashira spoke, laying the child back into the crib as Rogert began to rock it steadily, “an endeavor to see if we could create someone who would be immune to the dangers of this world.”

“Using our knowledge and expertise in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals…using the abilities we’ve obtained for healing the injured and cleansing those sickly.”

“In time, we began to wonder just how strong ones immune system could be…if it were even possible for there to exist such a product that could prevent the acquisition of disease and sickness altogether.”

“An enhancement that helps to strengthen the immune system and empower the mind, something that will go to make a better person…an improved soul…”

“…and a great spirit,” Ashira added, looking to Rogert before looking to her son once more.  Rogert smiled as he continued.

“As we questioned the idea of an enhancement of such strength, we began to wonder of a human with such ability as well, whether or not there could be a being born with immunity to many of this planet’s perpetual peccants.  Thus, we used our resources to conduct our own private tests on the matter.”

“And the answers to our questions lie within the son that we have before us now.”

So, that’s what all of this was really about, Faltix thought.  Even with his part in all of this, he never questioned all that was going on for fear that it could cost him his job.  The samples from earlier…they belonged to these two:  the seed and the egg.  The samples and chemicals within this facility, both that from the company and that which came from other organizations…it was all to make this child into a better being.

“And you,” Rogert turned to Faltix, directing his attention to him now, “you do know why we chose you to be a part of this, don’t you?”

Faltix was at a loss for words for the moment, not knowing what answer to say that would please his superiors.  Saving him the trouble, Rogert continued and answered for him.

“You were one of the best and brightest in your field, an asset to making our dream into a reality.  Though you weren’t given much information, we bestowed upon you our hope and trust so that you would do your best.  You’re one of the few who know of our true intentions, and one of the few who we want to have with us through this all.”

Faltix’s eyes widened at this, his glasses drooping a little at the surprise he was hearing.

“From now on,” Ashira continued for Rogert, “you will work and answer directly to us on this matter.  Your level of expertise is very important to us, and we hope that we can count on you for proper results in regards to this matter.”

Faltix pushed his glasses back onto his face as he nodded his head eagerly, still in shock at what he was hearing.

“Y-yes ma’am, sir, thank you for trusting me with such an honor.”

“As you should already know,” Ashira continued, “this is to remain between us and the few others that know of our experiment here.  YOU will be the one to give us updates and test results on our son’s progress.”

“And, as it should have already occurred to you,” Rogert added, “talking about this to anyone outside of this company will lead to…dire consequences.”

A small bead of sweat rolled down the side of Faltix’s face, his mind fixed on the implicated consequences had within Rogert’s comment.  It was not the idea of Rogert doing him harm personally that bothered him, but the amount of power that the two before him held in their grasps that caused him to worry.  If any of these experimentations were to manifest to the public, he knew that his betrayal would be dealt with in a covert manner.  The company leaders would know nothing of his sudden disappearance, absolving them from blame as his own demise would be severe and clandestine.

Having come this far, Faltix was not about to throw away his career or jeopardize his future in the name of feckless gossip.  He swallowed audibly as he nodded, understanding Rogert’s statement while still nervous of the possible consequences.

“Yes, I understand,” Faltix replied, breathing a sigh of relief as the two turned back to the crib.   It was then that he remembered something about which he was questioned at the end of the child’s gestation time, “By the way, may I ask as to the name of the child?”

Ashira and Rogert looked at each other, the thought having yet to actually enter into either of their minds.  They looked upon their child for a while as they thought, trying to find a name suitable for the new life they brought into the world.  A smile on her face, Ashira was the first to speak up.

“I would like to name him after my grandfather.  He was a man of intrigue in my family, always striving to be the best within himself…I think that it would fit him rather well.”

“So, this will be his first name?” Rogert questioned.

“Actually, I have a first name for him already; the last name is that of my grandfathers.”

“Shouldn’t he take one of our last names?”

“Considering how we aren’t a couple and this is an experiment, I feel that our own names don’t have to be used for him.”

“Hmm…very well, it’s your call.”

Faltix raised an eyebrow at the two before him, amazed at what he had just heard.  To be so close and loving to their child, yet to say something that still added distance of sorts to the relationship.  It was not his place to speak out, however, so he kept his thought to himself and awaited a response.

“Then it’s settled,” Ashira responded, taking the clipboard from Rogert and writing on it; she then turned her attention from her child to Faltix, holding out the clipboard for him to take, “Mr. Gendrako, you are excused.  We would like to spend some time alone with our son, Ryuyo Bahamuto.”

“Very well, ma’am,” he responded, taking the clipboard from her, “Thank you.”

As he turned to leave, he analyzed the name that she had written down, mouthing it silently as he repeated the way in which Ashira had said it.  It was a name of three syllables, the first two letters making a “ree” sound as the letter ‘u’ stood on its own, forming the “you” sound to his name.  The last two letters sounded just as they looked, similar to the slang that would be used by urban youth.  He felt it to be a nice name for the child, mouthing the name again after following the words on the clipboard.

He gave a sigh of relief as he exited the area, nodding to the remaining employee as he made his way down the hall.

“Ryuyo Bahamuto,” he said aloud, testing the name out on his tongue, “I’ve a feeling that kid is going to have an interesting life ahead of him.”

He cleaned his glasses on his lab coat as he walked, wiping his forehead again as he replaced them.  There was very little sweat on his brow now, the more unnerving part of his day now complete.  He placed his hands inside of his lab coat as he continued, commenting in a whisper as he briefly glanced behind him.

“I just hope that he’s more than just some experiment to them.”

He closed his eyes as he walked, pushing the door in front of him with his shoulder as he left the experimental area of the facility.  Even with the hopes that he had in mind, he knew that this would be beginning of a greater endeavor had by his superiors.  All he could do now was wait and see as to what would be.