Prelude - Gift

By Filorux

"I still need to run one more test today. Stay still, little one."

"Okay, Heero."

I could never stop the small trembling of my body whenever I hear that familiar voice so near beside me.

Aqua eyes, fair hair. Pale and youthful. A perfect replica of what used to be Quatre Raberba Winner.

A successful clone, age replicated to the prime period when the brain function is at its best to create magnified telekinetic energy.

The human race's most brilliant creation.

The exact image of the person I had watched dying in front of my very eyes.

"Tell me when you feel the slightest discomfort."

"I will, Heero."

Days and nights, I work with this being. Checking his health conditions and mental waves as a clone technician.

Yes, I had been the one to clone him.

To have him back in my world again.

It is only work, isn't it? It had been the mastermind's choice after all.

Do yo call this fate?

I am here watching him everyday as he is subjected to numerals tests and experiments. I was there to watch him being treated like a mere object , incapable of making his own choices; handled as if he could feel no pain, like a inhuman doll.

I couldn't control the anger in my eyes when they ran tests on him while he was strapped down, screaming in pain. And they would ignore it as if he was worth no more than mere lab rats. I wanted to kill them then, but would I have done the same, if he were merely an experiment to me?

I carefully pulled out the tubes connecting to his too thin body, lest it cause him pain. While I worked, I could always feel his large blue eyes transfixed upon my every action.  His wandering fingers would often touch mine, following my hands to various experimental instruments that he had to endure everyday. I always allow his childish explorations, for those feather-light contacts were never enough to disrupt my routines. Through his whole life of confinement, small freedoms like not having to be strapped down is all I could offer to him.

I'm hesitant. Contemplating my next course of action.

"Just a little longer. This might hurt a little."

"It's okay Heero, I can handle it."

Carefully, I set the intricate system against his temple. With a slight trigger of charge, the microchip within him broke down into harmless random molecules. His blue eyes are still contemplating me.

"You are always so nice to me, Heero." He sit up slowly and wrapped his thin arms around me.

"Quatre really likes Heero, very much."

I feel my body tense upon the words, the contact of intimacy. My fingers tightened to a fist as I try to tame the raging emotions inside of me.

The clone has said something the original could never say. I don't know whether I should rejoice or mourn. This isn't the real Quatre, but a copy. But he is an exact copy of him, created from his own very unique DNA without contamination. Does that replicate his personalities too, I wonder? His soul? Is he the substitute God have gifted me?

At this moment, my mind is dead set.

All surveillance within this level is disabled at the press of a switch hidden within my long white coat. Lifting his thin frame from the examination table, I walked out into the corridor and head straight towards the hanger where The Heart of Outer Space awaits.

Tonight, in that ship, I shall take you far away from here.

Tonight, we shall be free.

Author's note: This is the prelude of a sci-fi thriller 3x4, 1x4 I'm working on. I'm still not quite sure how it'll turn out yet. I guess the 3x4 in me is feeling a little guilty. Email me at padawan_filorux@yahoo.com.au