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by Trish Moran

  Hugo nodded solemnly. ‘I certainly will.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

  ‘Have you seen the pictures of you and Keith at the “Wild Ones” launch?’ Jez said waving the newspaper in the air at Zig. She put down the hosepipe and brushed the mud off her hands before taking it. ‘What’s it like being famous?’

  Zig smiled as she looked at the picture of herself in the paper. She was wearing a tight, shiny red dress with red stilettos to match. Her cat-like eyes were looking straight into the camera and she wore a look of cool indifference on her face. Inside she had been absolutely petrified and only kept upright by hanging onto Keith’s arm.

  ‘What’s it like being famous?’ Jez asked again.

  ‘Hardly famous! An overnight wonder, that’s all!’ Zig grinned, handing the paper back and pulling two dead leaves off one of the plants. ‘They’ll have forgotten about me this time next month.’

  ‘I don’t think so,’ Jez said. ‘Zorro’s hits usually stay at the top for ages. And those cat contact lenses are doing really well. Everyone is wearing them. Zorro’s wife was wearing yellow lion ones last week.’ Zig laughed. ‘Yes, I’ve got Pellier to thank for that. Now I leave off my contact lenses and pretend I’m wearing some.’

  ‘How does Bailey feel about your new career?’ Jez asked.

  ‘He knows I’m not giving up my day job. Don’t forget, I’m starting the horticultural course next month,’ Zig sighed and looked around her. ‘Anyway, I don’t want to leave the Compound. This is the best home I’ve had since my mum died.’

  ‘And there’s Keith, too …’Jez raised her eyebrows.

  ‘Yes, there’s Keith. But it’s early days yet.’ Zig smiled and looked down. ‘Let’s just see what happens.’

  ‘You’re not still thinking about Angus, are you?’ Jez frowned.

  ‘I’m way over him.’ Zig shrugged and studied the plant in front of her. ‘No, I’m not thinking of Angus anymore. What about you, Jez, what are your plans now?’

  ‘Reuben has asked if I’d like to go to New York with Cam and Otis to work with Simon and his department out there for a while. As Specials – Eyes, Ears and Nose.’

  ‘Nothing dangerous?’ Zig asked.

  ‘No. Abel was very strict on that one. He looks out for us as if we’re Labs,’ Jez smiled. ‘But I’m a bit worried about the others, especially Brit and the two new ones.’

  ‘Don’t worry, they’ll be fine. And I’ll be here to keep an eye on them. It’s a great opportunity for you but I’ll miss you, we all will.’

  ‘I’ll only be gone a month or two. But I’ll miss you, too.’ Jez hugged her friend.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  ‘I still can’t believe you’re off to university, Hugo. But are you sure you don’t want to live in halls with the other students?’ his mother asked him one morning as they ate breakfast together. ‘It’s quite a long train journey from here to Oxford, even though you’re only going three days a week. And didn’t you say Geoff was going to be living on campus? You two have been such good friends for the past two years, I’m surprised that you don’t want to spend more time together. And you both could make some new friends there. There are lots of bright students at Oxford, some of them twelve-year-old Hybrids, like yourselves. The accommodation officer said they usually team up their younger students so they don’t feel lonely or out of place with the older ones.’

  ‘No, I’m better off living at home. It’s easier to get to the Compound and Adam’s house from here,’ Hugo replied, buttering a slice of toast. ‘The research I do with them is more important than the degree work, which is pretty basic, but I suppose I might be able to pick up some useful knowledge while I’m studying for my MA.’

  ‘I’m sure you will, and it will help you to get a good job later, Hugo,’ his mother said. ‘I’m really pleased you put your name forward to work at the Hybrids’ summer school, but you need time to relax yourself, you know.’

  ‘I agree with Ms Harrison, it’s criminal the way the Non-Labs just abandon their children’s education for six weeks every summer.’ he said. ‘She was interested in an idea of mine, to assess the development of Hybrids and compare the results with those of Non-Labs. The summer school will give me a chance to try it out. And I’ll have two weeks off to join Geoff on a canoeing holiday.’

  ‘I’m glad you’re getting a bit of a break, but I do wish they’d let me pay something towards it.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Geoff’s parents are loaded.’ He drained his coffee cup and grabbed his laptop from the floor. ‘See you later.’

  He arrived at the Compound and met Ness and Ginny sitting outside the school.

  ‘Are you tutoring, Hugo?’ Ness sounded surprised.

  ‘Not exactly.’ He explained his idea for assessing the development of the two different types of schoolchildren. ‘As well as carrying out case studies here, your mother has agreed to let me look through the records of achievement of the Hybrids that have attended the Compound School. And I have arranged to look at similar records of Non-Labs at a high performing primary school in London so that I can compare them.’

  ‘Hey, that would be really interesting, Hugo,’ Ginny said. ‘What will you do with the results?’

  ‘Not quite sure yet,’ he looked down, scuffing the ground with his shoe as he thought of the impact it could have on his database of possible donors for the Radicals’ ideal person. ‘But I’m sure it will come in useful somewhere. As a Hybrid, how do you think we compare developmentally with Non-Labs?’

  ‘Well, a Non-Lab child can walk at about one to one and a half years old, whereas a Hybrid can walk by about ten months. A Hybrid two-year-old seems more like a five-year-old Non-Lab when you look around the play groups. Do you think a Hybrid child develops at maybe twice the rate of a Non-Lab?’ Ness suggested.

  ‘No, I don’t think so. Five-year-old Hybrids aren’t like ten-year-old Non-Labs, are they,’ Ginny said. ‘And, except for IQ levels, we aren’t like eighteen-year-old Non-Labs, are we?’

  ‘You’re right, and Frankie is thirteen with a very high IQ, but he definitely isn’t equivalent to a mature Non-Lab.’ Ness laughed.

  ‘Well, that’s Frankie for you.’ Ginny grinned. ‘Seriously, though, I think most Hybrids will mature at about fifteen or sixteen.’

  ‘We could use our own experiences and that of the Hybrids we know well to make a more accurate assessment of the maturity of Hybrids,’ Hugo nodded. ‘This should be an interesting study.’

  ‘Yes. I’d like to see what you find out,’ Ness said. ‘And what about mature Labs and Non-Labs?’ Ginny looked thoughtful. ‘The Labs were awakened at maturity, that’s always taken to be at least sixteen years old. My dad and your dad, Ness, have been awakened for at least fifteen years so they’d be in their mid-thirties. Which Non-Labs do we know of about the same age?’

  ‘Isaac had his thirty-fifth birthday last month,’ Ness said. ‘He does look quite a bit older than our dads.’

  ‘In what way?’ Hugo asked.

  ‘Well, our dads look fitter generally …’

  ‘So that’s muscle tone, would you say?’

  ‘Yes, definitely, although Isaac does go to the gym regularly,’ Ness said. ‘He keeps himself pretty fit.’

  ‘And Labs seem to have quicker reactions,’ Ginny added. ‘Then there’s the females. How do the Non-Labs – Ness’s mum and Zig, or my mum – compare to the Labs – Celia and Dette? But I don’t suppose you’ll be interested in this, if you’re thinking about Hybrid education, will you, Hugo?’

  ‘I don’t know. I could start with Hybrids and Non-Labs, then expand my research to take in physical and mental development and deterioration of all the human groups. There’s quite a wide scope here,’ he said, standing up as Amanda Harrison neared the school.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  Hugo pushed open the door of the laboratory, tying his face mask on as he hurried towards the bench. He took a deep breath as he flicked the dials on a Perspex container. Then he ca
refully drew a cylinder from the swirling dry ice and gently pulled out a slide, and placing it under a magnifying screen.

  He gave a sharp gasp as he turned the dial to focus on the spiral that moved gently in front of him. ‘One strand,’ he muttered. But his elation gave way to dismay as the one strand drifted apart to make two separate parts.

  He swore softly and rested his head on his hands with a loud groan. A firm hand came down on his shoulder.

  ‘I’m useless! I’m wasting my time and your money!’ he cried.

  ‘Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself,’ Dr Gil sat on the work bench beside him and peered through the magnifying screen. ‘Hmm, there was a start of enmeshing there. And though they have separated, the strands are still gravitating towards each other. You’re well on the way here.’

  ‘I’ve tried everything. And I don’t know where to go to next,’ Hugo wailed.

  ‘How about you try getting a few hours’ sleep, then a good meal, and we’ll take another look at this together this evening?’ the older man suggested. ‘You’ve hardly eaten or rested since you arrived here, five days ago!’

  ‘But…’

  ‘No buts, off you go, young man.’

  ‘You were right,’ Hugo grinned sheepishly as the scientist sat down opposite him in the dining hall that evening. ‘I did need a rest.’

  ‘Of course I am, I’ve been there myself,’ Dr Gil smiled. ‘I’ve been giving some thought to your problem today. I think you need to look carefully at how you are splicing the DNA strands. A different cut might make it easier for them to enmesh. Finish your meal – slowly – and we’ll go and take another look.’ Dawn was breaking as Hugo spun the lid of the canister. He held his breath as he carefully pulled out a plate and slid it into place under the magnifying screen. The two of them watched as the strand began to swirl gently across the screen. Neither said a word for the first two minutes; then finally the older man broke the silence.

  ‘You’ve done it Hugo! You’ve created a single clone from two rats who have never even encountered each other!’

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  ‘Do you think he’s ill or something?’ Ginny grinned at Ness as they watched Hugo arrive at the Compound School whistling.

  ‘Well, he obviously enjoyed his holiday with Geoff,’ her friend replied.

  ‘Yeah, he always enjoys his holidays with Geoff, doesn’t he. Though he doesn’t really have much to say about what they do,’ Ginny said.

  ‘They probably had wild games of chess …’ Ness said.

  ‘And read science books under the covers after lights out,’ Ginny added.

  ‘What are you two giggling about?’ Hugo smiled at them as he entered the room.

  ‘Nothing,’ Ness said quickly. ‘So how’s the research coming on then? Are you going to show us what you’ve found?’

  ‘Mmm, it’s not quite finished yet. I need to get things tidied up first,’ he replied.

  Looking at her watch, Ginny slid off the desk she was sitting on. ‘Here’s the school bus. Let’s go, Ness.’

  ‘See you later,’ Ness said as she followed her friend out of the door.

  Hugo gave them a brief wave as he turned on his computer and flicked through his emails. He smiled as he read the latest correspondence from Dr Gil. He was heading a team to develop Hugo’s success on a single clone from two separate donors. Quickly he typed a reply:

  ‘Thanks for the update. Great things can be produced from two rats who never even met each other! And now it’s time for the NLs. It shouldn’t be too long before we’re looking at Ls & Hs …’

  He stopped as Ginny appeared at his side and minimised the screen, turning angrily to her. ‘What do you think you’re doing, spying on me?’

  Ginny picked up a rucksack from under the table. ‘Hey, calm down! I just came back for my bag, I forgot it. The good effects of your holiday are wearing off already!’

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Hugo rubbed the soft stubble on his chin as he looked at the folder on the screen in front of him. It was the final product of nearly three years’ research. He clicked on the folder and then opened the file marked ‘Candidates’. The first page showed a list of characteristics – IQ, physical attractiveness, physical strength, independence, ambition, ability to communicate ideas, adaptability, decisiveness, quick-thinking, patience, rationale, versatility, reliability, leadership qualities. The second page gave details of the tests and evidence he had acquired to award a score in each of the characteristics.

  Next he clicked on ‘Females’. He scrolled down the list and added or subtracted from the scores in the characteristic columns next to some of the names. Selecting those with the highest scores, he copied and pasted them into a new page and sat back to view them. He leaned forward again and deleted two of the names, which left him with six on the list, two Labs and four Hybrids. He minimized the screen and opened ‘Males’ and once again cut the list to three names, one Lab and two Hybrids. Finally, he copied and pasted the edited female and male lists onto one page.

  He rubbed his chin again as he read out the names in front of him. Two really stood out from the others: Celia (Lab Female) and Hugo (Hybrid Male). As he had already anticipated, his overall results were ahead of hers by a large margin. Saving all the documents he opened a new email. For several minutes he stared at the page, then finally he began to type.

  Dear Takir,

  On completing my research into desired characteristics and developmental traits for the Radical Project ‘Leadership’, I have enclosed the details of the person I have nominated as the donor.

  As you are aware, this decision was not made lightly, but is the culmination of years of investigation.

  Although you were kept informed at each stage of the investigation over this period, I have attached a summary of tests, evidence and conclusions drawn over the period.

  I would like to draw your attention to Document 5a to back my nomination of myself as the most fitting donor. The evidence in all areas of my research, which can be verified by the data submitted, shows that I excel in all areas to be considered.

  I would like to formally submit my findings to you and the other members of the ‘Leadership’ committee for serious consideration.

  Hugo

  He took a deep breath as he reread the email then hit the send button. The outcome of his research hinged upon Takir and the committee’s response. His ultimate dream, to be personally involved in forming a future perfect being, was so close. Now everything rested in the hands of Dr Gil, Takir, and the others on the Leadership committee.

  A week later he sat nervously in front of Dr Gil and Takir.

  ‘The committee were very impressed with your dedication to researching the ideal donors for the “Leadership” project,’ Dr Gil began. ‘I have seen your dedication and the tireless effort you have put into this over the past few years.’ He cleared his throat. ‘However, the committee is not convinced that a Hybrid donor is the best option for the creation of what we are aiming for – the perfect human. There was a unanimous decision to select the top-scoring Lab, Celia.’

  ‘What?’ Hugo sat up straight. ‘What do you mean? The evidence I collected shows …’

  ‘Hugo, please listen for a moment. We don’t fully understand how Hybrids will develop. You are all so young. The committee has decided that the donor should be a mature Lab who has proven themselves to be of a well-balanced temperament in addition to the characteristics that you so thoroughly researched, and Celia fits that role perfectly,’ Takir added.

  ‘Perhaps at a future date, you could be put forward as a suitable donor in a similar investigation,’ Dr Gil suggested.

  ‘There won’t be another opportunity like this!’ Hugo protested. ‘You can see that I am so far ahead of all Celia’s scores!’

  Takir spread his hands as he and Dr Gil stood up.

  ‘No, wait!’ Hugo put his hand on Takir’s arm. ‘Look, with the split DNA cloning possible, couldn’t the perfect being share DNA
from myself and the Lab, Celia?’

  Dr Gil frowned. ‘That could be a possibility.’

  ‘Any lack of maturity in the Hybrid DNA would be counteracted by the Lab DNA, surely?’

  ‘You have given us food for thought, Hugo. We’ll call a new committee meeting.’

  Hugo tried to mask the desperation in his voice as he said goodbye to the two men.

  The next two weeks seemed to crawl by as he anxiously awaited a phone call from Takir. He felt a sick feeling surge in his stomach when the number finally came up on his mobile screen late one evening.

  ‘Hi there, Hugo,’ Takir’s tone gave nothing away.

  ‘Hi, Takir. So, you’ve reached a decision?’ he replied, the blood pounding in his head.

  ‘After careful consideration, the committee have decided to accept your proposal. Dr Gil has formulated a plan to create five new beings, male and female. Pre-trials are to be set up as soon as possible.’ Hugo let out a long breath as a smile spread over his face. His mind raced as he listened to the rest of Takir’s conversation. He was going to make history! He was going to be part of the team of world leaders!

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  Hugo, Takir, and Sanjit waited tensely as Dr Gil placed the liquid in a glass container. He manoeuvred the container until it was under a microscope attached to a computer. A tiny flicker appeared on the screen.

  Takir drew a loud breath. ‘This could really be the start of something!’

  Gil removed the container carefully and in turn placed two different ones under the microscope. They looked at the three tiny flickering dots on the screen altogether.

  ‘We used fused DNA from three Independent Labs and three Hybrid donors so that we can carry out a broader investigation. All investigations proved successful,’ Dr Gil commented.

  Takir slapped Hugo’s back. ‘The first fused Hybrid/Lab clones!’