1 First Gene
In front of a huge building stood a young man, 16 -17 year old. The building was outlined skillfully and had a logo of a double helix DNA strand. Beneath the logo is the name "Gene Bank".
"This is it! I finally have the money to buy my very first gene ability!" He said.
After exhaling a warm breath, he strode towards the entrance of the building. He smiled at the guards while they ignored him. "Someday, I'll be a geneticist too." He thought.
Genetic era is what people call this time. It was the result of the previous era's doing; when the powerful nations started using bioweaponries. Although, fate has played a role too. The fearsome 'continental shift' happened and in the midst of chaos, military bases, where those nuclear bioweapons were stored, were destroyed and exploded. Resulting in the double catastrophic and irreversible damage to the world.
The young man walked and arrived in front of the information desk. "What can I do for you?" The beautiful woman behind the desk asked.
"I'm here to buy some gene ability." He replied.
"First time?" The young man nodded in response.
She pushed some buttons on her pad and then a holographic projection of a woman appeared. "Please, follow me." The hologram said.
They arrived at a cubicle. The hologram gestured for the young man to step inside. He knew what it was and excitedly stepped inside it. The metallic door of the cubicle closed and a green light started to shine.
[Scanning...] a robotic voice of a woman sounded. [Height: 5 feet 7 inches... Mass: 30.1 Kilograms... Fitness: Satisfactory... Blood Pressure: Normal...] the voice started to enumerate the results of the scan.
The young man stood there silently, excitedly waiting for the scanning to complete. After several minutes, [Scanning complete... please state your name...] it said.
"Joshua Pimm...." He replied.
[Record found... creating gene code...]
After three minutes, [Gene code created... 125744-JP... Status: Unevolved... Mutation: None... Gene Slot: 1...]
After that setting, the entire cubicle lit up and series of boxes appeared around him.
[Welcome to Helix Gene Bank where we make your dreams come true. Please place your hand in front of you. Thank you.] A pleasant woman's voice said. Joshua followed the instructions.
[Print scanning commenced......completed. Please choose a gene.]
Countless gene strands lined up around Joshua. He then started to look for the gene he very much wanted to have. After several minutes, he finally found the gene.
[Herculean Strength Gene chosen...
Gene type: Strength enhancement...
Gene Effect: Gain strength equivalent to 6 elephants...
Gene cost: 600 strands...]
After choosing his desired gene, the robotic female voice announced,
[Extracting required genes... ......................extracted...
Extracting host's gene sample........................]
A long thin tube with a needle point pricked Joshua and extracted a blood sample. [Extracted...]
[Gene Fusion starting............................................................
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Genes fused successfully.]
Joshua felt ecstatic. Obtaining a gene ability was a simple process but there are a lot of people who have not able to obtain any. Was it because of financial reasons? No. The reason lies in the gene fusion process. There are those that are less compatible with gene abilities and a very rare case where a person is ultimately incompatible to fuse with any gene. He was pleased to know that he does not belong to those rare people and he can fuse with his much desired gene.
After a few, a metal bed unfolded beside him. Joshua knew he will be immersed in the fused gene solution, he excitedly laid on the metal bed.
[DNA restructuring will start in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1......]
Joshua fell in a deep sleep. He was bathe in a silvery light while a reddish gold solution bubbled on top of the bed where he laid.
In the tallest building at the center of the city, inside a luxurious room, a middle aged man can be heard talking to someone over his handphone.
"Has there been any progress?" the man asked.
"None, sir." The voice on the line answered.
"The island is still very far from our reach. Our facilities are not powerful enough to withstand the extreme conditions miles around the island. Furthermore, royal class genetic monsters roam around the perimeter and we do not know how many are there. Many of our geneticists has already lost their lives in there." The voice added.
"Are there any reports of those royal class monsters breaking out of the area?" The middle aged man asked.
"None so far, sir. It seems royal class monsters of that area does not dare go out at a certain distance. It is as if they are restricted by something."
"Okay, stop any missions to the island for the moment. Establish a watch point over the calculated boundary. If there are any break outs, report them immediately." He commanded.
"Yes, sir!"
Their conversation ended. Then he sighed and leaned on his recliner. "Sir, your meeting with the Gene Council will start at 1:00 PM" said by the beautiful secretary.
Back at the gene bank, the DNA restructuring has just ended. Joshua walked out from the cubicle, feeling energized and strong.
"Finally..." He said clenched fist.
"Here is your gene badge and gene kit." The woman on the information desk handed over.
"Thank you." He said.
"No, thank you for choosing our bank for you first gene experience. Have a nice day." She smiled.
Joshua walked out of the bank, on his right shoulder is his gene badge with a holographic "I" drawn on it. The letter was a bright copper color signifying that he is an Apprentice Stage 1. He went straight home to his rented room. He placed the gene kit on his small table and walked in front of his mirror.
He inspected the badge attached on his right shoulder. The badge is made of genetic nanometal that can be directly attached to the body. The badge would then be activated and would project the level and stage of the host. The badge is also equipped with other functions such as automatic gene scanning during a genetic monster encounter and a personal profiling program.
"Mom, Dad, I finally have my first gene ability. I swear, I will get all those people who did those things to you!" He swore with clenched fists.
His dad was a government agent. He got some conflict at work that led to him being killed. The culprits were never found. The government assured them justice but after 10 years, there was still no progress. His mother is a geneticist that worked for a private company. She took off to find the culprits of his father's death but 'til now, 5 years after, she has yet to return. He believed, no, he knew that his mother is still alive. Ever since, he swore to become a powerful geneticist. A powerful geneticist that can deliver justice for his father.
At the age of 12, he struggled to live. He had to work day after day. He had many different jobs that earned him a little bit more if not less money; just enough to buy a piece of bread and a bottle of clean water. Unlike other kids, he has not found any mutations on his body. He was just a normal kid which at the time and day, an oddball. Many schools of the current era does not accept children without mutations. They are deemed less progressive and unable to survive in the current time.
So, Joshua has never been admitted to any formal school. Although he knew basic education because his mother taught him until she left him after his dad died.
After settling down, he went back to where he put the gene kit. He opened it, and took out the contents. There was a 4 x 4 inches copper plate, "This should be the gene extractor plate. Too bad, its only copper class," next he took out a copper colored glass case-like object.
"This one should be the materializer. It's a copper one too." He read the manuals for the gene extractor and materializer the whole night. In the morning, he took out the materializer. "I'll try to materialize an equipment today, then I'll train with it. It should suffice to hunt outside the city." He muttered.
For the materializer to work, he needs to place a gene sample in the case. Next, he must design the equipment and then activate the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles will then use the gene sample as base to create the desired material.
Yesterday, he also bought a 1 - star Servant class gene from a Rockhorn beast. The gene of the rockhorn beast boosts endurance and defense. He specifically picked it to complement his gene ability, herculean strength, and also it is the cheapest double enhancement gene he can buy at the time.
Joshua started the materializer and placed the 1 - star gene inside. Then he started to design. He wanted an equipment that cannot hinder his punches. He is good in boxing, so the equipment he wanted is a pair of gloves. He thought that always wearing gloves would minimize the functionality of his hands, so he wanted the boxing gloves to be retractable, something activated.
His design was based on a bracelet. If activated, it would materialize a gene - based nanofilm that would cover his hands like a glove does. So, the resulting gloves will not be bulky like ordinary boxing gloves, instead, it is nearly alike to a mix martial artists' gloves, the difference is that it covers his entire hands.
After several hours of designing and processing, the equipment has been materialized. The item is a pair of 3 centimeter thick, deep orange bracelets. He wore it on both of his wrists. The bracelets shrunk to fit. He activated it and in less than 2 seconds, a deep orange nanofilm covered his entire hands with a thick and solid knuckle guards on.
He inspected the functionality of the gloves. He did some shadow boxing and did some on his punching bags. He was satisfied. The gloves is not heavy and does not hinder his punching speed. It is also durable and protected his hands well. He tore 3 punching bags and dented a metal pole without his hands getting any injury.
He looked at the clock, it was now 1 o'clock in the afternoon. "Almost time for work." He store his materials into a small pack. He ate lunch and walked out of the room. He works in the canning factory. He works in the storage room together with four other workers. His task there is to carry heavy boxes of ingredients and other materials into the warehouse.
His co-workers are all mutants, meaning they have genetic mutations, obviously leaning on the strength enhancements. He was the only one who uses a robo-suit. Because of this, his wage is cut a quarter to pay for the robo-suit's maintenance. Even with his robo-suit his work is two times less than those his mutant co-workers. However, now that he has acquired a gene ability, he will be able to work on par with his co - workers.
"Yo, Josh! Wait up!" someone called as he walked. He turned a glance and saw his friend. "Hey, Bj!." He said.
"You're early." Bj said.
"YOU"RE early! Didn't you go partying last night? I thought you'd skip work today again." Joshua quipped.
"I did go but something extremely incredible happened at the club. You won't believe it, man!" He said excitedly.
"Really? What is that incredible thing that happened then?" Joshua said passively. He was not that interested since everything seems incredible for his good friend.
"This is a bit confidential. Come, I'll tell you." He said while grabbing Joshua closer to him as they walk.
