Page 9 of Perfection

In the past, she may not have reacted so powerfully. Somehow, motherhood had opened up a depth of emotion inside her. She’d seen the shift happen with other GEIs when children entered their lives, but she never expected to feel it herself.

Kindra felt the blood drain from her face, and her pulse raced.Stay professional.“Computer, the D Generation design, please.” Raising her hand, she directed the officer’s attention to the holographic screen at the end of the room. “Take a look, Lieutenant. Ds are expected to have an average life span of one hundred and sixty years.”

“Holy sh—”

A ribbon of pride danced through her at his amazement. Genetic engineering had changed the course of history. GEIs were the product of the twenty-first century’s California quest for cosmetic perfectionism—the ideal body, complexion, hair, and eyes. Then intellect became a hot commodity. Now, it could all be purchased—and even changed—for the right price, including perfect children comprised of features chosen from an enhancement catalog. Designer babies, some called them. York was correct: her people simply didn’t die. Not until the brain gave out. That was the one thing they couldn’t clone. A sister facility of the Seville worked on cloning body parts, and her fellow scientists constantly developed and refined techniques to increase the speed at which body parts could be grown.

On some gut level, Kindra detested the idea she had been created as part of a fad for perfection and beauty, though she couldn’t blast the benefits of an increased life span with immunity to all known illnesses. It seemed most other people appreciated the advantage of that sort of manipulation, too—even Coders. The days of cancer and disease were behind them, and that was a far more important outcome than simply looking pretty.

She lifted a holograph pad from the desk, plopped it back. Information about germ lines and stem and somatic cells scrolled across the enormous display. She hugged herself, trying to still a sudden sense of unease.

What had caused the child’s death? Had she been murdered? Or was there an undetected mistake in the genetics? Would such a mistake be present in all D Generation children, or could the error be restricted to the one deceased child? She forced herself not to jump to conclusions while tempering her urge to analyze. Minor tweaks in the genome could produce major changes. This turn of events gave her even more reason to urge for a delay in the E Generation release. In her estimation, they were moving too far, too fast. She knew what was at stake. And she knew who they would blame if something went awry—her.

An almost overwhelming feeling of powerlessness and guilt came over her. Kindra couldn’t help but wonder if she had done something to contribute to the unknown little girl’s death. She could only imagine how she’d feel if something happened to her child. She glanced sideways at the lieutenant, pushing the thought aside.

Evidence.That’s what she needed. No sense getting worked up without the facts.

Lieutenant Richmond studied the screen, and she studied him. His unruly eyebrows furrowed above dark, intense eyes. Short wisps of hair curled past the clean neckline of his blue shirt. She blinked and laced her fingers together. He, no doubt, had too much hair—an unpleasant trait of Coders, with their unkempt shadow beards and all. GEIs were not engineered to have such facial hair. Only smooth perfection for them. Even so, she wondered how his hair would feel. Soft? Springy? Coarse? A curious knot tightened in her chest.

Unfolding her arms, she drew her attention back to the screen and the data she knew by rote. It was information she’d learned at her father’s knee. Robert A-Zaika had always found time to answer her questions, always encouraged her, always had confidence in her. On a heavy sigh, she resolved to keep her emotions in check. This wasn’t about her parents.

When the data ceased flickering over the display, Lieutenant Richmond turned to her with an unexpected look of…admiration?

“You understand all that?”

Kindra gave an abrupt nod. Few people saw what she did as anything special. “I’ll need to examine the girl, run tests and meet with the medical examiner. But I have a petition I’m scheduled to present to the Committee in…” She checked the clock on the table. “Oh my. Ten minutes. I can’t leave until I’m finished with that.”

York crossed his arms over his chest. “What could be so important? Doesn’t it bother you that a child has died?”

“Of course it does.”

“Then reschedule the meeting.”

Kindra hesitated. “It’s not that easy.”

“It would be if it were your child.”

She inhaled sharply and pressed her lips together. “There’s nothing I can do for that child now. But my report could influence the quality of life for millions in the next generation, so you’re welcome to wait here until I’m done or I can meet you at the morgue.”

His jaw set firm, he bit out, “I’ll wait.”

She snatched the computer key for her presentation from the desk. “Suit yourself.”

To her irritation, he followed a few steps behind her. At first, she thought he was going to hang out in the outer office, but he stayed with her as she moved into the hall. What was with this guy? She clenched her teeth in annoyance and immediately imagined the way her father used to tap her jawline to break her of the habit.

On a long, slow exhale, she tried to focus on the major points of her presentation and ignore Lieutenant Richmond, hoping he’d give up and go away. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he considered her a flight risk.

Navigating the halls to the conference room, a door suddenly opened as a technician darted out, forcing Kindra and York to stop short. She shifted her gaze to the slowly closing door where the tech had exited, looking inside. Lights glowed in a dim blueish hue. She could see the Artificial Wombs lined up in rows. It had been a long while since she’d ventured there. Not since before Brianna was born.

In a flash of memory, she considered the way GEI children were conceived and born. Usually, the mature egg and sperm were retrieved from the prospective parents, combined in the lab, then genetically altered according to the parent’s choices selected from a list of attributes dictated by the Committee. Viable unions were implanted into an Artificial Womb to grow and mature until gestation was complete.

Kindra caught the Lieutenant’s gaze also locked on the room. His face darkened, perhaps because he didn’t approve of the birth method. Most Coders didn’t. For GEI, it was simply the way it was done. As opposed to the Coder’s who propagated through intercourse.

One thing both groups shared though, there were no unwanted children in this day and age. Birth control had moved far beyond accidental pregnancies. All children were wanted.

Kindra stopped outside the conference room door. Anxiety squeezed her stomach, and the leaden ball that had been her breakfast moved higher into her chest. Her heart raced. “You can’t go in. Wait here.”