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    Biohazard (A Novella)
    Biohazard (A Novella)
    Biohazard (A Novella)
    Ebook121 pages2 hours

    Biohazard (A Novella)

    By Amy Saunders

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    About this ebook

    Madison has lived her whole life cloistered with the only family she knows–other genetically modified humans like her. And it’s not exactly what she would consider “living.”

    They’re monitored, studied, and watched. Always guarded. Always hidden. And now that the oldest in their group has escaped into the outside world – always under suspicion.

    As the first group of a government experiment to design perfect soldiers by enhancing human DNA, they’ve never had hope of a long life span. Super strength and stamina has come with faster physical deterioration and mental and emotional instabilities.

    But now their lives may be cut short for a different reason. When a scientist involved in their creation is found murdered, Madison is left fighting to keep them all from termination. Surviving will mean leaving the isolated life she knows behind, and discovering what she’s really capable of.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAmy Saunders
    Release dateMay 24, 2012
    ISBN9781476252780
    Biohazard (A Novella)
    Author

    Amy Saunders

    Amy Saunders is a sci-fi/mystery addict with a soft spot for humor and romance. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. Learn more about Amy and her books at http://amysaundersauthor.com.

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      Book preview

      Biohazard (A Novella) - Amy Saunders

      Biohazard

      Amy Saunders

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2012 Amy Saunders

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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      Chapter 1

      Madison faced the double doors at the end of the hallway, the beat of her heart loud enough to dance to. Fluorescent lights flickered as she listened to the men behind the doors. She heard four, maybe five, distinct voices locked in two separate conversations. One group discussed the murder. The other conversation revolved around a new Thai restaurant in another part of the city. Madison blocked out that discussion and focused on the first, trying to drown out the drumming in her head.

      One of the lead researchers of the Hybrid Project, Madison whispered. What are the odds?

      Slim, Thriller said.

      Madison glanced around her. If he is responsible, why did he stop there? Why not take them all out?

      He has every reason to want to.

      Madison pursed her lips, thinking back three weeks ago when Keagan had left, and asked her to leave with him. Would she now be an accomplice in a murder if she'd gone? If they're involving us, they must think the same thing we do.

      If they're keeping the murder quiet, who's investigating? Thriller said.

      Madison shrugged. It doesn't make much difference to us. We're here to do damage control. If they suspect Keagan, it won't take long for the Division to crack down on the three of us.

      What do you suggest we do then?

      Madison's stomach flipped. She'd slept little the night before and couldn't eat that morning for nervousness. Keagan had opened a door of opportunity, whether intentionally or not. They were in a unique position - one of power over the Human Modification Division. And Madison intended to use it to demand the one thing they all craved - freedom. We know Keagan. We can find him.

      Thriller glanced at her, surprised. He's one of us.

      Madison took a deep breath and placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to reach him through his eyes. We're the only ones who can stop him. And the Division wants to protect their interests - namely keeping the Hybrid Project underground. I think they'll bargain.

      With us? We're lab rats.

      We're also designed to protect them from the enemy.

      Right now, we are the enemy.

      Madison squeezed his shoulder, harder than before so he actually felt it. Please back me up on this. It's not just you or me. We have to protect Louisa too. She's a lot younger and much more vulnerable. She eased up on her grip. I need you with me. Thrilled assented, feeling like a traitor. But Madison was right. They needed to protect each other.

      Madison sighed. She had practiced her presentation and she had to reproduce it with the same conviction she'd mastered in front of her mirror. There was no point in delaying it any further.

      They entered the conference room, a rectangular table in the center and people-sized filing cabinets - all empty, Thriller had peeked once - lining the back wall. Everyone's faces reflected the gray walls and Madison and Thriller took their seats at one end of the table, apart from the rest. Seven in total. Dr. Kimmel, the lead project scientist, nodded his hello, sitting beside a man neither of them had seen before. The Hybrid Project leader, Malloy, stepped forward to shake hands. The new face studied them both intently. Thriller picked at the peeling table top.

      As we're all aware, Malloy said, leaning on the back of his chair instead of sitting in it, Dr. Tessler was shot to death last night. We're also now aware that Keagan is missing. He shot Thriller and Madison a look but kept speaking. Dr. Kimmel informs us that he had become more hostile in the last year. More than usual that is. Two people filed complaints about his violent disposition. Keagan refused check-ups and testing as well as medications. Last night, some confidential records were stolen as well, most likely by him. Keagan has become a threat to this project and a danger to society at large.

      Thriller bristled, his jaw locking. Madison placed a hand on his arm. May I say something? she said. Malloy nodded. Madison stood and accidentally looked in the new man's direction. He winked. She looked away quickly, wondering if anyone else saw it, but no one seemed interested in him.

      Madison licked her lips, pulling her thoughts back to the issue at hand. There are risks with every experiment. You wanted the perfect soldiers and so you designed us to be more resilient, more powerful than you. The risk is that we would overtake you. Her practiced speech flowed back to her, and she released some of the tension locking her muscles. You tried diluting that risk with extra precautions, keeping us hidden, stripping us of freedom. The effect: Keagan. As the oldest of our group, Keagan bears the most scars. Nonetheless, he is a powerful foe and you will not be able to take him alone.

      What are you suggesting? Malloy said, wrapping his arms across his chest.

      Madison glanced at Thriller for support. He nodded though his eyes weren't convinced. We're Keagan's equals, Madison said. We can protect you. And stop Keagan. Thriller's jaw twitched.

      Malloy scanned the faces of his colleagues, all breathless before her. And in return?

      Freedom. Madison willed her heart to slow down as she returned the blatant stares of all in the room.

      The newest member of the group had never taken his eyes off of either of them. Madison had to clench her fists to keep from shaking, but his unblinking eyes only made her more nervous. He was inspecting her, and she felt her nerves unraveling by the second. If they didn't spit out their decision soon, she would fall to pieces right then and there. While the rest of the panel seemed to debate silently, the new man finally spoke. How do we know we can trust you?

      Madison pushed her auburn hair behind her ears, meeting his gaze firmly. You don't.

      He tucked his chin into the crook of his palm, leaning his weight on it. I don't know, he said. How bad are you guys anyway? His translucent eyes dared her to show him. She saw Thriller poised to accept his offer and acted fast.

      With a hop, she mounted the table, took one stride and somersaulted sideways over his head, wrapping her elbow around his neck like a noose before anyone could even flinch. She knew from tests they'd performed that she could snap his neck with one arm. Jaws dropped, except Thriller's, who leaned back in his seat, unabashedly proud. Madison blew a piece of golden red hair out of her eyes and backed away. The new man swiveled around, his translucent eyes glimmering with joy. Madison felt her face flush red and she hoped it was from the exertion.

      I don't see that we have another option, he said to the group, his eyes still flush with hers. I think we should accept their help. I don't see winning a Hybrid Revolution, do you?

      Malloy nodded, his face uncertain but resigned. Fine. He looked at Thriller sternly who only gave him a sideways glance in return. You and St. Claire can debrief each other. St. Claire, the new person in the room, waved. As for your terms, I'm not making any promises.

      As the rest of the men prepared to leave, Malloy pulled Madison aside. She could feel St. Claire's eyes follow her. Keagan may not be leaving us with much choice, but that doesn't mean I'm just dropping our fates in your hands. For all I know, you've all been planning this out together. One of you takes one false step, Malloy dropped his chin, his round eyes protruding from his head, and I will make sure you never see your fellow Hybrids again. That's a promise.

      Madison forced her head to move in acknowledgment, swallowing the hatred that rose like bile from her gut. If Keagan did kill Tessler, in her opinion he'd taken out the wrong person.

      Thriller and Madison stood in the hallway that connected the conference room to their high-security underground living quarters. It was actually just a basement of an old warehouse that had been converted into lab space no more conspicuous than any other brick building in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This was the "official

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