The first rays of dawn filtered through the tattered curtains, casting a dim light on Elena's face. She slowly opened her eyes to a room shrouded in gray. The walls were adorned with faded posters, each bearing the slogan of the Gene Vault: "Genes Determine Destiny, Choose to Change the Future."
These posters had hung here for years, their colors long faded, yet the words remained starkly visible.
Elena sat up in bed, stretching her limbs. She felt a lingering fatigue but was filled with anticipation for the new day. In this world, where genes dictated everything, she was just an ordinary Iron, living at the bottom of society. Despite the hardships, she had never given up hope for a better future.
She got dressed and walked to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. Everything in the kitchen looked worn out, but Elena had grown fond of this place. It was her and her daughter Lila's home, a place filled with warmth and love despite its modesty.
"Mom, I'm hungry," Lila's voice called out from the bedroom, breaking the kitchen's tranquility. Elena looked up to see her daughter rubbing her eyes, emerging from the bedroom with tousled hair and a sleepy expression.
"Coming right up," Elena said softly, a gentle smile playing on her lips. She continued her preparations, and soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of food.
Lila walked over to the dining table and sat down. She watched her mother move around the kitchen, her eyes filled with a hint of envy. "Mom, what if we could become Goldens?" she said, her voice tinged with longing.
Elena paused in her movements, turning to look at her daughter. A complex mix of emotions flickered in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. "Lila, remember, genes don't determine everything. You can create your own future with hard work," she said gently, her voice firm with conviction.
Lila nodded, a hint of confusion still lingering in her eyes. She knew her mother was right, but the world of the Goldens seemed so distant and magical to her.
After breakfast, Elena and Lila stepped out of their home. The streets outside were already bustling with people, their faces etched with the urgency of daily life. In this genebound world, everyone was fighting for survival.
"Mom, let's go to the Gene Vault today," Lila said excitedly. She had always been curious about the Gene Vault, the place where gene testing and enhancement took place, a symbol of changing destiny.
Elena hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "Alright, let's go and see," she said. She knew Lila's fascination with the Gene Vault was not unfounded. In this world, the Gene Vault was like a myth, making people believe that they could change their fate through gene testing and enhancement.
They made their way through the crowded streets and arrived at the entrance of the Gene Vault. The Gene Vault was a massive building, towering into the sky like an insurmountable fortress. Security guards in uniform stood at the entrance, their cold eyes exuding an intangible pressure.
"Welcome to the Gene Vault," one of the guards said, breaking Elena's reverie. He looked at Elena and Lila with a hint of disdain. "Are you here for a gene test?"
Elena nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. "Yes, I'd like to get my daughter's genes tested."
The guard nodded and gestured for them to enter. Elena took Lila's hand and walked into the lobby of the Gene Vault. The lobby was filled with the scent of advanced technology, with glowing devices and busy staff everywhere. Posters advertising various gene tests and enhancements adorned the walls.
"Genes Determine Destiny, Choose to Change the Future," a voice echoed in the lobby, adding to the intangible pressure Elena felt.
"Mom, look, that poster says you can enhance your gene grade with a test," Lila said excitedly, her eyes fixed on the poster, filled with longing.
Elena nodded, but a sense of confusion filled her heart. She knew that gene testing was not that simple. In this world, gene testing and enhancement came at a great cost, a cost that they, as Irons, simply could not afford.
"Welcome to the Gene Vault," a staff member in a white uniform approached them with a smile. "How can I assist you?"
Elena took a deep breath and then said slowly, "I'd like to get my daughter's genes tested."
The staff member nodded and led Elena and Lila to a testing room. The room was filled with various high-tech devices, their cold glow adding to the sterile atmosphere. The staff member guided Lila to sit in front of a testing machine.
"Please relax, this test won't hurt at all," the staff member said calmly, but Elena could sense an underlying pressure.
Lila nodded and placed her hand on the testing machine. The machine hummed softly and began to glow. Elena watched Lila nervously, her heart filled with worry.
A few minutes later, the testing machine beeped, signaling the end of the test. The staff member walked over to the machine, examined the data displayed on the screen, and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Your daughter's gene sequence contains some unusual fragments," the staff member said calmly, but Elena could sense an underlying tension. "These fragments do not match the characteristics of an Iron."
Elena's heart sank. She clenched the report in her hand, the paper rustling softly. She knew this result was not a coincidence. She looked up at the staff member, her eyes filled with determination. "What do these unusual fragments mean?"
The staff member looked up at Elena, her eyes flickering with hesitation. "This could mean that your daughter's gene sequence holds some secrets," she said calmly, but her eyes betrayed a sense of caution.
Elena's heart raced. She knew this result could plunge them into a massive conspiracy. She held Lila's hand tightly, her voice trembling slightly. "We need further testing."
The staff member nodded and then left the room. Elena looked at Lila, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She knew this result could change their fate, but she was also aware that it hid a much larger conspiracy.
"Mom, will I become a Golden?" Lila's voice was filled with anticipation.
Elena gently stroked her head, her eyes softening. "I don't know, Lila. But no matter what happens, I will protect you."
Lila nodded, her eyes filled with determination. She knew her mother would always be by her side.
The next morning, Elena woke up early as usual, preparing to send Lila to school. She carefully hid the report in the inner pocket of her clothes, deciding to go to the Gene Vault for further testing later.
"Mom, I don't want to go to school today," Lila said, rubbing her eyes and looking tired as she emerged from the bedroom. There was a hint of unease on her face, and her eyes betrayed a fear of the unknown.
"What's wrong, Lila?" Elena asked, her voice filled with concern as she squatted down and gently held her daughter's hand.
"I... I feel strange," Lila said softly, her voice trembling. "I had a dream last night, a dream where I was in a big laboratory, and many people were experimenting on me."
Elena's heart sank. She knew this dream was probably not a coincidence. She gently patted Lila's back, comforting her. "It was just a dream, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Just then, the doorbell rang. Elena looked up to see her husband Jason standing at the door. There was a hint of fatigue on his face, but his eyes betrayed a strange tension.
"What's wrong, Jason?" Elena asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
Jason didn't answer but walked straight into the house and closed the door. His eyes swept over Lila before settling on Elena, his face filled with hesitation.
"Elena, we need to talk," Jason said, his voice low and tense
Elena's heart raced. She knew that look on Jason's face meant something bad had happened. She held Lila's hand tightly and asked, "What is it?"
Jason took a deep breath and then said slowly, "Last night, I received a call. They said Lila's gene test results are abnormal and need further examination."
Elena's heart sank. She clenched the report in her hand, the paper rustling softly. She knew this call was not a coincidence. She looked up at Jason, her eyes filled with accusation. "Who called?"
Jason lowered his head, not answering. A hint of guilt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. "They said if I don't cooperate, Lila will be in danger," he said softly, almost to himself.
Elena felt a surge of anger. She knew Jason had been manipulated by the powerful families. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "If you truly want to protect Lila, you won't stop me," she said coldly, then turned and walked out of the house.
Elena walked through the crowded streets, her mind filled with confusion and unease. She knew what the Red Thorn virus meant, but she also knew that it must be hiding a much larger conspiracy. She clutched the report in her hand, her eyes filled with determination.
She decided to seek out someone she once trusted—Margaret Wu. Margaret was the first-generation geneticist who had tried to achieve human equality through gene editing, but she was ultimately silenced by the powerful families. Before she died, she had given the Red Thorn virus to Elena, hoping she would carry on her work.
Elena arrived at Margaret's former lab, located on the outskirts of the city in a dilapidated building. She walked inside and saw that everything was in disrepair. The walls were adorned with faded posters, each bearing slogans about gene editing.
"Genes Determine Destiny, Choose to Change the Future," a voice echoed in the lab, adding to the intangible pressure Elena felt.
Elena walked to the center of the lab and saw an old computer sitting there. She turned it on, and the screen displayed a message: "Welcome to the Gene Editing Laboratory."
Elena took a deep breath and slowly typed in the command: "Red Thorn virus."
The computer screen displayed rows of data, and Elena carefully examined it, trying to find something useful. She knew that the Red Thorn virus was a special gene-editing tool that could alter gene sequences and even reset them.
"The Red Thorn virus is a gene-editing tool that can alter gene sequences and even reset them," the computer screen displayed. "The purpose of this virus is to achieve gene equality, but it is also fraught with danger."
Elena felt a shock. She knew what the Red Thorn virus meant, but she also knew that it must be hiding a much larger conspiracy. She clutched the report in her hand, her eyes filled with determination.