Fic: Imperfect Science by Miska (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
eternalmusings)(S4, The Kindre
Nov. 13th, 2008 08:57 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Title: Imperfect Science
Author: Mishka
Episode: The Kindred Part II
Rating: PG-13
Categories: Gen, Angst
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Characters: Michael, Carson Beckett
Warnings: slightly disturbing concept, but nothing severe
Wordcount: 482
Summary: Cloning is an imperfect science.
Note: This is a hypothetical missing scene from before The Kindred Part II, but relates directly to events during that episode.
The first was never alive, in any sense of the word. Neither was the second, or the third.
The fourth one was different. Its heart beat rhythmically and its lungs expanded and contracted. Yet its brain was silent; there was no activity beyond what was functionally necessary. A step forward, to be sure, but not far enough forward. Its life ended the same day that it began.
Created out of frustration, the seventh was a departure from the others. When it awoke, it knew only ravenous hunger and a pounding need to satisfy that hunger. It attacked everyone that came near, mindlessly acting on manipulated instincts in an attempt to assuage its gnawing needs. The entire exercise was a messy failure, but it was not a total loss; there were still lessons that could be learned.
The ninth took a breath, opened its eyes, and screamed. The swift death that followed was almost merciful.
Despite its short lifespan, the ninth was an important milestone, an easy one compared to what was to come. With the establishment of higher brain functions, the next step was to recreate specific synaptic activity and electrical patterns. The requirements were numerous, layered, and complex, and the entire endeavor was branching into brand new territory. Time was taken to run simulations, examine the natural phenomena, and conduct experiments with lesser test subjects. Once a theory and a process were developed, the trials began again.
The tenth through fifteenth were exercises in trial and error. One did not know its name, while another did not its language; the thirteenth could only access the first twenty years of available memory. They were children in their methods of understanding, almost charming in their simplicity. Each lived for several days as they were studied and examined, tested and evaluated. With each one the process was adjusted and refined. With each one the final goal was a step closer.
The sixteenth and seventeenth were opportunities to fine tune the process and discover any lingering glitches and flaws. Neuron was matched with neuron, synapse matched with synapse, a painstaking effort to make sure the results mirrored the model being copied. The subjects were irritatingly combative, and therefore kept sedated during the examinations.
A trial run was conducted with the eighteenth one. It was put through situational tests to observe its reactions and behavior, and practical tests to examine its ability to access and apply information. The results were favorable, so after some final adjustments the trials were ended and all evidence of the subjects was removed.
Then, finally, finally, with the nineteenth one, the project was ready to begin.
Michael stepped into the murky stone cell, his yellow eyes glittering with satisfaction as he took in the results of weeks of hard work.
“Good morning, Dr. Becket,” the former Wraith said. “I hope you’re well rested, because you have lots of work to do.”
Title: Imperfect Science
Author: Mishka
Episode: The Kindred Part II
Rating: PG-13
Categories: Gen, Angst
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Characters: Michael, Carson Beckett
Warnings: slightly disturbing concept, but nothing severe
Wordcount: 482
Summary: Cloning is an imperfect science.
Note: This is a hypothetical missing scene from before The Kindred Part II, but relates directly to events during that episode.
The first was never alive, in any sense of the word. Neither was the second, or the third.
The fourth one was different. Its heart beat rhythmically and its lungs expanded and contracted. Yet its brain was silent; there was no activity beyond what was functionally necessary. A step forward, to be sure, but not far enough forward. Its life ended the same day that it began.
Created out of frustration, the seventh was a departure from the others. When it awoke, it knew only ravenous hunger and a pounding need to satisfy that hunger. It attacked everyone that came near, mindlessly acting on manipulated instincts in an attempt to assuage its gnawing needs. The entire exercise was a messy failure, but it was not a total loss; there were still lessons that could be learned.
The ninth took a breath, opened its eyes, and screamed. The swift death that followed was almost merciful.
Despite its short lifespan, the ninth was an important milestone, an easy one compared to what was to come. With the establishment of higher brain functions, the next step was to recreate specific synaptic activity and electrical patterns. The requirements were numerous, layered, and complex, and the entire endeavor was branching into brand new territory. Time was taken to run simulations, examine the natural phenomena, and conduct experiments with lesser test subjects. Once a theory and a process were developed, the trials began again.
The tenth through fifteenth were exercises in trial and error. One did not know its name, while another did not its language; the thirteenth could only access the first twenty years of available memory. They were children in their methods of understanding, almost charming in their simplicity. Each lived for several days as they were studied and examined, tested and evaluated. With each one the process was adjusted and refined. With each one the final goal was a step closer.
The sixteenth and seventeenth were opportunities to fine tune the process and discover any lingering glitches and flaws. Neuron was matched with neuron, synapse matched with synapse, a painstaking effort to make sure the results mirrored the model being copied. The subjects were irritatingly combative, and therefore kept sedated during the examinations.
A trial run was conducted with the eighteenth one. It was put through situational tests to observe its reactions and behavior, and practical tests to examine its ability to access and apply information. The results were favorable, so after some final adjustments the trials were ended and all evidence of the subjects was removed.
Then, finally, finally, with the nineteenth one, the project was ready to begin.
Michael stepped into the murky stone cell, his yellow eyes glittering with satisfaction as he took in the results of weeks of hard work.
“Good morning, Dr. Becket,” the former Wraith said. “I hope you’re well rested, because you have lots of work to do.”
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