Free Perfect by Viola Grace

Chapter One
     
     
    Tyanni Nikkelson lay in the gel bed, listening to her sister read the latest in her genealogical research.
    “Well, Ty, according to the genetic sample that I sent in for you, you are at least eleven percent unidentifiable DNA. The society was very excited, and the Volunteer Project has offered to identify it for us.” Lynni grinned.
    Ty gave her a thumbs-up. The rest of her was covered in gauze. The acid that she had been doused in had scorched through most of her skin, and her continued survival was filed under miracle most of the time. Two years in the bed with no skin to call her own and she was still ticking.
    From within her plastic tent, she chuckled. “It sounds interesting. Where did we come from? The other parts, I mean.”
    “Oh, Western Europe, a bit of Northern Asia. Nothing spectacular. It is the unidentified stuff that I am interested in.”
    “Ly, you are always chasing puzzles.” Tyanni let her eyes show her amusement.
    “One of us has to. You seem to have given up on your cardio.”
    Ty chuckled.
    Nurse Redmon came in and cleared her throat. “Ty, you have a visitor.”
    “Show them in.”
    Ly snorted. “Oh, receiving guests. Aren’t we the queen of Sheba?”
    “Jealous?”
    When the figure of an alien entered her room, Ty wished she could sit up and stare. As it was, she looked at the small grey creature and greeted them as best she could. “Good afternoon. Pardon my lack of formal greeting, but I am indisposed.”
    “An acid attack. I have read your file, Ms. Nikkelson. I am Recruiter Norz.”
    “Recruiter Norz, this is my sister, Lynni.”
    The Recruiter blinked in surprise, his huge eyes glossy and black as he looked to the corner where Lynni was curled up with her laptop.
    “I am pleased to meet you, Ms. Nikkelson.”
    Lynni sat up and looked between them. “Are you here to offer her a space in the Volunteer Project?”
    The Recruiter looked over at Ty and said, “No.”
    Ty had to admit to disappointment. “Oh.”
    “The genetic sample that was sent displayed a steady stream of genes that go back over sixteen generations. We have done our research and have linked those genes to a species that was thought to be extinct.”
    Ly leaned forward and said, “Oh, interesting.”
    Ty made the harsh barking noise that passed for a laugh. “Hey, we are all exotic and stuff.”
    Norz nodded. “Indeed. With your genetic traces, we have found an additional three representatives of that genome in your population. Contact with the Lrrko has been made, and they have offered to fund all of your rehabilitation, provided that you will make your genes available for a new generation.”
    Ly blinked. “Babies?”
    “Clones. The Lrrko are scientists above all, but they need additional samples of their own genes. A cataclysm reduced their genetic stores to nothing. They only have the manufactured population currently manning their cities and facilities. Your ancient genomes are just what they have been looking for.”
    Ty made her coughing laugh. “In return for some blood and hair, they are willing to put me back together?”
    “They are.”
    “Sign me up.” She coughed a laugh again. “I am ready when you are.”
    Lynni nodded. “Me too.”
    Norz blinked. “Both of you?”
    “I don’t need the healing, but if Tyanni goes, so do I. We are all that we have left.” Ly smiled. “Nikkelson girls stick together.”
    Norz blinked and smiled, showing shark-like teeth. “In that case, you can sign the agreements and the next shuttle to Lunar Base is yours.”
    Lynni extended her hands. “I have power of attorney; let’s rock this thing.”
    Ty barked a laugh and lay back. Today was definitely looking up.
     
    Being moved from one gel bed to one designed to be locked into a ship was not a comfortable manoeuvre, but she held back her screams and went along for the ride. She could remember what it felt like to sweat when that kind of pain ripped through her, but the thin layer