Biomorph

"Well, yeah!" exclaimed Ayla.

"Gather around then"

The class clustered around the inert body of their classmate, and all craned their necks to try and see the small screen on his arm.

"I shall rectify the viewing problems you are having immediately." stated AIMEe, as she linked up to the large screen that served as one of the walls of the room.

The students watched with awe whilst the AI brought up the relevant files - The teacher was too busy calling the other teachers for help. Then, from the speakers in the walls, AIMEe's voice queried "Are you ready to learn a bit about who and what 'Josh' is?"

THE SCREEN STARTS PLAYING A VIDEO.

In it, there is a pale young boy, no older than about 6 or 7. He is dark haired, but that is all that can be seen in the way of his features, as he is lying on his front. The thing that grabs your attention first about him, though, is the fact his body is translucent. You can clearly see his heart and lungs working, and where the robotic surgeon is inserting the walnut-sized metal lump into his neck.

"Hello, potential sponsor!", says a young, energetic woman who walks into the camera's field of view. By her white coat, and gloves, she must be either a doctor or a scientist.

"So, you are interested in the military project Sigma Potens! Well, as you probably know, the project was originally the brainchild of the R&D division at Evo-toys, the manufacturer of various Bio-engineered pets.

However, when they released their plans for, to use their sales pitch, the 'ultimate companion', there was uproar" The lady laughs, and steps to the side, to show off the child to the camera. With a familiar ripple, the skin of his neck and torso becomes opaque again.

"This here is one of the Beta models. There were 200 Alpha models, and we picked the best 50 to become Beta. However, all the Alpha models passed away due to unforeseen complications - some had strokes when we pushed their minds, some had heart attacks, and one... well, the less said about that incident, the better." smiles the lady, who then reaches down and ruffles the hair of the boy. "Why don't you introduce yourself?" she hints.

The boy seems rather annoyed at having to do something like this, but he turns and looks the camera square in the lens, giving the effect that he is looking at the watchers of the video. "I'm subject Beta 42, of this project. Specialization: Stealth. If you're wondering what that means, I'll tell you." The boy grins, and his mouth is full of razor-sharp teeth, which appear to be from various carnivores, namely sharks and felines.

"You hurt me, or my siblings? I'll hunt you to the ends of time. I know what I am. Unlike the other subjects on this project, I know why I was created. And I know for a fact that I can adapt to any environment, any challenge, any obstacle. You hurt my family here? I. Hurt. You. Back." The boy turns around and stalks out of the room. In the background, a cheer can be heard, and it sounds like only children of the same age as that boy have made it. The lady walks back onto the screen, with a smart-dressed man.

"Sorry for his outburst. I forgot he is touchy after surgeries." explains the man. "Anyway, there you have it. 50 near-perfect killing machines. In fact, those who sponsor quickly can reserve any of the 50 we have, and those will be cloned to make the Gamma series."

VIDEO ENDS.

"Well, that was the first video. I'll load up the second file now."

The class began to murmur, having a lot more to think about now.

"Well, that was certainly eye opening!" remarked Boone, shaking his head. "Even with my luck, I never thought I'd see his origins like this!"

"Stop going on about your luck." remarked Adrian, who was half contemplating teleporting somewhere else. "We know that your power's great, so stop going on about it."

"Shush! The next file's up!" growled Ayla.

"OK, Keep your hair on."

A FILE FLASHES ONTO THE SCREEN

Subject Beta 42's power file

His unique power, DNA Doppelgänger, seems to be an advantageous mutation and fusion of his original powers, Copycat and Virus Factory. These are not the official names; however, we shall refer to them as such as they are what the subject has named them.

Power first appeared during the Alpha incident.(See separate file.) In summary, when the alpha series was terminated, all of the Beta series started acting oddly. However, Beta 42, who had only had the previous powers, suddenly gained this mutation. We believe this was a gift from subject Alpha 42, who wanted his Beta series to be better. We first witnessed this power when subject Beta 15, "The Blade", tried to use his power to harm Beta 42. This unprovoked attack was met with a surprisingly quick response, with Beta 42 producing a shell before he was able to be cut.

This shell was identical to that of the crab he had asked to hold not a few minutes before.

Details on power: The power seemingly uses the viruses Beta 42 manufactures naturally to attack the targets cells, and take all the DNA of that cell, along with somehow gaining the memories and skills of said target. The Homeobox genes are very quickly copied, with genes controlling anything not related to what he wants from the being comes last, E.G pigments.

To keep these genes, including the power genes, a cell is converted to a holding facility. It will somehow hold all the information regarding that specific power or animal.

Also, his brain seems to be present in every part of his body. This means separation is possible, as is the holding of various information.

Last notes: Used to be more talkative, however has known about what he was designed for since a young age thanks to the copying and storing of various researcher's powers and memories. Possibly it was a mistake to give him two powers. We can only hope that the Gamma series will not have the same attitude to the testing.

Professor Mishkin.

END OF FILE

The class stared, dumbfounded, at the slumbering body of their classmate. His power was to copy, and keep, other's powers? and not just powers, but the DNA too?

"There is one last file I wish to share with you, but Bet... I mean, Josh must authorize it. I'll wake him now."

Arthur decided to take a peek at the AI whilst 'she' was at work. He soon regretted that decision, as AIMEe shoved him from her systems, something that no computer system had ever done before.

"Just what is the deal with the insane amount of computing power of that AI?" he wondered aloud.

"It's so she can track my mental health and help me fight efficiently." The class jumped. Josh, or the being they knew as Josh, was slowly sitting up, and looked like he was really unhappy.

"Are you ok?" asked Ayla, desperate to try to seem nice. After all, how else could you stay on the good side of someone who could literally scare away as group of 20 soldiers by himself?

"Oh, just peachy." came the sarcastic reply. "I've not only just collapsed, been found by the army, and had my AI show you classified files; I also have a splitting headache from being mentally pulled in every direction. So yeah, my day is going great. Yourself?"