Cyberknight: One Path (original novel)

*25 years prior to the current events of the story

A single zygote was dropped inside the confines of an incubator tube filled with amniotic fluid. Unlike a normal human zygote, these were genetically modified humans with several alterations to their genes which would help turn them into the most efficient killers known to man. For the first time, the KD-series (Kirchoff-Decimators) of assassins, will feature flesh and blood bodies with fully functioning organs for better infiltration duty. 

[Miho] - "And now, we wait. These units would be the pinnacle of human genetic modification and will serve us well in the future. "

[Ethan] - "Yet, these creatures will have independent thoughts and will. Have you ever considered the morality of turning them into natural-born killers? "

Miho dismissed Ethan's concerns and decided to pour herself a cup of drink to celebrate. 

[Miho] - "These girls are nothing but prototypes. The next batch will feature a neutered limbic system and a sterilization of the reproductive system which would make them more efficient. "

Said Miho before gulping down a glass of liquor. 

Ethan was clearly disturbed by Miho's casual demeanour as she spoke of artificial mutilation as a mundane affair. 

[Ethan] - "You are mutilating your own daughters, yet you don't seem to be slightly disturbed by the weight of your words or actions. Do you not feel even the slightest sympathy for these poor creatures? "

Said Ethan as he stared at Miho with disgust in his eyes.

[Miho] - "Just like how some are born with genetic mutations and defects, they were simply unlucky. Some are born healthy, others are born sick. These girls are nothing but a microcosm within such a large world. Go ahead, Mister Ethan, feel bad for every single infant born this second in the world with a defect or handicap. "

Said Miho in a cold voice. 

Ethan simply shook his head at Miho, defeated by the lack of humanity within her heart. 

As the years went on, cybernetic implants were slowly installed into the growing bodies of the infants in the incubation tubes. First, making use of the underdeveloped cranium, a small quantic computer was inserted into their brains which had a smaller parietal lobe to accommodate for this modification. Second, since these girls were intentionally created without eyes, a pair of cybernetic eyes were installed in their eye sockets. Then, as they grew, their spines were removed and replaced with a Conagher MK.7M. All the while, a supply of mercury-titanium poly-alloy was injected into their bodies, which were genetically modified to use this exotic material for bone construction. 

Incubation lasted for a total of ten years before the time finally came for their birth. Followed by a row of white coats which held notepads and cameras, Miho stepped forward to face the five incubation tubes before her. 

[Miho] - "Rise, my wonderful harpies! "

Gradually, the amniotic fluid was drained from each of their containers before the glass suddenly opened to allow their naked bodies to fall to the ground. The cold floor, combined with the shock of their sudden fall caused each of the five girls to gasp and tremble in cold and fear. Suddenly, an ear-screeching scream came from subject number four codenamed KD-554. 

[KD-554] - "It hurt! Help me! AAAAAAHHHH! "

Yelled KD-554 as her skin began to tear apart while blood began to escape from every single one of her orifices. 

The scientists in the room began to panic as the shocking sight seeded fear and confusion among them. Acting quickly, Ethan quickly stepped in and ordered his assistants to help him carry KD-554 to a surgery room not far from the area. Despite the tense atmosphere, Miho remained calm like a stone as she stared at the puddle of blood left by KD-554 with contempt. 

[Scientist 1] - "Miho Tsujinaka! What the hell was that? "

Yelled the scientist accusingly as he pointed at Miho. 

[Miho] - "Please focus on our successful subjects instead of lingering on a minor mistake. "

[Scientist 2] - "What the fuck have you done? Her DNA structures are basically falling apart because of what you did, you monster! "

Screamed the scientist as he approached Miho.

Suddenly, Miho turned around and stared at the scientist with a killer stare in her eyes.

[Miho] - "Doctor Fernando, you were born with a deformed jaw from what I can see. Are you going to blame your mother for being such a monster? "

Said Miho with a menacing voice.

The scientist quickly backed away in fear as the other men simply stared at his deformed jaw in shock. After surveying the scientist and making sure no one had any more complaints, Miho turned around and continued her presentation. 

[Miho] - "Now, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present to you, the 5th generation of the Kirchoff-Decimator series of assassins. Featuring fully functioning flesh and blood for infiltration tasks and a deadly combination of precision and weaponry. "

Said Miho as she kneeled down and helped KD-551 stand up on her feet. 

However, instead of holding KD-551 like a human, she simply held her like a doll by the arm so the scientist could get a better look at her naked body. While many were intrigued by the sight as they began taking pictures and notes, others were shocked and disgusted by Miho's inhumanity and her creation.

Meanwhile, KD-552 and KD-553 slowly pushed themselves off the floor while trembling in cold and fear. As KD-553 tried to cover her private parts, one of the guards quickly stepped in to pry her hands away so the scientists could get a better look at her. On the other hand, KD-552 was still in shock as she stared confusingly at the row of scientists observing her. 

[Scientist 3] - "Wait, Miho, why isn't that 5th one breathing? Is she dead? "

Said the scientist as she poked her pen against KD-555.

Puzzled, KD-552 turned around and walked toward KD-555 before gently shaking her. Suddenly, KD-555 spat out a mouthful of amniotic fluid before taking in a large breath of air. However, instead of trembling in the cold like her sisters, KD-555 began to cry like a newborn baby while curling herself into a ball. Despite the heartbreaking scene, not a single scientist nor Miho did anything about KD-555 before KD-552 decided to help her sister off the ground and hug her tightly in her arms. However, as soon as KD-555 stopped crying, the guards immediately separated the sisters and stood them up so the scientists could touch and evaluate their bodies.

During this time, Ethan worked tirelessly to save KD-554 as her body fell apart due to a faulty genetic code. After cutting away most of her body, Ethan was still faced with progressive tissue breakdown. In a last-ditch attempt to save her, Ethan decided to save what part of her body he could by placing her brain inside the body of a fourth-generation KD-series assassin. After two days of intensive work, Ethan was able to salvage KD-554's brain, heart, lungs and spine but the rest of her body was simply beyond saving due to a rapidly spreading infection. 

[Ethan] - "I did what I could. At least you are still alive in a sense. "

Said Ethan as he wiped the sweat off his head. 

[KD-554] - "I can't feel my body. I don't understand. "

Said KD-554 as she took a look at her cybernetic arm. 

[Ethan] - "This is your new body. I can give you a layer of synthetic hardened skin to make you look more human but that's about as much as I can do to preserve your humanity. "

[KD-554] - "Humanity... I don't get it. But my purpose does not require humanity. "

Ethan looked at KD-554 with a saddened look in his eyes. She was like a child who didn't understand what had happened to her and the consequences of her current predicament. Too innocent to understand but mature enough to be conscious of her situation. 

Later, KD-554 rejoined her sisters who were all kept in a small prison-like room with barely any clothes. The four sisters stared at KD-554 who was noticeably different from them. However, they were glad to know she was one of them as they welcomed her with smiles and open arms. While the five sisters cuddled for warmth, Miho observed them through a camera inside their cell with a disappointed look on her face. 

[Miho] - "Too soft. Batch two has a 75% reduction in their limbic system activity. Doctor Ethan, I want batch three to have a 90% limbic system activity reduction. For now, I want you to survey this experimental batch. If they get too emotional or do not follow orders, I want you to either eliminate them or operate on their limbic system to ensure a better level of efficiency. "

Said Miho as she swirled around her chair. 

[Ethan] - "Of course, I will survey them. You can go now. "

Said Ethan with an emotionless look in his eyes.

With a shrug, Miho took her cup of coffee and left the surveillance room to Ethan. As soon as Miho left the room, Ethan stared at the five girls with a look of pity before turning the camera away to allow them some privacy. 

Later that day, the five girls were escorted to a barrack room before the door was shut behind them without warning. However, their purpose soon became clear as five fourth-generation KD-series assassins stood before them. Meanwhile, Miho arrived before the live camera feed with a bag of popcorn and drink excitingly while her fellow scientists took notes. 

[Miho] - "Popcorn? "

Said Miho as she presented her bag to Ethan. 

[Ethan] - "Ugh! No thanks. "

Said Ethan as he inched away from Miho. 

[Miho] - "Your loss, man. This is going to be very interesting. I bet they can kill the 4th gens but will sustain a few casualties of their own. "

Behind Miho, a group of scientists began placing cash on the table for a bet on the outcome of the fight. 

Meanwhile, with clear orders to eliminate their competition, the fourth-gen assassins extended their mantis blades out of their mechanical arms before approaching the five girls without an ounce of mercy in their eyes. 

[KD-551] - "What do we do? "

[KD-555] - "I'm scared! Why do they want to kill us? "

KD-552 quickly placed herself between KD-555 and their enemies while KD-554 bravely stepped in front of her sisters.

[KD-554] - "We have no choice! If they want to fight, then we can only respond in kind! "

Yelled KD-554 as she extended her mantis blades. 

[KD-552] - "KD-554 is right! We can't just sit here! "

Said KD-552 as she stepped forward and extended her wrist blades. 

In a swift motion, KD-552 charged in and slipped between their assailants in a flash before appearing behind them. Emboldened by her sister's action, KD-554 jumped in as well, clashing her blades against her opponent. On the other hand, KD-551 and KD-553 decided that they should join in as well as their irises turned red with their blades extended. 

As KD-552 picked her counterpart, KD-442, for a fight, KD-551 and KD-553 each took an opponent as well. Meanwhile, KD-554 desperately defended the cowering KD-555 against the onslaught of two enemy assassins. 

[KD-554] - "Get out of there, little sis! I can't keep them away for long! "

Yelled KD-554 as she pushed KD-441 away. 

Upon realizing KD-555's situation, KD-444 immediately took the initiative and launched herself at her helpless prey. Seeing this, KD-552 quickly launched herself in front of KD-555 and dismembered KD-444's left arm with her anti-material blade. However, KD-442 used this opportunity as she leaped in and drove her blade toward KD-552's back. Seeing this, KD-555 was finally able to snap out of her fright as she unintentionally activated her Conagher system. 

In an instant, KD-555 began viewing the world in slow motion as she extended her wrist blades and switched her eyes into kill mode. As if a beast was forced out of her, KD-555 reached out and slashed KD-442 across the arm before guiding her blade all the way across her enemy's skull. Upon tasting the thrill of the kill, KD-555 suddenly felt a rush of adrenaline and dopamine due to her pre-programmed nature. 

As the acceleration came to an end, KD-555 felt a feeling she never knew she loved as she entered a blood-lusted frenzy. As KD-551 fought against KD-443 in a dangerous dance of knives, KD-555 suddenly rushed in and broke her enemy's weapons using her anti-material blades. Then, without hesitation, KD-555 began to savagely slash KD-443's body into pieces until she was nothing but a pile of broken scraps on the floor. 

However, as KD-555 gained tunnel vision in her frenzy, KD-445 took this opportunity to ambush her in the back. At the same time, KD-441 successfully pinned KD-554 against the wall and drove her blade dangerously close to her neck. At this moment, KD-552 was in a position to help both of her sisters but she ultimately decided to help KD-555. 

Suddenly, KD-441 extended a concealed blade in her knee which she used to stab KD-554 in the abdomen before moving the blade closer to her heart and power source. Thankfully, before it was too late, KD-551 and KD-553 jumped in and cut down KD-554's assailant. Meanwhile, KD-555 and KD-552 worked together to finish off KD-445. By the end, the five sisters encircled their last enemy, KD-444, who was severely injured with a crippled arm and barely standing. 

As KD-555 and KD-554 advanced toward KD-444 to finish her off, KD-552 intervened on KD-555 while KD-551 and KD-553 held KD-554 back. 

[KD-552] - "That's enough! There is no need to continue. She's as good as dead now. "

KD-555 breathed a few bated breaths before calming herself down as the gentle smile of her sister brought her mind back to reality. On the other hand, instead of calming down, KD-554 broke free from her sisters' restraints before savagely tearing KD-444's face apart with her blades. 

[KD-554] - "I'll fucking teach you to mess with me and my sisters, you piece of shit! "

Yelled KD-554 as she continued to tear at her enemy even beyond her death. 

As she finished tearing apart the last remains of her enemy, KD-554 stood up with a triumphant smile on her face. However, much to her dismay, her sisters were staring at her with a shocked and disapproving expression. 

[KD-554] - "What? She was an enemy! I did what any of you would've done! "

Said KD-554 as she walked back to regroup with her sisters. 

In the surveillance room, Miho smiled with satisfaction at the combat result of her new creation. Beside her, Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that none of the girls were killed or severely injured. 

After clearing their mind with a deep breath, the five sisters shared a long hug to ease their minds of their recent traumatic experience. 

[KD-552] - "Whatever happens, we are in this together! We will help each other no matter what because we are a family. We don't leave anyone behind! "

[KD-554] - "I'm sorry if I'm a bit different from the rest of you. "

[KD-551] - "Hey, lighten up! You are still our sister despite how you are in a different body. "

Said KD-551 enthusiastically. 

[KD-553] - "And you, seriously, acting all scared and weak until you start tearing and slashing like a rabid dog. I'm not defending your ass the next time you start crying like a baby when there is a fight. "

Said KD-553 as she stared at KD-555.

[KD-555] - "Oh... I didn't know what came over me either but I'm definitely scared! I wasn't pretending, I swear! "

Said KD-555 with an embarrassed look. 

[KD-552] - "Haha! Either way, one for all, all for one. "

Said KD-552 as she reached her hand forward. 

One after another, each of the sisters placed their hand over KD-552's. It was a promise the sisters hoped to keep but something this cruel world will try to tear apart. Today, the girls can afford to be naive but tomorrow, can they even afford to care?

To be continued...

*EXTRA

The KD-series assassins' eyeballs explained

To help with their diverse tasks at hand, the KD-series assassins of the 5th generation such as Kadyn and her sisters had their eyes removed during incubation to be replaced with a pair of cybernetic eyes. In return, the new eyes have small panels each housing a different type of camera and vision setting. As a side note, the glow of the assassins' eyes is optional and more of an aesthetic choice. 

Emerald Green - Default vision setting. Under this mode, the KD-series assassins are meant to look innocent and cute to dispel suspicion. Also, due to a higher number of photoreceptors, Kadyn and her sisters can see a broader spectrum of colours compared to a regular human with natural eyes. 

Deep Ocean Blue - Thermal vision setting. Due to advancements in technology, under this mode, the KD-series assassins can easily see in the dark in a clear black, white and grey spectrum like the high-tech thermal vision devices found on jets and tanks. 

Shiny Purple - Hacker vision setting. Under this mode, the KD-series assassins become partially blind as their vision is replaced with the visual display of an interface concerning the system they are hacking into. Simultaneously, the micro quantic computer in their mind also activates to begin the decryption of enemy passwords and other access codes to a limited capacity.

Crimson Red - Battle vision setting. Under this mode, the KD-series assassins gain battle directives calculated by their micro quantic computer. The directives will overlap their vision by showing the optimal moves and force required to achieve destruction or a kill against one or multiple targets. As a bonus, the calculations do take account of environmental and physical factors. 

Amber - Diagnostic setting. Under this mode, the KD-series assassins will be able to assess their environment's integrity such as if a structure will collapse or if weapons are concealed on an opponent. However, this mode is rarely used due to its large margin for error and incertitudes.