Elite

PROLOGUE

Ava Holloway

Ava lay exhausted but elated as the medical staff did all their newborn tests on her son. Stuart kissed her on the forehead and murmured, “You are incredible.”

“Have you chosen a name yet?” Dr Friedman, asked, and Ava replied proudly,

“Yes, Danton.”

A strangled yelp from a nurse was loud enough that everyone in the room turned towards her, Ava sat up quickly, afraid something was wrong. The nurse waved a rectangular test cartridge around, declaring excitedly, “It’s positive! He’s an EHAF!” Another nurse in the room cheered. Dr Friedman, who had initially frowned at the nurse’s outburst, smiled, and said in her soothing voice,

“Well, how about that? Congratulations!” She kept smiling as she said, “There are certain protocols we need to follow, now that we know Danton is positive,” but then her voice gained a more authoritative tone and the smile faded, “Nobody is to leave the room and no communication with anybody outside until we are given the OK.” Ava’s eyes widened and she saw the goofy grin that Stuart had been wearing falter. Dr Friedman then walked to the communication panel on the wall beside the door and pressed the button. Ava heard her say, “Code Green, birthing suite 5.”

“What’s happening?” Ava asked the nurse as Danton was placed in her arms. She was beginning to feel nervous, “Being an EHAF is good news.”

The nurse placed a comforting arm on Ava’s shoulder, “Of course it’s good news, but we have to make sure Danton’s safe. We just don’t want this to get out before the hospital is prepared.” It was then that Ava remembered a media report from about five years earlier. A baby born in Region 14, named Lilith Brenton, tested EHAF-positive and was kidnapped while still in the hospital. She was never found. Fear gripped Ava’s chest and she held Danton close.

A couple of minutes later, the double doors opened, and two men entered; one was dressed in an expensive suit, the other in a security uniform. Before the doors swung shut again, Ava saw that there were two guards stationed outside the room, both holding guns.

“Well, well!” boomed the suited man, “Where is the little man of the moment?” and he stared at Danton reverently before shaking Stuart’s hand and saying, “You must be the dad, congratulations! I’m the director of the hospital, Roger Malthouse,” and then he turned to Ava and softened his voice, “And Mum, my goodness, what a proud day for you. An Elite Health Agent Factor child – a superbaby if you will!” and he laughed uproariously, rather more than the occasion warranted, Ava thought. When he finally stopped laughing, he clasped his hands together and said, “We are preparing the VIP penthouse suite for you and will move you up there as soon as we can. Please don’t hesitate to ask for anything you want or need, anything at all! Nothing is too much trouble for our precious EHAF!”

Ava said, “Thank you, Roger. This is all rather overwhelming. I’d like to call my mother –,” but the security guard cut her off,

“No calls yet.” Ava was surprised and put out by the curtness of his tone. The director gave the security guard an exasperated look and added,

“Mrs Holloway, as you know, your son has been lucky enough to be born with rare, extraordinary DNA that can be used to make life-saving treatments, but unfortunately it also places in him danger. He is special, but not indestructible. I’m so sorry for the restrictions, but right now, we just want to be extra careful. As soon as everything is in order, you can call your mother. We’ll even go and pick her up for you if you’d like her to come and visit.” The director’s expression switched to jolly again, and he said, “You’ll be aware of course, that H-World Pharmaceutical offer all the EHAFs a contract, and I know for a fact that those contracts include a marvellous house in the very secure, gated community of Glory Heights. I imagine you’ll go straight there from the hospital. Danton will be very safe there.” He paused then said, “The contract also includes a substantial amount of money, and the hospital will get a bonus too!” and nudged Dr Friedman who promptly stepped sideways, out of elbow reach, “I’m just about to call H-World actually to tell them the good news.”

The communication band on the security guard’s wrist gave a ping and he read the message, “The suite is ready,” he announced, “Let’s get you up there.”

Alone in their luxury suite, with the doors closed and security guards stationed outside, Ava and Stuart gazed adoringly at their son, in the bassinet beside the bed “Are we going to be able to keep him safe?” asked Ava,

“Of course we will,” replied Stuart confidently, “All the other EHAFs live in Glory Heights, and I’ve heard it’s surrounded by an electric fence and crawling with security.” He placed his hand over Ava’s, “Enjoy this, Ava, Danton is extremely lucky. He’ll grow up in the best neighbourhood and go to the best school. We can give him everything.” He then added after noticing her drawn face, “You look a bit tired, maybe you should take a nap.” Ava nodded and snuggled down gratefully into the huge, soft bed while Stuart pulled down the blinds.

When Ava awoke, Stuart was watching the news on the holocom. It took a few moments for her to realise that the footage shown was out the front of the hospital. The director was making an official statement and it seemed as if he were enjoying himself immensely. He talked about Danton’s birth and how the bonus they would receive from H-World Pharmaceutical would benefit the hospital, and Region 27 in general. There was also an H-World Pharmaceutical representative beside him who said a few words about how wonderful EHAF treatments were and how they’ve saved so many people who otherwise would have died. As they watched, a melodious chime announced a visitor. “Enter,” said Stuart, and in walked the security guard from the birthing suite.

“Sorry to disturb you,” he began, not looking sorry at all, “I just wanted to let you know that the H-World Pharmaceutical representative has been asking to see you.” His eyes swept around the room, and Ava wondered if he thought there were intruders hiding in the cupboards.

“Thanks,” said Ava, “Um, I’m so sorry but we never got your name,”

Ava thought he looked surprised at the question, but answered, “Cliff.”

“Thanks Cliff,” said Ava, “Give us about 30 minutes and you can send her up.” Cliff nodded and walked out.

Half an hour later, Cliff was back, with a lady who introduced herself as Linda. Ava couldn’t help admiring her, from her elegant clothes to her perfectly applied make-up. She strode into their luxurious suite, and gushed, “Congratulations on having an EHAF baby! Well done and what a gorgeous boy.” She then presented Ava and Stuart with a gift hamper that contained, amongst other things, designer baby clothes, and EHAF vitamins, that were said to give the user unparalleled energy levels. After some more polite chit chat, Linda opened her briefcase and slid some papers over the table towards them, “I’m sure this is what you’ve been waiting for,” she said conspiratorially. Stuart picked up the top sheaf and gave a small gasp as he began reading. Linda chuckled, “I know, right? It’s a hell of a lot of money.” She looked over at Ava and said, “You are going to love Glory Heights, it’s got everything. You’ll never want to leave.” She pushed a pen in Stuart’s direction. Ava looked again at the papers,

“Are there two contracts?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Linda, “One’s for the placenta and the other is the ongoing contract for Danton that will last until he’s 18.” She pushed another pen towards Ava, “They’re both standard, you’re welcome to sign them now and we can be done with it, if you like,”

Stuart was still greedily reading, “This is the contract for the placenta, Ava,” he said, not taking his eyes away from it, “They’ll pay us for it.” He whispered, “It’s five times what we’ve both earnt in the last five years.”

“Yes, it’s very generous, isn’t it?” said Linda. Stuart grabbed a pen and signed at the end of it. He passed it to Ava who started to read, she also gasped when she saw the figure. When Stuart handed her a pen, she signed too. Stuart picked up the second contract when the door opened, and Cliff came in again.

“Hello Cliff,” said Ava. He shot Linda a look that seemed hostile and set an envelope on the table.

“Here is a list of contract lawyers,” he said, “The one at the top of the list is supposed to be the best.”

“Oh, thanks,” said Ava. Stuart put the contract he was reading down and picked up the envelope thoughtfully.

“Thank you, Cliff,” said Linda, sounding none too pleased, and he left again. Ava said, “Stuart, perhaps we should show them to a lawyer first?” and he nodded,

“Yeah, we probably should,” and he looked at Linda, “Just to be sure.”

Linda smiled and picked up the signed placenta contract, “Of course!” she enthused, slipping the contract in her briefcase, “As you’ve already signed this one, I’ll get it processed, and you contact me whenever you’re ready to sign the other one.” She stood up, “Or even if you have any questions, OK?” and she gathered her things to leave, “Enjoy the hamper and I look forward to hearing from you.” Ava thought she hurried out of the room and the possibility that the placenta contract may not have been as generous as they first thought crossed her mind.

Later that evening, Ava read over the second contract in preparation for their upcoming meeting with the lawyer. A cold feeling seeped into her chest as she read the details of the blood extractions and the surgical procedures that Danton would regularly undergo to extract the Elite Health Agent Factor from his DNA. She turned and looked at the tiny baby waving his arms at her in his cot and wondered if lucky was really the right word for all of this.

“Stuart,” she said, “What if we didn’t sign with H-World Pharmaceutical? What if Danton just lived a normal life?”

“All the EHAFs sign with H-World,” he said, sounding confused, “They’re the only company that make EHAF treatments.”

“I know, but does Danton have to do this, all these extractions? I just don’t know if I want that for him.”

Stuart walked over to her, and knelt beside her chair, “Ava, I know this is a bit scary and confusing, but it’s going to work out. We sign with H-World, they extract some blood from Danton, we’re filthy rich, Danton is set up for life, they make life saving EHAF treatments, and people’s lives get saved. It’s a win-win situation.”

Ava sighed, “Then why do I feel uncomfortable?”

Grace Albridge

Grace Albridge frantically tried to contact her husband James, who didn’t answer or return her calls or messages. The contractions were starting to come closer and closer together and Grace desperately wanted to get to the hospital. Eventually, she gave up on James and summoned a medical shuttle to take her, leaving yet another message for him, telling him to meet her there. The paramedic measured all her vital signs on the way, while encouraging her to stay calm and breathe, and carried her small bag inside for her once they arrived. Shortly after arriving at Eastside hospital, the baby was born.

“Lucky you didn’t wait any longer,” said a nurse, “Or you might have given birth at home!” Grace shuddered at the thought that she may have had to go through labour alone. She silently cursed James and chose a name for their baby herself, as she and James hadn’t yet agreed on one. She called her baby girl Alessia.

As Grace rested, she listened to the nurse chattering about an EHAF that had been born that same day. “He was born right here, in this hospital! Just think Grace, your Alessia will be able to say she shares a birthday with Danton Holloway!” Grace smiled feebly, her thoughts now back on the absence of her husband. When the nurse asked if Grace minded if they turned on the holocom to watch the news, she said she didn’t care. The nurse was transfixed by the reports and half her attention was on them, as she recorded the results of Alessia’s tests in her file. A report came on that was being filmed live out the front of the hospital. “Look,” the nurse cried to Grace, who had her eyes closed, “That’s the carpark just out the front here,” and she ran to the window to see if she could see any of it. “Oh my goodness, I can see the director, Roger Malthouse!” she exclaimed and enthusiastically pointed him out to Grace, accidentally dropping the EHAF test in her hand, which skidded under a couch. She crouched down to retrieve it, but it was just a hair’s breadth away from her outstretched fingers. Trying to sweep it out it with a coat hanger only pushed it further back where it clattered down a heating duct. “Oh for goodness’ sake,” she said in annoyance, “I’m not going all the way down to inventory to get another one. There’s no way it’d be positive. Two EHAFs in one day? Impossible.” Grace, only partly listening, made a sympathetic noise. “It’d be a waste to go get another test,” she reasoned “I’ll just mark it negative, shall I?” and Grace, still thinking about James, agreed, without really considering the question.

Grace kept trying to contact James with no success. She gave Alessia her first bath, with the help of a nurse and felt an intense stab of anger that James was not there to share the experience with her. A tear slipped down her cheek and the nurse said gently, “He probably got stuck coming in on the shuttle or something. All this fuss about the newest EHAF has made Region 27 very crowded right now.” Grace wiped away the tear and couldn’t help venting some of her frustration.

“I’m not actually surprised my husband’s not here. He’s a hopeless gambler, not to mention drinker, and I hoped he’d change, but he’s not going to. I know that now.” The nurse clucked her disapproval of James and made Grace a cup of tea. Grace lay back down for a while, quietly thinking before she announced to the nurse that she was determined to give Alessia a good life and was going to tell James to leave once she was discharged. As if the decision had drained her of energy, Grace became so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She told the nurse how she was feeling and mentioned she was also feeling a bit sick in the stomach. The nurse took Alessia to the nursery and told Grace to have a nice long sleep. Grace took her advice and some painkillers, but she never woke up. Grace suffered a fatal haemorrhage, and it wasn’t until someone came around with dinner that it was discovered.

James Albridge

James checked his phone and groaned at the number of messages he had. His annoyance turned to delight as he listened to a message that told him to come directly to the hospital as his daughter had been born. He proudly announced the news that he was a father to all the other patrons in the pub, most of whom offered to buy him a drink. “Why that’s most kind of you, mate,” he replied to all of them, and stayed there, leaning comfortably against the bar, sipping whiskey that he normally couldn’t afford to buy for himself and basking in the congratulations and generosity of the people that surrounded him. James never turned down a freebie, and soon he was so drunk that the bar was no longer just a comfortable prop, but a necessary support to keep him upright. The evening became blurry, and he woke up the next morning at home, with no idea of how he got there.

He listened to more of Grace’s messages that she had left, and some messages that the hospital had been leaving him. Thinking about how displeased Grace would be with him for not being there sooner, James had a shower and dragged himself to Eastside Hospital. Scanning his wrist chip at reception, he asked where the gift shop was, hoping a gift might lessen Grace’s annoyance with him. Before he could find out, the scanner beeped an alert, startling him, and when a very serious person ushered him into a private room, he wondered if he’d broken the law last night. He was still trying to dredge up memories of what had taken place when the serious person told that his wife had passed away unexpectedly and painlessly and that they’d been trying to contact him since yesterday to tell him.

James vomited upon being told his wife was dead. It was assumed that the shock had upset him, but he knew it was from his excessive drinking the night before. They quickly found a bed for him and hooked him up to an IV which cured him of the hangover. James took full advantage of the social worker that was assigned to help him with all the paperwork, her pity evident on her young face. Once all the arrangements had been made, a nurse brought Alessia into the room, “Look Mr Albridge,” she cooed, “Alessia is finally here to meet you.” James had not considered that he would be looking after his newborn daughter and doing things like changing nappies or feeding.