milliways_bar | (no subject)

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If there is one thing that Brennan excels at, it's compartmentalization. It's a useful skill, especially during otherwise hectic times.

Next week, she and her father are flying out to Ohio, to participate in their first official family Christmas in over fifteen years. Brennan is looking forward to it, but it does leave her with a lot to get done.

On a number of fronts.

She started out this evening in the bar with work from the lab--a shattered skull in need of reconstruction. The skull is now pieced together, resting on a stand while the glue sets.

Its eyeless sockets are watching Brennan as she moves on to her next task--wrapping her nieces Christmas presents.

Brennan measures out a precise square of red and green paper (just enough to wrap a crystal-growing kit from the Jeffersonian gift shop) and sheers her scissors neatly through.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Brennan is gratified that the young woman seems to have taken no offense.

People often do when she speaks with a minimum of social grace.

It makes her more inclined to push her wrapping aside for the moment.

"I'm Dr. Brennan." She introduces herself with a smile.

"I am X-23."

Beat.

Beat.

"You can call me Laura."

X is terrible at social graces, too. It shows. Maybe even to Brennan.

It does show. But it doesn't bother Brennan.

"It's nice to meet you, Laura."

She looks curious.

"X-23. Is that also your name?"

"It is my designation."

Is. Was. Will always be. Whichever.

"I am a clone."

Brennan raises her eyebrows.

"Really? That's very interesting. Cloning has not reached a technological level in my world that allows for the cloning of a human being."

No matter what sort of conspiracy theory Hodgins might sight.

"Does the '23' in your name reference the number of clones produced?"

Are there twenty-three or more of this young woman wandering around?

"I am a mutant."

Beat.

"I am the twenty-third attempt to clone Weapon X. And the first viable one."

This pause is longer.

"The Y chromosome was damaged."

It only takes Brennan a moment to think that through.

"You are the clone of a male, but due to damage to the Y chromosome they duplicated the X."

Leading to a female. That much is clear enough.

"Though...Weapon X?"

That portion of Laura's statement is more difficult to quantify. Almost impossible, barring additional information.

"Yes."

Beat.

"He comes here, too. His name is Logan."

This pause is longer.

"He is very hairy."

Brennan smiles.

"More of a male trait."

"Heavier body hair is tied to testosterone levels."

"Yes," X says.

"And I am taller."

Beat.

"There was more damaged DNA. Doctor Kinney repaired it."

"Dr. Kinney seems to have done an admirable job," Brennan observes. "Your physical structure is impressive."

And Brennan is a person whose specialty is the human skeletal system. She knows of which she speaks.

"Yes," X says.

And--

"I heal."

Brennan nods, her expression slightly confused.

"Yes," she says.

Human bodies heal. Cells regenerate. That has nothing to do with mutation or genetics.

"Your...Logan did not? Was that a result of his damaged DNA?"

"We heal faster. Than humans."

Beat.

"It is genetic."

"Oh, I see. It's enhanced?"

She tilts her head curiously for a moment.

"But...forgive me. You appear human. You're not?"

Brennan looks a little sheepish.

"If that's the case, I apologize for my premature assumption."

She should know by now, after all this time in Milliways, that just because a person looks human, they may not in fact be human.

"It is okay," X says, the response prompt.

"Mutants are homo superior. There are not many of us left."

Beat.

"Your world does not have an X-gene?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Brennan replies.

"The genetic differences as a result of your mutation--they are significant enough that you are considered a seperate species?"

Very interesting.

"There seems to be little outward difference. If you don't mind my saying."

"Some mutants have fur. Like Doctor McCoy. And Anole is green."

Beat.

"Match's head is on fire."

At this point X holds up one hand.

snikt

"I have claws."

Brennan nods along as X talks. It's interesting that the mutations seem to be so highly individual.

Then the claws come out. And Brennan actually jumps slightly.

"What...!"

The startle response is normal, and is quickly replaced by curiosity. Brennan leans forward to look at the claws.

"These are a naturally occurring mutation?" she asks, disbelievingly. She looks up at X. "These look man-made, not organic."

"The adamantium is a coating."

Beat.

"Doctor Zander Rice put it on during a surgical procedure."

Without anaesthetic.

"They are bone. Underneath."

There is also a faint tracery of occult-looking symbols along the claws. They are for killing demons.

Brennan would love to get her hands on some X-Rays to study who retractable claws would figure into standard human hand structure. Would there be some commonality with felines, or....

The rest of what X says registers, and Brennan glaces up, frowning.

"Without anaesthetic? That's highly unethical. Unless part of you mutation is an inability to register pain?"

"No."

Beat.

"It hurt. I remember."

This pause is longer.

"Pain is not relevant."

Beat.

"And Dr. Rice is dead."

Brennan looks horrified. And highly indignant.

"It's unconscionablee," she says. Vehemently.

"And of course it's relevant."

X just looks at Brennan.

"The Facility liked to hurt people."

Beat.

"It is okay. They do not exist anymore."

Edited 2008-12-21 02:03 (UTC)

"I"m very glad to hear that," Brennan says.

There are few things more abhorrent than human experimentation.

"It was shut down by the authorities?"