CHAPTER NINETEEN

Two Months Later

Ruby stepped down from the bus at a stop near the Centre. She smiled as she turned off the main road and began to walk towards the main entrance. Though she loved working with the Labs, she had enjoyed spending the weekend with Keith, Dette, and the twins.

They had spent the afternoon watching the twins play in a friendly match with the local football team. They had been singled out when they had played for the college team a few weeks earlier. Now there were talks of them playing for Castlewell Rovers. Their college tutor was very excited.

‘You boys have the makings of stars, and I mean big time!’ he enthused. ‘Though it’s a great team, Castlewell Rovers isn’t going to be able to hold you for long, not when the bigger clubs see what you can do!’

There was an air of great excitement when Celia had joined them on Saturday evening. Keith also had news to tell the others. He talked eagerly of an idea he had proposed.

‘I have spoken to Jade, Sakura, and Miyu, and some other Labs gifted in music, with the idea of holding a concert to raise public awareness of the Labs,’ Keith said. ‘Simon is also eager to help and is going to contact talented Non-Labs to perform. Each musician will perform, without admitting to being Lab or Non-Lab. Hopefully we can promote the things we have in common rather than the differences between us.’

‘That’s a great idea, Keith!’ Ruby said. ‘Isaac could see if his uncle has contacts with celebrities who want to perform!’

‘We have already started rehearsals at Manchester University. I worked with the university sound technician. He said I was a natural!’ Keith smiled. ‘And he asked me to work with him on the night!’

Keith had described the different equipment they had used and the various effects they were aiming for. Ruby hadn’t understood much, but she was pleased to see him so animated. Another Lab working alongside a Non-Lab happily – there was hope for the future!

Ruby’s good mood continued as she walked towards the entrance and noticed there were no reporters hanging around.

Suddenly, a group of teenage boys appeared from nowhere, walking along the road towards her.

‘Told you there wouldn’t be a way in!’ one of them muttered.

‘We could have found one! You give up too easily!’ another muttered.

‘Yeah! You’re scared you’re going to bump into one of them freaks!’ the third jeered.

Ruby stopped in front of them. ‘They’re not freaks!’ she said angrily.

‘Yeah?’ the second boy stepped up to her. ‘And how would you know?’

‘Maybe she’s a freak herself!’ The third boy’s eyes narrowed.

The first boy grabbed her arm. ‘Let’s find out, shall we?’

Ruby swung her free arm and sent him flying backwards. ‘Get your hands off me!’

Another of them grabbed her from behind, pinning her arms to her sides. She stamped hard on his foot.

The first boy, recovering his breath, put his face close to hers. ‘That was a mistake!’

As he grabbed her hair, a shout was heard. Ruby breathed a sigh of relief as she recognised Abel’s voice.

‘Let her go, now!’ he ordered.

‘She’s only one of them freaks! Why should you care?’ the boy muttered, releasing his grip slowly.

‘Let’s go, Steve!’ one of the others muttered.

By this time Abel stood in front of them.

‘That’s right, Steve! You’d better go! She’s not one of those freaks,’ he stood up tall and menacing. ‘But I am!’

Two of the boys had started to back off. Steve slowly put his hands down and started to follow his friends.

‘Watch your back!’ he hissed at Ruby as he left. Abel grabbed Steve’s arm and pulled him around to face him, ‘No! You watch your back! If any harm comes to her, or to any of my friends, you’ll have me to deal with!’

Steve winced and rubbed his arm as Abel released it. He scurried after his friends.

‘Thank you!’ Ruby said.

‘That was foolish, Ruby,’ Abel said. ‘You’re no match for three youths!’

‘I know, but I just couldn’t listen to them calling Labs freaks! I hate it!’ she said stubbornly.

They both watched as a long back car with tinted windows drove past and turned into the Centre gates.

Abel nodded in the direction of the car, ‘Another meeting with the Lab lawyers! Just when I think we have everything sorted, someone comes up with another impossible loophole and we seem to go back to square one again!’

Ruby squeezed his arm. ‘I’m sure everything will work out in the end, Abel.’

He was silent. Ruby was suddenly aware of his eyes on her hand and quickly released his arm.

‘I’d better get a move on!’ she said and began to walk towards the Centre entrance. She stopped as Abel called her name.

‘You’re a loyal friend to the Labs. That’s why you may find yourself in similar situations, targeted by Non-Lab thugs like those ones. You have to learn to defend yourself. I’ll teach you. Starting tomorrow.’

Surprised, Ruby merely nodded before setting off for the first of many identical prefabs. The newly awakened Labs were happy with their living arrangements, quickly settling into their new surroundings and all eager to learn more. This one was the home of Jill, a lively girl with an American accent, and Beth, a gentle, quiet girl with a Scottish lilt to her voice.

After greeting her, Jill told her that they had been given a present by a well-known pop star. The three girls set out for the Hall, which was used as a study area at one end, equipped with computers and a dance and gym area at the other. As they entered, a girl was playing a baby grand piano while her twin performed elegant ballet steps nearby. A handwritten card was propped up on the piano:

To all our new friends, especially the musical ones! Play and enjoy! X

Zorro

Ruby read it and smiled to herself. She had heard of his positive attitude towards the Labs from Abel. She sat in the office describing some of the events of the day to Celia later that morning.

‘Most of the houses are pretty much organised now. Some of the Labs have been talking about venturing beyond the Compound. I said we could discuss the different situations they might find themselves in – shopping, going to the cinema, sightseeing. But this time I won’t be showing students with their true identities hidden around, will I?’ She looked at Celia. ‘I’m afraid of what the reaction to Labs in a Non-Lab world will be.’

‘As we all are, Ruby! I think we have to see what the next few weeks will bring. Our lawyer has drawn up a convincing argument to put forward for the Labs at the court case tomorrow. Let’s hope Abel manages to sit quietly in court,’ Celia told her. ‘He can still be so volatile!’

‘He’s had more self-control and a more positive outlook lately, Celia,’ Ruby ventured. ‘And I’m sure he’ll listen to O’Brien’s advice.’

Celia shrugged. ‘I hope so.’

‘Thank goodness the court case went well, Abel!’ Dette hugged him the following evening.

‘So, tell us what happened!’ Johnny urged him as Leon nodded his head eagerly.

‘O’Brien, our lawyer, presented our defence very well. He insisted that the Labs could not be charged with either breaking and entering or kidnapping as it was clear that what we were doing was rescuing our own kind from certain death. Wexford, the Centre’s lawyer, refused to accept this and said we should have presented our claims through legal channels. O’Brien argued that as we had no legal standing we did not feel we were in a position to be taken seriously by officials. And the judge ruled in our favour!’

‘Thank goodness!’ said Ruby.

‘What about your charge, Abel? Of ABH against Baxman?’ Celia asked him.

‘I’m to be tried for that at a separate hearing,’ his face took on a sullen expression. ‘O’Brien wants me to apologise to Baxman for my actions, but there is no way I’m apologising to him! Except to say I’m sorry I didn’t hit him harder!’

Celia looked worried. ‘Abel, don’t forget you’re standing for all the Labs when you stand up in court.’

He patted her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, Celia. I understand that. I won’t let the Labs down.’

She smiled. ‘Let’s hope we can move on now.’

‘We still have a lot of work to do!’ Abel reminded her. ‘We must arrange a meeting as soon as possible to set out our demands of the Prime Minister. Dermot O’Brien is good, but he is not a Lab!’

Later that week, Abel introduced the lawyer to the others.

‘Dermot O’Brien, this is Keith, Celia, and Dette … Labs – and Ruby – Non-Lab.’

O’Brien shook hands with each of them then sat down and opened his briefcase, ‘Let’s look at your demands first and prioritise them.’

‘First of all, we want to be recognised as a race,’ Abel said. ‘This will put us in a stronger position to tackle any prejudice as we will be protected by law against racial discrimination. Secondly, we want to have dual nationality – British, as we were created here, and the nationality of our donor. If they meet these demands we will be able to claim our ordinary human rights.’

‘The definition of “race” is not clear and is frequently disputed,’ the lawyer told them, picking up a paper. ‘Race can be classified by geographic origin, or people can be defined by their physical attributes. Neither of these is relevant to your case.’

‘So we will need new criteria to classify Labs,’ Keith pointed out. ‘That may well help with the definition of “race”.’

‘Under the present law Labs do not qualify for British nationality as they do not have parents born in the UK. They do not have parents at all! I assume the same problems would arise with the dual nationality request,’ Celia said.

‘We need to have proposals to deal with these problems ready to present to the Prime Minister next week, or else we will be faced with an even longer delay,’ the lawyer pointed out.

‘There have already been enough delays!’ Abel said.

‘I suggest first of all we define a “Lab”,’ the lawyer said. ‘Then consider how Labs can be classified as a “race”. We must put forward a clear argument on why Labs are entitled to British nationality, and finally dual nationality.’

‘Labs are new, so we will need some new ideas!’ Dette remarked.

‘I’ll go and get some more coffee and sandwiches,’ Ruby offered. ‘I think this is going to be a long session!’

The following morning the Prime Minister picked up the sheaf of papers handed to him by O’Brien.

‘The Labs are to be recognised as a “race”. This is under consideration at the moment, I assure you. Mr O’Brien –’

‘Yes, Abel has told me that this is so, but there seems to be some delay, due to the fact that the Labs are not actually defined as a particular group. We have made a suggestion, if you refer to the second sheet, Mr Cartwright the lawyer replied.

‘A Lab is to be defined as a human who has been created under laboratory conditions through the process of cloning cells. A Lab must be able to exist independently after a period of maturing.’ The Prime Minister nodded his head after reading and then turned back to the page.

‘As a race, the Labs will have access to all rights of other human races and will have recourse to law if these rights are not upheld. The Labs will be expected to uphold all human responsibilities, and to respect the rights of all races, including other Labs, following the laws of their chosen domicile.

All Labs are to have automatic right to citizenship of the country where they are created.

All Labs with donors from a country other than the country of their creation will have the right to nationality of that country, in some cases holding dual nationality.’

Mr Cartwright looked up at O’Brien. ‘I can see the reasoning behind these proposals. But of course, as you will be aware, we must consider each point carefully. The last point will involve discussions with other countries.’

‘We are aware of this, Mr Cartwright, but I must also point out that continued delays are having an adverse effect on the integration of Labs into British society – where they were unwittingly created,’ O’Brien replied. ‘If we could at least resolve the first issues, the Labs would feel more confident of their own standing – certainly in this country. As Simon Armstrong, the US president’s son, pointed out only last week, we do not want a repeat of the apartheid situation in Africa or the bloody battles that had to be fought for African-Americans to gain equality before the Labs are awarded their rights.’

‘Oh, no, no, of course not!’ the Prime Minister answered quickly. ‘I can assure you, and the president, that the situation of the Labs is a priority for the British government at the moment!’

He sighed and shook his head, holding out a document to O’Brien. ‘I have to tell you that as well as considering the demands of the Labs, lawyers representing some of the subscribers have also made claims about their DNA being, as you yourself pointed out, unwittingly used, and their rights and responsibilities in this scenario. Especially towards Labs still in the Nursery Ward.’

O’Brien drew a deep breath. ‘I don’t think Abel or any of the other Labs are going to be happy with this. Some donors are claiming they should have parental rights over the younger Labs.’ He looked at the older man. ‘And how do we establish the ages of any of the Labs?’

Abel told Celia, Ruby, and Dette of the latest developments that evening.

‘The Labs must stay together, surely,’ Dette said, ‘Until they are mature enough to make a decision to join their donor families if both parties are willing. Isn’t that what was initially decided?’

Celia sat up straight. ‘I agree with you. We must stop these demands as quickly as possible.’

‘How do we do that?’ Ruby asked her.

‘With threats! If they want to make claims to the Labs in the Nursery Wards we will make counterclaims against every donor!’

Abel smiled. ‘I think you have something there, Celia. If all the Labs make claims on their donors, we could find many Labs will be heirs to great fortunes! And we all mature at a much greater speed than Non-Labs. Some siblings may feel pushed out of their rightful places! I’ll phone O’Brien immediately.’

‘What if I take a small group of Labs on a day trip to London?’ Ruby said to Celia a couple of days later. ‘Some of them are complaining about having to remain in the Compound all the time. We don’t need to tell anyone who we are. I could ask Isaac to come with us. Then, maybe after a few trips, he could write an article for the Times,’ she continued. ‘Demonstrate how we can all integrate easily.’

‘That’s a good idea, Ruby. It would be an excellent way to introduce the Labs to the Non-Lab world. If you have Isaac with you, you should be OK,’ Celia agreed.

A few days after that, four of the Labs from the Compound set off with Ruby for the local railway station.

‘Isaac will meet us at the tube station in London,’ Ruby told them.

Geoff and Peter, twins with an English subscriber, were anxious to visit the Science Museum.

‘We can all take a look round there first, then Beth and Jill can choose the next place to visit,’ Ruby suggested.

One of the Centre guards had walked with them until they were near the station, then turned back. They were just about to enter the station when Ruby groaned. Leaning against the station entrance were Steve and his friends. A mean grin spread across his face when he saw her.

‘Look who it is! Little Miss Do-Gooder and her freak show! Without her hard-nut freaky friend!’ He pulled himself upright, barring their way.

‘Just ignore them!’ Ruby whispered, trying to keep her voice even.

One of Steve’s friends was staring at Beth. She blushed and looked down.

‘Hey, come on, Steve! Let them past,’ he said.

Steve swung around to him, ‘Did you hear that, Callum? Frank’s a freak fancier!’

‘Come on, they’re just like us. Leave them alone!’ Frank repeated.

‘Like us? Let’s take a look, shall we?’ Steve stepped forward, putting his hand out towards Beth.

‘Lay off, Steve!’ Frank pulled Beth back out of reach and stood in front of her.

Ruby held up her mobile phone. ‘My friend’s just a phone call away! He’s waiting for us on the platform at this moment!’

‘You’re lying!’ Steve said, but he sounded unsure.

Callum looked nervously about as Ruby raised her eyebrows and started to punch in numbers. He backed off, holding up his hands. ‘I’m out of here, Steve!’

Steve swore and started to follow him. Frank stayed where he was.

‘I’m sorry about that,’ he said with an apologetic smile to Beth.

‘No. You were very kind,’ she replied softly.

Ruby told Isaac of the incident as the others looked around the Science Museum later that morning.

‘Mmm. I’m afraid it is going to happen. There have been several threats made to MPs who support the Labs,’ he grimaced. ‘There was a fierce debate on the television the other night for and against the Labs being equal to normal humans!’

‘What can we do?’ Ruby sighed.

‘We can only try to make as much good publicity for the Labs as we can. Keith and his friends’ idea for a concert will, hopefully, help. They’ve got Zorro’s backing! He says he can’t wait to go on stage with his Lab! They’ve got a few other big names interested. Several Labs are keen to take part, too. Some of their subscribers are talented musicians.’

‘All we need is a famous musician or film star to adopt a Lab, and we’re home and dry!’ Ruby quipped.

‘Hey! Come on! Let’s just enjoy today! Where’s next on the agenda?’ Isaac said.

They visited the Tower of London and all marvelled at the view from the London Eye. Geoff and his brother found the waxworks at Madame Tussaud’s rather disturbing.

‘Why would they want to make wax clones of people?’ he asked Ruby. ‘Can they do anything?’

‘Or are they for medical purposes?’ his brother added.

‘No, you just look at them,’ Ruby told them.

The two boys exchanged puzzled looks.

It was late when they stood waiting for the train to take them back to Hambleton.

‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?’ Isaac asked Ruby for the second time.

‘No, but thanks, Isaac. Abel is going to meet us at the station,’ she replied. ‘You’ve been a great help today!’

‘I’ve taken notes, and some great photos!’ he replied. ‘Let me know when you plan your next trip, won’t you? I’ll get a good article from this!’

Ruby climbed onto the train behind the others and turned to give him a smile. ‘Thanks, Isaac.’

Abel was waiting for them at the station and listened to their excited chatter as they walked back to the Compound.

Ruby noticed a solitary figure walking towards them on the opposite side of the road who paused and looked across at them. It was Frank. Beth also noticed and gave him a smile as he caught her eye.

Abel and Ruby watched the others head back to their house.

‘Today has been such an experience!’ Jill said with a sigh.

‘It has indeed,’ Geoff agreed.

‘I hope it’s not too long before we can be fully integrated into the outside world,’ Pete said.

‘I hope so, too!’ Ruby nodded.

The next morning Ruby was up early to join Abel for her self-defence lessons. He had been instructing her for a few weeks now and she felt she was getting better. Whenever she could, she practised the latest moves he taught her; partly so she would be able to defend herself if attacked and partly to avoid his silent displeasure if she made any mistakes.

Soon they were going through the steps she had been taught over the past few weeks.

‘Quite good, Ruby. I can see you have been practising,’ Abel commented.

Ruby blushed with pleasure. ‘I practise every morning!’

‘Well, let’s see if you can defend yourself now!’ he said, walking around to face her. He suddenly grabbed her throat and she stepped back, startled.

He released her. ‘It’s no good learning the moves if you can’t apply them, Ruby!’ He shook his head.

‘But I wasn’t ready!’ Ruby protested.

‘If someone attacks you, you won’t always be ready.’

‘Try again! A different move!’ she insisted.

Abel made a few attempts to catch her out, but each time she was able to break his hold.

‘You are certainly improving, Ruby!’ he conceded. Then suddenly he moved behind her and pinned her arms to her sides.

‘What would you do in this case?’ he whispered in her ear.

Ruby felt his warm breath on her neck. She relaxed and hung her head. As he began to release her she swung around and knocked him off balance with two quick moves. He stumbled and fell backwards, pulling her down on top of him.

She looked into his eyes, laughing, ‘You didn’t see that one coming, oh great teacher!’

‘No!’ he agreed. ‘You fooled me there! I thought you’d given in to me!’

The laughter died on their lips as they looked into each other’s eyes.

‘Abel!’

They heard Celia’s voice moments before she turned the corner. They both sprang to their feet.

‘Oh, here you are,’ Celia smiled. ‘Keith has just been on the phone. They have a date set for the concert. Tickets have been on sale for only an hour and they have already nearly sold out!’

‘Oh, that’s really good news!’ Ruby said. ‘I hope they have reserved tickets for us! I’d better go and check how many Labs would like to attend, too.’

‘We have reserved tickets for Labs and Non-Labs here at the Centre and Compound,’ Celia assured her. She turned to Abel as Ruby left them.

‘What progress is she making at self-defence? It still amazes me how slowly Non-Labs acquire new skills!’

‘She’s making good progress, Celia. She shows determination. She has excellent qualities for a Non-Lab,’ he said quietly.

‘All praise and no complaints today, Abel? Are you in a good mood to hear about the concert?’ Celia said. ‘There are so many well-known Non-Labs involved! Simon has got several American performers to participate, and Keith has arranged with Zorro for some of us to attend the backstage party afterwards. This could do so much for our cause!’

As they reached the office, she pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. ‘Oh, I nearly forgot! O’Brien asked you to ring him this morning. I hope he’s finally got the Prime Minister to agree to our terms!’

‘Or it could be about the ABH charge,’ Abel groaned. ‘I’m still not prepared to apologise to Baxman!’

Later that day, as she was walking on the road towards the Centre, Ruby was dismayed to see a familiar figure heading towards her. She stopped and pulled her phone out of her pocket.

‘I can have help here in a minute!’

Frank held up his hands.

‘Please! I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to talk to you! Just for a moment.’

He stood in front of her and thrust his hands deep into his pockets.

‘OK, I’m listening,’ she said.

‘Look, I’m sorry about my mates. Well … and me, to start with. But, now … I mean … I don’t think you’re freaks. The Labs, I mean,’ he stammered.

‘I’m glad to hear that. Frank, isn’t it?’ She gave him a tentative smile.

‘Yeah,’ he continued. ‘Well, I just wanted you to know. And your friends … the Labs, I mean. I think they’re all just regular guys, like us. I won’t let anyone say anything against them! I stick up for them now, you know. Anything I can do to help you people, just let me know, OK?’

‘Oh, thanks, Frank,’ Ruby said. ‘We certainly need all the support we can get!’

‘Well, you can count on me!’ he nodded, walking away from her. ‘And your friends, the ones you were with the other day, let them know, won’t you?’

‘I will, Frank.’ Ruby smiled warmly.