From: Livia Balaban <liviabalaban@xoommail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 08:40:43 -0700
Subject: xfc 180-Word Guest Challenge: Samantha's Fate,
Source: xfc

In my opinion, the most compelling concept of Samantha's Fate appears 
below.  This was the inspired work of Sarah Ellen Parsons.  Enjoy!

************

180-Word Self-Imposed Challenge: Samantha's Fate - Version One
by Sarah Ellen Parsons
se_parsons@yahoo.com)

I look at them suspended in greenish liquid - my children.

The next group is nearly ready - the perfect ones.  Using all we've
learned from Cassandra.

I press my hand against the warm glass of the nearest.  She is not one
of mine, but has the red hair and blue eyes of his partner.  Not frail
and soon to die like her sisters.

I wonder what her mother would think if she knew how strong she was. 
If she realized she was to be her own replacement upon the Earth. 
Perfectly adapted by those of us who know how.  Those of us who have
worked toward this moment for more years than we like to remember.

Their mothers.

I wonder what those two would think if they knew.  They see me as a
victim of the project to which I've dedicated my life.  The replicas of
me as violations, when they are my own, dear children born of love and
science.

Fox says he wants to believe, but he doesn't.  I do.  In the choices,
the plans of the men who created it all.

Our Fathers.


                                           
"Come to think of it, there are already a
 million monkeys on a million typewriters,
 and Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare."

Come visit Livia's Ink Spot, for a frosty
beverage and some steamy fanfic:
http://members.xoom.com/liviabalaban
(BYOB)