The next day, John rushed into the room where the others were just getting ready for a morning meeting. He was panting heavily, so stopped to catch his breath.

"What is it, John?" one of the scientists asked after a while. "What's got you so worked up?"

"The...the test subject..." John gasped. "It's waking up!" He motioned for them to follow. "Come on!"

The other scientists were surprised. They didn't expect this one to live. Quickly, they followed John to his lab to see the test subject wake up. They waited patiently for any signs of life.

Suddenly, a pair of mismatched eyes opened. Orange and white. A head could be seen through the green liquid sustaining the being's life. It looked up at them and uncurled its slender body. The entity floated up to them and placed its pale blue hands on the glass, looking at all of them curiously. He seemed to be looking for someone in particular.

John quickly pressed a button, and the liquid started to drain. The test subject started sinking to the ground, looking around the room through the glass curiously. When the liquid drained completely, it was sitting at the bottom. John opened the glass.

"Hey," he said gently, crouching and holding out his hand. "How are you?"

The test subject stared at his hand. It then looked at John, and then it pointed to him. "F...Fa...Father..." Its voice implied that it was male.

John was taken aback. "He...Did he call me father?" He looked the entity in the eye. "Are you calling me father?" he asked him.

The being nodded. "Father."

"Can you say anything else?"

He tilted his head to one side, looking confused. "Father?"

John chuckled. "Well, you're born with lack of speech, huh? We'll have to teach you, then."

Michelle put her hand on John's shoulder. "Good job, John. You did it. I honestly didn't think you would succeed." She looked at the test subject. "So, what are you going to name him?"

"Astral," John answered automatically. "Sarah always wanted a son whose name is Astral." He looked at the being. "Your name is Astral. Can you say that?"

"A...As...As..."

"Yes, that's it. Astral."

"As...Astral..." he said quietly.

"Yes. That's exactly right." John petted Astral's head and held his hand out again. "Come on, take my hand.

Astral took John's hand, and John pulled him to his feet. The being staggered and fell into his father's arms clumsily.

John chuckled and picked Astral up. "Not only do you lack speech, you aren't quite used to walking. We'll have to fix that before the tests tomorrow." He carried Astral out of the room.

Astral looked at his surroundings as John carried him to a white room. He felt himself being lowered onto a soft surface. He looked at his father questioningly.

"This is a bed," John explained. "This is where you'll sleep for now since you can't go outside yet."

Astral nodded, understanding what his father was saying.

John layed Astral down and covered him with a blanket. "Sleep now. You must be tired."

Astral closed his eyes and slept just as John told him.