Genetic Engineering First they cured the genetic diseases. Then they selected for the best natural traits. Then they made completely artificial genes. As the test children reached puberty, abilities that had always been lost in the random background noise were suddenly obvious. Telepathy. Telekinesis. At first their creators sought to strengthen these traits. Then they began to fear them. They called them gods, and made them slaves. Wolfgang Oldham was sixteen when the company laid claim to him. He escaped, and stayed free for three years. When he was arrested, identified, and returned to the company, they trained him to be useful in their cross-dimensional project. They didn't realize how dangerous he had become.