This is a bit of Fan fiction I made for a game called EVE-Online. I've never had a good place to put it till now. So I hope you enjoy this bit of nerdy goodness. Also EVE is a cool game and I'm super excited about Dust 514 which is not only based in the same IP but played on the same servers affecting the very same universe. I'll be getting it day 1, even though its on PS3 I actually need that so I have a reason to use my $300 Blu-ray player.
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The Price Of Immortality
Bright lights illuminated the dancers, as they performed for their audience. The performers wore special suits that reflected the light in a brilliant cascade of color, the lighted floor reacting to their every movement, just as their limbs reacted to the electrical impulses from their brains. Each performer had mastered this dance just as they had mastered their bodies. The dancers each fulfilled a special role and like a masterful clock moved with the others. “Slide, whirl, leap, Stomp!” At the end of the truly artful performance, every audience member was on their feet applauding.
As the attendees began making their way out of the theater, the crowd moved rapidly out to the sky-walk and the concert hall's promenade. The valets worked overtime to make sure each person’s vehicle was there for them promptly. Kart Ionus walked down the steps of the theater slowly, allowing the much younger Caldari around him a chance to clear out. On his now aged arm he led a beautiful woman of Gallentine decendance. He had met her on one of his business ventures in Gallentine space many years ago when he flew as a Capsuleer. Piloting the most advanced space ships in the universe, a life he had left behind for her, a mortal. But Kart made the trade gladly, and had lived as a normal citizen for over 40 years now. They had grown old together, raised a family, seen their children grow and raise families of their own. He was happy with the life he had lived and content to see it finally end. So long as she was there, he had all he needed.
They traveled to their home in a secluded part of the countryside. It was a modest house but it had all of the furnishings needed to live in comfort. His days as a pod pilot had paid for it all, and his wise investments in some of his former colleges had kept him and his family well situated for all these years. He opened the door and threw his coat over the rack in the entry. He then swooped her into his arms and gave her a kiss, although he was now in his late 60’s he was still physically fit and could have kept pace with most people years younger than himself. The bio enhancements used during his cloning process still held his old body together. She was not so fortunate and although far from crippled, she was beginning to show her age.
He sat down at his desk as she stepped into the shower. He reviewed the news, Capsuleers lobbying for planetary rights, wars brewing, Sleepers, Sansha’s nation. Every time he read the news he was both glad he had retired and sad about the adventure he was missing. But she was worth it and he was ready to let his consciousness sleep for a while. She walked past him in a night gown and caressed hid bald head with her hand. “That can wait till morning,” she kissed him invitingly, “come to bed with me.” He glanced down and closed the data slate. Then, while standing up he lifted her off of the ground. His neural boosters augmenting his strength, he carried her into their room.
As he lay their holding her tightly against himself, sleep coming upon him, a crash sent his implants to high alert and immediately he was fully awake and adrenaline began fueling his body and senses. He could see perfectly in the dark room as he pulled away from her slowly. Reaching into the night stand he pulled out his hand gun, military issue. He was only able to have it because he was a retired Capsuleer; a weapon he had only had to use twice before while living here, but thankfully only ever while he was alone. The first time had been an old rival trying to remind Kart that he could never hide. The issue was resolved as his old pod friends had been more than happy to make sure this never happened again. The second was a man running from the law, who thought that an old man who was all alone would be an easy hostage. This time he didn’t know why but it didn’t matter; he had lived the most violent lifestyle that existed and in many places you never knew who was in a ship or why it was there - you simply did what had to be done, before it happened to you.
As Kart slipped silently into the hall he could hear movement and voices. “This traitor thinks he can show off that Gallentine whore on our world and get away with it!”
A very distinct smell filled his nostrils as he approached the door. It was accelerant, then the tiny crackle of a match lighting. His movements swift and precise he moved to the door and aimed his gun at head height, gripping the handle.
“Man, I hear rumor that this guys a capsule pilot,” one squeaked nervously “they can’t die!”
The first retorted. “They can die; they just have to live with it. Besides…”
The man never finished his sentence. Kart burst into the room while they were distracted, his first bullet collapsing the head of the mouthy one, his second, third, and forth crossed the chest of the one who had been afraid, and a third man who had been silent managed to pull the trigger on his automatic before 2 rounds tore open his neck, his gun continuing to fire as he fell to the ground. The final 2 rounds caught a 4th man in his shoulder and lung. He would not die quickly.
However, Kart had been too slow. The fire had begun and as a single round crashed into his side he could feel the micro-explosive bullet cascading in his body ensuring that he would die. He did not scream. He knew pain like this all too well. He then turned and realized how slow he had been. She was there in the doorway collapsed. From her pooling blood reflected a terrible swirl of color from the fire that now began to envelope the house. He roared and though his mouth let the sound escape his soul made the noise, His fear and anger and rage culminating into a bellow as mighty as an angry god. He moved toward her, pushing every implant to the limit as he crossed the room. He lifted her lifeless body and scooped her into his arms; he carried her body through the flames that would now take his home. His tears flowing, he kicked the front door from its hinges and walked out of his shattered home.
A horrible thought crossed his mind as he wept: “They can die; they just have to live with it.” He let out one final scream, which cut short as his implants recognized the inevitable and clicked into action, his every memory and thought sucked into his clone enhancements, then darkness.
Bright lights filled his eyes as a cascade of color and swirls. The machines moved in perfect harmony connecting and preparing. Each peace of the machine had its own job and performed this dance perfectly, “Click, Tick, Whir…POP!” With that last sound the performance was done and air began to fill his lungs once more. Kart Finished his scream, but his tears continued to flow. The lights reflecting off each tear as it fell to the floor and hit the absorbing mat. He now found himself in a very familiar place: a clone vat. The clone which should have been just a relic of his past would now be his future. A future in which she was gone and he would live forever. A future which would always hold her memory, to remind him of what it meant to cheat death, and the price exacted for his “immortality”.
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