To Die and Live On

Is true that someone can live forever?

          YogLabs is a strange place, hidden from reality. A soft, metallic, hum of machinery fills the building constantly. Walking down corridors, the beeping of computers can be heard from inside any room. The storage rooms hold secrets below while tests take place behind the steel walls of the ground floor. The labs research things that the modern society would normally shun, under the command of Xephos.

          A natural-born leader, with his level head and calm attitude, Xephos first produced this business wanting to help the world with his superior alien intelligence. He shared the idea with his first and closest friend on this planet, Honeydew. Of course, the happy go-lucky Dwarf cheerfully agreed to help Xephos with some tests. But as time progressed, the lab’s testing became dark. The laws of nature were starting to get integrated into the experiments more and more. YogLabs messed with mutations and dimensional jumping, to strange worlds and new weaponry… But then the lab’s research on clones began. Project “CloneLabs” was a go.

          The project went on in secret for years of tests and experiments eventually leading to a power YogLabs never dreamed of. After stacks of paperwork, and meetings with the government, YogLabs gained control of lives around the world. They now had the responsibility of pumping out a person’s clone when they die and ship it out as a replacement. Production proceeded flawlessly, until tragedy struck when two of the workers rebelled.

          Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the two head scientists in the cloning division, plotted to take over YogLabs. By destroying Xephos’ and Honeydew’s master clones, they would have the originals die in a “lab incident” and never come back to life in another clone. When Xephos heard of their plans, he sent Honeydew in to investigate. Honeydew soon found the rumors to be true by listening in on their conversation, and learned that they planned to carry it through that same afternoon. Honeydew and Xephos quickly took care of them, but sadly, Guildenstern had managed to break into Honedew’s master clone’s chamber and kill it.

          Now only having one life to live on, Honeydew was in great danger. A new master clone would take months to reproduce. Understanding what had to be done, the original Honeydew sacrificed himself to take his clone’s place in the system. But the process of restoring his memory would be next to impossible. He would forget everything. Xephos made it his life’s goal to bring his friend back.

          Days went by after the tragedy. Xephos became furious as he overworked himself trying to find a way to “truly” bring his friend back. His tests failed. Clone after clone, he disposed of the failures. Savageness was only a part of his rage and sadness, but it developed and soon exceeded his despair. He acquired a reputation for wickedness amongst the employees and they became disloyal.  They started to follow the instruction of the lead scientist, Lalna, when Xephos began snapping at them to leave him to his work. Whenever there was trouble or an uproar in the labs, fighting and squabbling, or the outcry of an employee over broken machinery, they were sure to find Xephos mixed up in it and usually at the bottom of it. They did not bother to look after the causes of his conduct. All they saw was the shell of a once-great leader who had become quick-tempered and angry. Irate testificates told him to his face that he was a madman. Worthless and bound to come to an evil end.

          He soon found himself an outcast in the midst of the populous lab. Perhaps they sensed his change of heart and instinctively felt towards him the antagonism that the average human would feel in the presence of a monster.  Numerous employees left the labs to find new jobs. But some stayed and continued the persecution, despite Lalna’s best efforts to change their minds. From time to time, employees who declared against Xephos felt his sword; and to his credit, he gave more than he received. Many of them he could whip in a one-on-one fight; but these were denied to him. The beginning of such a strife was a signal for all remaining employees in the lab to come running and pitch upon him like a pack of animals.

          His obsession to bring back Honeydew’s memory grew to the point of insanity and the business fell apart. Lalna could not sustain the company any longer as more and more employees quit. As much as he tried, Lalna could not convince Xephos to abandon the cloning experiments. He knew that his friend was long lost in grief, but refused to believe that there was no hope. He wanted to try one more time… If all else failed, he didn’t want Xephos to suffer anymore.

          The hum of machinery, the beeping of computers… and the silence of YogLabs. Most halls were no longer lit. It was as if a shadow had overcast the entirety of the building. Hardly any life was evident within the steel walls other than rodents, spiders, and few of the failed experiments. In one of those empty halls stood two men who were once friends. Lights flickered, threatening to die and leave them in the dark.

          “Xeph, it’s time to let go.” Lalna’s hands trembled, and his trigger finger twitched on his mining laser. His voice shook as he spoke. Xephos stood at the farther end of the hall, looking down at his feet. A grin came on to his face, showing off his shining bright teeth. He slowly looked up at Lalna with red glowing eyes. He chuckled, head slightly tilted sideways.
          “He’s GONE! My best friend is GONE and I CAN’T bring him BACK!” Spit flew out of his mouth as he accented each word with disgust. His chuckle grew to a frightening laugh. It echoed throughout the deserted halls of YogLabs, sending chills into every last living thing that crawled throughout the building. Even the vermin ran for the safety of their tunnels in fear of the inhuman laughter. Xephos’ head flung back and he stared at the ceiling, still laughing, but burning tears were streaming down his face leaving stained trails across his skin.
          “Xephos, what happened to you?” Lalna screamed at the madman. The halls filled with silence once again. All but the beeping of the computers and the hum of machines. Xephos remained staring upwards at the blinking lights.
          “It wasn’t your fault there was a flaw in the memory system! You weren't the one who killed his master clone. It was Rosencrantz and Guildenstern!” Lalna watches as Xephos stood back up straight and stared at Lalna, still grinning like a maniac.
          “I’m not Xephos anymore. There can’t be a Xephos without a Honeydew.You brought us back when your apprentice tainted the world! You are the one who invented the system! You are the reason for the flaw!” His voice grew louder with each sentence. He pointed the sharp tip of his sword towards Lalna as his grin disappeared. Lalna swallowed nervously and his grip on his laser gun tightened as he slowly raised it to aim at Xephos.
          “The old Xephos wouldn’t take this fight,” said the scientist, nearly choking,  trying to hold in his tears. Xephos slowly walked forwards, letting his feet and sword drag along the floor to mimic the sound of nails on a chalkboard.
          “Xeph, I’m warning you! I’ll shoot!” Lalna shifted his feet nervously. Xephos stopped, sharp eyes burning into Lalna’s head like fire. A smirk grew on his face and he raised his sword. He pushed off the ground, sending himself into a full sprint at Lalna. Reacting, Lalna aimed low and shot at his friend’s knees. Xephos dropped his sword and fell, sliding across the floor to Lalna’s boots. He didn’t make any noise. He laid there motionless, staring up at Lalna’s face. Small water drops falling from the scientist’s cheeks dripped onto Xephos’ face. Lalna’s face became a blur along with it’s surroundings.
          “I’m sorry Xephos…” Lalna aimed the gun at Xephos’ head and tightly closed his eyes. He pulled the trigger and sent a laser through the man’s forehead. Lalna didn’t look back down. He just turned and walked away, never looking back. It was over.

It is true that someone can live forever? Even after they might have passed on, even though they may not be physical beings, they live in our minds, hearts, and soul. Their memory lives within us. To forget them, is to truly let them die.