Eternal
It’s surely a mad plan that sounds impossible, but yet the appeal is there. Even you can’t believe you’re actually going for it, but deep down this is something you feel you need to do.
This idea of having fertile Eternals to “carry on” your legacy is a nice idea, but ultimately it isn’t “you.” Only you can lead the Empire to world order. Not to mention there is a risk of you dying in the process of creating said Eternals and then you’d have wait at least twelve or thirteen years just to see if the process literally produced positive results.
If you’re going to have to risk your life and wait around, you’d rather do it for the chance at immortality.
And given all the other wonders and feats you’ve seen or even done in this world who is to say this isn’t possible? Like Elam said, the concept of a machine like an airship was impossible at one time as well.
“How long would I have to wait for you to perfect this process you’re proposing?” you ask Elam, who gives a big grin at your willingness to choose his new plan.
“Not long a assure you my Emperor! As I said, I’ve already had limited success on a few test subjects already! In your case though, I will need to build a suitable containment for when…well you ascend to a higher state of being.”
Zana is shaking her head at this idea.
“My Emperor, while I know the desire for immortality is tempting, I really have to advise against this. Elam’s enthusiasm is far exceeding what is reality! While it is true he’s managed to keep a few animal brains alive for a few minutes, I’m fairly sure that that will be the extent of it. This isn’t even taking all the other risks and unforeseen problems that there will surely be. There is only so much science can do, it can’t conquer death.” Zana says.
“Your concerns are dully noted Zana. Elam, you will have any and all resources available to you for this project.” You say.
“I won’t fail you my Emperor. This will work I guarantee it!”
“Hrm. Well let’s sure hope so, because I’m putting my trust behind it and throwing away a plan that will not get the chance to be implemented again. In any event, I want to keep very close eye on this project. You said you’re going to have to build a container for me, well if I am going to spend the rest of my life in a tank, then it needs to be at my home. So I’m going to have the entire under palace cleared and open for this project to go down there. There should be more than enough room and if not, we’ll make additions. But you’ll be becoming a permanent fixture at the palace.” You say.
“I understand. Again, I thank you for this opportunity my Emperor.” Elam responds.
You tell Elam for him to get all of his equipment, staff and whatever else he currently needs together and arrangements will be made to have it hauled to the palace. Zana says she’s still skeptical of this plan, but if this is what you wish and if Elam still wants her help, then she will of course serve. Naturally Elam wants her working with him on this project.
Having settled on a new plan, all you have to do now is inform Decena…
“You’re going to have your what put in a what?” she exclaims.
“My brain would be placed in a tank of special chemicals. Elam says that due to my magic powers I could still communicate mentally with people with the proper electrical charges attached…” you don’t even get to finish, Decena is too overwhelmed by this information.
“This…this…can’t work? Can it? I mean…it sounds so impossible!”
“I know. Trust me, when Elam explained it, I thought the same thing, but…I have to try. I mean the other plan was nice and all, but really the risks were just as great and still involved an uncertain success as far as I was concerned.”
“Yeah I know you explained that plan, but…it sounded at least like they were ready to enact it. This one is going to involve more testing and who know how much more time? You’ll still have to risk your life and…”
You stop Decena.
“Decena, weren’t you the one that always believed I could find a way to be immortal?”
“Well yes, but I dunno…a brain in a tank? Is that really living?”
“Well Elam said that perhaps arrangements and improvements could be made in the future and that perhaps I could actually leave the tank via one of those automatons that we used in the Nakol and Iznac Wars. Look, the idea of being a disembodied brain isn’t exactly ideal, but at this point I’m starting to feel so much pain in my body on a daily basis that I’d almost be relieved to shed this old shell at this point. And what’s the alternative? Hope that a generation of Eternals can follow in my, or even your footsteps just because they can reproduce? Can’t do it. I have to shoulder the majority of the burden of keeping the Empire running. Nobody else. I have to attempt this plan and this is a worthwhile risk in my mind that I can take.”
“But…what about us? I mean…if this is all successful and everything goes well. How will our relationship remain as it is now?”
Decena touches your hand and then your face as if it’ll be the last time she’ll get to do it. You return her closeness, as you understand her concern.
“Decena, I know it will be difficult. Honestly if this process goes through successfully, you’re right our relationship will be very different, and perhaps you will be unable to love me in such a form, but…
Now Decena stops you.
“My glorious Emperor, don’t you know by now that I will always love you no matter what your form? That will never change. It’s just that I would miss the warmth of your body next to mine, our lips touching when we embrace. I can’t say that I am entirely sure of this plan, but I will as always defer and respect your judgment on this matter. If you believe this is possible, then I can think of nothing greater than your everlasting ruler ship over this world.”
And with this validation, you feel slightly better about your decision. Even though you never doubted that Decena wouldn’t be behind you, it’s still good to hear.
Your “siblings” on the other hand are a lot less supportive on the matter however.
“What?! I thought you were going through with the plan to create fertile Eternals!” Brenda exclaims.
“Yeah, I mean granted that plan sounded a little far fetched, but it seemed like it might be plausible. This just sounds well…insane.” Warrick adds.
The conversation doesn’t get any better from there. Brenda is probably more upset because of your plans to abandon the Eternal project entirely and place all resources into this immortality plan. You explain that for right now there isn’t any need for more Eternals due to having nowhere to really send the current fourth gens a place to fight anyway. No point in creating more super soldiers when you’ve already got more than enough right now and no war to which to send them.
Naturally Brenda sees this a sort of betrayal. She has grown attached to the younger Eternals and does see them as successors or in her case her surrogate children. You remind her though that they are neither. They are tools to the Empire just as you all were when you all were created. This doesn’t go over well with Brenda.
“So what, are we ALL just your tools too then?” Brenda asks.
“Brenda, I didn’t say you…” you start to say, but are interrupted.
“No, you said we’re all just tools for the Empire. That includes all of us. Look, maybe YOU got the chance to be the right hand of our old Emperor, and you have become his successor, but YOU also started out just like Warrick and I did!”
“Brenda, I think you need to calm down, I’m sure he didn’t…” Warrick says, but she won’t hear him.
“No Warrick, this needs to be said.” She says and turns back to you. You don’t say anything you’re content on listening to her rant.
“This plan of yours is vanity, pure and simple. Is your ego such that you cannot even accept your own WIFE taking over after you die? Would you really throw away a good chance of creating fertile Eternals who will carry on the Empire for a remote chance of living forever? You may rule the Empire, but do you really consider yourself bigger than it?”
You’ve heard enough and put up your hand.
“Brenda. I’ve allowed your outburst because you’re right, we three did start out together. I even see you as siblings of a sort and of course as friends. We all trained under that sadistic svelk bitch until the two of you were lucky enough to be separated. And yes you two were the lucky ones, because quite frankly sometimes I envy your ignorance on everything you’re STILL in the dark about. But shall I tell you? Seems like a perfect time.”
You start off by telling Brenda that Roldan wasn’t killed by a simple undead shadow assassin and in fact Semra had nothing to do with it like the Emperor’s propaganda said. You explain that the Emperor had Roldan killed just like he had your wife Alison killed AND was planning to kill you.
The reveal is definitely a shock to both Brenda and Warrick.
You continue by admitting that you weren’t even meant to be an Eternal in the first place. That you were a candidate by a red tape mistake and it was that same mistake that ultimately resulted in Casimir’s death.
“So Brenda, as you can see, perhaps I’m not entirely attached to the Eternals, because I wasn’t meant to be one in the first place. Yet here I am. Perhaps I seek immortality because I took it from Casimir. Casimir ruled the Empire for centuries and what did he do with it? Nothing much. I’ve ruled it for significantly less time and look at what it’s become. THINK what I could do if I had more time. I’ve built this nation to be better than it was. I’ve expanded its glory. I’ve defended its honor. I’ve sacrificed for it. I’ve done everything short of DIE for it and if I thought it would secure its continual future, then yes I would do that too.”
You move closer to Brenda and Warrick who sit in silence listening to your speech.
“You ask if I think I’m bigger than the Empire. No, I don’t…I AM the fucking Empire.”
You stare at them both very intensely.
“And only I can live forever.”
You end your speech telling them both that this is the way things are going to be and that they are welcome to be part of it as always.
And if they aren’t willing, then they had best stay out of the way.
This idea of having fertile Eternals to “carry on” your legacy is a nice idea, but ultimately it isn’t “you.” Only you can lead the Empire to world order. Not to mention there is a risk of you dying in the process of creating said Eternals and then you’d have wait at least twelve or thirteen years just to see if the process literally produced positive results.
If you’re going to have to risk your life and wait around, you’d rather do it for the chance at immortality.
And given all the other wonders and feats you’ve seen or even done in this world who is to say this isn’t possible? Like Elam said, the concept of a machine like an airship was impossible at one time as well.
“How long would I have to wait for you to perfect this process you’re proposing?” you ask Elam, who gives a big grin at your willingness to choose his new plan.
“Not long a assure you my Emperor! As I said, I’ve already had limited success on a few test subjects already! In your case though, I will need to build a suitable containment for when…well you ascend to a higher state of being.”
Zana is shaking her head at this idea.
“My Emperor, while I know the desire for immortality is tempting, I really have to advise against this. Elam’s enthusiasm is far exceeding what is reality! While it is true he’s managed to keep a few animal brains alive for a few minutes, I’m fairly sure that that will be the extent of it. This isn’t even taking all the other risks and unforeseen problems that there will surely be. There is only so much science can do, it can’t conquer death.” Zana says.
“Your concerns are dully noted Zana. Elam, you will have any and all resources available to you for this project.” You say.
“I won’t fail you my Emperor. This will work I guarantee it!”
“Hrm. Well let’s sure hope so, because I’m putting my trust behind it and throwing away a plan that will not get the chance to be implemented again. In any event, I want to keep very close eye on this project. You said you’re going to have to build a container for me, well if I am going to spend the rest of my life in a tank, then it needs to be at my home. So I’m going to have the entire under palace cleared and open for this project to go down there. There should be more than enough room and if not, we’ll make additions. But you’ll be becoming a permanent fixture at the palace.” You say.
“I understand. Again, I thank you for this opportunity my Emperor.” Elam responds.
You tell Elam for him to get all of his equipment, staff and whatever else he currently needs together and arrangements will be made to have it hauled to the palace. Zana says she’s still skeptical of this plan, but if this is what you wish and if Elam still wants her help, then she will of course serve. Naturally Elam wants her working with him on this project.
Having settled on a new plan, all you have to do now is inform Decena…
“You’re going to have your what put in a what?” she exclaims.
“My brain would be placed in a tank of special chemicals. Elam says that due to my magic powers I could still communicate mentally with people with the proper electrical charges attached…” you don’t even get to finish, Decena is too overwhelmed by this information.
“This…this…can’t work? Can it? I mean…it sounds so impossible!”
“I know. Trust me, when Elam explained it, I thought the same thing, but…I have to try. I mean the other plan was nice and all, but really the risks were just as great and still involved an uncertain success as far as I was concerned.”
“Yeah I know you explained that plan, but…it sounded at least like they were ready to enact it. This one is going to involve more testing and who know how much more time? You’ll still have to risk your life and…”
You stop Decena.
“Decena, weren’t you the one that always believed I could find a way to be immortal?”
“Well yes, but I dunno…a brain in a tank? Is that really living?”
“Well Elam said that perhaps arrangements and improvements could be made in the future and that perhaps I could actually leave the tank via one of those automatons that we used in the Nakol and Iznac Wars. Look, the idea of being a disembodied brain isn’t exactly ideal, but at this point I’m starting to feel so much pain in my body on a daily basis that I’d almost be relieved to shed this old shell at this point. And what’s the alternative? Hope that a generation of Eternals can follow in my, or even your footsteps just because they can reproduce? Can’t do it. I have to shoulder the majority of the burden of keeping the Empire running. Nobody else. I have to attempt this plan and this is a worthwhile risk in my mind that I can take.”
“But…what about us? I mean…if this is all successful and everything goes well. How will our relationship remain as it is now?”
Decena touches your hand and then your face as if it’ll be the last time she’ll get to do it. You return her closeness, as you understand her concern.
“Decena, I know it will be difficult. Honestly if this process goes through successfully, you’re right our relationship will be very different, and perhaps you will be unable to love me in such a form, but…
Now Decena stops you.
“My glorious Emperor, don’t you know by now that I will always love you no matter what your form? That will never change. It’s just that I would miss the warmth of your body next to mine, our lips touching when we embrace. I can’t say that I am entirely sure of this plan, but I will as always defer and respect your judgment on this matter. If you believe this is possible, then I can think of nothing greater than your everlasting ruler ship over this world.”
And with this validation, you feel slightly better about your decision. Even though you never doubted that Decena wouldn’t be behind you, it’s still good to hear.
Your “siblings” on the other hand are a lot less supportive on the matter however.
“What?! I thought you were going through with the plan to create fertile Eternals!” Brenda exclaims.
“Yeah, I mean granted that plan sounded a little far fetched, but it seemed like it might be plausible. This just sounds well…insane.” Warrick adds.
The conversation doesn’t get any better from there. Brenda is probably more upset because of your plans to abandon the Eternal project entirely and place all resources into this immortality plan. You explain that for right now there isn’t any need for more Eternals due to having nowhere to really send the current fourth gens a place to fight anyway. No point in creating more super soldiers when you’ve already got more than enough right now and no war to which to send them.
Naturally Brenda sees this a sort of betrayal. She has grown attached to the younger Eternals and does see them as successors or in her case her surrogate children. You remind her though that they are neither. They are tools to the Empire just as you all were when you all were created. This doesn’t go over well with Brenda.
“So what, are we ALL just your tools too then?” Brenda asks.
“Brenda, I didn’t say you…” you start to say, but are interrupted.
“No, you said we’re all just tools for the Empire. That includes all of us. Look, maybe YOU got the chance to be the right hand of our old Emperor, and you have become his successor, but YOU also started out just like Warrick and I did!”
“Brenda, I think you need to calm down, I’m sure he didn’t…” Warrick says, but she won’t hear him.
“No Warrick, this needs to be said.” She says and turns back to you. You don’t say anything you’re content on listening to her rant.
“This plan of yours is vanity, pure and simple. Is your ego such that you cannot even accept your own WIFE taking over after you die? Would you really throw away a good chance of creating fertile Eternals who will carry on the Empire for a remote chance of living forever? You may rule the Empire, but do you really consider yourself bigger than it?”
You’ve heard enough and put up your hand.
“Brenda. I’ve allowed your outburst because you’re right, we three did start out together. I even see you as siblings of a sort and of course as friends. We all trained under that sadistic svelk bitch until the two of you were lucky enough to be separated. And yes you two were the lucky ones, because quite frankly sometimes I envy your ignorance on everything you’re STILL in the dark about. But shall I tell you? Seems like a perfect time.”
You start off by telling Brenda that Roldan wasn’t killed by a simple undead shadow assassin and in fact Semra had nothing to do with it like the Emperor’s propaganda said. You explain that the Emperor had Roldan killed just like he had your wife Alison killed AND was planning to kill you.
The reveal is definitely a shock to both Brenda and Warrick.
You continue by admitting that you weren’t even meant to be an Eternal in the first place. That you were a candidate by a red tape mistake and it was that same mistake that ultimately resulted in Casimir’s death.
“So Brenda, as you can see, perhaps I’m not entirely attached to the Eternals, because I wasn’t meant to be one in the first place. Yet here I am. Perhaps I seek immortality because I took it from Casimir. Casimir ruled the Empire for centuries and what did he do with it? Nothing much. I’ve ruled it for significantly less time and look at what it’s become. THINK what I could do if I had more time. I’ve built this nation to be better than it was. I’ve expanded its glory. I’ve defended its honor. I’ve sacrificed for it. I’ve done everything short of DIE for it and if I thought it would secure its continual future, then yes I would do that too.”
You move closer to Brenda and Warrick who sit in silence listening to your speech.
“You ask if I think I’m bigger than the Empire. No, I don’t…I AM the fucking Empire.”
You stare at them both very intensely.
“And only I can live forever.”
You end your speech telling them both that this is the way things are going to be and that they are welcome to be part of it as always.
And if they aren’t willing, then they had best stay out of the way.