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==Chapter 1: (...)== | ==Chapter 1: (...)== | ||
− | Tentative Synopsis: Rigel, a botanist, embarks as a passenger on a ship headed to a galactic conference only to find out that he has an incurable disease, and six months left to live. | + | Tentative Synopsis: Rigel, a botanist, embarks as a passenger on a ship headed to a galactic conference only to find out that he has an incurable disease, and six months left to live. But, being immortal, how would this incurable disease affect Rigel and, more importantly, can an immortal die? Or is there some other dimensional plain on which Rigel and other "dead" immortals can exist? |
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Trepidatiously, Rigel nodded, "Yes.Th- That's me. And who, exactly, are you?" | Trepidatiously, Rigel nodded, "Yes.Th- That's me. And who, exactly, are you?" | ||
− | Calmly but self-assured, she responded, "Dr. Veritis, Rigel. I'm sorry, you don't know me. My name is Carmen. Dr. Carmen Whilom. I was dispatched to inform you that the test results from your physical came back." Carmen's breathy voice came as a slight shock to Rigel, whose eyes swept over her lanky body. Beads of sweat glistened on her brow. For she had sprinted to intercept him before he had entered the dormant stage in his bunk. "But why?" thought Rigel, as he | + | Calmly but self-assured, she responded, "Dr. Veritis, Rigel. I'm sorry, you don't know me. My name is Carmen. Dr. Carmen Whilom. I was dispatched to inform you that the test results from your physical came back." Carmen's voice breathy voice came as a slight shock to Rigel, whose eyes swept over her lanky body. Beads of sweat glistened on her brow. For she had sprinted to intercept him before he had entered the dormant stage in his bunk. "But why?" thought Rigel, as he in hed his way two small steps closer to the hovering doctor. |
"I've already got my results." Rigel shook his head. "I was cleared for this project weeks ago. You're mistaken." Rigel turned to walk away until... | "I've already got my results." Rigel shook his head. "I was cleared for this project weeks ago. You're mistaken." Rigel turned to walk away until... | ||
− | I | + | "No, Rigel. I'm sorry. There is no mistake." Dr. Carmen cleared her throat, and Rigel caught her subtle glance at his face. She was struggling to maintain eye contact with him. "We actually did think there was a mistake, at first. Of course we did. I mean, you're immirtal, yes?" Rigel nodded. "We thought, perhaps, we had mixed up your test results with somebody else's. But we didn't, unfortunately. Mr. Veretis, there's no way to sugarcoat this. You've tested positive for the Blue." |
− | + | "The Blue?" The words hit his ears, echoing tortorously in his head. The pandemic that had been sweeping his home planet somehow found its way into his century's-old, immortal body. But how? This was the exact reason he was boarding this craft. To escape whatever attrocities this illness could inflict on an immortal like him. His mission was to find a cure. 'Bluronius virulens.' He had worked alongside sufferers tirelessly since the disease had broken out. He had only been chosen for the project because of his genetic immunity. And now this mortal doctor, this sweaty and confused woman, was telling him he had it? "That's not possible. I'm immune." He let out a small giggle. "Trust me. I'm immune." Again, he turned to walk away. | |
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− | "The Blue?" The words hit his ears | ||
"No, Dr. Veretis. You're not. No one is. Not even immortals, though it will affect you differently, which is why I've come to see you in person. You only had one haplotype. You had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it. And I'm so sorry, but I can't let you continue. I can't let you stay aboard this ship and infect the colonists." | "No, Dr. Veretis. You're not. No one is. Not even immortals, though it will affect you differently, which is why I've come to see you in person. You only had one haplotype. You had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it. And I'm so sorry, but I can't let you continue. I can't let you stay aboard this ship and infect the colonists." | ||
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Carmen coughed. Her eyes met his, and he saw the flat expression in them. "Dr. Veretis, as you already know, there's no cure for the Blue. But, I have an alternative solution that I may be able to offer you." | Carmen coughed. Her eyes met his, and he saw the flat expression in them. "Dr. Veretis, as you already know, there's no cure for the Blue. But, I have an alternative solution that I may be able to offer you." | ||
− | Rigel's eyes widened. Surely she couldn't mean...? Immortality was expressly forbidden for a man of his stature. It wasn't just highly illegal. | + | Rigel's eyes widened. Surely she couldn't mean...? Immortality was expressly forbidden for a man of his stature. It wasn't just highly illegal. It was also dirty, shameful. It was a coward's solution to the disease. |
"If you don't mind, Dr. Veretis. But may I have you lead me to your bunk? I'd like to discuss your options with you." Carmen held up a small leather briefcase. He barely glanced down at it. He already knew it contained the vials, the ones that contained the serum that could transform him into an immortal. A benign smile worked its way across Carmen's face. "Of course, the choice is yours." | "If you don't mind, Dr. Veretis. But may I have you lead me to your bunk? I'd like to discuss your options with you." Carmen held up a small leather briefcase. He barely glanced down at it. He already knew it contained the vials, the ones that contained the serum that could transform him into an immortal. A benign smile worked its way across Carmen's face. "Of course, the choice is yours." | ||
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− | I arrived home later that night, there was a milky grey sky that changed into black ebony tones as the seven suns danced away and around the planetary body like seven dancers. (describe trek through countryside?). My loft was empty, uninspiring, spartan. I liked it that way. The screen to the far side of the space blinked, announcing a new message. From my father. How long had it been? Years since I last talked to him? | + | I arrived home later that night, there was a milky grey sky that changed into black ebony tones as the seven suns danced away and around the planetary body like seven dancers. (describe trek through countryside?). My loft was empty, uninspiring, spartan. I liked it that way. The screen to the far side of the space blinked, announcing a new message. From my father. How long had it been? Years since I last talked to him? |
==1.2== | ==1.2== | ||
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− | This, more than anything, was the impetus of my tale, because if not for a chance | + | This, more than anything, was the impetus of my tale, because if not for a chance ... |
... | ... | ||
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The ... | The ... | ||
==1.7== | ==1.7== | ||
− | ... At the request of my father I went to get a long overdue physical exam. The room was | + | ... At the request of my father I went to get a long overdue physical exam. The room was crowded with (instruments). It resembled (...). “Pardon the mess. We are in the process of renovating this facility.” The doctor was an older man, with dark orange skin. Spots cluttered his large, round face. He was a Belerion I believe. “I am...” The doctor interrupted, “you must be Rigel. General Vango talks about you all the time. He’s informed me to give you every test there is. The doctor paused for a second. “Where are my manners, I’m Doctor Condel, or Co-del’-ondel-o’ris if you have the patience.” |
It was strange to hear that my father talked about me. I always thought of myself as being a chore to him - an inconvenience that needed to be met every couple of years. But I knew he loved me, even if in his own way. And I did love him, in my own way. That is why I agreed to this ridiculous physical, to make him happy. That is why I agreed to take a ride on this ship, to leave home. “Dr. Condel, where do we begin and what did my father ever mention? Were you his doctor at one point?" His orange skin shimmered into another form, another color that was truly unique in only the way that fantastical things could show our eyes. | It was strange to hear that my father talked about me. I always thought of myself as being a chore to him - an inconvenience that needed to be met every couple of years. But I knew he loved me, even if in his own way. And I did love him, in my own way. That is why I agreed to this ridiculous physical, to make him happy. That is why I agreed to take a ride on this ship, to leave home. “Dr. Condel, where do we begin and what did my father ever mention? Were you his doctor at one point?" His orange skin shimmered into another form, another color that was truly unique in only the way that fantastical things could show our eyes. | ||
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… | … | ||
–Chapter 2 started– | –Chapter 2 started– | ||
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==Navigation== | ==Navigation== |