We’ve always believed that immortality is a myth. But is it really? One man is challenging that myth in a new, controversial and radical way. This man was forty-two years old. His messy short black hair starting to gray out from age. He had a well-kept goatee and wore black-rimmed glasses with a maroon suit, black tie and lab coat on over it. Professor Kenneth Hensley is the lead researcher at BioMed Industries; The reigning champion leading the charge in medical and scientific advances for our humanity. Ever since entering the field and eventually taking over the division in 2025, Hensley has spent the last ten years toiling away at the idea that “Immortality is a myth.” Hensley wants to challenge that belief carried by humans ever since we first became aware of mortality and facing death.
“This is the year… The year we finally unlock the key to eternal life.” Hensley muttered to himself as he typed away on the keyboard.
He was glued to the computer screen in his office. His tired eyes showed a clear sign of sleep deprivation by the bags and sullenness in his pupils. After discovering the first major breakthrough three years ago, he’s spent countless hours trying to figure out how to keep us alive past our expiration date. How our consciousness could carry on after our bodies fail and we fall asleep forever.
“People should have the choice whether to carry on into the future. To see their children’s grandchildren grow up. To see technology develop. To see the way the world changes for their bloodline. This will be it…” Hensley continued speaking to himself.
The digital clock on his desk read: Eleven-thirty-two. It was getting late. A set of knocks rapped on his office door.
“It’s open.” Hensley called out.
The door opened. A younger lady in a similar lab coat as he entered the office. She had long auburn hair, teal eyes with black eyeliner and a slim figure. She approached him slowly holding a fresh hot cup of coffee with the sleeve around the cup.
“Um. D-doctor? I brought you some coffee. Figured you were still going at it like always.” The young lady spoke.
“Oh. Thank you, Jennifer. Just set it down on my desk for now.” Hensley replied with his eyes still stuck to the screen.
Jennifer nodded and set the cup down next to him. She stood there for a moment, hands cupped together, rocking back and forth anxiously. Hensley stopped typing. He leaned back in his chair, taking a moment to rub his eyes. He looked to the coffee cup then to Jennifer and took a sip of the hot drink.
“You seem like you need something from me. Well?”
“Sir I-I’m just worried about you. You’ve been so caught up in this… This Project Soul Cage of yours. For awhile now you have been and- “
“Silence!”
Hensley lifted a finger up. He took another sip then stared the young lady down.
“Project Soul Cage is nearly at its apex my dear. In fact, I think I’ve finally got the coding down for the program. Come. Take a look.”
Jennifer sighed under her breath. She stepped closer and looked at the second computer monitor Hensley was pointing at. He began to work his typing magic. The screen displayed a massive construct with several screens next to beds placed in pods and wires hanging above them. A 3D model of a human laid down on the bed. Another human model stuck the wires into the first human and touched the screen. The wires began to glow as blue streaks ascended from the human’s head up into the machine. Then images and words flashed on the screen. The other human pulled out a tablet to take notes. Hensley smirked as he turned in his chair to glance at Jennifer who wore a confused expression.
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“What… Am I looking at??” She asked.
“Project Soul Cage my dear. This construct will upload the subject’s features and subconscious into a databank for storage. Memories, emotions and every feature of the subject. The databank then will transfer the contents of the brain into what I call the “Memory Chip.” This chip can then be implanted into a fresh, healthy body sculpted from the flesh labs in the spitting image of that person. It will be like… A rebirth. Whether they died of old age or illness or perhaps they were murdered on the streets by a ruffian. No matter what they can be saved!” Hensley explained elaborately.
Jennifer was in utter shock. Her mind was trying to comprehend this entire process.
“S-so you mean… Essentially their memories will be transferred into a clone...” She stated.
“It will ‘undo’ their demise. Death shall no longer be feared by the masses. Think about it Jennifer! I am challenging mortality. Creating immortality. If someone wants to live for say, three-hundred years ballpark number, they can do it! Like wiping a cluttered, old worn-out computer clean and starting with a fresh hard drive and processor! Does, that make sense?”
“… I see. So that device is…”
“The Soul Cage, my dear. I’ll be submitting this design to the director of operations for approval. If approved, then the technology wing can begin development and within a certain parameter of time, the device will be complete and ready to test!”
“… Wow. Sounds like you’re about to make the biggest milestone in medical sciences.”
“Precisely! Well, I need to go see the director before he clocks out for the night. Thanks again for the caffeine. Hope you have a wonderful night.”
Jennifer just smiled and nodded. He grabbed his tablet. She followed him out of the office. He then ran off down the hallway to the elevator. She wiped her brow and took a deep breath. It was time for her to head home and wait for any news.
Hensley reached the top floor and scurried down the corridor to the lone office at the end. He knocked on the door. Peering through the narrow window he saw the director motion for him to step in. He nodded and entered the spacious office containing couches, a coffee table, bookshelves and a gorgeous top-floor view of the neon-drenched cityscape outside complimented with soft jazz music. The director was a tall, lean Asian-American man with a bald head, clean-shaven face and a stern look behind his gold-rimmed glasses. He wore a spotless white suit with a red tie.
“Ah. Hensley. What can I do for you? I’m about to head home for the night.” The director spoke in a friendly tone.
Hensley tapped on his tablet for a moment before handing it to the man. He studied the same contents as the presentation he had shown Jennifer on his computer.
“Director Shimada, I have completed my research and presentation for Project Soul Cage. Please, observe the contents on my tablet.” Hensley stated with enthusiasm.
Shimada watched carefully through the entire presentation. Afterwards he set the tablet down on his desk. An eyebrow raised; he looked up at Hensley who wore a smile on his face.
“I must say Hensley I am… Rather impressed. Years and years of your life spent towards this project of yours. You realize how much a device like will cost to produce right? We’re talking a multi-million-dollar project.” Shimada stated.
“I understand. Please director you must approve this. We could change the world with Project Soul Cage!”
“Hmm. Funding immortality... Sounds like one hell of a boast for the news media outlets. The press coverage will be insane. As the leading institute of medical science and technology this must not fail.”
“This has been a collaboration effort between me and my colleagues in the department. It… Will… Work.”
“As the lead researcher I have full faith in your intellect and skills. Very well. It’s a bold and risky project but sometimes that’s what it takes to make advancements in science and medicine. Development will begin tomorrow. I’ll send the schematics and information to the technology division supervisor. Let’s pray to whatever God is out there that this succeeds.”
“Excellent! Most excellent! Thank you so much director!”
“Of course. Now then… Let us depart for the night, shall we? Long road ahead of us and you in particular.”
“Yes sir.”
Hensley contained his excitement as he walked to his black coupe out in the parking lot. He started the car and began the long drive home. He and BioMed Industries were about to make history in due time.