“In science, the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not to the man to whom the idea first occurs.

* Francis Darwin

“And that ladies and gentlemen is my presentation on developing post-mortem cloning. Any questions?”

A reporter raised their hand.

“Yes. You in the back.”

“Why?”

“Why? That isn’t a specific question reporter, care to elaborate?”

“Sure, why cloning? Why dead people? Is it some fantasy you have with necromancing, what motivates you in this field?”

“Those are three very different questions. To answer the first. Cloning has always been a thing, just look at it from the lenses of reproduction. Twins, triplets, and a descendant that resembles an ancestor a little too much are clones in my eyes. I just tweaked the science a bit to guarantee exact results every time.”

Dio walked back over to the presentation on the board and pointed to a few words.

“People carry a plethora of DNA after death. It fully decays tens of thousands of years after. Now of course we could have participants donate DNA while still alive, but I find that it is less time-consuming and tedious to handle the dead. Certain citizens can sign up to offer their bodies to science, like a DNR card, it's very ethical and legal.”

Dio grabbed a chair and pulled it closer to the audience. “To answer your last question, which I think is the most important. Time motivates me. People are reckless by design, well not design but rather fault by the consequences of their various actions. Since Adam and Eve ate of the fruit, time became a slow ticking bomb of destruction. I think people would appreciate time if they had more of it.

Any more questions?”

“I have a question Dr. Dio.” Said a woman in the front. “If you had a chance at being resurrected, considering this is all theoretical science as of now, what would you do with that extra time?”

“That is a good question. Hmm. I guess I would right my wrongs and pray.”

- -

“Are you seeing this? The guy is lying through his teeth,” Agent Enzo exclaimed, showing his phone to Agent Giani, looking at the press conference of Dr. Dio.

“Enzo, what do you think would happen if he told the truth? Imagine what the public would do if they found out all this stuff was real?”

Giani stood up and poured herself a glass of water, waiting for their next orders from the Director.

“Yeah, I know, but that doesn’t excuse how unethical this scientist is.”

“Most scientists are, the public doesn’t care about ethics when new tech and drugs are rolled out. IQ trumps EQ every time.”

The director walked in and shut the door. “Good Morning Agents.”

“Morning Director Greco. Anything new for us?” Giani asked throwing her cup into the garbage.

“Yes, but before I get into that, how is the status of subject 004?”

“Well Director, this one is different,” interjected Enzo. “Usually, they would malfunction or die off within a few days. If not to the modern necromancy tactics then because of whatever external issues they found themselves in.”

The director took a seat, turning their head to face the talking operative. “Go on.”

“Right. Salvatore is different. No one seems apprehensive of him, there don’t seem to be any external problems for him other than the fight that occurred at the hospital. And he seems stronger and healthier than before. I hate to give credit to him but I think Dio did it.”

“And what about the surveillance? How is the memory retention going?”

“He has not caught on, which was the main concern with this subject. They often malfunction after becoming self-aware.”

Enzo took a seat. “ We are now marching into unknown territory. We can see everything he sees and know what he does but unlike the others, we have no access to his brain. No communication in knowing what his motives are or what he thinks to do. Very dangerous if not monitored.”

“Very dangerous indeed,” The director started writing on a sheet of paper before getting up and heading towards the door. “Well agents, do what I pay you to do. Keep a close eye on him, and write your reports on time. Ciao.”

Giani waved as Enzo sighed. “Why do I feel like we are glorified babysitters.”

“Because we are,” answered Giani, “But hey we deserve an easy job. Watching him can’t be that hard.”

- -

Frankie woke up groggy, not fully aware of his surroundings. He rolled off the cheap motel bed and went to wash his face. While he was finishing his morning routine his phone began to ring.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Frankie! How have you been? Heard you were in the hospital”

He could not believe the voice on the other end. The snake. “Caruso I should put a bullet in you. You know Lorenzo is dead! Why are you calling me?”

“Yeah I heard, sorry about Renzo, do you know who did him in?”

“No, But I will find out soon, and if you got something to do with this Rus. Mark my words, I will find you.”

“I know you are a man of your word, Frankie. But on my mother, I had no part in Lorenzo's death. I would ask Dante about that.”

“Funny, Dante told me it was you.” Frank walked back into the room and turned on the television, flipping to the news station.

“So what do you want Caruso?”

“I think someone is after me.”

“You think, it’s no surprise you have more enemies than friends.” Francesco eyed the TV. looking at the headline at the bottom of the screen.

Scientist makes a bang in post-mortem cloning development and research!

“I deserve that, but c’mon, let’s meet up and I can also give you help in finding out who killed Lorenzo.”

“Fine. But if I sense any weird vibes from you, you won’t have to worry about your other enemies. I mean it, Caruso.”

Click.

Frank’s phone vibrated and he saw that Caruso sent him an address. Nico’s. He hadn’t been there in years, since he first joined all of this.

- -

Nico’s was a safe haven. He was an older man who helped localize business in the town. Everyone called him Uncle Nico regardless of age or relation. So going there meant you left your guns outside and you could have serious conversations without getting shot out front the moment you stepped out.

So Frank knew that whatever Caruso had to say was important. He walked around the block and tucked his shirt in, Nico was a stickler for rules. When he got inside he was greeted with old-timey music and a familiar scent of tomato paste and olive oil in the air. It reminded him of his wife. Bella would cook his Nonnas’s recipe every Sunday. It felt like home.

“Francesco Salvatore! I haven’t seen you in a while. You get tired of my cooking?”

“Ciao Uncle Nico. How are you?” He kissed the old man’s cheek and took a seat at a table. “You know I love your cooking. But too much of a good thing is bad Uncle.”

Nico chuckled. “Such a sweet talker, save that for the ladies. So what will it be?”

“You decide Uncle I trust your judgment.”

“If you trust my judgment, don’t believe everything you see and hear. You have to decide for yourself what is good. And Caruso is not. I would stay away from him Nephew.”

“Stay away from who?” chimed Caruso as he walked through the door.

“Ruso, what did I say about your shoes? This is a fine establishment.”

“Uncle, Next time I will do better, next time.” Nico walked off with our order shaking his head into the kitchen.

“Old man always busting my balls.”

“Language, Rus.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Anyway how you been Frankie, how’s your head?”

‘My head?’ Frank thought. I was only in the hospital for a few gunshot wounds, doctors said nothing about my head.

“I’m fine, but you, what’s the problem now Ruso?”

Caruso looked around, checking his surroundings, then leaned in closer. “Dante’s got a hit on me.”

“Yeah right,” laughed Frank, stopping when he noticed Caruso was serious. More than serious, he was scared. “He can’t do that Rus, You're a made man. Did the table say something?”

“No this is under the table. He wants to pin Renzo’s murder on me. When he was in cahoots with the Barone family for the job.”

“And why would I believe that? I mean the Barone’s, c’mon Rus, those are our enemies. Also, what makes Dante want to use you as a scapegoat? What you got some dirt on him?”

“Yeah. But you have to promise me you’ll help me.”

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep Caruso. I will see if there is anything I can do no guarantees.”

“Thank you! That’s all I ask. The name is-”

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Gunshots blared through the glass window, causing everyone in the restaurant to duck underneath their tables Frank dipped around his and ran into the kitchen to check on Nico who he saw standing in the doorway.

“Uncle Uncle are you okay!?”

“Yes. I am fine, but my restaurant, my life was in this place.”

“I know Unc. Just stay back here I have to go help out front.”

Before Frank left out the door, Nico grabbed his arm and spoke. “Trust. It is something one should not give out too easily.”

Frank creeped out the door and ran towards Caruso who was shooting towards the entrance.

“It’s him, it's the man in the Navy. He was with the Barone’s! Frank get out your gun, come on!”

Frank felt conflicted, Nico’s was built on rules, but this was a life-and-death situation. He pulled out his gun and shot the man in blue in the shoulder causing him to duck and run in the opposite direction. Sirens wailing down the road.

As Frank got up he went around to check on everyone’s safety when he got back to his table he saw Caruso on the ground gunshot to the chest.

“Ruso, Caruso! Somebody help!”

Caruso grabbed his arm, whispering, “Find Marco. He can shed some light. Marco.”

His hand loosened and Caruso’s body fell limp, police and first responders just arriving at the scene.