Beginnings...

' The Commission is pleased to announce the winner of this year's biology prize goes to Doctor Jacob V. Wilson of the United Kingdom for his breakthrough work in the field of human body regeneration....' Sitting at my desk, I stare at the telly as the winners for this year's Nobel Prize is announced. It seems just like yesterday that man started out on the first steps towards immortality with the cloning of animals when in fact its been 30 years already. Now, we have finally crossed the most difficult hurdle of all, that of life and death. With the breakthrough in human regeneration, now life can be extended indefinitely. Ageing is a process that's built within our DNA. As we grow old, the DNA degenerates and our body goes along with it. With the regeneration process pioneered by Doctor Wilson, the degenerated parts of our bodies like the organs are simply replaced by grown ones inside his many secret laboratories supposedly scattered along the countryside. The second part of the treatment encompasses the injection of a material known as Solution V into our bodies (the methods of injection are unknown even to the press at this point as all test subjects are sworn to secrecy by the government who bankrolled this project) that fixes the ageing gene in our DNA which stops the ageing process entirely. With the treatment complete, essentially the person will be able to live forever...

'Sir, can I talk to you for a minute?' It was Jason, one of the young lads who just joined the team. Fresh out of college, with boundless energy and enthusiasm, a fine looking young man with a sharp wit and an even sharper tongue, perfect for our line of work. 'Its Doctor Wilson, Sir. His press secretary called just now. He doesn't seem to quite agree with our opinions on his work, Sir. Seems like he's been reading our papers and found your editorials quite objectionable regarding the ethics of regeneration. And he requests a meeting with you...' Hmm....the ethics of regeneration, now I remember about that editorial I wrote a few days back in The Times. I never believed that God created us to live forever, that we die for a reason. To live forever will be sin and unnatural, pretty much what that man is doing right now, creating an army of undead that is pretty much an army of the Devil himself...That I really feel uncomfortable with. Sure with his work people will never have to feel the pain of death and separation again but is it really wise? Live forever, that just sounds too good to be true...God save our King and our Kingdom, I'll be damned if our great country becomes a land of the undead.

' Alright Jason, I'll see him. Find Amy and look for a time slot, then tell Wilson's secretary that I'll meet him when I'm available and....'

'No Sir, it gets better than that Mr H. He's inviting you to his laboratories. No press has ever been invited to his laboratories before, it'll be a real scoop.... Pity he requests that you go alone....'

Me alone? Now what does that scumbag has in his twisted little mind, meddling with God's creation with his filthy hands, want with me now? Does he want to get even with me after I wrote that scathing editorial last week? 'No, tell that Dr Wilson that I'll meet him on two conditions; that I am comfortable with the schedule and that you'll follow me to the laboratories. I'll accept no pictures if he insist but tell him it wouldn't help if he insists so. No compromises on my two conditions, clear?'

'Yes Sir, I'll go find a time with Amy. Damn, It'll be the scoop of the century, a look inside the mysterious Doctor Wilson's top secret labs...'

'It sure is, son' I muttered not quite audibly
'It sure is'

'Now get back to work son, we got things to do'