Forever Young

Short Story - Forever Young

By Lindsay Duncan

The year is 2137. It has been twenty years since I died. Well, my flesh body did, at least. My universal consciousness will now live on forever on the LF Server; unless I choose to self-destruct. I am now free of the limitations my body once had. Excited to see how the future looks in one thousand years' time.

My platinum feet trudge through the thick blanket of snow, crunching beneath me as I walk through the empty street, lost in my thoughts of days gone by. I have one memory as a toddler playing in the nearby field, as the snow came down thick and fast - now buried and obscured.

I turn my head up towards the sky, which is slowly returning to a beautiful clear blue. The grey is almost gone. The ice age has felt like an eternity surrounded by nothing but crisp and clean whiteness. I enjoy the aesthetics of it, but I look forward to the day when the greenery returns - although it's unlikely to be this century. High-rise buildings with interactive screens are the only break to the surrounding setting. '50% off sale on faces - today only.' One AI lady bursts into action, pixelated by a million as I walk past the shop, enticing me to change my appearance. I remind myself I chose this look, as it was like my human like appearance and that the true me is inside the integrated circuit chip.

The main luxury I splurged on this year was the hairdresser's pal. Admittedly, it is nice to have hair that is perfectly styled each day. I just reach into the built-in wardrobe and take hold of a new wig of my choosing - today I chose brunette. I then swap the wig over, whereby it's cleaned, styled and re-hung by the automated closet crew.

I consider how grateful we are to have received this opportunity, when humanity prior to our preservation, only had a lifespan of, say, one hundred years - assuming their body was still fit and healthy. Sadly, a good proportion never even made it to that. Attending my funeral was a surreal experience, surrounded by my remaining family and friends - none of which we now considered human. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed as they lowered my compostable coffin into the ground, covered me in the dirt, and planted a tree in memory. The sapling illustrates my growth continuation, and to heal the planet by reversing the effects of what the skin people left behind.

Sadly, my parents died of old age, just as they formally introduced their technology. I am just grateful for the memories my brain has kept. There were slight innovations at first that led to big shifts of which my parents were aware. My father never agreed with it, but my mother would have opted in had she been alive. In all honesty, I don't believe we had a choice. Earth had reached crisis point, unstable and, in most parts, uninhabitable. They commercially advertised it at first, but then one by one people transcended and disposed of their human bodies as the news spread of their life-changing exchange - literally, it was an exchange. Live Forever started offering their services for free, however in order to proceed you had to sign a contract wavering your flesh. Of course, conspiracy theories also emerged that it was being forced upon the remaining individuals who had not signed up, and even incredible stories of great escapes. I recall a tale about one man, said to be hiding in the Himalayan mountains, completely off the grid of technology so that they could not track him. I willingly signed my name on the contract. It seemed like a fair offer and we were all going to die, anyway. Mother Nature was angry and was out for blood. Instead, I lived on indestructible or at least to the elements. The servers are deep underground, but they recently piloted a backup on the moon, which was a tremendous success. A huge leap for technology. It no longer feels right to say mankind, for we now exist as metal. The longer-term plan is to move between planets, currently being piloted by Team Mars.

I loved the stories my parents told of a simpler life - that was before humans had to be saved from the sixth mass extinction. They described it as a time that was taken for granted by all generations, but most of all, theirs. My mother was adamant that greed was to blame and the attitude of 'it will never happen to us', but it did. She explained that during the collapse of the Healthcare systems in the UK, it had caused poverty to increase exponentially. Their people had already endured so much when Mother Nature decided she had enough. My parents believed it was a plan that had backfired on the ones that governed, as they aimed at privatisation. Declaring it as a way of taking more money from the poor during the worst cost-of-living crisis their people had ever seen. Dad, being the conspiracy theorist that he was, believed it was intended to control the population. Without free healthcare; then people would have to pay privately for it, and if they couldn't pay, then they would surely die. Dad would then say that the pensions which they had to pay out would have fallen too with a lesser population. He thought it had been a master plan from the beginning - although these were the musings of a senior citizen who sometimes misplaced their dentures.

If that was the intended plan, then it had not been well thought out, as they had to provide benefits in kind to help people regain their health to return to work. It turns out the UK had a lot of sick people that had been working regardless of their pain. Once free healthcare stopped, they could no longer afford to stay strong enough, and the workforce plummeted. During this time, the changes to the Climate impacted humans all around the world, as they became aware the planet was becoming uninhabitable. Humanity had caused an urgent problem, and as a result, they needed to act quickly.

This was when billionaire Kal Wheaton donated to research new ways that could shape a more economical future - a more sustainable future, but they needed it fast. He founded the research group in the UK and began working with them, providing his entrepreneurial insight. They were only five years into research when the Ice Age began. We suffered a significant loss.

His understudy, Ty Green, made a suggestion early on, but they dismissed the idea as unethical. The benefactor deemed it as something that would never get the go-ahead, but then the laws changed. Especially with the announcement that voluntary euthanasia was now legal.

In some countries, people were starving as the crops had failed. In other, cataclysmic events worsened. Fires, floods, droughts and Supercell storms were a regular occurrence - sadly, it hit them just as hard as the UK. Every day was the mourning of mass populations, islands, communities, wiped out. We adapted and evolved, having been born into it, but we didn't live in comfort as my parents once said they did, and our future was uncertain. Scientists joked that the world could only be saved if humans became extinct first. The team came up with suggestions that fed back into the research group during climate talks. Immediate changes were to close all factories, ground all flights worldwide, disposal of all cars which were not electric and halting production of produce. Instead, they opted to cultivate produce within their own communities. My dad would often joke that the world was in trouble because too many cows farted. Silly old man, god I miss him. Basically, it read on paper that humans were the problem. During our learning upgrade, they taught us about the statistics that led in part to climate change. The mass extinction started around 2050 - despite multiple warnings by their predecessors. The human population was not entirely to blame, after all Earth has been through this five times before - but it certainly was not helping the situation wiping out rainforests. They tried re-planting during the regeneration, but the damage had already been done.

The world in the space of 50 years changed dramatically for my parents and grandparents. I loved hearing stories about how facial filters had only just become a thing of something they referred to as a Taktik, if I recall correctly. Little did they know then they were shaping the future aesthetics of our replacements. The primitive technology allowed them to see what an alternative version of them could look like with the glam airbrushed, flawless young skin trending. My dad blamed that on the demise of our body vessels. They were searching for a version of perfection that would never be attained, or at least not for long, within an aging body - no matter how much they tried to look like the photo they had taken. Supposedly, AI technology had just become a thing around their time too, which seems almost hard to believe given the level we are at now, at the core of our design. My parents' deaths were the last funerals I attended - other than my own, the rest were rebirth parties. We try not to see our transition as a sad event instead, with gratitude.

Once upon a time, humans had no choice but to age, with their skin wrinkling and creasing, bones becoming fragile and teeth weakening. Old age was something to fear, as youth was no longer an option. That's why I believe LF liberated us. Prior to the swap, we got to choose our design for the body type, hair, face, skin colour, and features. There are still occasionally derogatory remarks depending on the person's choices, but I like to think our generation learned from our ancestors' mistakes - we are all one of the same. For those we consider defective, those who had criminal tendencies, such as murderous or terrorist thoughts, were erased - however free speech is still respected.

Made of durable, hard-wearing metal with the chip inserted below the sternum. The metal is shiny, although it is possible to upgrade to a prosthetic skin - but that we had to pay for. The first prototype is free, any changes come at a cost. We could choose the prosthetic lifelike skin, based upon those filters that my parents' generation tried hard to achieve. The price was astronomically high and didn't seem worth it.

The stomach area, ironically enough, contains the keypad that allows you to enter which meal you would like. Rather than consuming it, the brain now interprets the food selected through an electronic signal. I can still taste, smell, and experience the joy of food. We have evolved as a new form of civilisation. Trilenium babies are already calling us barbaric for eating animals. Admittedly, I enjoy the signal of food, as this cuts out the preparation time.

It came at an ideal time. Those suffering in pain could free themself from the limitations of the flesh. Poverty-stricken no longer needed to feel hungry - food was a tap away. The new vessel did not require to be fed; it was more a favourite pastime. Like smoking for some, although why anyone would want to keep that I don't know? One of the more favourable aspects was that an individual could remove painful memories - if they wished.

I slowly walked past the Live Forever clinic. Once it was full of people waiting on appointments, now an empty room with the receptionist waiting patiently. It was on a Friday that I started the process of transfer. Dr Mal had informed me prior to attending that I would feel no pain, and he was right - I only felt a marginal tingling sensation as he inserted the probes into my brain. Then I was injected with the chip and left to ponder my memories. Dr Mal returned to fact check and validate the transfer - which I confirmed. Then I was placed in an induced coma. The chip was removed and inserted into the robotic casing that would now host my body. Questioning followed, validating and upgrading. Finally, it was time for my flesh to go to sleep one last time.

Curious encounter I had on Tuesday when a human came running up to me demanding to know what year it was. What's fascinating is that I was not aware there were any humans left on the planet. I stood wondering what ordeal he had come from. Thinking to myself, it couldn't possibly be the Himalayan mountains gentleman as the mountains were too far away and travel would have taken too long by boat for him to survive as a human. His clothing was odd, too. It appeared to be an old navy uniform, his clothing ripped, his skin damaged and burned. He looked young, too.

'The year is 2137. Are you ok sir, do you need some help?' I asked, as I continued to assess the disheveled man.

His face turned an ashen colour as he stood reiterating, 'Oh No! What have they done now?' I tried to reassure him, but he was panic-stricken. He stood searching his surroundings before announcing, 'Where are all the people?'

"We are the people." I replied in a soft tone as I stepped aside for another passing robot.

His eyebrows raised, and he jolted back. "You can't be. You are robots." He exclaimed loudly.

"We are now that we have disposed of our flesh, but like you, I was once human. I am still the same person, but I live a free life now."

"Disposed of your flesh." He shouted in disbelief. "Is this what our future becomes?"

"We don't know what the future holds, but you should join us to find out." I said as I placed a hand on the gentleman's shoulders to calm him.

He rudely shrugged off my hand and pushed me away. I understood as I imagined the type of reaction my father would have if he were still alive.

"How did this happen?" He asked, eager for information.

"We chose to live. Live Forever gave us the opportunity to ensure our survival."

"Let me ask another question. Where are the humans? As in the warm-blooded kind."

"In the ground. Cold blooded now that their hearts have stopped beating, but that wasn't your question."

"All of them?" He shouted loudly, piercing my speakers.

"Yes. We believe the human transitions to be complete, however, there is talk of a human that refused."

"Excuse me for my manners. What is your name?" The young man then asked me in a kind and gentle tone.

"My name is Tibel. It's a pleasure to speak with you, Sir. And what..."

"Where is he? I need to speak with him if I may," He asked with an urgency to his voice, albeit calmer.

"Himalayan mountains supposedly. Your fragile body would never survive the journey in this climate. We should get you inside before you freeze to death." I placed my hand on his shoulder to lead him inside.

"We need to stop this. What time period does this start? I want to know everything." He said as he took a step back.

"As in the entire process?" I asked. I didn't mind telling him, as I hoped, that he would take up the offer and free himself from the chains of his delicate body.

"Yes. Every detail. Who instigated it? Where did this start? When and why."

My new photographic memory helped to process the barrage of questions he had just hit me with.

"Live Forever was founded by its benefactor, Kal Wheaton in the UK, although I am uncertain as to the original base as they are now all over. The decision later came with changes to the laws permitting optional euthanasia. They uploaded the first human consciousness onto the Server, transplanted it into the vessel, and only when hundreds of tests had been run did the individual agree to dispose of the body as they felt reassured they still lived. Initially, it was done as a VR experience. The testers got to live the life of both. They batch tested it on larger groups once they were given the go ahead and all feedback was positive. It was only when they were certain did they agree to die. Then later it was made mandatory as some were living a double life, which defeated the purpose. The time of which it started was 50 years ago by Ty Green because of the destabilization of the planet. The concept was to protect our survival in the harshest environment. First, there is a consultation to discuss the type of person you would like to become. They will discuss your options with you. If you would prefer the titanium metal suit or the prosthetic skin, add on. Then the team will ask you if there are any painful memories that you would like to erase? Any flaws in your character you would like to remove.? Your memories are uploaded via the synthesis brainwave during stage two. That's when you validate questions on the food you like, places you like to visit and they cater a plan specifically for you. You should join us, brother, and you will never feel pain again."

"Erase your memories. That means you never lived at all. I like my pain. It means I am still alive and breathing." He stated in disbelief at my words.

"Only a select few choose to do that. I assure you, we still live. We have formed new memories and beliefs, learned lots of new things, but a lot of ancestors passed down their own damaging and hurtful beliefs that we chose to remove, such as racism, bigotry and other hurtful thoughts. I can still feel senses such as pain, temperature, and touch. Only now I can be selective. My armour is reactive, but I can override it. Don't you see the positives? We no longer have to feel hunger or pain. Aging is nothing to fear. We need nothing; therefore we have time to think, evolve and build a better future. One where we can continue to exist."

"They have programmed you to believe that, but you cannot possibly be alive. I don't understand why anyone would agree to this. Was this forced upon you?"

"This was a gift. We no longer have to fuss over being healthy. We don't need to exercise, although some still do if they enjoy it as part of their memories. Work is no longer a necessity as the machines are automated. The flesh is no longer a drain on the economy requiring to be fed, watered, and medicated. We now dedicate our time to learning more about our environment. The telepathy of animals. Interplanetary connections. Deep sea resources and their alien inhabitants. Time is on our side and we have a lot to catch up on, whilst the planet heals."

"May I ask.? Do you know of anyone that specializes in Unified Field Theory? It is a way to combine electromagnetism with gravity."

"I didn't catch your name, sir?"

"It's Duncan Cameron."

"Ah, of course! Al Bielek. I learned about you during my upgrade. You are a long way from home, my friend, and it may be some time before you return. You are exactly where you need to be."