[ WP ] Humanity has found a way to be immortal , and spread among the stars . On your 21st birthday you find out that you are the first person in 10,000 years that the process does n't work on .

The airlock door clanked shut. Steam hissed. The comm came on. 
 
 Benjamin looked at the speaker like a puppy looks at a boy. 
 
 `` Son, I know this is going to be a bit of a shock but let me explain. You're what the history books call a mort. You're like our ancestors. The very people that made us IMs, so for that you should be proud. But truth is, we ca n't have any morts. Never had one before and we honestly do n't know why we have one now. Well... have you now.'' 
 
 Benjamin tilted his head, waiting for more. 
 
 `` You see, Benny, we were n't sure whether it was you or whether it was the process, so we had to wait to try it on another child. That takes years out here. Far longer than it should. Far longer... In retrospect the humane thing to do would have been to decontaminate as soon as we knew but some folks thought we should wait and see. Just in case. Turns out that the process was fine, it's just something that's not quite right inside you.'' 
 
 Benjamin shifted his weight to his right foot. 
 
 `` We've taken the DNA samples and the stem cells and run every test that we know how to run. Dr Everheart even thought you might outgrow it, but that has n't happened.'' 
 
 Benjamin shifted his weight to his left foot. 
 
 `` So, Son, I'm saying' that this is good-bye. I hope you can forgive us.'' 
 
 Benjamin raised his hand and waved. 
 
 The airlock opened and space pulled Benjamin home.
