[ WP ] Technolgy has advanced to the point of re-animation by storing copies of your mind in cyberspace . One day , you die and to your biggest regret , your file has n't been backed up recently

Damn detonation took forever. Vincent would have put a bullet in his own head if he'd known he would have taken five minutes bleeding out. The cold air flooding into Vincent's lungs was much more pleasant than the bullets he'd been peppered with minutes ago. Vincent hating getting shot. 
 
 
 Vincent breathed out the stale air and released the latch of the rebirthing pod. It was n't the cold of a starship in low power mode that chilled him. It was the silence. What happened? His squad should be opening the pods around him ready to celebrate a successful mission. 
 
 
 `` Hello?'' His breath turned to frost in the air. 
 
 
 He activated his combat suit's helmet and checked the internal temperature. Good thing soldier bodies came combat ready. He likely would have frozen to death before his new body could feel temperature changes. 
 
 
 Vincent walked through the empty hallways of the Earth Union ship towards the command deck with his plasma rifle out and his visor in tactical mode. No signs of struggle. No movement. No life. 
 
 
 `` Senior Commander Vincent Voller,'' he proclaimed his name when the command deck's doors did n't open automatically for him. The heavy blast doors blocking his way to the command deck remained shut. 
 
 
 What is going on? Vincent started to worry. It could n't be a training exercise. They were in the middle of a war and on the brink of victory. They would n't put their most deadly soldier into a simulation or empty out a command ship in war times. 
 
 
 A heavy thud announced another ship docking. It came from above him, meaning it was another large ship. He ran towards the airlock doors. He ran the scenario and numbers through his head. He would make it thirteen seconds before the airlock opened. He would only need six of those to prepare for a boarding party, and the other few precious seconds would be used in forming a plan to disable or destroy the ship. The situation warranted him assuming it was an enemy ship. 
 
 
 `` Commander Voller?'' his short wave comms clicked on and brought him up short. He knew that voice. It belonged to the newest recruit of his elite team. Officer John Salem. 
 
 
 `` How's the weather in space these days?'' Vincent challenged through his comms. 
 
 
 `` It keeps my rifle cold and my blood warm,'' Salem responded. 
 
 
 Vincent slowed his run, `` Status report.'' 
 
 
 `` That's rather complicated. Report the airlock if you ar n't already preparing an assault on it,'' Salem said. 
 
 
 `` Officer Salem. Status report. That's an order,'' Vincent said. 
 
 
 `` It's Commander Salem now Vincent. You have n't held rank over me for nearly ten years. Or anyone for that matter,'' Salem responded. 
 
 
 Vincent stopped in his tracks. Stupid. He checked the date on his visor. 2716. His last memory was dying on a star ship a decade ago. He held no rank? What the hell happened? He holstered his weapon and sat down. It did n't take long for a group of two dozen soldiers in armor far more advanced than his own to find him. Even in outdated armor no one would take Vincent lightly. 
 
 
 Salem approached him and held out his hand. Vincent took it, hiding his relief. He had assumed he was being arrested, or worse, permanently deleted. Why else would he have rebirthed missing ten years and hold no rank. 
 
 
 `` Salem,'' Vincent started, `` What the hell happened?'' 
 
 
 `` Let me show you. I can answer the what, but the why is a secret only you hold.'' 
 
 
 Salem lead him towards the command bridge. What had he done these last ten years? Salem activated the hologram in the command bridge and showed him. 
 
 
 Vincent saw himself advancing through a hallway in a sleek suit of black armor. He advanced behind a mobile turret that moved on legs like a spider, shredding Earth Union soldiers wearing similar armor to those now surrounding him. Vincent felt that same chill he had when he first woke up. 
 
 
 `` Why?'' He whispered. 
 
 
 `` Nine years ago you joined the Earthians for Freedom Coalition,'' Salem said. 
 
 
 `` Those terrorists?'' Vincent could n't believe it. Yet he saw the footage. 
 
 
 `` Yes. And they have been winning ever since. We need you Vincent. The old you. We are stronger and more advanced. The only advantage the EFC has is you,'' Salem said. 
 
 
 `` Not anymore they do n't,'' Vincent responded in anger, `` I'll slaughter them all.'' 
 
 
 `` We do n't need you to kill them all Vincent,'' Salem said quietly. 
 
 
 `` Then who?'' 
 
 
 Salem opened a live feed of a fleet of ships. `` They are moving towards Earth. They mean to strike at the orbital defense platform. If that happens Earth will be up for grabs.'' 
 
 
 `` Nothing can get past those defenses,'' Vincent scoffed. 
 
 
 `` Not even you?'' Salem responded and changed the feed to footage of him, ten years older in an EFC uniform sitting in the cockpit of a star fighter. 
 
 
 `` When was this taken?'' Vincent asked, feeling sick. 
 
 
 `` Minutes ago. We managed to rebirth an older version of yourself. Unfortunately, we could n't prevent the new one from also rebirthing,'' Salem said. 
 
 
 Vincent felt dread and excitement in equal measures. He was unmatched in combat, both on the ground and in a fighter. The thought of fighting someone, even himself, who would give him a real challenge caused a small smile to break through his stoic demeanor. He did n't know why he would change sides, but he would n't bother asking. The Vincent he saw on the screen would have ten years of experience on him. It would be nearly impossible to kill him, but as long as they did n't die in a relatively short time together the older version could n't rebirth. 
 
 
 `` Will you do it?'' Salem asked. 
 
 
 `` Yes.'' 
 
 
 `` But can you? You were good ten years ago Vincent, but now? That man on the screen is an army unto himself.'' Salem warned. 
 
 
 `` I have one distinct advantage. He does n't know he's coming for himself.''
