A middle aged man in a white lab coat approached his assistant and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"My friend. My dear friend.. today.. today we make history!"
His assistant nodded and grinned a bit, still a bit worried over the calculations that had come up just recently. Before proceeding, he spoke up. "Sir, i don't know if it's the.. uh.. wisest move.. to do it now, i mean."
The doctor sighed and looked deeply into his assistant's eyes then said, "I make the decisions around here, vermin."
The assistant frowned a bit and looked down at the floor. Quietly he said to himself, "I've told you not to call me that.."
The doctor had begun to walk away, but turned around and stared sternly at his youthful apprentice.
"What? Excuse me? You are nothing. You contribute nothing! You are a leech, stealing my food, my shelter, my science! Just like vermin you clean from the sewers. Hmpf. I should never have taken you under my wing.."
They both stood there, gazing around curiously. The young assistant and apprentice knew his superior needed him, but he knew it was difficult for him to say it and so they both treated each other with disrespect as to make things less uncomfortable.
The Doctor went back to work, standing in front of a large glass cylinder in the center of the room. He began pressing buttons located on a panel beside it, while his assistant worked on the computer behind him. The two scientists were both working furiously, running around the room full of gadgets and gizmos, grabbing one thing and putting it there and pushing buttons over there.
"Alright, i think everything's set for the final procedure. The material is in place and.. almost everything seems alright. Only thing is the predicted outcome seems far more hostile than what we originally anticipated, sir."
The doctor turned and tapped his chin, looking back and forth at his assistant and the cylinder in front of him.
"Nonsense. Even if that were so, the hostility would, quite frankly do nothing. After all, am i a hostile person? Hah!"
Confused and determined on preventing the flaw, the young apprentice questioned him yet again, "But sir.. you have killed dozens of innocent people. How can you say that?"
"Those times are past, and even so.. that's nothing. Everyone kills people! Come now dumby! Even the navy, those 'sworn to protect us' kill every day! For a living, even!"
The assistant sighed, while his teacher fell silent, knowing he was all too correct but afraid to admit it to someone lower than him. In a rash tone, Dr. Death gave the order to continue with the procedure. The order that would kill millions, enslave hundreds, make thousands tremble. The order that would change the course of history, spawning lesser evil from the devil himself. The order that created a demon made of human flesh bent on murder and destruction.
The room fell silent. Both scientists starred at their new found experiment. The figure inside the cylinder took a step forward, opening its eyes and taking in its surroundings, much like a mere newborn. Dr. Death smiled widely and approached his new creation.
"Hello, my name is Dr. Death. But.. i suppose you can just call me Doctor."
Both men looked at each other. Eager, frightened, confused. It was a clone of himself. The mad doctor had created himself anew, yet again. This was not his first attempt at cloning. The first was a failure in his eyes, for he was too sensitive and lacked the initiative to construct instruments of evil and deception. His name was Death Walker. The assistant and doctor did not require the simpleton that Walker was, but he stayed with them. His only purpose to guard them, for it was the only thing he knew how to do. Protect others. Now, a new creation was born. One with the required amount of evil and deception in it's soul, and more.
"Do... Do you understand me? Can you speak?"
The man moved his lips, slowly but surely he found the words to speak.
"Yes. I... I am you, yes?"
The Doctor turned his head backwards to the assistant, whom only shrugged.
"Uhm. Yes. How do you know this?"
"I know what you know. You want me to destroy. Yes?"
"Well.. Uh. Ya. But. Not literally. Er.."
"You created me as yourself.. to.. make things. Yes?"
"Ah precisely! You are to help me create weapons and such which then we shall sell to the highest bidder, for a profit! And then of course i suppose we could go and kill some people just for the fun of it."
"Hm. Ok. But. I... wish to sleep. I feel... Tired."
The doctor nodded and opened the door behind them.
"Right this way, Runner. Oh! And one more thing! I'd like you to meet your brother, Walker!"
Standing in the hallway was Walker, now brother to the new creation. They both stared at each other, realizing the odd moment of three of the same looking people being in one room.
Runner stared at his creator, his twin. His supposed master.
"No. I won't. I'm leaving, and I'm not coming back. I am an evil that cannot me contained. I have come to realize this.. You are weak. You are.. pathetic. And Walker? He's miserable as well. A puppet of yours. His sole purpose in life is to serve you, and he has come to agree to this condition. That's no way to live. I.. I have a future, Doctor. Don't you see? I have killed countless men already! My very name strikes terror in the hearts of every man, woman, or child in all of Liberty! Oh.. But my wings will spread even further. The Outcasts, the Rogues.. No. Not the Rogues. They are weak as well. But.. The Outcasts. Yes.. I already have several contacts within their ranks. I will join them. They have their ambitions and i have mine, together we will rule this world.. "
Doctor Death had a look of fear in his eyes, the two men starring at each other both curious, concerned, but yet brave and strong. The Doctor sighed, then with a look of shame and sadness said, "I am sorry, that you have made this decision. But we.. We are not meant to rule. We are rejects of society. Not fit to tamper with the threads of armies. So.. I have made this decision. Goodbye."
And with that, he exited the room as Walker entered. The two brothers exchanged quick glances, then struck. The two began throwing punches, kicks, damaging the small room where Runner slept. Walker had his brother pinned against the wall, punching him in the stomach several times until dropping him to the floor. Runner slowly stood up, struggling to say something.
"Brother. It doesn't have to end this way. Please.. Just. Just let me go, and and.. I will never bother you again. Deal?"
The two starred at each other for a moment. Finally Walker came to a decision, "Go. And do not return to liberty."
And with that, Death Runner took his Falcata away from Liberty, and into the edge worlds where he was happily greeted by his Outcast allies. He soon joined their ranks, flying under an independent Tridente. It's name, "The Verminator." This was to be the name of any future capitol vessels under his command.
