1 1: Bentham Research Center

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"…and more than 900 years after the great exploration, humans began to colonize planets, far beyond our own. Even the most inhospitable conditions cannot stop the will and determination of the human race…"

-An excerpt from the autobiography of Sir Edward Bentham

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A solemn atmosphere surrounds the Bentham Research Center (BRC) in Earth. A group of renowned researchers and scientists are seen surrounding a bed in the hospital ward.

"Why do all of you look like you are about to cry?" said the old man lying in the bed while smiling weakly.

The man on the bed is Edward Bentham.

Born to an impoverished family in the Philippine Sector of the South East Asian Empire, he applied for a scholarship at the prestigious University of Asia and was accepted. There he excelled in astrophysics, biology, physiology, zoology, mathematics, and language, and graduated top of his class.

He then established the Bentham Research Center in the Philippine Sector, where he delved into different projects. One of his controversial and most successful endeavors was the "Life Extension Project".

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"…therefore, the aim of the "Life Extension Project" is to create a new, young, biologically identical body, and to transfer the human brain to said new vessel, thereby extending the life of the subject indefinitely, as long as the brain is in tact....

…the outcomes of the previous experiment has proven very successful, and the test subjects have completely adapted to their new body…"

-Agatha Quaid, Vice President of the BRC

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For his achievements on the field of physiology, he was given a Nobel peace prize, at the age of 44. After his success on the "Life Extension Project", he turned his attention to the field of astrophysics and began his research in what could be said as the most ambitious endeavor the BRC ever took, Interplanetary Travel.

As president, head scientist and a senior professor at the BRC, he became one of the most renowned public figures in the entire Galaxy. Edward Bentham spearheaded the "Great Exploration Project" with the help of numerous government and non-government aid. The project took almost 100 years to complete, with Edward himself having to transfer his brain to a new body because of old age, just to finish the project.

He was then chosen by the South East Asian Empire to be the one in charge of interplanetary travel, and in the future, to colonize new planets.

Edward has been the leader of the "Great Exploration Project" for more than 1000 years, and has been integral to the discovery of new planets and alien life forms.

Edward Bentham is hailed as the Greatest Scientist in the entire Galaxy. His figure is associated with strength, knowledge, and leadership.

The same Edward Bentham is seen lying on a bed in the central hospital ward at the BRC.

"Agatha, help me to sit up" Edward said, looking frail and old unlike what he used to be years ago, while Agatha supported him up.

"Teacher, how are you feeling?" Agatha asked, almost choking in tears.

"Little girl, this body is almost at the end of its life, and my mind is getting weary." Edward said weakly. "One thousand years is far too long for my mind to take. I am already exhausted"

"I think I am no longer going to transfer my brain to a new vessel anymore. This will be my last body." He said, gazing out the window. Agatha and the other researchers began to cry even more.

"Core!" Edward shouted "Announce my last will and testament."

[Certainly, Sir Bentham] replied Core, Edward's personal AI Assistant.

[By the will of Sir Edward M. Bentham, his position as President of the BRC, upon his retirement or death, shall be transferred to Maria Agatha F. Quinn. All researchers shall be given a percentage of Sir Edward M. Bentham's fortune, while the rest will go to the numerous charities the BRC supports. Upon his death…]

As Core narrated his last will and testament, Edward reminisced about what his father said to him when he was young.

'All things, good or bad, will eventually come to an end'

"Yeah, he was right. One thousand and ninety six years is way too long." Edward thought to himself. "Maybe before I retire, I should go for one last look around space."