After that process the nurse left. She returned with the recruiter and four other TEARS.

"Glad to have you with us. I hope that you'll do well." They helped the nurse unhook everything and transport her to a dark grey van outside.

While she was inside, Ameira looked out the window to see the city. There were far more police outside than she remembered.

"The PPU ramped up security protocols after that attack. There's now constant patrols and the security around sensitive buildings is a whole lot stronger." She could see barbed wire fences, checkpoints, and even armed guards.

The world is changing, and so am I.

They arrived at a matte black building with red stripes. The TEAR logo was everywhere.

"So, an explanation for what's going to happen. You'll be transferred to a MPU or a Mass Produced Unit, like me. There's around 22 designs, so you can run into yourself frequently, considering there's around 700 copies of yourself running around. It takes getting used to. They are created by the Pole Government and used for general duties. If you prove yourself exceptional, you're moved to a SUU or a Singular Unique Unit. There's only one of them at a time, but it can be held by many individuals that pass through. There's 600 or so models, but they add new ones every so often. After that there's two paths."

"Abnormals, which are TEARS that create their own future, modifying themselves and creating a new identity. And LUI or Limited Unique Identity units, which are units that proved themselves adaptable, resilient, and a general cut above the rest of the SUUs. You get a spot for a custom chassis modelled after the role you play in a squad, made by one of the Five, Hope, Justice, Vanguard, Purity, or Absolution, the head manufacturers of TEARS. There's only around 800 currently. The tech heads will tell you about the technical side of it before they start."

Ameira understood most of it.

There's probably a course for it anyway.

"We usually offer a last meal, but you can't really eat anything in your state. So we'll just go to the Metal room."

She was wheeled to a blank white room, where she was laid out on a table. A trio of doctors entered the room, one make and two female and the TEARS left. The man read from a sheet.

"Ameira Cortez, 38 years old, hurt in the terrorist attack on the Pole Pages. I'd say I haven't seen worse, but you're probably only in the top 10. Good job though. Anyway, I know you can't talk easily, so let me explain."

This is starting to get annoying. I can speak. It just hurts. A lot. Okay, I can't speak.

"We're going to knock you out and transfer your metaphorical 'soul' into the TEAR unit. We need to delete some memories and instincts, such as breathing, blinking, defecating, that sort of thing. The first TEARS were in excruciating discomfort until we deleted them, so we do it before transferring you. You are a Unique, so please report anything that appears out of the ordinary or anomalous to us. When you awaken, just take it slow and steady. Newly integrated TEARS have been known to crush doorknobs, hands, and other things, so please be careful. That's all, are you ready?"

Finally.

She rattled her foot and smiled the best she could.

"You certainly look happy at least. Mera, put her under."

Ameira felt a needle pierce her shoulder and allowed the darkness to envelop her.