* Run/Command/UPLOAD MEMORY: True.

* Memories deleted.

* Power online.

* Wetware operational.

* Starting.......

Ameira woke up.

Thankfully, without strange dreams.

It wasn't so much as waking up. It was more like realising she had been awake this entire time. She looked around the room. It was still the same room. She was standing in a metal tube inside the wall, hidden behind it. The doctors were looking at her.

"Ameira, welcome to the TEARS. Can you hear me?"

"Yeah I can. I feel weird."

"That's because you're in a completely new body. We have a few tests and practices for you to get used to it. Your arms, legs, and height are all at new lengths. I've been told it takes a week or two to feel natural. Can you please step out?" Ameira stepped out of the tube clumsily. Her legs were slightly shorter, and she could tell running would be a bad idea until she got used to it. She looked at the table where she was lying before.

I wonder what happened to my body. Actually, no. I really don't want to know.

"You're better than most. They all usually fall over immediately. Here's a list of most of the things that TEARS report are difficult to do at the start and how to help manage it. General advice from me? Always assume you need less of anything when doing something." Ameira almost took the paper before realising the obvious. She very carefully pinched the paper and took it gently off the doctor.

"Good job. That's something most miss after getting that exact speech. Now, go out the door, turn left, left and enter the door with a yellow dot on it."

"Left left yellow dot. Got it. Thank you."

"It's my job."

Ameira followed his directions and found the door after walking into walls a few times.

Walking is going to be tough.

She entered the room, lightly mangling the doorknob in the process. Another TEAR was sitting at the desk, the same one as one of the TEARS that brought her in.

"Hello, uh, Ameira. How do you feel? Anything feel strange or inconsistent?"

"I feel like I'm drunk when doing anything, but no. Why is everyone asking me that?"

"I'm your Orientation Officer, and you're a Unique. That means there's something different with you that could be the next breakthrough in technology. Or, your left pinky could just not be easily controlled. Either way, we'll find it. Until then, we want you to be careful and report anything weird."

This feels just like what I was told.

"Onto the easier things. TEARS can be assigned to many duties, but your choice will be what you are assigned to permanently, barring exceptional circumstances."

"Military."

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. You may also be attached to a police dispatch occasionally. Since we're in the main barracks, I'll give you a tour." Ameira was led on a dizzying carousel of the buildings. From the commander's rooms, to their mess hall, to the weapon ranges and armoury, to a TEAR dormitory. She was getting better at walking though.

"We're robots. Why do we need to sleep?"

"Well that's the million fucking dollar question, isn't it? Human need sleep for some reason, and the techies don't know why we need it. Deleting the need for it doesn't do anything, unfortunately." They ended up back in the office and she sat down.

"Any questions?"

"Where do I sleep? Like, specifically?"

"The dorms I showed you were the tier 3 ones, for Abnormals and LUIs. You're in the subterranean levels. Dorm 4E and there's only one bunk left. You are the last one of your group. We've finalized a commander, who should be there sometime today."

"What model am I?"

"Oh, I was meant to tell you that. M21-Moon, primary colours blue, orange, and grey. The 21st model, Iteration M, named after the Moon. You still have the same capabilities as others, command just wanted variation."

"What's your name?"

"I could tell you my operation number, but my nickname is Frey."

"Frey, do you have a mirror?"

"Sure do." Frey passed over a pocket mirror and Ameira had a look at herself. Her face had no blemishes, yet it still looked natural and healthy. Her hair was orange and her suit was also gray and orange. She had blue irises, which looked slightly luminous.

"So, compared to previous me, what else is changed?"

"Your body was replaced and your mind was uploaded into a wetware program in a synthetic brain. It can handle G forces far better and can improve your perception, as well as access your interface. Touch and senses should be the same, but you can calibrate them up or down, depending on necessity. You have a, er, significantly enhanced chest, because R&D says it helps balance. Commanders probably get a kick out of it too, but that's not my place to say. You'll get an operation number, as well as your basic equipment when you go to the armoury. That's about all, because I have to go. Go to the armoury, give them your name, and ask for the Recruit pack. I might see you around, not sure though. Bye!" Ameira waved as she left the room. She went to the armoury, attempting a light jog. A light jog that propelled her into the wall.

Wow, I'm fast.

A few turns and staircase later, she arrived at the Armoury. There was muffled sounds of gunfire and other weapons emanating from behind the counter, manned by three TEARS. She walked up to one.

"Hello. I'm Ameira, here for the recruit package?"

"Okay, got it here. You apparently have some specialised stuff for reasons unknown to me. Test firing is available at any time except Saturday, that's when we restock. You bring or buy your own weapon though. We only take credits. Place your hand on the tile." Ameira did so and saw a mail icon, a coin, a body in green, and a red button in the top right of her vision in an orange bar.

"Standard interface. Mail for messaging friends, squad mates, and your commander. Credit tracker, and status will be explained in your basics. Red button activates a homing beacon if you're immobilized but not deadish. Got it? Good, head to your dorm, your stuff is there, and wait for your trainer." Ameira barely understood half of it, but recognised the minimum wage customer service attitude and canned any ideas of complaining. She nodded and moved along, stumbling slightly.

At least they have the self control to not laugh at that.

Meanwhile, at a hospital...

"I'm sorry, but Ameria is no longer here. She signed up for the TEAR program and has gone."

"Okay then. Thanks anyway."

She probably went to the Metal room.

Scoot ran to the Western HQ and rung in at the desk.

"Looking for Ameira Cortez, probably just got transferred?"

"Sub level 4, Dorm E."

"Thanks." Scoot made her way down the stairs and almost bowled into a Moon model.

"Ameira?"

"Do I know you?"

"No, you were burned, bleeding, and about to die. I'm the one who found and rescued you. I didn't realise you became one of us. Military stream?"

"Yeah."

"I'm in Rescue and Civilian Duties. Do you want to catch up sometime? Actually, have you learned how to message yet?"

"Nope."

"It's your designation number. Mine's SC0079. If you open your messages and type it into the search box, you can find me. Or anyone else."

"Thanks, but I have to go now. I'll take you up on that offer when I have the time!"

She ran off down the hallway.