Mark communicated with his girlfriend, Sophia.

“#$$@ ...”

“Mark, there’s too much static.”

“Boosting signal, is this better?”

“Yes. Have you upgraded?”

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“Upgraded what?”

“Your Chip, silly. Checking. Yep, you’re outdated!”

“I know, Soph—but every time we get the operation, some of our brain matter’s donated to a foundation.”

“Why’s that bad, Mark? The replacement’s always superior.”

“Well, nothing and everything. What happens to ‘me’?”

“Mark, we signed a contract—never interfere. But if you must know, rumor has it space colonization.”

“You mean that …?”

“That’s right. Test subjects, spliced together. That way, no one takes a risk.”