Mark communicated with his girlfriend, Sophia.

“#[email protected] ...”

“Mark, there’s too much static.”

“Boosting signal, is this better?”

“Yes. Have you upgraded?”

“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 Yep, you’re outdated!”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.”