And just as all of Valentine’s hopes and plans are going up in flames Gee oddly enough, turns a corner. For the first time he seems to be looking forward to going to space. He still bitches about the endless propaganda, isn’t for one second swayed into thinking that he’s lucky or special or chosen. But he now seems really invested in what life on a ship will be like, and what sort of planet he might end up on.

Gee’s excited about the coursework now that he’s learning more about the specific model of ship he’ll be traveling on, and how to help with establishing the settlement once he’s arrived on his assigned planet. Apparently there’s all kinds of responsibilities that aren’t really related to being a spiritualist that he’ll be taking on. The way that post-Tellus society is being constructed means Paranormal Investigators will be fairly high up on the command chain and given an exceptional amount of latitude and lack of oversight in performing their duties.

A position of power is something Valentine’s never really aspired to, and he might not be close with his classmates but he knows them well enough that he can’t really say it’s the smartest call to put them in charge of anything. Gee on the other hand counts it as a win; all he wants, all he’s ever wanted he says, is to be in control instead of having someone else telling him what to do.

Valentine’s glad that Gee’s doing better, that he’s no longer half a step away from attempting an escape. But now he can’t help but wonder how upset he’ll really be once he finds out that Valentine’s not going to make it out into space. Valentine’s sure that Gee will miss him at least a little, but he’s going to live a long time. In a hundred years will Gee even remember him?

Valentine’s last ditch effort is to haunt the medical wing in his free time, waiting for his chance to approach one of the doctors that’s in charge of the last round of enhancements.

It takes him the better part of two weeks but at last he manages to talk to Dr. Travers. They’ve never met before but she knows exactly who he is, and surprisingly, what he’s after.

“Yes, yes I’ve spoken with your advisor. They said you’d probably be along.” Valentine attempts to get a word in but she waves him aside. “Look, in your own way you are exceptional but your body… The physical enhancements just didn’t take the way they needed to. Yes, you are stronger than the average human, and will have an extended life span but you also suffered numerous setbacks and side effects and damage. There’s no telling how that’s going to affect you long term and we need people that are in the best shape if they’ve any hope to survive out there.” She makes a vague gesture with her hand, seeming to indicate the universe at large.

Valentine scowls and once again tries to argue his case but she continues to speak right over him. “There’s a good chance you’ll need extensive reworking at some point and if you’re in a settlement that lacks the resources, that’s it for you and your settlement will be down a critical member.”

“There’s got to be something you can do,” Valentine insists, knowing that if he gives up now he might as well take his advisor up on their offer to just go live it up in what little time he’s got left.

“It’s too big a risk. It’s a miracle you survived the procedures the first time around. Yes, some of it was due to improper adjustment of protocols when switching from adult subjects to juveniles—”

“Yeah it’s you guys’ mistake but it’s my life, so fix it,” Valentine interrupts, trying his best to maintain an even tone of voice despite his growing sense of hopelessness and rage.

“You weren’t an ideal candidate to begin with,” the doctor says, giving him a steely look. “Any further procedures run the risk of permanent debilitating injury or death.”

“And?”

Dr. Travers briefly loses her composure, shock flashing across her face.

“I’m going to die anyway if I get left behind,” Valentine shrugs. “I’d rather die on the operating table than waiting to see if it’s a natural disaster or getting knifed over rations that kills me.”

“I can’t guarantee your placement even if corrective procedures are successful,” Dr. Travers warns him. “It could all be for nothing.”

“Like I said, I don’t really have anything to lose.”

The doctor hums thoughtfully. “I’ll see what I can do.”