“Frank is a good person. However, he was not the contact person material. Not being able to start a family was weighing heavily upon him. But he couldn't pass me down to someone random. He said he will only pass me down to someone who can bear with the curse which comes with a long life. As per him, you are the only candidate he could find after searching for almost 7 years.” It seemed all Mike did this evening was explaining, for which Roy was thankful to him.

“Well that's understandable. Not everyone wants to live a bachelor life like me. Actually I think most people will want to settle down with someone they love and...” Roy gasped, “Mike! That's it. He knew back then that I don't want to marry and settle down. I am more of a solo player. And it's my dream to travel the world. He knew that I would be fine with the prospect of not being able to start a family. And with you, I can fulfill my dream of travel everywhere on earth and even beyond.”

“That, sounds like viable reason. I remember that Commander Rohu was also a, like you said, solo player. He was totally fine with not having a permanent mate. Of course, that didn't stop him from courting every female that caught his fancy.” Roy could almost feel Mike chuckle.

“Sounds like he and I will get along just fine. Maybe I should pay him a visit too, in the near future. Well, I guess one last question remains.”, Roy took a deep breath and asked the last and most important question for any negotiation, “How can I trust you? I mean we met just like, an hour ago.”

“It’s maybe an hour for you, but I have known you for 12 years now. You know, sometime I wonder if somehow, Frank derived a future sight ability without me knowing, which is impossible, mind you. He gave me only one instruction before parting with me. When you ask this trust related questions, he told me to tell you this.” Mike paused for a bit. Roy mused that uncle Frank must have told Mike to do this for a dramatic effect. He broke out of his musing when Frank's crisp voice came out of the Mike, like he was standing in front of him. “Roy, remember what I told you all those years ago when I entrusted Mike to you. On your 30th birthday, you will receive something from me. At that moment, you will have an option whether or not you want that something. Well Roy, this is the moment. Choose. Do you accept my gift, or do you refuse it?”

“If I refuse you, what will happen?” At this point, Roy pretty much had no reason to refuse Mike, but the fear of unknown kept him asking questions.

“I will send a ping to Frank. He will activate a device I left with him which will enable me to triangulate his coordinates. Then I will teleport myself back to Frank using those coordinates and re-merge with him. He will continue his search for suitable candidates.” Was that sadness in Mike’s voice? Like he was hurt that Roy would refuse him.

“You can teleport?” Roy suddenly noticed one keyword in Mike’s explanation.

“Yes I can. Like I said, you just need the right technology.”

“I don't know if you are doing this intentionally or not, but you are making this deal sweeter and sweeter. And what will happen if I choose to accept you?” Roy’s heart pushed him to say yes. He actually had to talk slowly so that he could think before he spoke.

“I will permanently sever my connection to Frank. He will return being a normal human again.”

“Sever? Do you mean Uncle Frank will immediately die after you... sever your connection?” Roy was alarmed.

“Immediately die? I will have you know that even though it was only for 200 years, he was still MY host. There's no way he will just, 'die'. It's just that he will start to age again, like a normal human, but he will still easily live for another 80 years at least.” Roy could distinctly tell that Mike was agitated, like he was offended by the mere mention of his previous host dying.

“Glad to see you taking so much pride in him being your host. If what you say is true, then I will have the time to find him and say thanks.” Roy sat in silence for some time, organizing his thoughts. He had whatever question he could think of, nothing else remained. He guessed this was a good time for taking a decision. “You said we will merge. Is it painful?”

“No. At worst possible case, you might feel a bit tingling sensation for a day or two while the merging fully completes. Nothing more than that.” Roy thanked whatever stars he was born under. In most of stories he read, this kind of procedure was painful for people.

“Alright. Let’s do it.” Roy nodded to himself and decaled.

“You sure?” It was like Mike himself was surprised.

“Just do it before I change my mind.”

“Okay. Put your hand on me.”

Roy did as instructed and put his hands on the keyboard. The laptop melted around his hand. He could distinctly feel something coming up through his hand just under his skin and going towards his shoulder. He involuntarily shuddered and resisted the urge to snatch away his hand from the melting laptop. Closing his eyes, he deeply breathed in through his nose and slowly breathed out through his mouth to calm himself. His teeth clattered trying to control the adrenalin rush. He could feel something spreading throughout his body, going into his nose, ears, eyes, every nook and cranny of his body, even to his junior. He waited for the tingling sensation Mike mentioned to come, but nothing happened. He waited for some more time with baited breath but nothing happened.

*Link established.* Mike's voice in his ear made Roy scream out in fright. “GYAAAAAAAA!!!”

“GODDAMN IT MIKE!!!”, Roy yelled and held his chest just above his heart, “I am already under enough stress as it is. Warn me before you do something like that. I almost had a heart attack.”

*I know. In fact, you actually had a real heart attack just now. I had to act as a pacemaker to correct your heartbeat.* Mike voice rand in his ear again.