This choice: Repeating the gesture, he directs you to the empty pod. • Go Back...Chapter #5Repeating the gesture, he directs you to the em... by: Mr. George   A cold sense of dread fills your bones, as you walk around towards the empty pod. You have everything prepared and ready. You thought the problem might be their reluctance, but now a host of questions race through your mind.
Trying to convince yourself this is the best option, you list the positives. She's human. That's better than placing your mind in an animal's body, if you hadn't found a volunteer, then you knew a large mammal was your next option. The horse, 'Firefly', was your next candidate.
She's a bimbo. That's good, it should make it easier for you to suppress her personality.
This not only provides you with a swap, but also saves the lab financially.
Your fingers rest on the corner of the desk, as if you're holding onto a cliff edge. Letting go, the only thing stopping you tumbling into the pod.
Nodding to yourself, you are confident in your work. It is ready to be tested, and it should be you who tests it. Letting go the desk, you are only a couple of steps from the empty chamber. It feels like your breath is deafeningly loud, your nostrils flaring with each breath, as you steel your nerves for what's coming.
A cough from behind, makes you start, and you turn to see Mr. Jensen slide a document across the table. His gaze travels to the bearer bond, "Just a formality."
The fountain pen resting on the document slips from your trembling fingers. Making a fist, you squeeze away your nerves. Just one more delay, you tell yourself. Already regretting and hating the delay. You flick through the five stapled pages, reading a paragraph here and there. It's written in legalese, about parties of the third part, and their obligations, and responsibilities. Services required and consequences of non-payment etc...
Pretending to read it, you work towards the last page. Mr. Jensen's signature on the top line, beside the label: Main Part. On the line beneath, Mrs. Jensen's signature, Cassie, playfully the 'i' dotted with a cute heart. Is marked as Swapper 1.
The lowest line is blank. Awaiting your signature. Labelled Swapper 2/Scientist.___________
Another polite cough, and he slides the duplicate across to you. "You'll want your own copy."
"Ah... Yes, yes... of course."
You sign the last page of the document, and enter the pod.
Mr. Jensen files his copy back into a briefcase, while yours lies abandoned on the desk. The systems activate automatically, as they sense your presence in the pod. You try to relax into the simple seat, as the door slides closed. The lock clicks solidly into place, and there's a brief noise, as the unit is sealed.
A panel of lights by the hinge of the door, start lighting up, and each one turns green. You give a strained smile to Mr. Jensen through the panel, the button to initiate the change resting beneath your right hand. Beneath your left, the 'Abort' button. Your palm itches as you consider what you're about to do.
Surprising yourself, you slap the button with the palm of your hand.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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