Alex strode up to the soulless glass edifice of her downtown office, hesitating before reaching for her security swipe. Today was the day. To say she was nervous was a huge understatement. Was she really going to go through with this?
The trials had obviously been hugely successful on their porcine subjects and simulated human interface modelling had been flawless, but this was real.
Maybe she should turn around. Maybe she should go get a coffee or bunk off work and get the ferry to Waiheke Island. Spend the day at the beach.
But what was the point? To delay was nothing but an admission of fear. There was no more preparation to be done. Animal trials with the hardware had been comprehensive and conclusive. The software had been put through its paces by three separate internal teams and two of the best external contractors out of Tel Aviv and Budapest, both NDA’d to kingdom come.
The product was ready and it was time to put it in a human. Alex was to be that human.
Alex swiped herself in, nodded to Manu in the security booth and headed for the lift. She swiped the keypad and punched 21 – straight to the top.
Stepping out into the open-plan office, her anxiety preceded her. Some of her colleagues flashed her nervous smiles from their work stations before quickly breaking eye contact. Others just stared at her intently, like witnesses before an execution.
Morning everyone! No need to look so nervous. I’m getting an upgrade not a lobotomy!
A few nervous chuckles – tough crowd. Alex wondered if the procedure might make her funnier. She really hoped it would.
As Chief Technology Officer of Te Mōhio, Alex had never been known for her charisma. She wasn’t cold or cruel, quite the opposite, she just wasn’t really ‘part of the crew’. Te Mōhio means ‘The Knowledge’ in te Reo Māori, and it was also her role: Alex brought the knowledge, the understanding required to make Jack’s crazy dream a reality. Jack was the CEO, primary investor and cheerleader-in-chief behind Te Mōhio. And if there was a mood of anxiety permeating the office ahead of the day’s procedure, it was certainly news to Jack. Because Jack was fucking pumped. And at that moment, he was waiting in Te Mōhio’s purpose-built operating theatre on the other side of the office, near pissing himself in excitement.
Alex braced herself as she stepped into the theatre.
The room was a spotless white expanse surrounded by frosted glass. In the centre was what looked like a dentist’s chair, atop of which was perched a contraption reminiscent of a vintage salon hair drying helmet, all white. Standing next to the chair was Jack, trembling like a labrador waiting for you to finally throw the goddamn frisbee.
Alex! You’re here! Oh my God we’re doing this. Well, you’re doing this, but you get what I mean – we’re doing this!
I know. It’s happening but it doesn’t feel real. I woke up this morning and tried to feel excited but instead I just felt...nothing. My whole life I’ve felt like I’ve been living in a weird sort of prelude but now I’m here, ready for the main event and I’m wondering if maybe that wasn’t the prelude and I just missed the whole fucking point.
Alex, what are you talking about? These are just pregame jitters. Of course this is the main event! You’re boldly going where no man – or woman – has gone before! You’re going to be everything you were and are and so much more. If you’re not up to this, you know I’ll happily go first.
No. It has to be me. We’ve talked about this; I brought this technology into the world and it needs to be me that takes the first step. I’m not scared, I’m just...I dunno. It’s fine. I’m doing it. It has to be me.
Alex stared intently at the chair, looking for all the world like she could see through the soft foam into the subatomic particles binding the whole artifice together.
Okay. It’s you then. At least try to be excited Alex, you’re bumming me out. This is what we worked seven years for. To change the world. To make humanity better. You realise soon you’re going to wake up and you’ll be literally better than anyone who ever lived? You’ll be smarter, you’ll think more quickly, you’ll know more. I mean, Jesus, this isn’t your funeral – it’s your day of ascendance. Of transcendence. I dunno, I guess what I’m saying is; it’s fucking cool so chill out...nerd.
Alex laughed. A giddy, slightly manic laugh, but a good laugh. Jack could be a bit much, sure, but he knew how to lighten the mood.
Thanks. I know it’s exciting, and I am. Excited, I mean. I guess what’s really bugging me is I keep asking myself; when I become all those things you’re saying, will I still, you know, be me? What if I’m not upgrading myself but erasing myself? Replacing myself.
Jack eyed her with open exasperation.
Nah mate, you’re upgrading yourself. Now quit fucking around and lets fire this bad boy up!
Alex practically snorted, doubling over with laughter.
Ever the philosopher, Jack. Okay then. I’ll see you on the other side I guess.
She crossed the cold floor, stepped up to the chair and relaxed into it. Jack leaned over her and manipulated a series of dials on the helmet exterior. It began to hum. The sound of a gas check-valve slowly releasing pressure began as the helmet lowered gradually over her head.
Inside the helmet Alex could see plastic casing illuminated by harsh red LEDs. Through it, she could hear Jack’s muffled voice.
I’m giving you the sedative now mate, count backwards from 10.
Tekau, iwa, waru, whitu...ono...rima……...wha……………..toru………………………….
Darkness.