Twenty-SixThere were three men in my room now. Two of them were running diagnostics having scanned my chip, whilst the third was busy setting up a tray of surgical tools. I didn't like the look of them. They were small, silver and sharp. It all seemed a bit primitive to me. No one had invasive surgery nowadays. There simply wasn't any need. No one ever got ill.
They were discussing some finer points about my chip when the door opened and she came in again. The men immediately stopped and stood rigidly to attention. She gave them a scolding glance and they all scurried out. She hadn't said a word. To command such respect, such power, bedazzled me. Feeling that perhaps I should come to attention too, I sat up.
“Simeon, I have something to tell you,” she said, an edge to her voice, a slight
