30
The operating system transplant was a complete success. Settled in their new shells, Sylas and Philip now passed among humans invisibly – nobody could possibly imagine that they were sophonts. Marvin’s creative ingenuity had surpassed even that of Sylas’s creator.
The intercity hover-bus was crowded and a white-haired man in his mid-sixties stood up as soon as Philip entered the hover-bus.
“Excuse me, young woman. You shouldn’t be standing in your condition.”
Philip was confused. He was fully charged, and he had performed his self-diagnostic tests that same morning. He knew that he was in perfect condition – he had no need for anyone to give up their seat for him. He considered that the man’s need for a seat was actually more necessary than his own and politely refused the offer.
“
