“Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?” I asked.

  I WAS UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT YOU WERE IN A HURRY. YOUR LANGUAGE DOESN’T HAVE A WORD THAT FITS THE PROCESS. THE CLOSEST WORD YOU HAVE IS ‘ASSIMILATION’ AND RELATED WORDS.

     “Oh. Is there anyway to make it hurt less?”

  YES.

  SLOWING THE PROCESS WOULD LESSEN THE PAIN. HOWEVER, THAT MAY TAKE TOO LONG FOR YOUR CURRENT NEED FOR HASTE.

     “You got that right.” I told Samson. “Is there anyway for there to be compromise between the two?”

  YES.

  A MINIMUM OF 10% OF SKELETAL MUSCLE MASS ASSIMILATION IS REQUIRED FOR MOVEMENT. ADVISED FULL ASSIMILATION OF THE EXTREMITIES AND SENSORY ORGANS FOR DEXTERITY AND BALANCE. RESULTING MINIMUM’// PERCENTAGE IS 17 TO 25 RESPECTIVELY.

     “Give me an even 20% with those as the priorities.” I replied.

  UNDERSTOOD.

  CHANGING PRIORITIES AND RESUMING PROCESS.

     I felt my muscles being set on fire for a few brief moments before that pain stopped. It was replaced by what felt like red hot pokers being jabbed into my eyes and ears. I endured the intense pain with as little complaint as I could until it was over and the exploding, burning sensation moved on. After my eyes and ears, my skin began to burn with the pain radiating outward from my hands and feet. It didn’t last for very long before fading to a dull ache.

  20% ASSIMILATION ACHIEVED.

  SLOWING PROCESS AND CONNECTING TO ASSIMILATED SENSES.

     The screen disappeared and was replaced by the view outside of the robotic suit. We were still in the forest clearing but now everything was clear as day. The only real difference was that everything was in different shades of green making me think of night vision goggles.

     “Connection complete.” said an unfamiliar voice in my ears. “Tomas, can you hear me?”

     “Is that you Samson?” I asked as I looked around for the source of the voice.