Previously: After losing touch for twenty years, Theo visited Jin’s clinic for an ankle replacement, but seemed to have something else in mind.

Jin and Theo each settled into a worn leather armchair. A serving robot on wheels, an old but functional model, approached Jin. With a slight nod toward Theo, Jin indicated for the robot to serve his guest first.
Theo observed the machine with amusement : “I didn't know they still made this model. A coffee.”
Jin smiled at the remark as a steaming cup emerged from the tray : “We’re not as modern as you folks over in the Plain.” Theo accepted the jab with grace.
- How are you? What have you been up to? Jin asked
- Can’t complain too much.” Theo sipped his coffee. “I didn’t even have to tell you I live in the Plain.”
Jin gestured vaguely up and down his face: “No need. It shows.
- Yeah, I clearly need some sun.” Theo laughed. “And you? How are you? You look well.”
Jin shrugged, pointing at various parts of his body: “Well, not much of this still truly belongs to me. Otherwise, it’s the usual routine, but when you watch the news, you realize it could be much worse elsewhere.
- Still married? Jin stiffened ever so slightly: “Yes.
- To Xiao?
- Yes.
- Would’ve been surprised otherwise. You two were crazy about each other the last time I saw you.” Theo set down his cup. “We could have dinner one of these nights, if you're up for it.”
Jin’s expression closed up: “It’s not that I don’t want to, but it won’t be possible.”
- Oh? Why not?
Jin took a deep breath, as if preparing to reopen an old wound: “Xiao and our daughter were deported nine years ago to Community 5.”
The shock on Theo’s face seemed genuine: “What!? Why didn’t you go with them?
- It’s a long story.” Jin’s voice cracked slightly. “I’ll tell you another time, if you don’t mind.”
- Of course. Sorry for bringing it up.
- No worries.” Jin quickly pulled himself together. “So, how are things in the Plain? Still working?
- Yeah, still working. Lately, it’s been complicated. I work for a company called Omni”, Theo said.
Jin nodded. He knew Omni. Everyone knew Omni.
- There are a lot of benefits working there”, Theo continued. “But things are tense right now. The locals accuse us of hoarding all the resources and not sharing anything.
- Are they right?
Jin already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear Theo say it.
- That, I can’t say.
- Come on, Theo, it’s just the two of us here... well, I think.” Jin cast a cautious glance around. “It’s understandable that people want their share of the pie too, right?”
Jin’s caution was justified: neural chips constantly sent and received data. You never really knew who was listening.
Theo smirked, as if amused by a message he’d just received, but quickly grew serious again: “Jin, you know those people don’t care about anything anymore. They don’t work. Most of them don’t even have a reason to exist.”
Jin couldn’t hide his shock at his old friend’s lack of empathy. Theo noticed and tried to recover: “Besides, we have to admit, the global standard of living has greatly improved thanks to Omni. No one dies of hunger anymore, we can treat almost anything, every body part is replaceable, work is optional, and there’s nearly no fake news...”
- Yes, the standard of living has improved.” Jin’s voice hardened. “But Omni hid its methods at first. And now that the truth is out, I can’t accept living better at the expense of those left behind.”
- You’re still a good man, Jin. But them... Why do they stay there? It’s indecent.
- I don’t think I’m necessarily a good man, just human.” Jin clenched his fists. “And I don’t believe it’s really their choice. With the rising sea levels, the deportations, the uprisings, and AI running daily life... being born under a lucky star has never mattered more.
- You’re not wrong.” Theo leaned in. “But you? Why are you still here? You never considered coming to the Plain?”
Jin squinted, suddenly on guard. “Ah, here we go. You’re recruiting?”
Theo didn’t deny it: “That’s not far from the truth. The Board of Directors officially wants you to join Omni.”
- Why me? You already have excellent surgeons.
- Yes, but none of them can achieve what the Board wants.
- And what exactly do they want?
- To transfer a brain, or at least a consciousness, into an android.
Jin sank back into his chair, the implications of the revelation branching through his mind like a tree.
- Ah, so they don’t just want androids with emotions. They want immortality. Is that really good for humanity?
- That’s not for me to judge. But you’ve worked on this before, haven’t you?
- Yes... but it’s been a while.
Theo stared at him unblinkingly. “With your expertise and Omni’s technology, it’s doable.
- Wow, so much pressure.” Jin tried to joke, but his voice betrayed his unease.
- Nothing the Jin I knew couldn’t handle.
- Then if that’s still the image you have of me, you also know I could never work for Omni. Too much greed, too little regard for others.
- About that, the new Board has really improved Omni’s image, in my opinion.
- To me, it’s just PR. In practice, they haven’t changed their ways at all.
- Now you’re being too harsh. Let me arrange a meeting with them. Maybe it’ll change your mind. Theo leaned in further. “Oh, and needless to say, they’ll pay you very well.
- Theo, it’s not about the money. A scientist can work for free if they believe in the cause.
- True.” Theo’s tone turned colder. “Just keep in mind that these are extremely powerful people. Tell your price. And I’m not asking for an answer right now, but offers like this don’t come around every day.”
Jin’s neurons, amplified by his neural chip, activated to simulate all possible scenarios. Images, probabilities, consequences... all flashed through his enhanced mind at lightning speed.
- You’re right, Theo. It’s an interesting offer.” He paused. “But I can’t accept.”
- Fair enough, I won’t insist.” Theo shifted the topic with calculated ease. “Tell me, if you haven’t been working on brains and consciousness, what have you been working on? Mostly replacements?”
- Yes, exactly. Organ or limb replacements. Ranges from basic cybernetic functions to much more advanced components, obviously within legal limits.”
- Of course.” Theo smiled. “So you’ve got a license?
- Yes, of course.
- Very good.” Theo stood, followed by Jin. “Well, I don’t want to keep you longer. I’ll head out. Thanks for your time. I’ll be in town for a few more days. If you have questions, or better yet, if you change your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. We could also grab a bite if you’d like.”
- Sure thing, thanks. It was good seeing you again.
- Likewise.
The two men shook hands, but as Jin tried to pull away, Theo held on, staring him straight in the eyes with unsettling intensity.
- Uh... you okay, Theo?
- Uh, yeah, sorry.” Theo finally released Jin’s hand, but his eyes kept that strange gleam. “Think about it, please. Carte blanche. Thanks again.”
He left the office, leaving Jin with a sense of unease he couldn’t shake.