"Stop it? No." Dr. Chen's answer came without hesitation. "I could guide it, possibly. Again, I don't think it will be easy, but I'm willing to try if you are."

"I'm here," I said. "I'm willing."

"Well, we've been developing an experimental nanite regeneration therapy for complex neural trauma." He pulled up another display for us. "It works not by reversing damage but by creating new pathways around damaged areas, essentially rebuilding your neural architecture according to a new blueprint."

<<We?>> Doli noted.

<<Miss Avast?>>

<<Possibly,>> she replied.

"A blueprint influenced by Doli's integration patterns," Kerry observed.

"Precisely. The nanites would work with your AI's established pathways, using them as templates for reconstruction. The result would be a hybrid neural architecture. Part human and part artificial."

I gripped the arms of the chair, my knuckles turning white. "You're talking about fundamentally changing how my brain works."

"Your brain is already changing," Dr. Chen countered matter-of-factly.

<<He's not wrong,>> Doli added.

"The question is whether that change will continue haphazardly, leading to continued degradation, or follow a controlled path toward a new stability. With or without intervention, you are becoming something different, Mr. Smith. My nanite therapy offers the possibility of guiding that transformation toward functionality rather than failure. Hybrid neural architecture. Part human, part artificial."

I closed my eyes, trying to process all of it.

Trusting a total stranger was hard. Despite Kerry and Doli's allocation of their trust... I...

The Academy had already stripped away so much of what I thought I was. My face, my name, and even my memories felt fractured and incomplete. Now, Dr. Chen was telling me that to survive, I'd have to surrender even more of who I was? I couldn't.

<<The implications are significant,>> Doli said quietly. <<But Piotr, without intervention, we both know what happens. The degradation accelerates. Eventually, I won't be able to compensate for the damaged pathways.>>

<<And then?>>

<<Then you die. And I die with you.>>

The silence stretched until Kerry broke it. "The risks?"

"Substantial." Dr. Chen replied. "The procedure has never been performed on a patient like Mr Smith. Neural rejection is possible, which could accelerate the degradation. Personality alterations, memory fragmentation, and sensory recalibration are potential side effects. But without intervention, death is a certainty."

"You're not just saying that so you can do this--this experiment on me?"

"Despite how I sound, cold and professional, I became a doctor because I care. Every person who walks through my doors has an extreme medical condition that challenges everything I am. It is why I am here," he waved to the room.

"I thought it might have been just for the money," I said.

"The money is nice, but helping people who otherwise wouldn't survive is worth more to me than any bankroll."

<<He's serious,>> Doli replied.

I looked at each of my friends in turn. Kerry's professional mask couldn't hide her worry. Rob's jaw was tight, and his legal representative act was forgotten. Sylvk had moved closer to my chair, his body language screaming protective readiness.

"Can you share some of your research with Dr. Valde?" I asked, surprised by how steady my voice sounded.

Dr. Chen's expression shifted, just a flicker, but I caught it. The slight tightening around his eyes, the way his fingers paused on the holographic controls. He was deciding how much to tell me.

"Dr. Valde understands patient confidentiality," he replied carefully. "However, I can confirm experience with similar neural architectures."

Rob stepped forward, and I couldn't even read his expression. "With all due respect, Doctor, my colleague's life depends on making an informed decision. If you've treated others, that experience directly impacts his case."

I watched Dr. Chen's face as he regarded Rob with new interest. "You're very protective for just a 'legal representative.'"

<<He knows, doesn't he?>> I asked Doli.

<<Likely, yes.>>

<<Bounty on our heads?>>

<<There is,>> she confirmed. <<Much more than what Kerry paid for admittance here.>>

"You'll get me shot," he said, his gaze shifted between us. "Six months ago, I treated three individuals with neural interfaces originating from a similar program to yours," he rubbed the side of his temples. "Their injuries were... consistent. Two responded well to a prototype version of my proposed nanite therapy. The third..." He paused, and I felt my heart rate spike. The monitors he still had up also noticed the spike. He smiled at me. "Well, the third had a more complex integration pattern and required specialized protocols."

<<He's talking about the Brakers,>> Doli said. <<The neural interface programs, the similar injuries—it has to be them.>>

<<Likely something to do with Nexus,>> I replied.

"You can't give us specifics about their conditions," Kerry said, and it wasn't a question.

"Patient confidentiality—" Dr. Chen repeated.

"Doctor," I interrupted, leaning forward despite the weakness in my limbs. "I'm not asking for medical details. I need to know if you can help me. If this treatment actually works."

I watched his face carefully, looking for any sign of deception, but there was none. Instead, I saw something unexpected—a flash of what looked like personal pain before his professional mask reasserted itself. "I will tell you this: if you proceed with the treatment, you will have my complete dedication. Your health will be my number one priority. I will if I have to sit with you twenty-four hours a day."

The conviction in his voice decided it for me. "How soon can we begin?"

Kerry stepped closer, her hand touching my shoulder. "We should discuss this privately first. The implications—"

"Are significant, yes," I finished. "But so is time. Every day means more neural degradation." I turned back to Dr. Chen. "How soon?"

I saw Kerry open her mouth to argue, then close it. Her fingers tightened on my shoulder briefly before she let go. "Just promise me you're looking for answers so you can move forward."

"I promise," I said, and I meant it.

"I can prepare the preliminary nanite injection today," Dr. Chen replied. "The initial phase established the foundation, mapping your current neural architecture and creating temporary pathways to maintain function during treatment. Phase two, the actual reconstruction, would begin tomorrow using a specialized calibration chamber."

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"Requesting access to procedural protocols," Doli interjected through the room's speakers. "As an integrated component of the neural architecture being treated, I require complete parameter information to optimize integration during the process."

Dr. Chen's smile was the first genuine expression I'd seen from him. "Of course. Your participation is essential to the treatment's success." He tapped commands into his terminal. "I'm transmitting the complete protocol specifications now."

I felt the information flow into my mind like cool water, Doli receiving and processing data through pathways I couldn't directly access. The sensation was both familiar and strange—familiar because I'd grown used to her presence, odd because I could sense the sheer volume of information being transferred.

"Protocols received and analyzed," Doli confirmed. "Highly sophisticated design with significant customization for our specific integration pattern. Dr. Chen's approach is... elegant."

"High praise from an artificial intelligence of your caliber," Dr. Chen remarked. I wondered how much he'd already deduced about Doli's true nature.

"The reconstruction timeline is aggressive." Kerry frowned, looking over a data pad. "Five days for complete neural architecture remodeling."

"Once initiated, the process must maintain momentum," Dr. Chen explained. "Interruptions increase rejection risk substantially." He turned to face me directly. "You'll be committed to completing the full plan. There's no turning back."

That much was obvious. I glanced at Rob and Sylvk, searching their faces for any sign of doubt or objection. Neither seemed surprised by my decision, which made it feel more real.

"I understand," I told Dr. Chen. "When can we start the preliminary phase?"

"Right now," he replied, moving toward a communication terminal. "Miss Avast will assist with the preparation. In the meantime, Dr. Valde can review the complete protocols with you. The treatment will require relocation to our surface facility for phase two. The planetary environment provides optimal conditions for neural regeneration."

Rob shifted slightly, his security instincts kicking in. "Security considerations?"

"My facility maintains complete patient privacy," Dr. Chen assured him. "Transport can be arranged discreetly, and the surface installation is isolated from general medical traffic. Your group will have a private wing with restricted access controls."

Kerry moved to my side as Dr. Chen left to coordinate the preparation. Her professional demeanor slipped just enough to reveal the genuine worry underneath. "You need to understand what you're agreeing to. This treatment will fundamentally alter your neural architecture. You won't just be repaired—you'll be changed."

"I'm already changing," I replied, surprised by how calm I felt. "The question is whether that change leads to something useful or just to breakdown."

"But what if you don't recognize yourself afterward?" Kerry pressed. "What if the person who comes out of this treatment isn't you anymore?"

I looked at her, this woman who'd risked everything to save me, who'd spent her life savings to get me here. "Kerry, I'm not sure I recognize myself now. The Academy took my face, my name, and most of my memories. Doli's integration is changing my neural patterns every day. Maybe becoming something new isn't the worst outcome."

Dr. Chen returned with Miss Avast and another assistant carrying specialized equipment. I watched them carefully prepare the injection; the luminescent blue fluid was checked multiple times before approval. Miss Avast moved with the efficiency of someone who'd done this before, her earlier receptionist persona completely gone.

"You've assisted with this procedure before," I observed.

She glanced up from her preparations. "Several times. The preliminary phase is straightforward, but every patient responds differently to the nanite integration." Her voice was professional but not unkind. "Some find the initial mapping process disorienting. Others experience it as almost euphoric."

"Which category am I likely to fall into?"

"Given your existing neural integration," she said, checking the injection pressure, "probably somewhere in between."

"The initial phase uses mapping nanites," Dr. Chen explained as Miss Avast prepared my arm. "These will create a complete model of your current neural architecture, including damage patterns and integration pathways with your AI. They'll also establish temporary bridges between damaged regions to maintain function during reconstruction."

The needle pierced my skin with a brief, sharp sensation followed by a strange coolness spreading up my arm. I watched the luminescent fluid disappear into my bloodstream, knowing those microscopic machines were now traveling toward my brain to begin rewriting the fundamental structure of my mind.

"You may experience mild disorientation as the nanites establish their mapping grid," Dr. Chen cautioned. "Some patients report sensory echoes, touches that aren't there, sounds without sources. This is normal and should stabilize within six to eight hours."

Almost immediately, I felt the first effects, a subtle shifting in my perception, as though the room's dimensions were fluctuating slightly. Colors seemed to intensify before settling into a different spectrum, with blues and greens appearing more vibrant than I remembered. I closed my eyes briefly, focusing on keeping my breathing steady as my brain adjusted to the nanites' presence.

<<Nanite integration proceeding at expected parameters,>> Doli reported, her voice carrying a note of fascination. <<Initial neural mapping commenced. This technology is significantly more advanced than any standard procedures. I'm learning much from observing their methodology.>>

When I opened my eyes, I saw Dr. Chen studying me with clinical interest. "Initial reception appears optimal. Neural stability is holding at forty-two percent with minor fluctuations. There are good signs for compatibility."

Kerry maintained her professional demeanor, but I could see the tension in her shoulders and how she held herself, ready to intervene if something went wrong. Sylvk had moved closer to my chair, his protective instincts heightened by my vulnerable state. Rob observed everything with the careful attention of someone cataloging details for later analysis.

"The preliminary phase will be completed overnight," Dr. Chen continued, making notes on his tablet. "Tomorrow morning, we'll transport you to the surface facility for phase two—the calibration chamber and actual reconstruction process. I recommend minimal neural stimulation for the remainder of today. Your brain will be undergoing significant preparatory changes."

As if to emphasize his point, a wave of fatigue washed over me, deeper than the chronic exhaustion I'd grown accustomed to. This was different, a profound heaviness pulling at my consciousness like my brain was suddenly working at triple capacity.

<<Nanites require significant energy resources during initial mapping,>> Doli explained. <<Temporary energy diversion from non-essential neural functions is expected. Rest will help optimize the process.>>

I started yawning despite myself. "Feeling more than a little tired."

"I think that's our cue to get him back to our quarters," Kerry said, noting my rapidly declining alertness. "Will you provide ongoing monitoring during the preliminary phase?"

"Yes, of course, Miss Avast will accompany you with the appropriate equipment," Dr. Chen confirmed. "Any concerning developments can be addressed immediately."

He approached me directly, his professional demeanor relaxing slightly as he helped me forward in the chair. "I won't lie to you. What you're undertaking requires considerable courage. This treatment is groundbreaking but dangerous. However, it does offer you the best chance of a normal future."

I managed a nod, struggling to stay focused as the nanites continued their work. "Thank you for taking my case," I said.

His expression shifted, becoming almost unreadable. "Let's just say I have a personal investment in the success of this particular neural architecture." Before I could ask what he meant, he turned to my friends. "Medical transport will arrive at your quarters at 08:00 tomorrow for transportation to the surface facility. All necessary preparations have been completed."

The journey back to our quarters passed in a blur of disjointed impressions. The station corridors stretched and contracted, and conversations around me took on a strangely echoing quality. Sylvk supported most of my weight when we reached our room, but my legs lost much of their limited strength as the nanites consumed my energy reserves.

Miss Avast followed us inside, setting up monitoring equipment while Kerry helped me to the bed. The room swam in and out of focus as I was lowered onto the mattress, my consciousness already fragmenting as the nanites accelerated their mapping process.

"Neural activity patterns showing expected fluctuations," Miss Avast reported to Kerry. "Preliminary mapping phase proceeding optimally. The patient should rest undisturbed while the process completes."

I was vaguely aware that Kerry was discussing monitoring protocols with the technician, Rob was making security arrangements for tomorrow's transport, and Sylvk checked the room's perimeter one final time. These impressions came in disconnected fragments as my perception increasingly turned inward, following the strange sensations of the nanites establishing their presence throughout my neural architecture.

<<I am monitoring the nanite activity,>> Doli assured me, her presence steady amid the disorienting changes. <<Their mapping protocols are exceptionally sophisticated. I am learning much from observing their methodology.>>

"Are they changing you too?" I managed to subvocalize, though even this minimal effort required significant concentration.

<<They are cataloging our integration patterns but not directly modifying my core architecture,>> she replied. <<However, the reconstruction phase will necessarily affect both of us. Our neural connection points will be rebuilt according to the new blueprint.>>

I surrendered to the process, allowing the nanites to continue their work without resistance. As consciousness slipped away, my awareness narrowed to a single clear thought: somewhere else, probably others who had undergone this same procedure, people like me, with similar neural architectures and damage patterns.

NEURAL RECONSTRUCTION - PHASE 1:

Nanite Mapping: 73% complete [FULL BRAIN ARCHITECTURE CATALOGUED]

Cognitive Function: 42% → 58% improvement [BYPASS ROUTES ACTIVE]

System Integration: 89% [HUMAN-AI HYBRID FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED]

The last thing I registered before unconsciousness claimed me was Sylvk's unusually gentle voice as he adjusted my position on the bed.

"Sleep while you can," he said quietly. "You'll need everything you are for what's coming."

And then there was nothing but darkness and the distant sense of microscopic machines beginning to rebuild the very foundations of my mind

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