The Exchange Program

"Settle down, my young scholars, time to work those radiocarpal joints." Mr. Burton turns to the board and starts scrawling names. John B. Watson. William E. Castle. Gregor Mendel. The lids of your eyes get heavy. Your pencil struggles to keep up with Mr. Burton as he fills the board with words and names that probably should mean something to you. It's not that you didn't study. You did. Well past midnight. That's the problem. Despite your determination, the body can only run on three hours of sleep for so long. The human body, that is. Your hand drifts to the implant that runs from your right temple to just outside your right ear. [[Check I.O.E. Polices and Procedures]] [[I gotta get outta here!]] [[Gotta be smart about this...]]

You tap a tiny button, the second button back from your temple. Several lines of text appear before your right eye on a tiny, holographic projection. You scroll through the options and finally select “I.O.E. Policies and Procedures”. A block of text appears: “The Interorbital Exchange Program, or I.O.E., is a joint effort between the Lunar Orbit Space Station and schools throughout ten cooperating nations that provides training and education to the next generation of astronauts and scientists. Students will complete their studies during appointed hours with a team of educators using temporary robot avatars to house their consciousness” A few bullet points down is the section on grade requirements. “Students are expected to maintain a B-average throughout their standard course of study...” You already have an A in this class, you can afford to slack off for once. Still... [[Gotta be smart about this...]]

You press the button closest to your ear and hold it in until a shock rushes through your body. It's taken a long time to get used to the sensation. The last thing you hear before your vision goes black is a high-pitched whine drowning out Mr. Burton's droning voice. Your vision goes dark, but you can hear a loud, staticky sound. After a moment or two, the static clears and you're amid a cacophany of data being shared in several languages, then more static. Finally, all sound silences, save for a dull hum that is all around you. In a way, that dull hum has become comforting. White light blasts your vision, but it doesn't bother you. In fact, you can't feel anything. All sensation is completely gone. You begin squeezing your hands, but they fail to react. You've made this transfer hundreds of times now, but the first few minutes are always the most disorienting. It's the absence of feeling as your consciousness struggles to connect fully to the temporary mechanical avatar. Just as you're finally starting to adjust, a screeching sound fills your ears and everything is ripped away, quickly replaced by Mr. Burton's sour face, a small, ergonomic remote pointed right at you. "I certainly hope you can tell me which creature Gregor Mendel used to study inherited traits!" "Uhh..." [[“Lab rats?”]] [[“Fruit flies?”]]

You press one of the buttons in the center of the implant and slide through the options appearing just above your right eye until you land on the words Auto Pilot 3. You press the button twice to select and your hand drops away from your ear. Mr. Burton's voice begins to echo around you and you automatically lift your pencil and begin to write. This command took forever to program (coding errors would often cause you to try to write with your nondominant hand or, in one especially awkward case, your toes). But in its current state, the Auto Pilot 3 program should be enough to get you comprehensible notes. You can clean them up later. [[Time to get outta here.]]

The response sounds awkward coming from your mechanical form with your modulated voice, lacking any of the intended charm. She stifles a laugh and releases the latch. The glass cover on the chamber where your temporary avatar rests hisses open. "Flattery will get you nowhere with me." [[“Can’t blame me for trying, can you?”]]

"Nice try. Maybe you should spend a little more time with the rest of us here on Earth before you worry about uploading yourself into outer space again." You have no choice but to remain there. Even when you attempt to upload or access any of the other myriad functions of the implant, nothing happens. Mr. Burton has clearly locked the implant using his remote, forcing you to remain in the physical present, the possibility he may report you to the I.O.E looming overhead. END

Mr. Burton eyes you hesitantly for a moment. "That is correct." He sounds surprised. But you studied this last night. Good thing it actually stuck. He turns back to the board. When you are brave enough to try again, however, you find that none of the buttons on your implant react to your touch. You are left to muddle through the remainder of class, desperately fighting sleep and wishing you could be anywhere but here. END

You press the button closest to your ear and hold it in until a shock rushes through your body. It's taken a long time to get used to the sensation. The last thing you hear before your vision goes black is a high-pitched whine drowning out Mr. Burton's droning voice. Your vision goes dark, but you can hear a loud, staticky sound. After a moment or two, the static clears and you're amid a cacophany of data being shared in several languages, then more static. Finally, all sound silences, save for a dull hum that is all around you. In a way, that dull hum has become comforting. White light blasts your vision, but it doesn't bother you. In fact, you can't feel anything. All sensation is completely gone. You begin squeezing your hands, but they fail to react. You've made this transfer hundreds of times now, but the first few minutes are always the most disorienting. The absence of feeling as your consciousness struggles to connect fully to the temporary mechanical avatar. Two blurry silhouettes appear overhead. One of the silhouettes, an attractive woman with short hair named Larissa, leans in to get a closer look. The other silhouette, whom you soon recognize as her male partner Jack, merely clicks his tongue. They are the two student coordinators for NASA's branch of the I.O.E. "Oh no, you're not ditching science again, are you?" Larissa asks with a coy smile, "You're not scheduled to come back here until Friday." [[“I just had to see your beautiful smile.”]] [["I was afraid Jack was getting lonely without me!"]] [[“Taking notes is so boring though.”]]

"You're in the wrong field, then," Jack intones as he and Larissa help you out of the metal containment chamber. Larissa sets to work checking to see that your consciousness has transferred properly as Jack walks out of the room in a huff. "I don't have time for this." [[“Huh? What’s his problem?”]]

"Ohh, that...follow the light with your optical receptors for me." Larissa furrows her brow as she moves a penlight back and forth. It takes a conscious effort, but eventually you are able to follow the penlight without moving your head. It's part of a standard battery of tests to ensure your consciousness has transferred properly. "The higher-ups confiscated his lab rats. Said they were getting dangerous. They're in quarantine until we get back to the lunar base, but they'll probably be destroyed." [[“Destroyed?”]]

"Yes, unfortunately. Walk in a straight line for me." You comply, wobbly at first, but the synchronization between mind and body becomes smoother with each step. "He's put a lot of work into those rats, evaluating the effects of various types and dosages of radiation. He was even hoping for a Nobel Prize if he managed to make any major medical discoveries, but safety first." She puts away her tools, satisfied that you've once again managed to make a complete transfer. "Well, you came all this way. What would you like to do?" [[“Maybe we should go make sure Jack's okay?”]] [[“Got time for a walk?”]]

"I guess I could make time," she says. The two of you walk arm-in-arm out of the Avatar Entry Bay. You wish you could feel the warmth of her skin, but the textured flesh that is being developed to simulate touch isn't ready for use just yet. It's still in the testing phase. A long, oval-shaped window runs the length of the left side of the main walkway. You approach it. The sight of the Earth, looming large in the distance, is still as breathtaking as ever. "I wish I still saw it the way you kids do. You have to hold onto that excitement for as long as you can. That passion is what will make a great scientist out of you," Larissa sighs, putting her hands on the railing just below the window. "Well that, a sound mind, and perserverance. You have a bright mind, though I would like to see you apply yourself a little more. Hang in there, even when the going gets tough. Or boring." She winks at you. "You can't keep running away everytime you have to do a little work. You're graduating soon. Can't keep dreaming your life away." [["I wouldn't have come all this way if it hadn't been my dream."]]

She smiles. "I'm sure he would appreciate that." You follow her out of the entry bay and into the main corridor. A long, oval window runs along the wall on your left. Amid the vast stretches of ebony, dotted with stars, the Earth looms large in the distance. As you approach the laboratory where Jack spends most of his time, you and Larissa stop upon hearing a loud crash. The door slides open and something large and furry leaps in front of you. It's a rat. A giant brown rat with dark patches of matted fur. Its narrow eyes look crazed and its sharp fangs are clamped around something dangling limply from its mouth. Something long and lanky. Like arms and legs. You can see the mangled hem of what was likely once a lab coat, now dyed a deep crimson. As your eyes drift to the person's face, you realize that you've seen those thick glasses before, just as Larissa screams Jack's name. [[Run!]] [[Grab Larissa and run!]] [[Charge the rat!]] [[Something’s off about its back leg...]]

"Fair enough, just don't waste all your time with your head in the stars," she says and smacks you on the upper arm. The tinny sound her hand makes as it lands is the only real indication you have that she even really hit you. You flash her a smile, hoping it doesn't come off as too unsettling in this metallic shell, when a loud crash catches you both off-guard. You both turn in the direction of the commotion, just in time to see something huge and furry come charging out of one of the labs down the hall. It's a rat. A giant brown rat with dark patches of matted fur. Its narrow eyes look crazed and its sharp fangs are clamped around something dangling limply from its mouth. Something long and lanky. Like arms and legs. You can see the dangling hem of what was likely once a lab coat, now dyed a deep crimson. As your eyes drift to the person's face, you realize that you've seen those thick glasses before, just as Larissa screams Jack's name. [[Run!]] [[Grab Larissa and run!]] [[Charge the rat!]] [[Something’s off about its back leg...]]

You turn and bolt down the corridor, but the rat is on you before you can even decide which way to go. You can't feel it tearing in vain at your metal vessel or even when it gives up and decides instead to rip off your poorly attached limbs. But as it begins clawing at the thin layer of metal that comprises your "neck", you come to a horrible realization. Without being connected to your entry chamber, you have no way to reupload your consciousness. No way to get back to Earth, to your school, to your home and family. No way to call for help. All you can do is lie there, listening to Larissa scream, as the rat finally manages to tear into your cranial cavity. END

You take Larissa's hand and charge down the hallway. Just as you're about to ask her which way you should go, you glance over to see that all you're holding is her severed hand. Horrified, you turn to see the giant rat has her in its mouth. Her screams echo in your ears. [[Save Larissa!]] [[Run!]]

You charge at the rat, landing a hard, metallic punch into its nose, now the same size as your head. The rat screeches and drops Larissa's body, but she doesn't move. The crimson blood from her gaping wounds pools around her. You look up just in time to see the creature's massive jaws close in sideways around you. You can't feel anything, but the screech of teeth on metal is still disturbing. As the creature struggles to find a way through your metal flesh, to what it assumes must be meat inside, you realize with horror that, without your entry chamber, it is impossible to upload your consciousness. You realize then that it will be the end of class before anyone realizes your consciousness has left your body and by then, you'll be long gone. The rat finally breeches your cranial cavity and begins tearing away at your wiring, sinking you into eternal darkness. END

You charge straight at the rat, throwing a metallic punch directly into its massive nose, the size of your head. The rat screeches and drops Jack's limp body. You look down, hoping to see some sign of movement, but all you see is a pool of deep crimson forming around him. "Run!" Larissa cries, too late. You look up just in time to see the rat's massive jaws closing sideways around you. As you are lifted into the air, you feel a subtle sense of gratitude at the fact that you cannot feel any pain. It is then that a horrible realization passes over you. Without your resting chamber, you will be unable to upload your consciousness. Unable to return to your body, still furiously taking notes back on Earth. Taking notes like you should be right now. As you begin to wonder how long it will take before your classmates realize you are gone for good, the rat's fangs break through the thin layer of metal that comprises your "neck" and begin to rip away at the wiring in your cranial cavity. END

You realize the rat looks unsteady on its feet. You seize an emergency oxygen tank off the wall and skitter around to the rat's back side. You slam the tank down on its weak leg, causing it to shriek and release Jack's limp body. A pool of deep crimson quickly surrounds his corpse. The rat rounds on you, but quickly totters off balance. You... [[Grab Larissa and run for the communications room.]] [[Cover Larissa’s escape.]] [[Head for the escape pods.]] [[Run for the entry bay!]]

You grab Larissa's hand and charge down the hall. The communications room is a few doors down from the Entry Bay. But the rat is faster. It leaps toward Larissa. You push her out of the way and its massive jaws quickly close around you. You shout at her to go, to escape. It takes the rat half a minute of gnawing unsuccesfully at your metal form before it realizes the thin layer of material connecting your torso and appendages is much easier to penetrate. As it finally breaks through your interior wiring, you realize in horror that there is no escape, no way to upload your consciousness without access to your entry chamber. As it begins tearing into your cranial cavity, you wonder woefully how long it will take your classmates to realize you are gone for good. END

You and Larissa reach the entry bay as other crew members are charging toward the chaos. She hastily opens the cover on your chamber. "Get in, quick!" You are about to protest, but she raises a hand. "I have to help my colleagues. The best thing you can do for us is go back to Earth. Tell them what happened here." She shoves you into the chamber and closes the hatch. "Godspeed." [[Upload consciousness.]]

The rat lunges at Larissa. You push her out of the way and its massive jaws quickly close around you. You shout at her to go, to escape. It takes the rat half a minute of gnawing unsuccesfully at your metal form before it realizes the thin layer of metal connecting your torso and appendages is much easier to penetrate. As it finally breaks through your interior wiring, you realize in horror that there is no escape, no way to upload your consciousness without access to your entry chamber back in the Entry Bay. As it begins tearing into your cranial cavity, you wonder woefully how long it will take your classmates to realize you are gone for good. END

The escape pods are back past the entry bay, at the far end of the main corridor. Other members of the crew have emerged now and are trying to take on the rat, who has been joined by several other rats, all of equally monstrous size. You grab Larissa's hand and charge down the corridor. When you reach the hangar holding the escape pods, Larissa enters the code that grants you entry. The room is dimly lit and filled with rows and rows of single-occupancy pods, dangling from the ceiling. Larissa approaches a large bay of computers positioned along one wall and begins typing in commands. Two pods descend from the ceiling, opening their hatches. She motions for you to get inside. You climb into your pod and fasten your safety belt as the hatch closes. You gaze through the window in horror as something slams against the glass window in the door to the hangar. Larissa presses a few more buttons, then approaches your escape pod. You notice with horror that the second pod has returned to its holding spot. "You're going first," she says with a look of terror...or is it sadness? "I can't abandon my colleagues. I'm going to try to get you back to Earth, but if you don't make it, I'll come for you once things here have stabilized. Good luck." Before you can protest, she presses a button on the side of the pod, sealing the hatch and propelling you out into space. At first, you experience a good deal of momentum. The orbiting space station shrinks further and further from view. But then, the pod's engine putters to a stop. You try to tinker with the buttons on the pod's main console, but the power has gone out. All that remains is the pod's emergency power supply. The lighting inside the pod is reduced to a single emergency light, illuminating your metallic reflection with an ominous red glow. You hover there in silence, stranded in the vast void that is space. Minutes pass, then hours, maybe even days. You neither hunger nor thirst. You don't grow tired, only bored. Lonely. By the time the battery in your temporary body begins to give out, you have long since realized you have no way to upload your consciousness. No way to return to your real body. You wonder about what's happened back on Earth. How long did it take your teacher and classmates to realize you were gone for good? END

The chaos of the space station disappears as quickly as it began and again, you're being pinged from satelite to satelite. The return to your body can't come fast enough, but when you finally reach it, you're gasping and sputtering. The shock is greater than you anticipated and your pencil breaks in your sudden grip. You gasp and let out a muffled shout, your consciousness still not completely reconnected to your body. Mr. Burton is staring at you and your classmates have all turned to look at you as you struggle to regain composure. "The space station!" you finally manage to cry out. "You must have been dreaming. For certainly, you wouldn't dare upload during my class." You struggle for air. Your mind and senses are a mess. Surely you're back in your body, but every few seconds, the horrific sights of the space station in duress swirl around you. You can't truly be sure where you are. A wave of worry washes over Mr. Burton's face as he calls for the nurse. You slide out of your seat and crumple to the floor, boredom now the farthest thing from your mind. THE END / THANK YOU FOR PLAYING!

Jack groans and stalks off. You glance at Larissa, hoping the limited expressions installed in this body convey your confusion. She sighs. "Don't mind him, he's just upset about his lab rats. Follow the light." She begins the standard battery of tests to ensure your consciousness has properly transferred. "The higher-ups confiscated his lab rats. Said they were getting dangerous. They're in quarantine until we get back to the lunar base, but they'll probably be destroyed." [[“Destroyed?”]]

"Lonely!" Jack sputters but quickly turns away. It's not the first time you've seen him get embarrassed like this. Usually it's because of something Larissa says to get him all worked up. She giggles and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Isn't that nice, Jack? You've got a fan!" "I don't have time for fans! Some of us actually have important work to do around here!" Jack stalks off out of the entry bay. [[“Huh? What’s his problem?”]] [["How about some company for your important work?"]]

Jack pauses, clearly taken aback. Without turning to face you, he says softly, "I'm sorry, I don't much feel like company today." [[Why not? What's wrong?]]

Jack heaves a deep sigh. He whirls around, his slender shoulders quivering beneath the weight of his lab coat. "I just can't understand how they can call my work dangerous! Especially when I've requested the proper permissions at every step and they've said yes everytime! Where do they get off?" He turns away as Larissa begins the standard battery of tests to ensure your conciousness has transferred properly. After a moment, he stalks out of the room. "The higher-ups confiscated his lab rats. Said they were getting dangerous," Larissa says in a hushed tone, "They're in quarantine until we get back to the lunar base, but they'll probably be destroyed." [[“Destroyed?”]]