Neoprogrammer V2.2.0.10 〈Direct ◉〉

A robotic arm whirred. A micro-cannula, finer than a human hair, descended from the ceiling and pierced the jar. The gel filament slid out, glowing faintly, and was drawn into a second cannula that hovered over Volkov’s corpse.

Not breathing. Just the lips. Forming shapes. Words. No sound came out, but Aris could read them. Neoprogrammer V2.2.0.10

He typed Y.

Then the lips moved.

A long pause. Then, quieter: “No. I’m not back. I’m here .” The corpse’s hand lifted, trembling, and pointed at the screen. “I’m in the machine. This… meat… is just a peripheral.” A robotic arm whirred