"This is not a game," he says to me, looking up from whatever information he's reviewing on the clipboard. "A second procedure has never been attempted on a human subject. We don't know what will happen to you, but our best analysts strongly advise against it."

"What's the point of having free will if you're not going to let me use it?" I ask him.

"Having free will is one thing. Being protected from yourself is another," he pauses for a moment, scratching something out on the clipboard, and then continues. "I've already told you that we won't stop you from doing this."

"Then I'd like to take my chances now," I reply. There is a cold feeling in my gut and I can feel my pulse pounding in my ears.

No turning back.