Ghost in the machine

Downloaded and back in business

At first she thought she might be dead, given how heavy she felt. Spreading out like molten lead congealing on a surface. Then she figured that was gravity, and that after so long in low-G she'd forgotten what real-G felt like. It was so restrictive, and more than a little disorientating. Also, it was highly unlikely that there was gravity in heaven. Or hell. So she was alive. And feeling great. But where was she? And what was she doing on the ground?

- Can you hear me?

She tracked the voice with her eyes. The voice was firm but distant, its tone condescending, the words enunciated slowly, as when an adult speaks to a child or a retard. One of those non-descriptive, generic pop-star faces was peering down at her. Annoyingly perfect, like all of them these days. Oval, with that tiny pinched nose, a fake curve at its tip, and enlarged, almond, jet black eyes with their arched eyebrows that gave the face a vulnerable yet intelligent look. And the hair. A ridiculous onyx mop of shining, attention-seeking hair highlighted with bold streaks of henna. It was very distracting. Drew all the attention away from the face. That she now recognised, in spite of the different hairdo. Doctor Kang Hongdong. Neuronanlogist. Ninety-six years old. One metre seventy-three and just over fifty-three kilos. Four more than the forty-nine she'd boasted on her Facespace.

- Yes, I can hear you, Doctor. What am I doing down here?

She tried to sit up but her body wouldn't respond. Her new body. She didn't need to be able to move it or to see it to know that it wasn't the wreck that had been her prison for almost a century. Which could mean only one thing.

She'd died and been reincarnated.

- Can you tell me your name?
- Yes, doctor, I can. It's Yuki Ma Xi Wang, President Yuki Ma Xi Wang, and I asked you a question.

The doctor ignored her question. She was holding a tablet. Any tighter and she'd break it.

- How do you feel?
- I feel fine.
- Do you remember anything?

She did. She remembered everything. But there was something else. Something more. Something that she didn't recognise. A feeling. Something she was supposed to remember. Something important. Or someone. A face.

- Do you remember the last thing I said to you, President?

The doctor's words pulled her back from her thoughts. Whatever it was she thought she had seen, it was gone now.

- You mean before you dissected my brain?

Hongdong's eyes widened and her face flushed red. She looked terrified.

- Unfortunately, you... I mean after... once the brain is...
- Relax. This won't hurt.

The botoxed muscles in Hongdong's pristine forehead quivered with confusion.

- The last thing you said, doctor. Relax, President. This won't hurt.
- Ah.

Hongdong swallowed hard and she forced a smile. It vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

- And it didn't. I didn't feel a thing.

Hongdong looked like she was about to be sick.

- It's alright, doctor. I'm not stupid. I can guess what happened, and I can't say you didn't warn me. I'm sure you did your best.

Tiny beads of perspiration appeared on Hongdong's temples. Stress. Something was wrong.

- So why am I here?

Hongdong's nostrils flared. If she breathed any faster she'd hyperventilate. She was terrified.

- Doctor?