Mindgate
The date is early 2035. The place is a research lab. Scientists just implanted the first artificial neurons into the body of a volunteer test subject, Kevin Garret. Natural neurons work by transmitting messages among large numbers of nerve cells by means of chemical messages. Artificial neurons produce the same chemicals, but can have trillions more connections at any time, and an unlimited production of the variety of neuro-chemicals. The implanted neurons reprogrammed Kevin’s entire brain. Not one nerve cell remained untouched, all were connected to the new machine cells of his body.
The operation was a success. A cluster of 12 small nodes were implanted into key areas of Kevin’s brain. He awoke in a small, sterile room alone. The first thing he noticed was how normal he felt. As though there was nothing new between now and before the operation. His hand’s looked the same, his legs felt the same, and he was still conscious. In reality, the new neurons were maintaining a comfortable level of consciousness while rewiring his entire brain. They harvested all the knowledge contained within his mind and reorganized it to be more efficient. Meanwhile, the head doctor strolled into the room followed by an attendant nurse. She checked his vitals while the doctor spoke.
“Total, total success my boy. How do you feel?” asked a middle-aged man stooping over Kevin.
“Normal. I thought something would be different by now,” he replied.
“It takes time. Your body is adjusting to the new cells. Abilities beyond human should begin to appear as your own awareness expands to accept them,” the doctor explained.
Just as the doctor finished talking, Kevin noticed some strange colors at the peripheries of his vision. His eyes darted to check out the mysterious shimmering. As he looked at it, it moved out of sight. He looked once more, but again it moved to the border of his peripherals. The doctor noticed the strange eye movements and told Kevin to relax. The nurse twisted a small knob on Kevin’s IV that increased his medicine dosage. His body fell back into the bed, and a smile spread across his face. His vision was overrun with a myriad of sparkling colors. It looked like a rainbow tie-dyed on his retinas. The colors faded and clear words could be seen floating in front of him. ‘Body Nominal’ it said in green letters.
“Do you see that doc?” Kevin asked.
“See what, Kevin?”
“Those words… it must be the implant,” he replied.
“What does it say?”
“Body nominal in bright green,”
“Incredible… let me know what else you see. It will take up to 24 hours for the full effect to take,”
Soon, without moving his eye, Kevin knew his heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, body fat, hydration levels, blood sugar, and how long until he had to go to the bathroom. It was a miracle of modern medicine. He was becoming more aware of his potential with each passing moment.
