Sebastian Smiley

[Smiley_]

Sebastian Smiley lay on the bed in one of the rooms on Freeport 9. As he looked at the ceiling, he thought about how he was to communicate with the strange being that had saved his life.

~Hello, Sebbie~

Oh, great. The thing had given him a nickname.

~I can talk. I know what you think~

It had started communicating in complete sentences. Apparently, it had been inexperienced in human communication.

~you wonder why I saved your life, I cannot escape. You hold me here. We are one~

"Who says that we are one? You are a parasite!"

~I am hurt~

"Damn straight!"

~I cannot break away from your mind.~

"Pff, yeah right."

~I do not know why, but perhaps you do, Sebbie.~

"Me? I don't know anythi..." He stopped. The neural recovery program in the ship! It was only meant to repair one mind, but the nomad could have attempted to dominate him before the pulse went off. The recovery program must have been confused.

~I understand now~

"I didn't tell you anything!"

~We are one now.~

Sebastian stood up. He looked himself over and found that the nomad extended from his right wrist to the base of his skull. It was not obvious, but close examination would reveal the nomad.

~Wear a shirt, Sebbie.~