Dearest Cara,
I don’t want to do this anymore, but I don’t think I have any choice.
The ‘hab is getting restless, and I don’t want to be here when the inevitable happens. They say the derms prevent cellular damage from radiation, but I also hear they only work by inserting new sequences from the “Standard” when yours begin to break down.
Something about this bothers me. Maybe it’s a deep-seated biological urge to keep my DNA intact, to pass it on unchanged. Does that even matter anymore? More and more people are being born ex-utero, cosmetic variations on the Standard. What’s so good about the Standard? Why is it superior?
I know, I know; increased immune system function, resistance to free-radical oxidation, resistance to DNA alteration, resistance to bacterial and viral infection, resistance to cognitive degeneration, resistance to fatigue, resistance to…
Resistance to resistance. How can you even argue against it? What is it to be human–our form, or our function? Who decides the Standard, anyway? Who gave the government the right to guide our evolution?
We did. And how long will it take for me to become fully Mars? Five years? Ten? Depending on the rad levels, it could even take less than that.
Have you talked to the doc about Ina? Is there any progress on her diagnosis? The thought of a total conversion makes me shudder. Why can’t they just find out what’s wrong with her? It’s like medicine has no meaning anymore. If the patient doesn’t fit the formula, reformulate the patient. That just seems lazy to me. I want Ina to grow up Ina, OUR daughter, not some daughter of Venus.
These boots don’t even fit right, I don’t think they even cared to read my metrics. I won’t bring it up; the nail that sticks out will be hammered down. Down into the lunar dirt.
My ‘hab leader says I’ll be shipping out to Aristoteles by next L-day, but I don’t think the situation will be much different than here. Between the increased shift hours and rations shortage, everyone is worn thin. I wish the desk jockeys back home would pull their heads out and start sending more shuttles up here. Are things really that bad down there?
Ok, shift break’s over; I hope you are doing well. Tell Ina her daddy loves her and he will be back as soon as he can afford to, that goes double for you, too.
Love,
Vincent
Rehabilitation Operation Zeta
Theophilus Crater
