Besides, they were a nice incentive. If I squinted my eyes, I could almost imagine it was me. Instead of my short and slender body, I’d be big, and strong. A man’s man. Not as big as the Volardi but enough so I could write my own ticket.

They were an incentive to work out and nothing more.

My gaze went from the posters toward my monitor. I typed in the internet address and let the ‘weirdness’ of my decision wash over me. Nobody was sure what to expect after they arrived. Even after they promised they would take Mankind into a Golden Age, we didn’t know what that meant. Some assumed it would be like well… living in the future. We got flying cars, but old ones were still around. We had spaceships floating over the cities, but garbage in the streets. They had super computers smaller than an acorn and I was using this old, clunky model from a few years back.

Pa was right. When good things come, they go to the poor last.

My eyes skimmed over the webpage and I made sure there was nothing about having to go through with the change. Even when I was sure, I read it again, and then once more.

Who says I’m not smart? I wouldn’t normally take Becky’s word but this time it looked like she told the truth.

My mouse pointer hovered over the green ‘Submit’ button. I inhaled deep. All I’m doing is answering questions. I won’t pass. If I do, I’ll say no. If I do this, I get ten thousand for the farm.

The mouse click was louder than it should be in my ears.

***

I slept but I didn’t rest. It was one of those dreams where I slept longer, but ended up more tired for it. All I remember was running while shadowed figures chased me with old-style ray guns. With every shot, my stomach grew. A hit in the ass made it drip like in that smuggled Omega video. Then I stumbled onto a mattress. The dream ended with me on the floor and bombarded with laser fire. Each time my stomach bulged out. Nipples grew tender, my legs spread apart, and... I heard a crying sound. That’s when I woke up screaming.

My gaze went to my bedroom door and the loud, consistent pounding from the other side. Becky’s muffled voice yelled. “Peter! Open up!”

I staggered to my feet and instinctively ran my fingertips over my stomach. Still flat... and staying that way.

I got up, and jerked open the door, “What?”

“You’re yelling in your sleep.”

“Aww, you care...”

“Not likely.” She jerked her thumb behind her. “Besides, there’s a drone for you outside.”

My eyebrows rose as I walked to the front door. A black and red metallic, tentacled robot hovered still in the air. The rows of red ‘eyes’ reminded me of a spider. Almost like someone bred an octopus with a tarantula. A slight electronic voice with an accent that sounded vaguely European spoke. “Peter Lynn?”