Dr. Kemp flashed a smile. “Everything is still there. Whether functionality is maintained or not, well, you can test that at your leisure.”

“Okay, what about bodily functions?”

“This is the truly interesting thing about this whole process.” Dr. Kemp gave Ivan a sideways glance, as if gauging his reaction to the comment. “It’s not just blindly working its way up your body. It appears to maintain biological systems as long as necessary until a metal version is ready to take over the function. Blood supply is always appropriate to the remaining biological systems. Hormonal levels are maintained. And so on.”

Ivan stared at him for several seconds. “This isn’t going to stop, is it?”

Dr. Kemp’s only answer was a sigh.

“But what is it?”

The doctor waved a hand and made fish motions with his mouth for a few moments. Then he shrugged and gave Ivan a rueful smile. “I wish I knew. We know the basic facts, Ivan. Your cells are being replaced by microscopic nanites. The nanites are harvesting metal from the ship to make more nanites.”

Kemp looked up at the ceiling for a moment, perhaps gathering his thoughts. “There are a few things I find encouraging. First, the nanites are careful not to take too much metal from one spot. The chief tells me that nothing is getting eaten down enough to affect functionality or structural soundness. And, likewise, none of the changes being made to you seems to be harmful, beyond the obvious issue of consent. It seems to be taking care to not cause you harm or even discomfort. None of those things could happen by coincidence. It requires a concerted, conscious effort.”

“Conscious?”

Dr. Kemp shook his head. “Don’t read anything into that. I don’t have any inside information. I meant conscious as in a deliberate, targeted set of results.”

Ivan nodded, thinking about it. “Yeah, an A.I. could do something like that according to its instructions. That really seems more likely, just in general.”

He leaned back and started to rub his forehead, then jerked his hand away and stared at it. The action had felt entirely normal to his fingertips, but on his forehead it had felt like being massaged by a metallic implement.

“If this was happening to someone else, I’d be fascinated. As it is, I’m still curious, but also terrified. The process could be completely benign, but at the end of it I’ll still be gone.”

“Perhaps. Or maybe not. We don’t know the limits of this thing. I know it’s easy for me to say, but there’s only one way to find out.”

“Not that I have a choice.” Ivan sighed and closed his eyes. “I’m pretty tired, Doc. Can we continue this later?”

The stool’s casters made a rolling sound as Dr. Kemp stood. “No problem, Ivan. I’d like to do some tests when you’re rested.”