Dads POV
"What was that." I asked as I and David were called back to the Dr. in the center of the room.
"We're running a little behind schedule. Sorry for the rush I sometimes forget formalities and besides, most of the previous test subjects were animals and only cared if I gave them fresh fruit, not so much my name." The man said with a slight chuckle. "I'm Dr. Markle and I'll be overseeing your transitions."
"My name is Frank, this is my son David." I said extending my hand.
"Hello David" he replied as he shook my hand. "Hello Frank" as he shook Davids hand. A huge smile on his face like he was so very funny. "Heh heh, A little body swap humor there."
I saw as David went pale and looked shaken, "Uh Dr. Markle, This transition is really a huge step for us, and we're a little apprehensive about it, so go gently, please."
The Dr. looked confused for a second and looked back a David and nodded, "Right, right, right, Well don't worry about a thing, Let me tell you about the process and maybe that will calm your nerves a little."
David perked up a little so I was able to relax. watching him deal with the situation at hand was painful. I try not to think about the situation ethically and take comfort in knowing that it is Lucas' fault for not stepping in...
"So I'd like to introduce you to Sally." He gestured at a towering behemoth of panels and lights. "This is the world's first quantum computer, Once she was created, we threw complex equations, advanced rendering requests and cryptographic problems... things that would have taken hours, days, or even months to solve were done within tenths of seconds without hesitation. We had difficulty challenging her, so we uploaded an AI program to see what we could get out of her. We posed question after question but it took longer to set up the criteria for the question than it took for her to answer. Eventually we taught her to program and asked her to build a better AI, we fed her data on genetics, and eventually, she figured out and told us how to modify gene expression. All the stuff we originally thought was junk DNA actually regulated all the nuances of what makes you who you are. There are so many applications from treatment of diseases, and mental health issues, aging, to adapting our bodies better to earth so that we don't need to change earth to adapt to us... we could stop global warming overnight..." Dr. Markle stared off into space, no doubt envisioning a futuristic disease free human race that ate concentrated algae pellets once a day and were able to hibernate during unfavorable weather.
"Doctor?" I ventured. "You were telling us the procedure we would undergo?"
"Huh? Oh yes. So... Sally discovered a way to make particles tinier than a cell that could control a cell and replace its DNA if needed. That warmth was her activating all the particles you consumed. Over the next few days there will be a fairly strict regimen of diet, exercise, as well as sleep. Sally will enforce this if necessary, she can directly control hormone synthesis. Tracking and commanding trillions of trillions of Nano particles in real time is the only thing that really gives her processors a workout..."
I was beginning to get the feeling this guy was a research doctor rather than a medical doctor... perhaps he had a doctorate in machine learning or something. He certainly seemed enamored with Sally. "Yes, but what can we expect from this process?"
"Well. Right now Sally is processing the data she got from both of you. Soon she will send the command to begin replacing your DNA with your son's and vice versa. Then phase 2 will begin and your physical features will change. On a molecular level you will become your son. The first indication of phase 2 is your hair. It will be disintegrated and the protein will be fed back into your body to allow your new hair to grow. We can't have a 14 year old with a salt and pepper beard, can we?" He slapped me on the shoulder with a warm smile. "Then there will be a number of things that will happen. For you, your bone marrow will begin making AB blood like your sons, and your body may react to that, we will need to watch you closely. You will be on a rapid weight loss program that'll make all your friends jealous. Huh Huh"
He looked at David, "Your body will rapidly grow, tell us when you are hungry, we will probably need to get you on a high calorie nutrient drip soon. You got a lot of weight to put on."
This seemed to make David uncomfortable which made me self conscious of my less than perfect midsection. Granted I'm not The Rock but I'm a muscular 235 rather than a flabby 235. No, you can't see my abs, but my pecs are pecs, not jiggly and only slightly cushioned. Not bad for a man approaching his 50s.
Dr. Markle went over to the computer pressing a few buttons, "Oh good, you're DNA overwrite is about 30% complete."
"I'm 30% my Dad?" David squeaked, seeming horrified.
"Well, technically I guess not, you were already 50% your father to begin with... so with 30% being 100% him and the rest being 50% him, you're roughly... ahh 65% genetically similar now instead of 50%..." Dr. Markle answered reaffirming my earlier beliefs that he was a computer guy.
"Don't worry, you don't look any different, we've got three weeks to get use to it." I said trying to sound reassuring. He seemed so accepting and supportive last night but I guess its different when its happening. To be fair, he didn't have weeks to mull over this decision like I did.
"As it stands we should get you over to the nutrition wing. Sally has notified the cafeteria to prepare brunch for you.."
We walked over to a different wing of the building and food was waiting for us...