Reflected in the mirror, covered only by bed straps and wire pads, you saw the large, sinewy body of an unfamiliar man. Powerful muscles rippled beneath his medium olive skin. This couldn’t be any more different from the pale skinny-fat body you’d call your own. You looked yourself in the face. A ruggedly handsome stranger stared back with deep blue eyes. They widened in bewilderment as the impossibility of all this took hold.
“That can’t really be me!” said a deep and gruff voice which escaped from your lips.
You examined the chiseled yet somewhat boyish features of the face before you. It couldn’t be any older than 22. The scalp had been shaved completely bald, and you could make out a bright red scar down the middle, perpendicular to another scar that ran across the hairline.
You looked down at the torso, which was the epitome of a mesomorphic V-shape. After marveling at each muscle, you finally noticed several scars and tattoos.
On the right shoulder there was the upper body of an Aztec warrior, with “ETERNAL SOLDIER” written below it, crossing the bicep. A cross and the text of Psalm 23 stretched across the thick right pec. And an American flag covered the left shoulder. It even had white ink for the stars and white stripes.
By now it was obvious you were staring at the body of a soldier, and this conclusion got reinforced when you saw the forearms, which bore the names of several men and their ranks. You figured these were memorials to his lost comrades.
“But who is this person?” you wondered out loud.
“Sergeant Nathaniel Moreno,” said the mystery man.
“Aged 22. Died of wounds eight weeks ago from a blow to the head, which left him braindead but his body intact. We flew him home from overseas on life support, and at first we tested the limits of our neuro-restorative drugs but found they could not undo any of the damage. Then we earmarked him for this project, hoping for a decently-matching brain. As we waited, we harvested a few samples of his seed for his widow, just in case she still wanted to start a family and give their children the benefits Moreno earned with his service and sacrifice. He was a good soldier who deserves a legacy.”
You looked down at Nathaniel’s organ once you realized what the man meant by his “seed.” They really jacked this guy off? It was an impressive member, though. And a bit bushy, in contrast to your new clean-shaven face and head. And you still couldn’t believe this was all yours, now.
“And you, Marcus Martin, 30 years old at time of death. You were his perfect match, and in such pristine shape, too. We rescued your brain from your fatally wounded body 38 days ago, and transplanted it into Sergeant Moreno’s body in a surgery that started within 12 minutes of your brain’s extraction. With the help of micro bots, we managed to complete the vascular and neurological connections within 8 hours, and completely switched from life support within 12.
“Stem cell therapy and neuro-regenerative drugs completed the reconnections within 15 days, and in the meantime, our anti-rejection biologics have proven to be successful. We predict a long-lived union between your brain and your new body. And what a fine body it is, right? You should consider yourself lucky. What remained of your old body didn’t show such dedication to physical conditioning.”
You felt yourself blush though it was hard to see in the mirror with Nathaniel’s complexion.
“And we kept Moreno’s body in the exact shape he left it in, using electro-stimulation and an experimental anti-catabolic drug. Soon you’ll get to test drive it, but for now you still need more rest.”
You felt your body become horizontal again. The mystery man drew some blood and gave you a cup of water with a straw. You only realized then how dry your throat had been, not having sipped anything for so long. But wait, it was Nathaniel who last sipped anything with this throat. You suddenly felt uncomfortable with the fact that you got to live but not him. But then again, he was the one who’d signed up for war. You didn’t choose to get run over by a motorcycle. But wait, where’s your girlfriend? Did she see and bury your body? Does everyone think you’re dead!?
You must have looked overwhelmed because the mystery man immediately gave you something “for anxiety.” He then said he’d be back for a physical, and you’ll soon be able to walk out of here with your new body.