Gateway doctors, making rounds, arrived at Mark Jacobson’s domicile.


    “Do you understand your options, Mr. Jacobson?”


    “I think so, I mean—I’ve got two options: self-terminate now and hopefully join my long-lost relatives, or digitize my consciousness for the ark.”


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    “Correct, there’s, of course, no guarantee a spirit or soul will transfer. But we’ve proven that your consciousness passed through The Gateway will exist virtually.”


    “Don’t I have a third option?”


    “Such as?”


    “I can sit it out, wait for the asteroid to strike, and take my chances.”


    “Negative. Emergency Protocol E1-SH states that Earth must restore itself—sans humanity.”