It felt like my veins were being picked apart by a flock of crazed vultures. Then images came flooding in: the Devastation, a Birthday Party, my beautiful wife Christine, Stella Star (what was she doing here, I only saw one episode of that ancient series), three floating coffee cups (very briefly), Commander Aslög’s face – she was saying something. Her mouth moved but the words only screamed in my head some seconds later – the out-of-synchness grating in my brain.

what is your name

I tried to answer but my mouth felt like is was stuffed full of slimy, wriggling earthworms.

don’t try to talk, just think

I visualised my name.

... more questions followed for what seemed like hours …

Subconsciously I realised they were searching for knowledge about the Movement and contraband, but the nano-bots must have been blocking them.

Then as suddenly as it had started it was over. It was cold!

Carl Bender was no longer. For now I was initiate 143876. My new name would be assigned at the Recognition Ceremony.