That’s not to say we took no precautions. We shifted all my communications to the Spine, which was by now comfortable with me and able to recognise what Annie called my etic connectome: what my consciousness appeared to be from an observer’s viewpoint. I also asked Tom Hayes, the head of personal security at my—now Michael’s—company, to come and advise us on safety. Tom suggested close protection for all of us in the short term, but Annie wouldn’t have it and I generally agreed. He had expected that, I think, and argued strongly for a perimeter team—a fast-response group watching from a reasonable and unintrusive distance. Annie said no to that too, and I equivocated, but if I’m luckier than I ought to be Michael will have done it anyway, on the company’s behalf.