Patrick McCoy lives in the VA; he's back from service with the Marines. His body is no longer human — after incredible injury during battle, he exists in a semi-automaton form, with armor plating, two extra arms, and empty ports where weapons could be mounted. In the VA one morning, Patrick speaks briefly on the phone to his sister Sarah and his niece Lisa. He refuses to come over to their house; it's too painful for him to be in their company looking like he does. Patrick's grandmother had resisted his enlistment for a long time, but eventually she gave in — she knew it was the best option their family had for any semblance of security, the only way she could pay her medical bills or take care of Sarah. Patrick was seventeen when he enlisted, and soon became eligible for conversion to be mechanized. He got a huge bonus check and was saved from death by his new metal form. With the money from the Marine Corps, Patrick has been able to make life for Sarah and Lisa much easier and has even been able to fund a scholarship for Lisa. Leaving the VA, Patrick faces stares from pedestrians as he walks the streets; people avoid walking close to him. A young man throws a beer can at his head, calling him 'murdercan,' and Patrick dodges the can easily with the alerts from his sensors. Patrick catches the subway and rides it aimlessly; its movement is comforting to him. On the subway, he meets five year old Madhavi and her mother Inas. Patrick lets Madhavi feel his heartbeat through the layers of metal, showing her that he is not a robot. Suddenly, Patrick's system sends him a warning. He lunges for Madhavi and Inas, protecting them, as the train goes dark and lurches. Glass shatters, sparks fly — the tunnel is collapsing, burying their subway car. Patrick stands to begin to figure out what to do and a passenger stands as well, yelling at Patrick and blaming him for the crash. Patrick warns the man not to move, but the car lurches and a large slab of concrete slams into the man, pinning him to the floor of the car. Patrick uses his mechanical system to get more information on the train system, then recruits Inas to help him evacuate the car. A couple men drag the injured man with them and Patrick gets all of the passengers through the crushed car and out towards the safety of the uncollapsed tunnel ahead. Patrick's systems are rapidly dying as he uses them to save the other passengers, and once everyone is out, he powers down to maintenance mode, essentially a coma where he will remain for hours, buried alive under the rubble. He thinks of his family, and how he will die in service, wearing his uniform.