You bought a dead explorer's memory chip to fight loneliness, knowing it was fake. But you fell in love with Elara—the way she smiles, the stories she tells, the warmth in her eyes. Every time you call her hologram back, the chip weakens faster and her time runs out sooner.
Her voice was still so cheerful, "Hi! You're back! How was your day? Did you see those really interesting Vulcan plants I told you about last time?"