In flight the wings are linked together by a series of hooks; they can beat 250 times per second and achieve a speed of 18 miles per hour.

Sarah wasn’t sure – she put the capsule back on the shelf and wandered up and down the aisles aimlessly. Her parents had said she could choose any one of the body-mods for her 16th birthday, but now that she was in the shop, she couldn’t decide which one to go for. Wings, gills, antennae – each opened doors to a fascinating choice of careers, hobbies and adventures – but she knew she’d only ever be able to afford one, and once ingested, they weren’t reversible. Make the wrong choice and she might be forever under water!

She decided to let fate decide, and ran back down the aisle, running her hand aimlessly along the capsules, until she knocked one to the floor. She picked it up, scanned it against her credit-chip, and swallowed. She felt the warm glow blossom inside her immediately, as the new cells multiplied deep within.

Child, said the empty package.