[ the scar is so aged compared to the rest that decorate this body — a majority that have been there since before he'd starting using it, with stories he's only heard through ortega's description — that kovacs would barely even be able to feel it if he ran his own fingers across it. but with marta's touch, he can feel the direct tracing from her skin. ]

After the age of one, every body get a disc surgically implanted right there — we call them stacks. They hold the human consciousness like data, so people can get uploaded and downloaded around from sleeve to sleeve, any with a stack. Even if something happens to the body — you can shoot it with holes, if you want — as long as the stack is undamaged, protecting that consciousness, a person can stay alive.

[ which means right there, at the base of his neck, is his weakest point, a spot typically more guarded than it is right now, baring it to her like this. ]

Where you're touching — that's my whole life.