This is part 1 of a 3 part short story by Reese Ripley: 1. The Program: Growth -- 5 stars 2. The Great Program: Part 2 -- 5 stars 3. The Great Program: Part 3 -- 2 stars
I really enjoyed parts 1 and 2. I felt they were thoughtful, different, subtle, "realistic" and quite superior to the usual stuff in this genre. I can really recommend parts 1 and 2.
Parts 1 and 2 are definitely worth reading and you won't miss anything if you skip part 3.
Part 3 goes off into weird fantasy with a dark elf. All three parts are fairly short, so you might as well read part 3, but I was disappointed in it.