Chapter fifteen: A long time ago

“Yes so many questions. One big one. Who do you think you are that you can a) steal kids and reprogram them, and b) think that whatever you want the world to look like needs to be pushed on us to accomplish for you? I suspect there is c) and d) and other letters.
 
To me you are a mad scientist and not a god. You’ve gooped us and reprogrammed us. And now we have to drink another type of Kool-Aid and just take what you say as fact? Sorry but no. And for the record I don’t like the idea that in the end you will kill me. Thought I’d share that as well.”
 
Hector thought out loud. “Hmm…I wonder what colour I gave Ajax that made him so insightful? That one I need to look at again. Interesting.”
 
Now he addressed the three. “I was expecting this kind of discussion. Especially since you are the brightest of the brightest kids. Let me make something very clear. I am not creating a new world in my image. No. I am trying to stop something from happening so that you, especially you three can help us imagine a world that is in our people’s image, and not in the image of the seven that will rule. You think I have a god complex? Just imagine their world…”
 
“Let me show you something.” Hector pointed to the floor and a large screen filled the back wall of the space. “Here’s what they can control. Space. Weapons. Water. Air. Everything. Do you understand that those who have the information can use it against us? And that is where all of this is leading. And it has already started.
 
The eight are working together now. They are disrupting elections, taking down governments, and starting wars. And eventually they will be down to seven, who together will become the government. The machine they have created. But us… we have something that those seven are missing. Hope. Hope for the world. Where, like your visit to the chamber, we can start fresh, where we can, like a machine, get unplugged and plugged back in. So I ask you. And yes One you can reconnect with the other C/Os. Do you want to see a better world or get crushed by the machine, by a new government that none of us elected? Led by a tyrant. A very rich and powerful tyrant, who will not accept everyone as equal. He will cleanse the world and his other six will carry it out using their enormous powers. Now my dear Ajax, is that enough for you yet?
 
“Not yet no, but I am getting the picture.”
 
“Then to cement the deal open your mouth, take out your ball of paper, flatten it out on this table and look at the screen. One and Kal looked dumbfounded as they watched AJ unravel the wet paper ball and place it on the table.
 
“A heart doodle. And a personal note to you AJ. Goodbye. Any idea who wrote this?” asked Hector.
 
“No but I have wondered. It was you, wasn’t it.”
 
“No Ajax. Sorry, AJ. It was written by your mother. Your mother who is still up there. Your mother who accepted the fact you were being taken because you had important work to do down here. Now I ask you AJ. Is your mother worth saving, yes or no?”

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