He stretched out both hands in front of him, as though offering Cliff Cameron the concept in visible, tangible form for him to examine. “A moment ago, you and Eric spoke of Utopia. The ideal society. Civilization perfected. Do you know the one thing that has always stopped us from achieving that dream?”

“I’m at a total loss.”

The Major obviously missed Cliff’s faintly laconic sarcasm, for he nearly shouted the answer in his excitement. “People!”

“People,” the doctor repeated like a dutiful student.

“Yes, people. Even the most brilliant of plans, the most carefully structured organization can be totally destroyed by one unpredictable, wild-eyed rebel, or brought into the dust by the groveling, self-centered mindlessness of the very people who would most benefit from it. Many have tried to overcome the incredible inertia of the human factor and failed. They have tried everything—religion, coercion, government regulation, laws, philosophy, bribery, terror.” He punched out each word like a small explosion. “And all of them failed.”

It was obvious from the expression on his face that the Major was not completely heartbroken at the dismal record. “And do you know why they failed? Do you know why?”

Dr. Cameron’s slow, soft tone was like a dash of cold water in the face of that mesmerizing voice. “Let me guess. Because they couldn’t get at the mind?”

“Exactly!” the Major exulted. “Exactly right, Dr. Cameron! Even the most fiendish, diabolical torture cannot change the way a man thinks. Oh, it will bring him into line temporarily, but once the threat is removed, he will revert back to old patterns immediately.”

Eric had obviously taken a cue from the older man’s example. When he spoke, his voice was soft but musing. “So instead of fiendish, diabolical torture, you use gentle, sophisticated electronic massage.” His eyes came up and met Nicole’s. “And get lovely young ladies to push the buttons to make it all seem very elegant.”

Nicole flushed and fought the impulse to look away, to escape his gaze, but she couldn’t hold her eyes up to that brutal, probing stare.

“Sneer if you wish, my insolent young friend,” the Major snapped, for the first time stung by Eric’s response. “You were brought up in a tiny village isolated from the world. You’ve never seen the results of man’s uncontrolled nature. Rape, child molestation, terrorism, war, mass murder, genocide—ah, yes, Eric, you little know the effects of man’s uncontrolled nature. And nothing in history—not religion, not government, not torture, not executions—nothing has ever cured man’s animal tendencies. But we have! For the first time in history, we have taught man to suppress the evil in him and let only the good surface.”