“I … I came here today after meeting with Galen Rye. He took the time to explain to me exactly what it is you are striving for. What you want is a new beginning, a future, a reset for humanity, a chance to start again and get it right. That is an opportunity that is hard to turn your back on, especially when your only other option is death. And yet some chose death. There were Alts, just like you, who listened to the World Government’s plan, their plan to eliminate most of humanity, to eliminate the poor, the infirm, the disadvantaged. And you sat here and watched them die for their empathy. One by one they were brought before you on this stage and they were erased, and you cheered. But you’re the good guys, right? You’re doing the right thing? You’re the ones protected by the future authors of history. No one will remember your wrongdoings, so what does it matter?”

I sense an unease rippling through the crowd. They are unsure where I’m going with this, unsure what side of the fence I will come down on. I scan their faces, and then I look up at the drones hovering above their heads. All of them are dark, apart from one. I see lights flicker green, pink, orange, red. And I know now is the time.

“I have something to show you,” I say. “Apple-Moth, when you’re ready.”

I watch the colorful companion drone zip forward and then rise high above the crowd. A white light emits from it while it connects with the command unit positioned in the ceiling.

The image behind me changes to that of the room on the top floor of the Arc. Galen sits behind the long table, Maddox beside him.

“Happy thinks of humankind as a virus,” the projection of Galen says, “but they frame the problem in terms of technology rather than biology. To think of humanity as a computer virus is to hypothesize that it can be reprogrammed.”

The projection jumps forward, and now the focus is on Maddox, with his glowing eyes.

“Humans beat dogs to teach them not to bite. Now it’s time something greater than yourselves trained you how to behave.”

The scene switches again, jumping once more to Galen.