“It’s not like we kidnapped their bodies and shoved them in a box,” Kaine said. “They’re no different here than you were as a Tangent. Look at the Hive as their virtual Coffin. They’ll be able to access an Aura, experience the VirtNet. Yes, their essence is stored here, their intelligence, their memories, their personalities—everything that makes them who they are. But so were you. When you were nothing but a program, you also were stored somewhere. But that didn’t limit the things you could do. If anything, it did the opposite. Which is why I tried to show you the wonders available within the worlds of the VirtNet. If only you’d release the shackles of your narrow way of thinking, you’d be able to see just how grand and endless my vision for the future is.”

Michael wasn’t buying it. “But you did it against his will. You did what you did to me against my will. And I don’t care how amazing you think the Sleep is, you don’t have the right to steal Jackson Porter away from his parents and his friends and store him in an orange box.”

Kaine sighed. “Baby steps. I’ll never claim to be a saint. But someday, when the Mortality Doctrine is fully functioning according to my vision, they’ll thank me and thank those who made sacrifices to get it off the ground.”

“Why?” Michael asked. “Why would they thank you?”

“Because everyone will be happier. The sorrow of death will be vanquished.”

“Sounds like a fanatic’s vision to me,” Michael said, anger bubbling up inside him. “Like you want to become a god.”

“You’re starting to upset me,” Kaine said, so evenly that it gave Michael pause. “I’m trying to be reasonable and talk about this in a professional manner. At least keep your mind open long enough to make an informed decision. I came to you at your request, and you’ve asked me for help. I believe I deserve some respect in turn.”

With each word, he seemed to return a little bit more to the Kaine Michael remembered. The one who kept trying to kill him. Maybe they weren’t ready for complete honesty quite yet.

“Okay,” Michael said. “I’m sorry.” He just wanted to get through this charade and keep Kaine as an ally until he didn’t need him anymore.

Kaine studied him for a moment, then continued. “I’m going to show you how this process works—how it will work—and then I’ll let you decide. I’m confident you’ll come around to my way of seeing things before long.”

Kaine didn’t wait for Michael to answer. The Hive disappeared, and once again Michael was taken away.

4