Michael let out an exaggerated sigh. “Whatever. If you need to say all this so you can have it on record to save Weber’s butt, fine. If you’re going to arrest us, arrest us. But it’s probably not going to go so well for you when we tell our side of the story—not to mention when we share pictures of my friend here all tied up like some kind of serial killer’s plaything. All we want is her. Let us untie her and leave. You can go back to doing whatever the hell it is you people pretend to do.”

Agent Scott took a few steps toward Gabby, until he stood directly behind her. He reached down and ran a hand over the girl’s hair. Michael shivered.

“There is much you don’t understand,” the agent said. “And there are a lot of people out there who’d like to see you locked up or dead. The rules of the world are changing, Michael. I think you know that.”

Scott’s eyes flicked up then, over Michael’s shoulders. He seemed to signal someone. Michael looked back, but they were alone.

“Now we can truly get down to business,” Scott continued. “We can let it all out. You have an opportunity here. All of you. The line is being drawn. And trust me when I tell you that you’ll want to be on the side of the VNS.”

Michael slowly shook his head. “This is sad. I wouldn’t be surprised if you claimed a Tangent took over Weber’s body next. Maybe even Kaine himself.”

Scott looked at him quizzically, as if what he’d said genuinely surprised him. “Is that what you think’s happened? Do you think Agent Weber has been taken over by a Tangent, Michael?”

Michael turned to Sarah, then Bryson, and glanced over at Walter and Helga by the door to the hallway. All of them gave their own version of a shrug. He faced Scott again.

“We’re done here,” he said. “We’re not going to let the world be possessed by a bunch of coded programs. And Gabby’s coming with me. Either arrest us or don’t, but we’re finished with this conversation.”

“Wait!” Scott barked when Michael took a step toward Gabby. His voice was so loud and sharp that Michael froze.

“Please,” he said. “Just…hear me out. Or…she’ll be very upset. Please.” All of the man’s confidence had suddenly disappeared. Michael stared at him, waited to hear what he had to say.

“Kaine is trying to turn you against the VNS,” he said. “He’s off message. I mean…he was never supposed to do any of this, and he’s destroying everything!” He shouted this last part, losing his composure completely. “He wasn’t supposed to be like this.” Agent Scott was whispering now, staring off into the distance. “Kaine failed us.”