“But it will seem like a lifetime. A lifetime of accomplishment, of peace, of contentment,” said Martina. The girl is the key, she thought. The boy will do it but only if she agrees.
“And after?”
“It’s all laid out in the contract,” said Charlie, “We both read it.”
“And after?” Neva repeated as if Charlie hadn’t spoken. Her eyes were locked on Martina’s face.
Martina nodded. This one needs to hear it spoken out loud for it to be real. Very well.
“After the simulation ends—after you die in the program, you will lapse into a coma, while your brain resets. This takes a few days. In the interim, we will harvest everything of value. Heart, lungs, liver, eyes, bone marrow. Everything.”
Charlie looked paler than ever, if that were possible. “But what . . .?”
“It is not widely known but oth
