The Earth hung there in the window, a massive disk of blue and white fixed against the uniform blackness of space. The sun's light illuminated the nearer half of the globe; through the clouds Jolene could see a glimpse of North America.

"What is this?!" she demanded, her fear magnified into true panic. "What is this, some kind of trick? Who are you? Answer me!"

"It is no trick," replied the computerized voice. "I am someone you know well, but I must not tell you now. There is not much time; you must do exactly as I say."

"What? Why should I?" she said angrily.

As if it had no heard her, the voice continued. "To your right is a hallway that leads to an elevator. Take that elevator to the highest floor. There you will encounter a creature that calls itself God. Do not trust it; nearly everything it says to you will be a lie or a half-truth."

The door on Jolene's right opened with a pneumatic hiss. "I will help you to deceive it, if you can bring yourself to trust me."