"What you hear is a combination of recorded words that are electronically put together to answer an almost infinite number of your questions. But do not think of me as not real. I was merely in another time. Do you understand that?"
"Yes."
"Then you also are able to see that your ability to reason things—to understand what I am telling you now, for instance, is a remarkable thing."
"You mean because I'm not like the others?"
"You have a superior mind. You are the leader, but do not regard yourself as better than the others. You have more intelligence, yes, but do not look down on your cousins for that. They may develop other qualities better than yours. Stay simple, Adam, and you will be able to live among them and thereby make the human race live again. The name of this ship is Destiny. Do you know why?"
"Yes—I know."
"Be with the other children then. Play with them. You'll need each other to live on New Earth—eleven years from now."
He thought sullenly, how can I play with them when they're flat? But he didn't object out loud to Mecmother. He didn't like her this way. Explanation was Mecteacher's job and discipline Mecfather's. Mecmother should be warm and loving.
Mecteacher appeared and asked Adam to call in the other children so the science lesson could start.