"It's almost time."
Joy shifted from foot to foot. "Iif I don't?"
"You know what happens." Pacem stood as firm as the words. "You know the choices."
"And if I choose to ignore those choices?"
"Joy, the button must be pushed. You are the one with the key, with the code."
"And you're the one with the knowledge." Joy rolled her shoulders. "But if I push the button..."
"WHEN you push it, everything changes. Just as it does every time. Now."
With a whine, Joy pushed the button.