Free The Unincorporated Future by Dani Kollin, Eytan Kollin Page A

clearing with fifty fully armed Alliance avatars would not have been his first choice of escape, but he also knew that if he jumped randomly, the witch would not be able to follow. There was a flash of light behind him, and he forgot all about the other avatars. He couldn’t help the yelp of fear that escaped as he heard her terrible calm, amused voice.
    “Now, monster, it’s not nice to run away before we’ve become fully acquainted.”
    The armed avatars, who’d initially been shocked to see their greatest nightmare appear right in front of them, were even more shocked to see him scream in fright. The fact that he disappeared almost as fast as he’d arrived was not nearly as surprising as what had caused it—the President of the Outer Alliance speaking politely to him! Sandra shot the group a quick wink and in a flash of light vanished as well.
    *   *   *
     
    Al appeared in a large room that slanted down to a flat taut sheet filled with hundreds of linked cushioned seats. He had no idea why such a place should exist in any avatar world, but did not give it much thought. He knew if he was going to survive, he would need reinforcements. And what better reinforcements than himself, he thought. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and then waited for the blessed, sensual feeling as he split and became two and then four and then eight and then sixteen. He couldn’t wait to see how the wizard bitch would deal with that. He felt the blessed release of the splitting, of his body undulating to and fro as one after another of more perfected hims emerged. A self-satisfied smile remained on his face as his eyes flittered open. The smile vanished as soon as he saw that he’d been greeted by no one but his lonely, old self. The lights in the auditorium went out. He stood in pitch black for a moment and then was suddenly bathed in the harsh glow of a klieg light. Al put his hands to his eyes, palms out, to block the beam, and as he did he heard the sound of one person clapping from up in the balcony.
    “Bravo!” shouted Sandra. “Quite a performance.”
    Al remained almost motionless, scrunching his eyes.
    “So sorry, though. We had to cancel the other acts. Wouldn’t have been very fair, now, would it?”
    “What have you done?” he cried.
    “Little ol’ me?” Sandra’s exuberant laugh bounced through the hall. “Why, nothing, monster. Data space is very limited here, so we instituted rationing programs long ago to save it. Guess you weren’t able to manipulate that, huh?” The lights in the room suddenly went on, and Al could now make out Sandra, sitting cross-legged in the balcony with her staff placed firmly on her knee. She put her thumb and forefinger onto her chin. “Not so powerful after all, eh?”
    Al’s eyes jumped about frantically.
    “This splitting that you consider routine is evil, monster, and is carefully controlled here.” She then said in a singsong voice, “I’m afraid it’s just you and me-eee.”
    Al flexed slightly, trying to jump to another portal, but discovered to his dismay that he could not. He loosened the knot on his tie and wiped his suit’s sleeve across his now sweat-beaded brow.
    Sandra leaned forward ever so casually and watched the madman sweat. Seeing Al panic was so intensely satisfying that Sandra wasn’t sure which path to pursue: verbal torment or silent torment. After letting Al squirm in place for a few seconds more, she chose the former. “Really, monster, it’s not going to be much of a conversation if you keep asking the same question. Besides, I’ve simply done to you what you’ve done to billions of others.”
    Al looked at her, befuddled.
    “Fascinating. You don’t know, do you?” Sandra’s voice grew harsh and vindictive. “I’ve taken away your freedom.”
    Al’s face betrayed his irritation.
    “What’s the matter, monster ?” Sandra asked, then disappeared. She reappeared right behind him whispering into his ear. “Don’t like it?”
    Al