Free Revolution by Shawn Davis, Robert Moore

money just to visit the site for a few hours. The construction of Virtual-world began during August of 2046 and by October of 2048, it was completed.
        The first robotic attractions were introduced in 2047. It began simply; people got into a boxing ring and swapped punches with realistic-looking robot fighters. Eventually, the theme park escalated into the sophisticated, inter-connected Powerdrome attraction where tourists could interact with creatures and characters in vast, complex robotic worlds.
         Business was booming. By 2050, people were paying $5000 a day to visit. However, that kind of price couldn’t last forever and eventually the GED had to start running specials. The park eventually gave access to people other than the super-rich when they offered tickets to all those with Executive Status nationwide. Level Four Executives and higher were issued “Green Passes,” which allowed the holder to purchase a five hundred dollar-a-day family ticket to the park. The theme park also opened for international visitors of the same status.
        Due to the terrorist bombings plaguing the mainland, security at the island theme park was extremely tight. The section of wall, which divided the capitol city from the theme park, had been relieved of its Automated Defense Systems after the defenses mistakenly vaporized some tourists in the park.
    Guard towers manned by sharpshooters were built on the half-mile section of wall facing Virtual-world. The sharpshooters were armed with machine guns, heat-seeking rocket launchers, and high-powered rifles with scopes. There were no entrances to the capitol city from the theme park and officers were instructed to shoot anyone who got within fifty feet of the wall.
        New Washington Harbor and the Ronald E. Frump Airport remained the only legitimate ways to access the capitol city. A perimeter of police gunboats surrounded the island so no unauthorized ships could dock. The only access to the theme park was a small fleet of ferryboats that went back and forth between the island and the mainland. Each boat had two squads of Federal Police Officers on board. Each visitor had to be cleared by Federal Security before they got on the boat and checked by Federal Security again when they reached the island. So far, they hadn’t had any trouble with terrorists.
     
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        Peter ran toward the distant human silhouette as it struggled to its feet. Arriving by the figure’s side, he realized it was his friend, Henry.
        “I’m all done, Peter. I’m all done,” Henry groaned as he leaned on his friend’s shoulder, favoring the leg that wasn’t injured.
        “Henry, what happened to you?”
        “As far as I can tell, they needed a fall guy for the assassination,” Henry said as his face contorted with pain.
        “Who, Henry? Who needed a fall guy?”
        “Someone who doesn’t like Prince.”
        Rayne glanced at his friend’s right hand and was shocked to see him carrying his handheld automatic pistol.
        “Why are you holding that?” Peter asked, shocked.
        “Forget it, Peter. I can’t get rid of it. They grafted it to my skin with a laser scalpel.”
         Peter’s eyes widened when he saw the skin of Henry’s right hand melted into the grip of the gun. His mind reeled with terror.
        “We have to get out of here, Henry!”
        “Too late. Looks like the cavalry have arrived,” Henry said when he saw the flashing blue lights of police cruisers approaching on the horizon.
        “Come on, Henry, let’s go!” Peter shouted as he led his friend toward the nearest alleyway. 
        Peter Rayne helped Henry Johnson walk by letting him lean on his shoulder. As they reached the alleyway, the police cruisers closed in.
        “Get out of here, Peter. If they find you with me, they’ll kill you.”
        “No, you’re coming with me, Henry. Let’s go,” Peter insisted as he forcibly