Gamers' Rebellion Read Free Page A

her. ‘She has accepted her existence in the real world. She is naturally curious about the situation that she finds herself in and wants to learn more. I believe that the more information she is provided with, the better her continued adaptation will be.’
    Administrator Welbourne made some notes on his tablet.
    ‘She is quite concerned about her partner, Tark,’ continued Robbie.
    Welbourne looked up sharply.
    ‘It would be of great benefit to her emotional wellbeing if she were allowed to see Tark.’ Robbie looked intently at the Administrators. ‘They have an emotional attachment. And her emotional wellbeing is as important as her physical and intellectual wellbeing.’
    ‘That will not be possible,’ said the Chief Administrator.
    ‘What do you mean?’ asked Zyra, uncrossing her arms.
    ‘You cannot see Tark,’ said the Administrator sharply, as if that explained everything.
    ‘Why not?’ demanded Zyra, jumping to her feet.
    Robbie put a calming hand on her shoulder.
    ‘You cannot see him,’ said the Chief Administrator, ‘because he is not here.’
    ‘But –’ began Zyra.
    The Chief Administrator raised a finger. ‘He has been abducted.’
    ‘What?’ Every muscle in Zyra’s body tensed.
    ‘A group of adolescents managed to breach security and abduct the other clone,’ explained the Chief Administrator. ‘They also apparently intended to abduct you, but were unsuccessful. They seemed to know exactly where to find the other, but had trouble locating you. By the time they did discover your location, it was too late and security was able to intercept them. One of their number was captured.’
    ‘She has been questioned,’ added the Second Administrator, ‘but has thus far proved uncooperative.’
    ‘We are digressing,’ announced the Chief Administrator. She indicated the chair to Zyra. ‘Sit!’
    Zyra’s nostrils flared.
    ‘You’re telling me that Tark has been kidnapped,’ said Zyra. ‘Well, what are we going to do about it?’
    ‘ You are not going to do anything,’ said the Chief Administrator. ‘The other clone’s abduction will be handled by security.’
    ‘Would you stop calling us clones,’ shouted Zyra. ‘We are people! We have names!’
    ‘Zyra,’ said the Chief Administrator, pointedly. ‘Sit!’
    Zyra clenched her fists.
    ‘Please,’ said Robbie, gently, his hand on her shoulder again. ‘Not now.’
    Zyra hesitated a moment, then sat.
    ‘There is still the matter of this clone to decide.’ The Chief Administrator looked from one colleague to the next.
    ‘She needs to be studied,’ said Administrator Welbourne, eyes lighting up as he absently bit his lower lip. ‘We could discover much from so perfect a specimen.’
    ‘She is dangerous,’ said Administrator Dorien. ‘She should be placed in stasis.’
    ‘That would not be ideal,’ said Administrator Welbourne. ‘It would be so much better if she were conscious.’
    ‘Confinement, then.’ Administrator Dorien looked pointedly across at her colleague.
    ‘I am not some lab rat,’ Zyra blurted out.
    The Chief Administrator went to raise her finger again.
    ‘Oh would you stop doing that,’ said Zyra, springing to her feet. ‘It’s very annoying and extremely rude.’
    ‘If I may be permitted to pass on a suggestion,’ said Robbie, stepping forward to stand beside Zyra.
    The Administrators all looked to him with a mixture of surprise and annoyance.
    ‘It is the opinion of Designer Prime that Zyra should not be confined,’ said Robbie, not waiting for the Administrators to respond. ‘Designer Prime believes that it is important for her to interact with her surroundings. Designer Prime proposes that she be allowed the freedom of this research facility.’
    ‘Ridiculous,’ said Administrator Dorien.
    ‘Interesting proposition,’ said Administrator Welbourne. Dorien immediately glared at him.
    ‘Impossible,’ said the Chief Administrator. ‘The research facility has far too many sensitive