Read The Battle for Free Online Page B

covered the ancient stone, replacing darkness. It reflected the torch lights, creating a disco-like glow. Beautiful. Just the thing for a celebration. But quite uncomfortable for a conference.
    "More!" Lurch whispered with enthusiasm.
    "I’ll pass," I whispered back.
    I raised my voice again, drawing everyone’s attention. "Get this: the colors of the opposing sides are meaningless. They’re just there for convenience. You can wear white clothes as you commit black deeds, or you can..."
    Bosun interrupted me, waving his fist. "’Nuff agitation, sir, we gotcha! Let’s get down to business, cuz I got stuff to take care of in the real world. You know, before my bitch finds out I’m off duty. I’ll settle things with ‘er, then go see my kid. No shit, I’m here to stay. Ain’t gonna get rid o’ me so easy!"
    I nodded understandingly. Blockheads like him were unstoppable. They were persistent to the grave, no party-jumping politicians. In other words, completely honest guys which we so needed.
    I went on, "We’ll help with the post-perma technicalities, give advice, put you in touch with the right people. We’ll pick you up in the AlterWorld, help you adjust. As you become fully digitized and pass all tests, we’ll accept you into the clan and welcome you to the Valley. Please sell your things and real estate first. Ask us for good lawyers and agents-"
    Everyone grew tense. The seniors frowned, sensing a possible condo-stealing scam. The younger ones – heirs to the properties – also shook their heads worriedly.
    I grinned. "Easy, citizens. Nobody wants your concrete caves. You can enter the AlterWorld broke as bums, nothing will change. The clan has a 10% acquisition tax, but it’s not applicable to real world currency, and doesn’t even cover a fraction of our expenses. This castle I bought myself. Cost me over five million dollars. During the last raid, I used a special scroll worth two hundred thousand bucks. Mercenaries, heavy artillery, buffs, and supplies – all out of pocket for me at this point."
    I wiped my greedy pig’s nose as I met their bewildered glances. These numbers sounded serious, even to well-off treasury looters. Yes, you’re right, piggy. This economy’s going to hell. That’s enough. From the next raid onward, we’re covering expenses first, then splitting up the leftovers. And every golem gets an officer’s share of the trophies.
    This anarchy had to end. Like Lenin used to say, "Socialism is control and record-keeping." Great slogan, will do for semi-feudalism.
    A wizened old lady raised her shaky hand above the crowd. I nodded my consent, allowing her to speak.
    "Is it true that...after going perma, the mind is also rejuvenated, like the body?"
    As I listened to her cracking old voice and saw her cheek twitch involuntarily, I realized the full meaning of the question. In the virtual world, she was in a body free of illnesses. But her aged brain could barely function. Her crooked spine, her shaky hands, and constant squinting were almost like a habit.
    "It is true! But you’d better hear it from..." I glanced around, searching for someone from Zena’s team. "Whizz! Leave Harlequin alone, get your ass up here!"
    The green goblin rogue was in the middle of shamelessly seducing Harlequin under the pretense of providing security. Reluctantly she abandoned her fun and stepped away from the shocked fellow. Slapping Harlequin on the leather-bound behind, she reached the podium in one agile jump.
    She revealed her sixty-four teeth in a smile, winking at the old lady:
    "Hey, girl! Don’t whine; you’ll be standin’ up straight in no time, and feelin’ those panties grow wet in the arms of a sexy hunk! Dontcha frown; I’m ninety-five, and life has just begun! I see those ‘ole eyes glow with interest! Let me tell you, after goin’ perma, your mind clears up. Your consciousness grows young fast, but the body ages, trying to match your self-perception. At some point, these two