The Troll Read Online Free Page A

with a flashing dash. “Those
of you watching, trust that your honest opinion will not be punished
today. I simply want you to tell me what we should do with The
Surfer. Should we inject him with Psi and release him? Should we
execute him? Today,
because The Surfer is special, I will allow him more leverage than
I’ve given in the past.”
    The
Magician started an applause and most of the court followed. When the
applause died down and silence filled the room, they turned to the
screen.
    “ Go
ahead,” The Moderator said. “I know you’re all
watching.”
    The
dash flashed and everything fell silent.
    “ Does
anyone believe I should show The Surfer mercy?”
    It
flashed.
    “ You
see that?” The Surfer said. “They’re afraid of you.
They comply because they are afraid to tell you the truth: The world
is better without Psi.”
    The
Moderator’s neck twitched and his jaw clenched. He waited
another moment and turned back to the court. “I guess this
means I make the verdict.”
    Then,
a single ding sounded throughout the court and everyone looked up.
    The
user-name was Iris and the message wasn’t a verdict. It read as
a challenge: GIVE THE RAINBOW TO THE PEOPLE. THEY WILL EITHER GIVE IT
BACK OR ELIMINATE PSI. YOU WILL HAVE YOUR ANSWER...
    The
Moderator’s forehead wrinkled and he raised an eyebrow. “What
do you mean by that Iris?” he said, looking up toward the
camera.
    IRIS—YOU
CLAIM SURFER NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE THE RAINBOW AND BEAT YOU. YOU
ALSO CLAIM WE WANT PSI…WHY IS THE RAINBOW SO GUARDED IF YOU
BELIEVE PSI SHOULD LIVE ON?
    “ We
guard it from terrorists like The Surfer!” The Moderator
shouted into the air.
    IRIS—IF
YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAY, YOU WILL GIVE US A CHANCE TO TAKE THE WORLD
BACK.
    The
Moderator turned to a morbidly obese man named The Weatherman. “Trace
this,” he said.
    As
if answering the question for him, the screen dinged and he read:
IRIS—I DON’T HAVE PSI.
    The
Moderator laughed nervously as The Weatherman ran off to find out who
the mystery user was. He turned to The Surfer, who seemed equally as
confused, but whose eyes were filled with hope. He turned back to the
screen. “Who are you Iris?”
    IRIS—PART
OF THE RESISTANCE. WE’RE LARGER IN NUMBER THAN YOU THINK AND WE
HAVE RESOURCES YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE. WEAPONS, VEHICLES, A
DEVICE THAT CAN EXTRACT PSI FROM THE BRAIN…
    “ What
is it you want?”
    IRIS—GIVE
THE RAINBOW TO THE PEOPLE.
    “ That
won’t happen.”
    IRIS—FROM
YOUR FORTRESS, YOU’RE STILL AFRAID. YOU ARE A COWARD BEHIND A
BUTTON.
    The
Weatherman returned, wiping sweat from his forehead. “It’s
true. The user doesn’t have Psi. Untraceable.”
    The
Moderator’s face was rigid. He wasn’t happy to be
challenged…to be called names by an unknown enemy. “What
does this have to do with The Surfer?” he asked.
    IRIS—THE
WORLD HAS BEEN SHITTY UNDER YOUR RULE FOR TOO LONG. YOU BUILT A
SHIELD OVER CHICAGO AND PUT A BAR-CODE IN OUR HEADS. YOU CHEATED. YOU
GET THAT, DON’T YOU, YOU IDIOT? YOU TOOK THE WORLD BECAUSE YOU
CHEATED. THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS GIVE US A CHANCE TO TAKE IT BACK.
    “ Tell
you what Iris. You come to me and I’ll give you Rainbow
personally. If you can get it to Vegas and plug it in yourself,
then you win.”
    IRIS—I’M
NOT DUMB.
    “ Then
what do you propose?”
    IRIS—GIVE
IT TO SOMEONE ELSE.
    “ Who?”
    IRIS—ARE
YOU ACCEPTING MY CHALLENGE???
    “ Maybe.”
    IRIS—I
WANT AN AGREEMENT.
    The
Moderator’s neck twitched and he clenched his teeth while he
gained his composure. “First, you don’t get to make
demands. Second, if you’re making a suggestion, you shouldn’t
be so vague. I’m willing to take you up on your challenge, but
tell me what it is you want.”
    The
dash flashed for a few moments. Everyone watched silently. The Surfer
had risen to his feet, watching in fascination and hope. Finally, a
ding.
    IRIS—I’LL
GIVE YOU A NAME AND YOU GIVE HIM THE RAINBOW. IF HE SUCCESSFULLY
TAKES IT TO