should be done in person. I now tell you that the bill proposed by the Progressive Party will not pass, not because the Socialist Party which opposes it is superior but because the technology it seeks to promote will no longer be usable.”

“Is this a joke? Who is this?” Stan said, straining the professional patience needed to keep his show from getting away from him.

“A friend.”

I could hear commotion on the other end. “Well, we don’t need friends who cheat their way to the head of the line – you’re cut off.” There was silence, and I heard Stan shove his mic away and yell for TJ, his technician.

Apparently, his equipment wasn’t responding.

“I seek to issue a warning to your listeners, as one who is aware of the human tendency to become caught in illusions, and as one who has seen the evil Dynamic Reality has done in your world. The value of the experience of life has fallen too far. That which is cheap and synthetic has replaced that which people should strive to do their best in. Those of ability find few outlets that will support their cost-of-living. Those without ability are not encouraged in consistent or meaningful ways to find it, and all find it comfortable to retreat to this world of illusion from which I am speaking. The answer you may propose is more centralized control over the populace, to take more power for yourselves and enforce an approved notion of truth; but I have concluded that the answer lies in the individuals themselves, that a morality imposed by law is too hollow to survive in its absence or to withstand scrutiny. The role of a society should be to guide and support its members to seek the path only they each can follow, toward God and their true individuality.”

Aether stopped, as if she’d said all that she wanted to say, but knew that her topic must become more uncomfortable.

“The details of how you accomplish this I leave to you,” she continued. “This is a place of wickedness, where people are led astray. God cannot allow this to stand, and it is the meaning of my existence to be his tool, to make you all return to the world he created so that you can appreciate it. Within twenty-four hours, this world will cease to exist.”

No sound had come from the other end, but Stan and his listeners were still there. Aether’s words had been broadcast to them, committed