Summary: by Elisabeth R. Adams Read by Christiana Ellis Discuss on our forums. For a list of all Escape Pod stories, authors and narrators, visit our sortable Wikipedia page - = + = - Mentioned by the host in this episode… Mur’s Book: http://murverse.com/the-shambling-guide-to-new-york-city-is-out/ Ministry Initiative: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1034531507/the-ministry-initiative-steampunk-role-playing-and SFBuzz: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sfbuzz-digital-science-fiction-magazine The Split Worlds: http://www.splitworlds.com/split-worlds-extra/three-wishes/ - = + = - About the Author… from the author’s website (linked above) “I used to live in California, until I got tired of how it never snowed and moved to Boston. I currently live in New Haven with my husband and two cats. (I do miss the earthquakes, though. The little ones, anyhow.) I have a PhD in planetary science and have worked on extrasolar planets and objects in the outer solar system. I am currently an “Astronomer-at-large”, which is another word for “not being paid”. (I have a couple of papers I’m wrapping up and a grant proposal pending.) I also write. In my spare time, I go on trips, take pretty pictures, and then neglect to update my webpage for years at a time.” About the Narrator… Christiana Ellis is an award-winning writer and podcaster, currently living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her podcast novel, Nina Kimberly the Merciless was both an inaugural nominee for the 2006 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction: Long Form, as well as a finalist for a 2006 Podcast Peer Award. Nina Kimberly the Merciless is available in print from Dragon Moon Press. Christiana is also the writer, producer and star of Space Casey, a 10-part audiodrama miniseries which won the Gold Mark Time Award for Best Science Fiction Audio Production by the American Society for Science Fiction Audio and the 2008 Parsec Award for Best Science Fiction Audio Drama. In between major projects, Christiana is also the creator and talent of many other podcast productions including Talking About Survivor, Hey, Want to Watch a Movie? and Christiana’s Shallow Thoughts. Subversion by Elisabeth R. Adams I knew, by his crossed arms, the way he rolled his eyes at himself, and particularly by the pale translucence of all three of him, that I was looking at a classic case of version conflict. “I said stay away from her,” said one I decided to call Art. Nicknames help. Thick square rims, a jaunty fedora, a crisp T-shirt for a concert by a band that broke up before he hit preschool. He was yelling at a paler self in a white collared shirt and slacks. They were trailed by a bored looking him in sunglasses. “What seems to be the problem, sir?” I asked. Rule number one: stick to the singular. “I can’t get him to commit,” said Slacks. I scanned his chip. Eduardo Martin, 34, programmer. No spouse or kids, but adoption records from the county shelter for two cats. Sealed tax records, a social security number, mortgage history. Subversion Inc. member for five years, currently version 4.1. Definitely the primary. “And your subversion?” Art glared at Eduardo, but extended his arm. Eduardo Martin, 34, barista. Same social security number. A different home address. And, most intriguingly, he was listed as version 1.0. “You see?” said Eduardo. “Let me check.” I ran through Art’s commit log. “Says you branched off from 2.5, hmm, two years ago. That’s a bit long. Company policy recommends no more than six months between full reconciles. Probably caused some glitch in the occupation and version number.” “It’s not a glitch,” said Art. “I want to apply for Emancipated Branch status.” “No, no, no,” said Eduardo. He flailed his arms and paced. He looked even paler up close[...]
