"That would be immense power," said Che2. "If there were enough, they could do pretty much what they wanted. Very political." "I would see it as dangerous, potentially very dangerous," com- mented DRDR. He pondered the question. "The effects of synergy in any endeavor are unpredictable. If they worked as group, a unit, it is possible that they would be a force to be reckoned with." "There would be only one word for it," Dave said with finality. "They could easily become a strong and deadly opponent if their aims are not benevolent. Personally, I would have to call such a group, terrorists." "Sounds like the Freedom League," Pinball said off handedly. Scott's head jerked toward Pinball. "What about the Freedom League?" he asked pointedly. "All I said is that this political hacking sounds like the Free- dom League," Pinball said innocently. "They bloody well go on for a fortnight and a day about how software should be free to anyone that needs it, and that only those that can afford it should pay. Like big corporations." "I've heard of Freedom before," piped Scott. "The Freedom League is a huge BBS, mate. They have hundreds of local BBS's around the States, and even a few across the pond in God's country. Quite an operation, if I say." Pinball had Scott's full attention. "They run the BBS's, and have an incredible shareware library. Thousands of programs, and they give them all away." "It's very impressive," Dave said giving credit where credit was due. "They prove that software can be socially responsible. We've been saying that for years." "What does anybody know about this Freedom League?" Scott asked suspiciously. "What's to know? They've been around for years, have a great service, fabulous BBS's, and reliable software." "It just sounds too good to be true," Scott mused as they made it back to the warehouse for more hours of education. * * * * * Until late that night, Scott continued to elicit viewpoints and opinions and political positions from the radical underground elements of the 1990's he had traveled 3000 miles to meet. Each encounter, each discussion, each conversation yielded yet another perspective on the social rational for hacking and the invasion of privacy. Most everyone at the InterGalactic Hackers Confer- ence had heard about Scott, the Repo Man, and knew why he was there. He was accepted as a fair and impartial observer, thus many of them made a concerted effort to preach their particular case to him. By midnight, overload had consumed Scott and he made a polite exit, promising to return the following day. Still, no one had heard from or seen the Spook.