Baker's Dozens

"Baker's Dozens" by Jim Harmon is a science fiction tale set in a universe rife with alien cultures and Earth's expanding influence; it intricately follows Baker, a space renegade akin to Robin Hood, as he challenges the exploitation of extraterrestrial minds. Initially portrayed as a pirate fighting against Earth's propaganda, Baker's journey transforms into a complex web of deceit and struggle for survival as he voyages across diverse worlds. The narrative takes a strange twist as Baker's accidental duplication through a faulty teleporter results in the creation of multiple versions of himself. This sets the stage for a confrontation that explores the essence of identity, with each Baker grappling with their existence and purpose. The story ends with the unsettling understanding that the 'original' Baker has experienced numerous 'deaths' across galaxies, leaving behind echoes of himself to continue his mission of liberating the oppressed.