2047: Hell In A Handbasket
Page 27
"Sucker just hit his starting pace. Look at those legs pumping," said Kevin.
"Biometrics rising, adrenalin off the charts but peaking," said Jake.
"Bet he gets less than a quarter mile," said John. There were no takers.
The drone feed showed his face changing from pain and panic to a fixed mask, almost devoid of expression. His years of training paid off as he again appeared to regain his focus. Between the pain and the adrenalin rush, he hit his starting pace.
As the runner sped up, the Captain and his team used power assists to narrow the gap between them. But when the team got within fifty yards, they kept pace with the runner allowing him the dignity of continuing this record run and possibly a final sprint.
"His panic is settling, adrenalin levels crashing. I don't think he can go much longer at this pace," said Jake.
The main screen shifted again to the Captain's eye feed and gun sights. Everyone in the bar, including the boys, focussed on the screens covering the walls.
"Leg shot coming up for sure," said Kevin. "This is a tough sucker though, all that training and running paid off for him. He'll win the vote for sure. No way he'll lose even if he didn't get all the way to the safe zone."
The screens showed the thigh burn and the spinning collapse as the runner had his focus completely shattered by the burning pain. He hit hard and rolled
The audience heard the Captain say, "Hold gentlemen, let's see if he stays down." Three more drones added their vid-feeds to the network.
The runner didn't disappoint the Captain or the viewers as he staggered to his feet. He staggered the first few steps and then, muscle memory returning, he increased his speed. But he ran much, much slower and with a great deal less grace than just a few short minutes ago. It was charitable to call it running; it was more like a brave stagger. But he moved through the pain.
"Adrenalin levels are going back up. This is one tough fokker," said Jake.
"Look at the viewer comment levels, highest I've seen this year on any chase," said Kevin
"Whoa, check the vid stream. Burning right by, the wee ones are mixing vids like crazy."
"To hell with that, look at that fokker run with a hole in his leg." The main screens showed a mix of satellite overhead, multiple drone views, the runner's and Captain's eye feeds all running across the field.
"Ragged breathing. Blood pressure dropping slightly. Heart rate maxed out. Adrenalin supply almost exhausted and lactic acid rate at maximum," said Sergeant Price. The Sergeant's voice in the Captain's headset was clear and broadcast to the largest audience in chase history.
"How far has he got in him?" asked the Captain.
"A hundred yards max," Sergeant Price said.
"A knock-down, shoulder-shot then."
The bar filled with cheers and jeers as the runner was hit in the shoulder with a through-and-through burst. He spun and crashed to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs. He was down. His biometrics showed he wasn't getting back up.
"I'll accept those beers any time now," said Jake.
The boys sat silent as the main view changed to the runner's feed and everyone in the city became the victim for this last moment.
They saw a body mirrored in the Captain's eye shield and in the reflection saw the blood seeping from his shoulder, his legs twisted and splayed sideways from the rest of his body, a bloody hole though his thigh. The eyes in the reflection were dull and tired, so very tired, and the face was twisted in pain. The bright blue sky framed the black of the Captain's helmet and shoulders.
It was the end of the show while the vote was counted and the Captain waited for the results.
All viewers subvocalized a vote and didn't take their eyes off the Captain's face. Each one guessed what the response would be and most expected the runner to be spared.
They saw the gun at the Captain's side, saw it hanging loosely and read the hesitation in the stance. Most thought they saw the Captain's disappointment as the vote went to the runner.
"Beer says he goes free," said Devon.
"You're on, " said Jake. "Secretary won't let him win."
"Another beer says you're wrong," said John.
Jake nodded. "Done."
The boys never took their eyes off the screen, hardly breathing, waiting for the results.
They heard the Captain say, "No, you're fokked!"
The view suddenly changed to the Captain's eye feed. A small neat circle burned between the runner's eyes, his eyes widened at the shock and viewers watched as their light brightened, then faded and disappeared. Blood erupted to fill the eye sockets and create a river to his ears as the view faded.
The room erupted with cheers.
"Shit. That just cost me my beer money for the rest of the week."
Jake sat looking at the screen. The look on this runner's eyes, the last few seconds of the Chase, played itself over and over in his mind. Over and over he watched the light fade, disappear to nothingness and darken. A thought played at the corner of his awareness but it never got a chance to emerge as Kevin punched him on the shoulder.
Jake hated to admit it but the Flee or Kill program was one of his guilty pleasures. He knew it was all scripted by the Secretary but like the rest of the city, he didn't much care. Jake decided if he ever had to run, he'd pick the option to carry weapons. At least that way he might have a chance to fight back when they caught him. A small smile played around at the edges of his mouth. That poor bastard must have thought he'd beat the team to the safe zone and he was close to winning, so close, he thought.
"You falling asleep over there?" Kevin asked.
Jake smiled, "Not sleeping, dreaming of all the beer you guys are going to buy me tonight. Bring 'em on boys, bring 'em on."
Program ended, runner forgotten, the music resumed. The dance floor filled up, bass speakers vibrations filled the dancer's chests, and eye feeds scrolled. More importantly, glasses of cold beer stacked up in front of Jake.
Jake kept scanning the crowd, looking for the girl of his dreams. Her brother, about the size of a gorilla, chaperoned her several nights a week ensuring horny young men like Jake could only watch and dream and never get close enough to ask for a dance, never mind actually speak or touch her. They weren't here tonight so Jake turned his attention to his friends.
"Thank you gentlemen, you're very kind to pay up so promptly," he said. He lifted the first glass of several in mock toast. John raised his middle finger in salute. The others laughed, turned in their chairs to watch the dance floor and the couples working to the beat.
Jake leaned back in his chair, smiled at John who still watched him. Nodded. John nodded in returned and turned to look at the dance floor as well.
Jake took a sip of beer, thought about the Secretary's killing an old friend, and wondered what kind of man killed friends.
Updates on stories and Frankly Speaking
Every week, I send subscribers an update from around the tech web of things I read that interest me. I call it D. Frankly Speaking and it's sent to all subscribers.
Here's an example.
Certainly one of the main concerns of the Boomer generation is the idea they're all going to die.
Seriously - we're going to die? We have to do something about this seems to be the common theme in research circles.
In my worldview, I may not live forever but there's something more important than living forever. It's living well. The question isn't what age am I going to live to. The question is what age can I live to with a really good enjoyment factor. With engagement in the things around me at a level I'd consider acceptable.
Lifestyle versus longevity.
Burn the candle bright m'boys and rage against the dying of the night. (to mix a few other voices.) Living a good life is more important to me than living a long life. But then again, I'm healthy and not facing imminent death. I may - and probably would - change my mind when faced with that long night. I note that attitude doesn't stop me from researching longevity fact
ors or ensuring I'm doing what I can to prolong my life.
Frank
New Article
Here's what I use to make my podcasts. From the software to the hardware and everything between. I'm on a stiff learning curve with this adventure and every day brings yet another new revelation on how I'm "supposed" to be doing this versus how I actually am. Sigh.... There's never a dull moment.
From Around The Net
Utopia is Creepy: The Agreeable Internet Leaves Us Unchallenged, Makes Us Unchallenging
According to Pulitzer prize-nominated writer Nicholas Carr the internet is a utopia in which we never have to confront anything. When technology and humanity intersect, how does it affect our brains, our intellect, and our ability to explore? Nicholas Carr is one of the "big thinkers" and writers about the Internet. His book "The Shallows" is a must read for those interested in figuring out what computers do to our brains, our children and the way we interact with each other.
Why Insurance Companies Want to Subsidize Your Smart Home
Linking doorbells and thermostats to the Internet can cut the chance of expensive surprises. You may recall I mentioned using high-security passwords with your devices. I note our car insurance has already started doing something like this. We were sent a plugin, connected our car to their Internet and for several months they monitored our driving habits (how fast we accelerated, braked etc) Got a discount for "better" driving. This stuff is coming and coming fast. If the insurance company can get data on how you use your home, they're in a better position to adjust your rates (up or down I note).
Scientists Move One Step Closer To Making an Artificial Human Brain
Research shows that we can create artificial synapses that can allow a machine system to learn and behave like a human brain. The artificial synapses can help to create more immersive devices to make the Internet of Things more complete. There are several parts to doing this - the chips and the software. This article deals with the new chips that are coming at us.
Scientists May Have Identified the Protein That Controls Aging
Two biochemists have discovered a link between a protein called carbonic anhydrase and aging in the brains and muscle cells of mice. While still in the early stages of development, their research could lead to treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Note this is a "may" article in that one team of scientists found one protein in a small experiment. But also note we have to start somewhere. Everything I've read on this subject so far says to me to "take care of the mitochondria" as they are the power sources for all our cells.
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Be the first one of your friends to use this innovative technology.
It does two things.
Your friends get to know what you're reading and I, for one, will be incredibly grateful to you for sharing my book.
Frank
DFrankGreen.com
Did you like this book?
Please let everyone know by posting a review on Amazon.
Just click here and it will take you directly to the reviews page.
One Last Thing
When you turn this page you'll be greeted by a request from Amazon to rate this book and post your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter. How cool is that? Really!
Be the first one of your friends to use this innovative technology.
It does two things.
Your friends get to know what you're reading and I, for one, will be incredibly grateful to you for sharing my book.
Frank