Free Deep Yellow by Stuart Dodds Page B

appeared
impressed, probably would be asking if she could buy the whole room
after the challenge; it suited her, though. He had brought back as
many original artefacts that he could, or created a sharp enough
image for holographic re-modelling. He made sure that the
artefact’s extraction did not cause any damage. The doors, for
example, came from one of his favourite hotels.
    It was Xerica’s
reaction when the holo world activated that Williams would remember
for a long time. He had ushered all the reporters inside one of the
cavernous rooms, but had not turned on the holo beams. Explanations
were given regarding holo beaming, landscape modelling, perspective
and the hard moveable walls. Also. that there were limitations, due
to the size of the holo rooms, so some areas were truncated to make
the area more reachable and entertaining for the audience.
    He had then given them
a sensor helmet to wear. Williams stood to one side whilst
communicating with Technician 22 via one of his mobile screens.
    "Technician 22. Okay
to start?" Williams glanced to one side, envisioning the huge bank
of screens and databases that always surrounded the technician in
his work pod at the back of the technical and mechanical command
centre. Of medium height with grey skin, large eyes, and spindly
fingers, his birth colony were all beam specialists and he
gravitated towards Police and Space Corps holo programming. The
Twins thought he would be the perfect choice for this assignment.
Williams wasn’t so sure. Technician 22 lacked character or
personality.
    Williams kept smiling
whilst waiting for the technician. He seemed to be taking his time.
The reporters were becoming restless, as all they could see was the
inside of their helmets.
    "Okay, ready." He had
a thin voice to go with his personality.
    Williams turned to the
reporters.
    "Get ready, everyone.
Turn on the holo world."
    Xerica gasped.

Chapter 13 - The
others
    Brell waited a while before viewing the other
challengers to make sure she felt fresh enough. It sometimes took a
while for her mind to clear itself after a drinking Deep Yellow.
She expected to receive a message that the whole show idea was a
joke of some sort, but no smirking guards arrived.
    The first challenger,
inmate, murderer, or whatever, was Kellsa. From Colony 09, like
Brell's favourite inmates at the eating table, she had olive skin,
an athletic build, a tribal tattoo on her right cheek, and knotted
hair twisted back over her scalp.
    "A tough street
skirmisher who murdered a politician for credits," the commentator
said.
    Images showed her
fighting with inmates and being restrained by Prison Corps guards,
certainly a handful. She had been in prison for four years, so was
prison tough, as well.
    Brookko, who was born
into smuggling, had killed port officers during a raid. Obviously a
dangerous man with issues. Several images appeared of him arguing,
or being zapped by Police Corps, court officials, and prison
guards. Brell laughed. It was unintentionally funny. He seemed to
have difficulty just standing still. A loose cannon, no doubt.
    Grock was a typical
Tserian. Light green, lizard-like in appearance, small raised bumps
on his head instead of hair. He had an athletic lean body, black
eyes but no smile. His lack of emotion and emphasis on planning
everything would have been perfect for his previous role in the
Space Corps Special Forces. A distinguished officer who led various
pirate base raids during his service. He made a mess of things
after he retired. Brell nodded. Couldn't deal with life outside,
probably; Corps life would be ingrained on him. He went into
personal protection and took an occasional assassination job on the
side. Found guilty of premeditated murder; the case seemed to Brell
like a job gone wrong. At the time of his arrest, the Police and
Judiciary Corps dug into his past, discovering that Grock had been
involved in the so-called Steel Town incident. Libertarians had
claimed for a long time that