Free Nano Contestant - Episode 1: Whatever It Takes by Leif Sterling

forward. “I’m Rosie. Welcome to the Tech Games. I’ll be getting you registered today. What’s your name?”
    Roland handed her his paperwork. “Roland Crane.”
    Duke smiled. “Hi, Roland.”
    Roland ignored him.
    Rosie typed on her keyboard. “Are you the contestant for your team?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    Duke waved his arms around. “Hear that, everyone? Roland, here, is a Tech Games contestant.”
    The news anchor whispered to his camera man. “You getting this?”
    The camera man nodded.
    The news anchor began making his way closer.
    Rosie continued typing. “What type of technology will you be showcasing in the games? You know, are you a digital or a hybrid?”
    Roland leaned in closer to her and lowered his voice. “Nanotech.”
    Duke raised his voice. “You don’t have to lower your voice on my account, Roland. I have enhanced hearing.” Then Duke turned around to address the entire registration hall. “Look everyone, Roland is a nano!” Duke motioned for the news crew to come over. “You guys will want to make sure you get Roland on camera on race day!”
    The news man spoke into his microphone. “Why is that, sir?” Then he held his microphone up towards Duke.
    Duke’s smile turned wicked. “Roland is a nano, and you know what that means!”
    The news man pulled his microphone back briefly. “Please tell us what that means.” Then he smiled and moved the microphone back to Duke.
    Duke bent down a little and looked directly into the camera. “It means he’s going to die! No contestant using nano has ever finished the qualifying round. They always burn or explode.”
    Lincoln walked over and got in front of Duke and the camera man. “That’s it. Let’s go.”
    Duke scowled. “I fired you, Lincoln. Why are you still here?”
    Security came over and surrounded the little group.
    Lincoln crossed his arms. “Yeah, you did. I didn’t do it for you.” Lincoln pointed with his thumb towards Roland. “I did it for him. I’m coaching him now.”
    Duke bellowed with laughter and slapped his knee. “Oh, that’s rich! Roland, you are going to lose for sure now - with Lincoln here.”
    Roland never turned around and continued with his registration.
    Duke took a few steps back towards his team.
    Lincoln stood his ground between Duke and Roland.
    The news camera man continued filming.
    Rosie typed away on her keyboard. “We have to let all contestants know that we have a policy that states that no more than sixty percent of your body can be foreign materials. That includes all of the following: metal, metal alloys, silicon, carbon fibers, plastics and rubbers. Do you know approximately what percentage of your body is not organic human flesh?”
    Roland kept his voice low. “Zero percent. I’m a 100% organic.”
    Duke cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered. “He’s completely organic, everyone! He doesn’t have any tech inside him at all!”
    Roland grabbed the edge of the registration table so he wouldn’t turn around and confront Duke.
    Lincoln also cupped his hands around his mouth. “Show’s over folks. Duke is drunk as usual. Probably on motor oil since he’s a 100% android.”
    The crowd murmured and laughed in response.
    Security came over and stood between Duke and Lincoln. The lead security guy told Duke if he caused any more trouble, he would be thrown out.
    Rosie paused her typing and raised an eyebrow. “That is very unusual, sir. Are you certain? We don’t allow normal humans to participate in the games.”
    Roland sighed. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve got new tech that is completely organic.”
    Rosie went back to typing. “Ok, sir. I’ve never had a case like this before. We’ll have to verify that you have enough tech inside of you to compete in the games. Please step behind the table here so our technicians can scan you.”
    Roland handed Skylar his backpack and stepped around the table.
    A tech instructed Roland to stand inside a metal circle on the ground.