When I
made the original Motherboard post, I knew that all of the
other original notes about it had been tossed.
What I’d forgotten was that I did that because I’d actually typed them
up first. (I wonder what else is on my
hard drive?) So, just for fun, here it
is. We’ll start with the fiction. I wrote this in high school. Be kind.
(“What’s
your excuse for your current writing, J?”)
(“Shut the
F*** up!”)
CIRCUIT
RUNNER
Flashman
The Motherboard alighted. Energy surged among her many circuits
bringing life to Ring City and its inhabitants.
In his cell, Zepher ZB3 materialized into being. An Electronian, Zepher and his ilk are first
among the Motherboard's races to be charged, even on D7's when the board is
turned on only for routine maintenance.
Already the Electronian guardians were delivering charge to the
Protonian and Neutronian guardians and then to the cells of their races. The cycle begins.
While those in the Nucleus must
complete housekeeping functions before idle time, out in the Data Stores, there
are few responsibilities.
"It's gonna be a beautiful day
here in Ring City," boomed the overhead speaker, "Only high,
scattered warps in the area, with clean, pure, power surges expected all
cycle. Sorry to all you thrillers and
wormers."
"Damn! I wanted to run a worm after the match,"
thought Zepher as he sped on a local circuit to the Speedball Arena. Several of this cycle's participants were
already there. Making a flashy
skid-stop, Zepher attracted the attention of a pretty, young Electronian.
"Hi," Zepher said in a
glowing tone, "What's your level?"
She gave him a freeze, "I'm Level
Five, hot-zip. You'd better watch
yourself or you'll be eating circuit."
She stalked off. Somehow, she no
longer looked so pretty. So much for the
pre-race chatter.
Above, a floating camera spoke with a
deep Protonian voice broke up with the roll call. "Zeela ZA8 in white. Zepher ZB3 in black. Racers to the line. The oval raceway was as smooth as an Output
Circuit and pitched at almost 20 degrees.
Scuffing across the surface, Zepher got a feel for the surface. Sparks flew wherever he touched the track as
it was designed to amplify Electronian shock.
"Ready to feel the agony of
defeat?" It was the girl again,
whom the announcer had identified as Zeela.
She stood at the line with an almost intolerable air of smugness. Zepher said nothing, concentrating fully on
the track before him. A holographic
drag racing start post appeared before them and quickly clicked down to green.
A glassy ball, three feet in diameter,
materialized in front of the racers.
Lightning suddenly struck Zepher and he was blown off the track. Zeela prepared another charge in order to
secure the ball.
"So much for a clean game,"
muttering, Zepher hopped back on the track and peeled. Using a light charge, he sped passed Zeela
and shocked her into a daze. The ball fell
into his field. His speed slowed with
the ball consuming part of his charge, but he still cleared half a lap before
she caught up. Like a localized
thunderstorm, the racers charged around the track.
Edging close, Zeela yelled, "Eat
this!" Zepher was swatted to the
track by a violent elbow check. His
field disrupted, Zeela snagged the ball and flew away. Preparing a massive charge, Zepher waited for
her to complete the lap. She boomed
towards him.
(This
reminds me of the movie, Rollerball, which I had not seen while I saw in high
school. This race would have been a lot
more interesting if it was more like Rollerball.)
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