The Next Adventure - III E-Book

Suzann Dodd

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

This is the continuation of the story which began as The Right Thing.  This series describes various events that take place in the known galaxy, which has been conquered by the ZerShaz people.   Beta Mar is currently the only human occupied planet which remains as it had been before conquest.    

Leseprobe

Suzann Dodd

The Next Adventure - III

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Getting On

GETTING..ON

PALLA STAVOGAMIERBETA MAR

The need to begin production on my holo, 'UnHappening' took priority.

I shelved the novel about Jill, notes on Sharon, all my other ideas. I must do the screenplay for my book. It must be short and tight, but not abbreviated. It must be complete within sixty five minutes.

As the 'performance' of Zerks would be limited, I must work around them. If I could get a strong twelve minutes, they would carry the picture.

I assumed two weeks to compose a block copy, then clarify camera angles to such extent the audience would not appreciate the ZeSha were not acting but moving from point A to B then to C, their expressions, actions would be cut and pasted into the whole.

The presentation depended on my Zerk prototagonist; 'esVenthay'. His expression, the viewers reaction to him. uPaychel had promised to give me a Zee who could gain focus; I relied upon it.

The ZeSha I wanted; 'Kharm' (iKhyarm), would have been perfect. One look is enough for the audience to nod. I can never forget that face. Those large dark, slightly Asian cast eyes, those cupid bow lips ...ahhhh.  But I could not get iKhyarm so must work with whomever I was allotted.

The human roles would be cast with semi-knowns. I didn't want anyone too strong. Risa was more physical attributes than personality.

I had attended dance presentations; different companies, searching. There was one who was perfect. She was fragile, with a shock of natural red hair, very white skin...the word was vulnerable.

I had my work, a great deal of it, perhaps lasting an Earth length year. But it couldn't take a year. My 'Master', uPaychel would not 'wait', nor would I embarrass myself, lessen the respect I owned.

As for Tony, he had what he had last year, only I suppose much of its charm was erased.  

He had told me, more than once, Zerks could kill without compunction, could look at us as we view reptiles. I suppose he thought his matching psi-pro made him a demi-Sharon and wrapped him in sanctity.  I don't think it had occurred to him he would never gain the prominence of Sharon.

He'd been extremely quiet these days, difficult to gain a smile or word. Yet, perhaps, having the scales removed from his eyes would protect him.

Virginity is its own punishment. When one has never been in the rarified atmosphere of power one doesn't recognise it is riding the tiger.

Shutting Down One Brain

SHUTTING DOWN ONE BRAIN

SHARON FEINSTEINBETA MAR

In early days with Vende, I bounced from one high reaction to another until I taught myself not to think. Until I could focus on a game, a dirty corner, or a jingle from an advertisement, blocking out all thought. That was the only way I could avoid the headaches, the vomiting, the fainting, the pain.

The difference between here and Vende's house was that here I was alone. Absolutely alone. I could die. I was dying. I was virtually starving as I couldn't keep a piece of bread down.

I left my bedroom for the other room. I was so dizzy I had to hold onto the walls, had to sit in the living room for like half an hour to regain the strenght to make the short walk. I couldn't belive how weak I was.

As I crabbed along the wall I prayed I was going to one of those guest rooms no one enters. My prayer was answered. It was a plain room of pink and grey, totally unfamiliar.

I climbed into bed. Within seconds I felt I was somewhere else, an unknown place with no memories. I switched on the small holo, flipping from one channel to another, concentrating on the plots of dramas, the jokes of the comedians.

In a little while I summoned the bot and had it bring me half of a scrambled egg, one piece of bread, a cup of tea and a glass of orange juice. I ate slowly.

After two hours I had the other half of the egg in a rerun of the first meal. My only exercise was walking to the bathroom and back.  

I let an hour pass, then ordered energy drinks and vitamins, and lay in the bed watching drivel and napping. I wanted to leave the house, go to where Daktoy was, but was afraid. I don't know how I'd landed that flyer so how would I take off? And being so sick and weak...

uPaychel. Patchy. Patchy knew me. I had to get in touch with Patchy. How?

I slept and used the toilet, ate then went to the com and sent a message to Palla/Paula; "Tell Patchy to come for me at Dena's house."

Feeling better, I returned to bed.