Chapter Five
Desert speeds by. City in the horizon.
On my way to a press conference for a Mr. Baltimore.
I think he's becoming president of Nitro Corp. or something.
Quick and clean. In and out. Have to get back to the club soon.
Make sure I get my cut of the worm money.
Calm down, Trigger Finger. We'll be there soon.
On my stomach. Rooftop. My sniper rifle peers out through the letter O of a giant neon light.
I am watching the stage. The target hasn't come out yet.
Thousands of people surround the stage. They begin clapping as the curtains unfold.
After a moment Mr. Baltimore comes slowly riding
out onto to the stage on a hightech hoverbike. Probably Nitro Corp.'s latest model.
Everyone applauds.
He steps off, a smug grin on his face, and struts forward to the mic.
I'm staked out too far from the event to make out what he's saying.
I can hear the audience loving it though.
I place the crosshair over his head and steady my hands.
My finger tightens.
Mr. Baltimore does a flip out of my scope. I release the tension in my finger.
The crowd goes wild. Guess he's doing acrobatics for them now.
I study the stage trying to figure out how to go about this.
The target is doing jumping jacks now. No idea whats going on.
My aim steadies upon the battery pack of the hoverbike.
That should create a pretty decent explosion. If he'd just get a little closer.
Mr. Baltimore leaps into the air making a victory motion with arm
then skips over to the bike.
Perfect.
I squeeze the trigger. Bing.
Earlier..
The audience is going crazy with anticipation. Mr. Baltimore, the new president is here today.
He is promising big things for Nitro Corp.
All sorts of amazing technologies.
There's even rumors that he might have the cure for the AIDS virus today.
The curtains part. A tall suave man comes riding out on to stage on a green hoverbike.
The crowd goes crazy.
He drives around showing off the bike before parking it and stepping up to the microphone.
"Whats up Perfect City!" He exclaims.
A wave of applause and screams.
"Nice bike huh?" He gloats. "And thats only the first of many amazing technologies we have
to show you tonight from Nitro Corp.!" Everyone screams.
Mr. Baltimore does a sudden flip through the air to show off how wild and energetic he is.
He's trying to win over the young crowd by seeming cool.
Its working. Everyone laughs and applauds.
"Oh man! I just feel so damn good tonight!" He sings while doing jumping jacks.
Laughter.
"Okay guys, lets get this show on the road!" He stops and catches his breath.
"Now who in here HATES having to chew up their own food?" He asks the audience.
Bing.
Earlier..
Backstage. Everyone scurries around trying to make sure everything is
perfect for the show. Mr. Baltimore is leaning on a hoverbike. A scientist
stands in front of him begging.
"But sir.." He plees. "That battery is NOT stable. We should not be-"
"C'mon, Simon." Baltimore replies. "I'm only riding it for five seconds. It'll be fine."
"Its too risky, Sir. If that thing malfunctions-"
"Simon.." He assures. "You worry too much. It'll be fine."
"Alright everyone. Show time!" Baltimore announces as he climbs onto the seat of the
hoverbike and starts it. It jets up and hovers a few inches from the ground.
The battery pack makes a loud buzz.
He hits the gas and rides toward the curtains just as they begin parting.
Another scientist steps beside Simon.
"We should have just used the regular battery, Simon." He states.
"Regular battery isnt strong enough. We cant risk the bike
shutting down during the show. That would kill sales."
"Yeah, well risking all our lives isnt so great either."
"I know, Martin. I know."
The audience's applause echos from outside the curtains.
"So how are things going with that AIDS cure, Simon?"
Simon sighs.
"Theres none left."
"What? Why not?"
"What do you think is powering that damn AutoChewer machine?"
"Okay guys, lets get this show on the road!" The speakers boom.
Simon closes his eyes in shame.
"Now who in here HATES having to chew up their own food?"
Bing.
Earlier..
"Now say goodbye to your father." Martha tells the kids.
Jerry and Crystal hug their dad, the governor.
"Bye daddy, love you." Crystal says.
"See later, dad." Jerry adds.
"Okay, Walter. I'll see you tonight." Martha says as she kisses Walter on the cheek.
"Sounds like a plan." The governer replies. "You guys have fun now."
"We will, dad!" Both kids chear.
Car ride.
Martha is driving. The kids sit in the back seat singing road tunes.
"So where are we going again, Mommy?" Crystal asks.
"Well Crystal," Martha explains. "We are going to a press conference
for a place called Nitro Corp. They are the people who make our
microwaves and cars and even your glowing belt that helps mommy
find you when you wonder too far off."
"Are we almost there, mom?" Jerry asks impatiently.
"Almost there, Jerry."
Present..
I squeeze the trigger. Bing.
The battery flashes into giant white orb. Everything freezes for a moment.
The entire city rumbles and several blocks are engulfed in intense white energy.
The target vaporizes along with everyone else.
My draw drops. I am stunned by the amount of damage caused by the exploding battery.
What kind of battery was that?
Buildings collapse into ash. Smoke clouds the area until seeing is impossible.
I'm lucky I staked out so far away. I was just barely outside of the blast radius.
I take out my list and cross Mr. Baltimore off.
I better get out of here.
Desert speeds by. My stallion roars.
All those people.. My fault. Dear God..