Infection Snippet 1

   So, I just finished writing Shelby Logan 11 Staring into the Void, and the cover. More on that later.

  I sent Infection off to Rea for editing. I'm hoping to send it to Goodlifeguide by next week and publish by the end of the month. :)

  I am trying to get caught up on stuff I've deferred. (Procrastination city in some cases) It is super hot and muggy out right now and it is supposed to get into the 100's in 2 days. GRR.

  My cousin (who is a script writer) is looking into making her own AI rom-com soap operas for Youtube. She's got me wondering about trying it with the Fed universe. I've seen a lot of AI videos lately. Some are very cool. (like the dino rider one!)

Anyway here is the snippet:

Chapter 1

 

Antigua

 

Fleet Admiral and Acting President John Henry Irons cheered as the 2 battle bots slammed into each other. The crowd oohed as the spinning blade of one of the plastic and metal monsters threw the other bot across the fight chamber to ricochet against the glass. Many people ducked instinctively.

He chuckled as he saw the carnage as the audience cheered. He was amused that people loved the carnage. Personally he was less about the destruction and more about the engineering involved.

The klaxon went off and the lights shifted to indicate the match was over. The victorious team celebrated and even high fived the loosers. They seemed to take the loss in stride. It had been a good show and the good sportsmanship was also a hallmark of the game.

He smiled and ignored the cameras on him as he applauded. The kids were all in junior high and high school. The teams went into the box and began to clean up the mess.

He checked his scanners and noted the security detail around him watching everyone in their respective zones. Protector looked amused on his HUD. Proteus undulated, no doubt the nanite AI wanted to get in there and fix the bots.

Well, that was not their job. That was the job of the kids. Not only did they have to design and build their creations, they had to diagnose and then fix what was broken too. That was all a part of the learning process. Well, that and that engineering was an iterative process. You learned from your mistakes and hopefully improved.

"Fifteen minutes admiral," Protector warned.

"Damn," he muttered. "Last match," he said. It was the semi-final. He'd hoped to get to the end but they had run late with 1 match. That sucked.

"Yes sir."

The hype man came out and began playing up the 2 bots and the teams. They really put a lot of work into it, costumes, lights, and special effects. He snorted softly at the guys who came out dressed as classic nerds with suspenders and goofy glasses. They looked absurd and obviously were having fun. He chuckled and clapped with the audience.

<<(O)>>

Admiral Horatio Logan clapped as the fight continued. They were on Antigua Prime, Admiral Irons had arranged for them to tour some of the schools and colleges to inspire the kids. He hadn't known about the battle bot match. Apparently it was becoming a thing within the Federation since the admiral had taken an interest in it. That and RC racing and actual racing.

"Fourteen minutes," Beau, his AI warned.

"Got it," he said. "Slip out the back?"

"Yes sir."

"Pity. I was hoping to meet the kids."

"You could slip out now and tour back stage," Beau suggested.

The admiral cocked his head. The hype man was getting a bit into it. "Yeah," he said as he looked for an exit.

 

Admiral Irons saw Horatio slip away from the pack. "Visiting the little boy's room before the flight?" he joked.

"Beau suggested that he tour the backstage area before the departure," Protector responded.

The admiral noted a delay as the staff worked to assess the damage to where a piece of the last bot had embedded itself in the glass.

"Maybe that's a good idea," he said as he indicated to the security team lead to follow Horatio. The bear nodded and made a quiet signal to the team to get moving.

<<(O)>>

The kids were in awe of not just Horatio, but also Admiral Irons in the back stage area. Some wanted to talk but were torn on their duties to prep for the next round.

"Just wanted to say hi," Admiral Irons said. He and Horatio split up and made the rounds quickly, shaking hands, listening a little  and then moving on.

One of the kids asked who he thought the best fleet commander would be.

"Well, it isn't just who the leaders are. You could have a great tactician but that person is helpless without a properly forged weapon to wield," the admiral explained.

The young man frowned thoughtfully.

"To praphrase Sun Tzu, he stated that professionals study logistics. Armies a nd navies travel and fight on their stomachs. If you don't have the right things in the right places at the right time, your strategy falls apart before you even start the battle."

The young man nodded.

"And antimatter?" a young lady asked. "Are we going to make the mistake of the old Federation and rely on it?"

"No," Admiral Irons said as he turned to address her. "We are not relying on it completely. We've learned from that. We're still using it obviously, but we have back ups this time."

She nodded and smiled.

He shook hands again, taking note of the names of the kids who asked pointed questions and then moved on with a moue. "Sorry, I've got a flight to catch."

That earned nods of understanding from the kids and their chaperones.

<<(O)>>