Catalyst

fiction by michael werneburg

"Yes, Jim. The Megalomedia observation skiff was some two meters from the ground when the pulse hit. We toppled to the ground, and—"

"And how did you feel after that, Charlene?"

"Well, it was awful. I mean, all our systems went dead, my HUD conked out, I couldn't raise control-"

"Even cybernetic systems were down!?"

"That's right, Jim. They were up again momentarily, but it was a terrible sensation, being cut off from Control and the 'nets!"

"I'll bet. So, what's the situation now?"

"We've got security personnel descending from all directions. It looks like they've apprehended the spectator with the handgun. One or two of the riders have dismounted and are approaching the rider standing over the marker, we've got hundreds of people turning up from points all along the racecourse, now that everyone realizes the course is abandoned."

"Wow, the rider with the stun wand has taken out the two other riders. He's stopped to photograph the marker, and how he's making his way to one of the other riders's bike. He's taking his competitor's bike!"

"Thanks, Charlene."

"Thanks, Jim!"

"That was Charlene Tomayatsu live at the carnage at the first marker. Dan?"

"Jim, the rider we just saw clubbing his opponents was #302, a professional mercenary from the inner Floridian isles. He's Warren Goss, and while he's a novice to professional cycling, he has competed in a number of cycling competitions in his days in the armed forces. Not a notable performer on the track, but look these career figures from the battle-field: hundreds of fatalities to his name including 74 confirmed kills just from the June 20th insurrection in Jamaica."

"So, a real competitor. Well, we'll have to keep an eye on #302, then, along with #38; Ms Kuan, and #170, Cyrus Tilescu. If we go to Tilescu's position, we see that he's about a kilometer from the second marker. It's really a remarkable feat. In less than half an hour, he's managed to cover what would have been about thirty-five kilometers of the official racecourse. Dan, will this change racing in Dusylin?"

"Oh, no doubt about it, Jim. After this, there's no question that the racecourse will just be a bee-line between the markers. It's really incredible that no one has attempted this before. We've been doing this for eighteen years and this is the first time anyone's realized that the course itself is immaterial to success in the race!"

"Do you think there will be changes to the rules from now on, or will they be a bit more clever with the placement of the markers?"