 |
| Dr. Gantz - Back In His Own Time By Mitchell Moss My name is Dr. Gantz, and I was found guilty of performing actions that may have altered the past. For my punishment, I lost all of my wealth and property, except for a few personal items. I was not as upset as I thought I would be as the lawyers confiscated my house, clinic, and other property. This was probably because I was looking forward to my new life as a traveler, and entertainer. I was allowed to keep some carry on equipment. I took some magic tricks, medical equipment, and a portable teleporter. I surgically implanted a universal translator, and subvocal communicator within Amanda. These would allow her to understand other languages, and to communicate with me without vocalizing. I was also given two shuttle tickets to anyplace that I chose. In my time, live entertainment is considered to be for the lower classes due to the popularity of holographic entertainment, so I chose New Vegas as my destination. I said a tearful farewell to my parents, and to my home planet of Newton, knowing that I would not see them for a while. Amanda and I then entered the shuttle, and departed. A few days later, we arrived on planet New Vegas. I began to wonder if I had made a big mistake, as I entered a nearby bar. The place was full of ruffians, and I wondered how long I would remain alive. The air smelled horribly of smoke from various drug pipes. Several people looked at my clothes, which looked more expensive than theirs, and tried to convince me to gamble with them. I politely refused, and approached the bartender. I asked him for a job, but he did not see the need for a magician to entertain customers. After some discussion, he agreed to let me perform, but I would only get paid by tips. We found a tiny, but cheap apartment, hoping that I would earn some money soon. If I could not earn money as a magician, I could always earn money as a doctor, but I preferred not to do that. We struggled at first, and Amanda had to take a job as a barmaid in order for us to survive, but as time passed, more customers began coming to the bar in order to see my act. The bar was now able to pay me a small salary, and Amanda was able to quit her job, and became my assistant again. I was able to use my money to occasionally build a piece of illusion equipment, by using the matter replicators. The next six months were great. Our shows became very popular, and we received several pay raises. I was considering moving our show to a better location, or possibly buying my own theatre, but trouble began. Two unarmed and uniformed men entered the bar, and grabbed Amanda. They placed energy shackles on her arms, and carried her out, as she struggled and screamed. I looked at the bartender, expecting him to pull out his energy rifle from under the bar, which he often used to stop troublemakers. He just stood there, and helplessly watched. After they left, I asked the bartender who they were. He told me, "They are Governor Giovanni's cyber warriors. They have blasters built into their arms, and combat computers connected to their brains. They probably kidnapped Amanda to sell her at a wife auction. Governor Giovanni has these auctions from time to time." I was responsible for Amanda's being here, and I could not allow her to become a slave wife, so I left the bar, and began thinking of a plan to rescue her. First, I went to an info computer to find any wife auctions. I found one at the convention center, but admittance was restricted. Next, I went to my apartment, and put my disappearing box on an anti-grav sled, and put some magic tricks, and other small pieces of equipment in my pockets. Then I took a taxi to the convention center. The front door was guarded by a Klendan; a large reptilian humanoid race that is known to be highly resistant to mind altering drugs. That messed up part of my plan, but hopefully I will still be able to enter without drugging him. I approached him, and told him that I was the entertainment for the auction. He replied, "You are not on the list." I told him, "Of course not. Do you think that they would tell people that they are having live entertainment? It might chase away most of the bidders. I am a surprise, which they will enjoy after they see my act. You can weaponscan me if you think that I present any danger." He used his weaponscanner on me, and found that I was unarmed. Most Newtonians are pacifistic, and hate carrying weapons. Besides that, I do not have the skills to use a weapon anyway. I was permitted to enter, but was escorted by a guard. On the way to the stage, I stopped to use a computer to see a map of this large building. I quickly looked at each floor, and spent some time looking at the stage map. I told the guard that I needed to be familiar with the stage, and he believed me. Fortunately, Newtonians are taught to have great intellectual discipline, and can read information in seconds, memorizing it. We arrived at the theatre, and I organized my equipment. I made arrangements with the MC to have my act at the beginning of the auction, in order to warm up the crowd. Finally, a large number of beautiful women arrived, surrounded by a large number of guards. My act began, and I amazed the crowd by making objects appear, disappear, and do other amazing things. For my final trick, I brought out a large box, which was raised above the floor. I told several guards to surround the box. I asked for a volunteer, and quickly grabbed Amanda, before anybody had a chance to object. The presence of the guards on the stage, and the energy shackles on her arms made everyone less suspicious that she would escape. Amanda stepped on a pedestal, and entered the box. I closed the box, and moved the pedestal away. The box displayed a dazzling light show, and then the sides of the box fell, displaying the fact that she had vanished. The other guards ran onto the stage, and they tore the box apart, trying to find her. Meanwhile, I was pushing the pedestal towards the stage door. Amanda got out of the pedestal, and I unlocked the energy shackles, using a key that I had stolen from one of the guards. We quickly exited through the back door. This trick would give us a few minutes to escape, but I did not need that much time. I took out my portable teleporter, and prepared to get Amanda out of this building. Unfortunately, nothing happened. I looked at the device, and saw a message that a force field surrounded the building, preventing escape. This would be more difficult than I thought. |
|