Page 77 - KTUDELL E-LIT | Issue 4 - January 2025

SHORT STORIES 2025

Courage. I need courage. The Hologram 2: Sometimes I’m not The dreamer silently complied,
most important moment of my sure if I’m breaking. I feel placing his old Reaper handgun—
life is at hand. Everything is in chained. a mid-range weapon by
place. I just need to take the last The dreamer stopped, tilting his DETHKOR—into the foam-lined
step. Problem is, I'm a coward. A head up to listen. canister.
failure. My goal—my lifelong Hologram 1: The world is cold, Woman: How can I help you
dream—is just within reach, but I but it is beautiful. You can’t stay today?
can’t grasp it. There’s a solution, down. Dreamer: Cut the bullshit. You
though I don’t know if I can bear Hologram 2: How? I feel know why I’m here.
the trade-off. I have no other suffocated… If only there was Woman: With due respect, Mr.
choice. This might be the lowest something to… boost… my mood. Stetson, we have a rough idea of
point of my existence, but I’ll… I’ll Hologram 1: Oh, I think you’re your needs, but if you’re looking
have at least the heart to take in luck. to soothe your soul, you’ve come
action. Hologram 2: Don’t send me cat to the right place.
It was a rainy night in Nova City. videos, please. Okay, maybe do, Dreamer: Yeah, I need something
A gentle, subtle rain but it won’t fix the problem. to get me going.
complemented the city's Hologram 1: Even better: the Woman: Then our best-selling
unusually quiet streets. The state-of-the-art MORAL-O injector, MORAL-O BOOST-O, is
dreamer got off the automated BOOST-O. With just one exactly what you need. It—
bus in Sector D with a handful of injection, you can become the Dreamer: Stop talking. Just bring
other passengers and stepped most motivated person in the it. I’m in a hurry.
onto the pavement. He followed known universe. Woman: My apologies. I’ll
the trail of bustling pedestrians Hologram 2: MORAL-O retrieve it immediately.
until he found the store he’d BOOST-O? Let me try. The woman tapped her terminal,
been searching for. Looking up at The hologram pulled out a small, and a pink injection tube emerged
the sign, the dreamer read its box-shaped tool: a portable vital from a pipe beside her. She slid it
name: BOOST-O — a Japanese- injector. Common throughout to the dreamer through a slot in
origin company selling quality of Nova City, these injectors were the counter.
life enhancement augmentations, initially designed for Woman: This lasts ten minutes.
equipment, and drugs. emergencies and healthcare For longer durations, we offer
Approaching the store, the improvement but had become larger doses at additional cost.
dreamer noticed two large widely used for recreational drug Dreamer: Ten minutes is enough.
holograms hovering slightly delivery. Hell, I only need one.
above the door, projected by 3D The hologram loaded the The transaction panel lit up in
laser cameras. The holograms, injector with a bright pink tube front of him:
equipped with artificial of MORAL-O BOOST-O and CONFIRM TRANSACTION.
intelligence, were designed to pressed it against its neck. PRICE: 5000 CREDITS.
deliver persuasive Moments after injecting the The dreamer pressed his thumb
advertisements. As the cameras substance, it began to react with onto the slot, completing the
scanned the dreamer, his profile unrestrained energy. payment. He took the injector,
materialized on the holograms.
Hologram 2: BOOOYAAH! I loaded it with the pink tube, and
PROFILE: BRENN STETSON don’t think I’ve felt THIS ALIVE pressed it to his neck. With a deep
since The Great Liberty! Wow!
breath, he activated the device. A
AGE: 43 Hologram 1: You look full of life. rush of energy surged through
OCCUPATION: Retired Cop I told you it was better. him, his hands trembling with
YEARLY INCOME: 40,000 Cr
PERSONALITY (OVERALL): Hologram 2: You know what’s excitement.
Calm and Collected better? I’ve got the guts to ask Dreamer: This… feels… amazing! I
PERSONALITY (RECENT): that girl out and beat the shit out feel unstoppable. No fear, no
Shut-in of my bully! Don’t wait for me, anxiety… only sheer will and
RECENT MAJOR LIFE because I’m not coming BACK! strength. You weren’t overselling.
CHANGES: Wife Murdered for Hologram 1: Yeah, you go get Woman: We’re glad you’re
Undisclosed Information ‘em, tiger. satisfied. We hope you achieve all
SPECULATED REASON FOR The holograms dissolved, your goals.
MURDER: Feud with Syndicates leaving a 3D model of the
DESIRED OUTCOME: MORAL-O BOOST-O rotating The dreamer glanced back at her
Motivation to Move On from in mid-air. The dreamer lowered briefly before stepping out of the
Tragedy his gaze and slowly walked into store. The woman returned to her
SELECTED PERSONALITY TO the store. Inside, the space was terminal, logging the transaction.
DISPLAY: The Comforter meticulously clean, with dim
SELECTED PRODUCT TO marigold lights emanating from SUBJECT: Brenn Stetson
ADVERTISE: MORAL-O thin lines in the walls, creating a PRODUCT CONSUMED:
BOOST-O calm and soothing atmosphere. MORAL-O BOOST-O (10-Minute
RUNNINGSELLTHATSHITAT Long, white benches without Duration)
ALLCOSTS.EXE armrests lined the sides. Behind INITIAL OBSERVATION:
a bulletproof glass counter stood The subject appeared satisfied.
The flickering holograms a woman in a white uniform and Restored will and strength were
morphed into two men dressed helmet. The helmet featured a evident. Effectiveness may need
in outdated clothing: oversized t- dark-red sensory implant, reduction to ensure repeat
shirts and jackets paired with enhancing her vision beyond purchases. Additional observation
jeans. As the dreamer human capability. Her lips required.
approached, the holograms adjusted slightly into a faint
began to speak to each other, smile. Just as she finished her report, a loud
attempting to capture his Woman: Welcome, Mr. Stetson. gunshot echoed outside, followed by a
attention. Could you please place any heavy thud. Brenn Stetson had
Hologram 1: The last couple of firearms you have into the reached his dream.
days have been rough, haven’t canister beside you?
they?

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