So here’s the deal: I’m sick and tired of ideas of mine sitting in a drawer never going anywhere so I’m doing something about it. About five years ago somebody threw an idea at me. It was nothing more than an idea,’ a classic case of ‘what if?’. Well Stephen King reckons most of the best ideas come from ‘what ifs’. I figure if it works for him then why not for everybody else? 

But that’s not the only place where the great man is an inspiration for this experiment. He’s also an exponent of the on line novel. So again, I figure why the hell not?

I’ve taken the idea and fashioned an opening and – here comes the audience participation bit – if I get responses I’ll right the next bit, but I don’t want to do it on my own. You see, I want to treat this thing like a bit of a social experiment, a WWW game of Chinese Whispers if you like. Because this thing started as an idea that was thrown up in the air I’m going to carry it on that way: I’ll take the best idea every week and take the story in that direction and then in return endeavour to get it published via Triond – I’ll post the latest episode URL on my Twitter – which reminds me, I can be followed on Twitter at @alexsamson (I think that’s right, I’ve never advertised my Twit/Tweet before!).

This isn’t my usual blend of story telling by the way – it couldn’t be further from my usual genre, which is probably why I feel reckless enough to do this! I need all the input I can get!  Stop reading about swine flu, recessions and dodgy politicians and help me churn this thing out!

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Date: 9th October, 2173 (Earth calendar), AM

Location: Veteran Hall, Bethesda 29

Subject: Sergeant Robert Dice

Researcher: Dr Bethany Chalice

Chalice: How long have you been here, Sergeant?

Dice: Four years. It’ll be five in what you people back home call December.
Chalice: Do they treat you well?
Dice: What’s that got to do with anything?
Chalice: It has a bearing on your recovery.
Dice: Recovery . . . You say that like I’ve got a chance of beating this thing, Doctor – I can call you ‘Doctor’ right. I don’t see no lab coat or nothing, but you feel . . . medical.
Chalice: I’m not technically a qualified doctor yet, but if it helps you relate to me then you may call be Doctor.
Dice: That’s great, Doc. So how about it, have I got a chance at beating this thing and getting off this rock?
Chalice: There’s no substantive evidence that the effects of the treatment can be shrugged off . . . but there is also no evidence to prove that it can’t be.
Dice: Usual government bullshit mumbo-jumbo then.
Chalice: Back to my question, Sergeant . . .
Dice: What?
Chalice: Do they look after you well here?
Dice: Well it ain’t no Sunday afternoon picnic, Darling, you know?