One Chance

I wrote this story over 23 years ago and just found it in my archives. I am posting it here with all of the anachronistic references, passive voice, as well as some of the subtle (and not-so-subtle) politically incorrect views under which my early 20’s self suffered.

Plucked from the late 20th century into a future over 250 years into the future, Robert struggles to find his place in a new and unfamiliar world.

• Once Chance – Part 1August 20, 2018
  Robert chewed on the end of his cigar, staring absently at the auto-florescent ceiling above his chair.  It wasn’t until the late twenty-first century that EarthCo had developed the auto-florescent ceiling tile.  From there, it took almost a full twenty years before they became standard and all other forms of lighting were phased out. Robert… Read more: Once Chance – Part 1
• Once Chance – Part 2August 20, 2018
  Dr. Benjamin Motich folded his hands on the simwood table as he addressed the Senate Committee.  The committee of three Senators had the task of investigating the claims of legal transgressions on the part of the Big Four; the four multi-corporations that effectively ruled the solar system. Only twice before in the history of EarthCo… Read more: Once Chance – Part 2
• One Chance – Part 3August 20, 2018
  Benjamin walked down the narrow corridor to his private chambers, shaking slightly from the interview with the Senators.  Senator Billings, for all his lack of manner or subtlety, had hit startling close to the mark. The only saving factor had been the restraining tactics of Senators Kiles and Senator Nyguen’s reluctance to side himself with… Read more: One Chance – Part 3
• Once Chance – Part 4August 20, 2018
  “What was it like in the twentieth century?” Robert groaned as he punched in his order for fried chicken and corn.  Of course, it wasn’t real chicken or corn, but some biological fungus grown on the Venetian Culture farms.  As the only living human who actually knew what fried chicken tasted like, Robert disliked it… Read more: Once Chance – Part 4
• Once Chance – Part 5August 20, 2018
  Robert stomped down the street, occupied by his thoughts.  He failed to notice when every other window on all nearby buildings suddenly blinked and formed into a picture.  Dani, however, noticed and her gasp brought Robert out of his reverie. While the PLN installed the emergency screens in all windows, they were never used all… Read more: Once Chance – Part 5
• One Chance – ConclusionAugust 20, 2018
  Robert stood in front of the docking shuttle.  In a few minutes, he knew, it would lift off and take him to the orbiting asteroid dubbed New Life by the three hundred colonists.  He had said his good-byes earlier. Now, he was alone. He had taken his one chance and here he was.  In a… Read more: One Chance – Conclusion