Experiment three-seven-zero

Experiment Number Three-Two-Seven-K

The spotlights sputtered on, followed by loud and excited clapping. An automated voice, flat and devoid of life, chirped up from hovering speakers hidden by cloaking fields an announcement that prompted a wild burst of delighted shouting. Females with plastered smiles, some metallic some gelatinous, waved at the crowd. They wore nothing but tiaras embedded on their foreheads. Like a volcanic gas crawler, a man wearing a majestic cape burst out of a pillar of fire and landed on a cloaked platform hovering in mid-air. He was not a man but an android. His metallic leg kicked out under him and he fell to the floor with such grace and finesse that even the girls on the stage stopped their waving. The android cackled and one of his eyes dislodged and whirled in front of his head, eliciting ravished gasps. He tipped an invisible hat to the audience and bowed. The android spun around to face the contestants and smiled at them. He started to walk towards the left wing leading to the backstage, gesturing for the girls to follow. The girls, dull eyed and still smiling, followed him to the backstage. The spotlights dimmed and a louder applause jangled in dome quadrant-6c.

Rylo Prol was in a daze. She felt nauseous when she waved at the crowd hidden behind blinding lights. She could feel the insides of her stomach turning as she followed the master of ceremony towards the backstage. The room was pulsing with many colored lights from floating orbs that were popular at the time. The metal floor was cold to the touch but that didn't bother her. Metal floors were the epitome of style and so were reflective walls. She assesed her reflection on the wall and grimaced. She had the latest chrome neck ornament installed but the colors were too gaudy. She made a mental note to change it. The others were already in their d-cubes, preparing for the next round. She stepped into hers and felt the nanobots weaving her garment for the next round. She looked at the process at the mirror and was reminded by the ancient tales of primitive women transformed by fairies with magic.

There was a defeaning cheer when Rylo materialized on the stage. She was dressed like a high priestess of an ancient religion back on old-Ren, the planet where their civilization came from. She swept her hands over her head and two red plasma balls spun out from the dress. Rylo took in a deep breath and tried to remember a test done to her by the scientist. She volunteered for the Upgrade Project two years ago. What she was doing on the stage was illegal but the truth must be made known to the public. The android's voice introduced her and she bowed. The crowd waited in anticipation. The balls began to circle her head and with a nod, they decapitated her. The crowd went wild.