Ep 1

Candy stood looking out of the huge reinforced porthole. A single mother of 28, she was looking into the eternal darkness that was broken only by the distant twinkling stars.

She was but one of a thousand people. She was but one in a long line of generations. A hundred generations that had gone by since leaving the doomed planet Earth.

She smoothed down her blue dress and turned toward her home. As a single mother, this was pretty sparse. A single lounge, a sofa, and wall cabinet was her lot in this life. The kitchen lay off in another room, not your usual kitchen though. Food here was recycled and replicated. A small box looking like a microwave, tap a few buttons and your sustenance appeared.

Off to the right stood the bedroom. A fold down bed was hidden within the wall and the walk in wardrobe was a godsend.

A sudden worry, one of many suddenly assaulted her young mind.

“I wonder where Sammy has got to?”

She walked to the door that slid back automatically. As she entered the bright corridor, a familiar face walked toward her.

“Hello Mike. Have you seen my son?”

The silver suited security guard smiled as he always did.

“He’s in the entertainment pod. Lost him again?”

She tried to laugh but the emotion was fake.

“He does have a nasty habit of wandering off sometimes.”

Mike nodded as Candy walked past, heading for the non-descript lift.
As she walked inside, a smooth electronic voice asked, “Where to?”

“The entertainment pod please.”

The lift jerked for a few moments before the doors slid open once more.

She stepped out and saw the slot machines lined against the wall.
She immediately saw her wayward son, pulling the handle down for the umpteenth time.

Sammy was your typical twelve year old. Self centred and determined to rebel once or twice. As she marched up, he spotted her at once.

“What are you doing here?”

“Would you believe looking for you?" Why not tell me where you are going? Or at the very least leave me a note.”

“It’s not what we do mom.”

“What do you mean by we?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I need you to do something for me.”

Sammy knew what was coming and he hated it.

“Do I really have to?”

“You know the rules.”

Sammy parroted them just to annoy her.

“All pets are the sole responsibility of the owners.”

“You got it in one. Go on then, Christine is waiting. Here, take this.”

Sammy shrugged his shoulders and marched toward the lift as his helpless mother looked on.

The pet pod was not quite the correct name for this place. Only cats were allowed of course. No ferocious or docile dogs. As Sammy entered, he gazed upon the small trees and the green grass that grew for a mile in all directions.

To the left of the shaft, a replicator was built into the wall and after tapping a few buttons, he removed the twin bowl of food and water. He walked a short distance and placed these upon the ground before pressing the pad that his mom had given him.

Every cat was fitted with a throat band, and each band contained a unique beeper.

“Come on Christine, diner time.”

A few minutes passed before the jet-black female cat bounded towards him in response. Its deep yellow eyes regarded him carefully as it meowed its appreciation. Then its tail curled around the sleek body as it sat down to eat.

Sammy returned to the entertainment pod by which time his mom had gone. Sitting once more at the slot machine a group of unruly youths
walked over.

“Still here Sammy?”

“What is it to you Frazer?”

The tall and really brutish boy gave him a violent shove. Sammy
crashed onto the floor as Frazer and his thugs laughed.

“Always doing what mommy wants.”

Sammy stood up smartly.

“I do not.”

“You are nothing but a mommy’s boy.”

“You take that back.”

Frazer gave him his special hardened look.

“Try and make me.”

Sammy was really in a tight spot and tried his best. He took a step and swung his clenched fist at the main bully. Sadly for him though,
Frazer had seen it coming. Ducking quickly, he kicked out towards the fragile groin.

Sammy screamed and went down hard as Frazer placed a boot upon his face.

“Lick it!”

Sammy did this, even as tears poured down his youthful cheeks.

The bullies ran off to molest someone else as Sammy writhed upon the floor.

“What’s up?” Mike said as he ran from the lift.”

Sammy managed to sit up, hands holding his groin.

“Nothing happened.”

“Don’t give me that. You should know better than lying to a security guard.”

Sammy knew very well the punishment for such a stupid act. Thirty days in the cooler.

“So tell me straight.”

Sammy winced with pain and told the story.

“That creep needs taking down a peg or two,” the guard said helping him up.

Sammy shook his head.

“He will just try again.”

“Not if you humiliate him Sammy. You see, thugs like that love to be the boss. As soon as his so-called friends realise he’s just like you they will desert him.

“So how do I do that Mike? He’s bigger than me. What would mom say?”

Mike understood perfectly. Grinning at the young man he whispered, “What will she do if you don’t?”

“Do you have any suggestions?”

Mike thought for a moment.

“Why not a boxing match?”

“He would slaughter me.”

“I have seen you in the gym thumping that bag. You are a natural.”

Sammy thought this over and asked, “Will you come with me Mike?”

The guard shook his head.

“You know that I cannot do that. When it’s set up tell me. You know where to find me.”

The young lad was buoyed up by his confidence and left the entertainment pod at once. He knew exactly where to find Frazer.

As he entered the bowling alley, the brute was showing off as usual.

As he saw Sammy enter, he smiled.

“What do you want?”

Sammy steeled himself.

“Fancy a punch up?”

Frazer looked at him rather sternly.

“You challenging me to a boxing match then?”

“Sure am mate. Chicken are we?”

That was a word the thug had never heard before.

“All right then mummy’s boy. Let’s say at six then.”

Sammy smiled back. See you there.”

As Mike rang the bell, Candy answered and smiled.

“Can I have a word?”

“Of course you can. Come inside.”

Mike entered the quarters and made to explain things.

“Your son is being bullied. Did you know?”

“I had no idea.”

“Look, don’t hate me for this but I suggested a boxing match to sort it out.”

“I could never hate you. A boxing match though is a pretty serious step. Can he handle it?”

Mike smiled.

“I think Frazer is in for the shock of his life.”

The door slid open and Sammy entered smiling all over.

“The fight is at six.”

Candy took him by the shoulders.

“I’ll be there to watch. Are you coming Mike?”

The guard put his arms around them both.

“I would not miss it for the world.”

At the expected hour, the arena was quite busy. As was the custom, the challenge had posted all over this generation star ship and the audience had arrived in droves.

Sammy sat at the right corner whilst the brute sat smiling at the left. His friends were goading him.

When the electronic bell sounded, the brute leapt off the seat and ran at the young man. Sammy dodged like an expert and waited for the expected strike.

Frazer rounded upon him, lashing out a left and right. Sammy managed to parry these and remained upon the defensive throughout that first round.

When the bell went, they retreated to their corners and rested until it sounded again.

This time Frazer had a little more respect and started with a few probing jabs. Sammy waited for his chance. When Frazer thought his moment had come, he dropped his guard and launched a terrifying upper cut.

Sammy leapt back as it struck fresh air before countering with a triple volley. As the gloves smashed his jaw, the brute reeled against the ropes. Sammy stepped back a little, luring him into his trap.

Frazer struck again, a left and right that nearly broke through.
Sammy ducked and weaved until a gap opened up and he lashed out with a right. As Frazer reeled back, Sammy launched a ferocious volley that completely fazed his opponent.

Reeling now, Frazer’s guard fell and Sammy struck with short jabbing blows. This time, the brute’s knees buckled until he collapsed upon the canvas floor.

As Sammy yelled, the crowd cheered its appreciation. He gazed at the crumpled boy before stepping out of the ring. At the far corner,
Frazer’s friends were walking away in absolute disgust.

“What did you think mom?” Sammy asked.

She held him tight.

“I’m really proud of you son.”

Mike was beaming too.

“You have the makings of a damn good boxer Sammy. That thug will never harm you again. I even saw his mates walking off.”

Sammy looked back as Frazer managed to sit up at last.