Max Headroom: 20 Minutes Into the Future
AdWar
-Chapter 01-Cheviot had barely started his first cup of coffee on Wednesday morning when the wall screen in Network 23's Board Room came alive with the profile of Ped Xing.
Ped Xing, Chairman and Founder of the Zik Zak Corporation, was looking livid. He was shouting furiously at someone else in the Zik Zak Board Room and did not seem to realize that his call to Cheviot had connected.
After a few minutes, he turned to face Cheviot.
"Things are very bad," he barked "We have sustained an attack at our warehouses in New Britain and New Tokyo."
"I'll get Carter on the job," Cheviot offered. "He'll find out who- "
Ped Xing cut Cheviot off. "We know exactly who's responsible. I'm not calling you to request an investigation. I'm calling you to tell you that as of this moment, we are involved in a combat situation with Zlin. We have sent draft notices to several people both here at Zik Zak and at your Network."
"I must protest," Cheviot argued. "My employees are not yours to endan-"
"Clause 73 of our ad contract states that I may request the use of Network 23 employees for..."
"That's an advertising contract!" Cheviot snarled. "Not a military-"
"... for any purpose."
"I won't let you have Carter," Cheviot said, angrily. "He's our best reporter."
"I would never dream of putting Carter in danger," Ped Xing said, smoothly.
Cheviot decided not to bring up the Serendipity incident. "May I ask who…"
There was an explosion on Ped Xing's end and the vu-screen went dead.
Cheviot half hoped the man was dead.
Bryce Lynch read the notice on his vu-screen for what must have been the eighth or ninth time.
To Bryce Lynch. Network 23- Research and Development. You are
commanded by the Zik Zak Corporation to cease and desist all
current activities and contact Zik Zak Combat Services in London
for assignment.
Failure to reply will result in your disqualification for future Network 23
employment and may result in charges of treason which are punishable
by death.
Thank you.
It was followed by a vu-phone code.
] "They must have made a mistake," he reasoned. "There is no way they would ask someone my age to go to war. I'll call them. I'll call them and when they see me they'll say 'Sorry, kid. Too young. Go play with your Missile Mike doll.'."
He tapped in the code that was on the screen.
"Bryce Lynch responding as ordered," he said. "I think there's been a mis-"
"We do not make mistakes," the man on the screen told him. "We will retrieve you in one hour."
"Sir, are you aware that I am…"
"We are fully aware of your age and of what you are capable of," the man said, making it clear that Bryce was not getting out of this new assignment "You will be leaving for your new post in one hour. I suggest you find a suitable replacement to take over during your extended absence."