Nano Contestant - Episode 1: Whatever It Takes by Leif Sterling Page B

big race. There are going to be one thousand people out there competing. Only the top forty-eight get to actually go on to the Tech Games.”
    Roland let his leg down. “I know. That’s why I’m nervous.”
    Coach looked Roland straight in the eyes. “Look, there may be a thousand other people out there, but the vast majority don’t have the skills or strength to get into the actual Tech Games. You do.”
    Roland nodded, but he knew it was just a pep talk and that he would have to fight hard to get to number forty-eight. A red light began to blink on Roland’s right arm under the skin. “Well, looks like they are calling me to check in to the contestant’s area.”
    Skylar gave Roland a hug. “Godspeed! Get out there and beat them!”
    “Thanks, Sky.” Roland left the team area and headed down the long hallway to the Great Room.
    The Great Room was big enough to hold all one thousand contestants, another thousand camera crew and Pinnacle employees, and only feel half full. Roland held out his arm for the employee to scan the red glowing tracking device in Roland’s arm. The employee’s scanner beeped and then he motioned Roland on through his checkpoint. The tracking device light turned green under Roland’s skin and then turned off.  
    Roland made his way through the crowd and up towards the front. He saw a food buffet on the side and instinctively went towards it. Coach had tracked his nutrition and found he needed to eat at least ten thousand calories a day. He grabbed four pieces of pizza then stepped away from the crowd. He recognized a light blue athletic uniform coming towards him. “Enrique. You ready to race?”
    Enrique nodded. “Roland.” He gestured to all the people. “This is crazy, isn’t it?”
    Roland nodded. “Yeah! Insane. I can’t believe this many people are going to run today.” He took a huge bite of his pizza.
    Enrique looked down at Roland’s plate. “Always eating, huh? I don’t think I could eat now. My stomach is all over the place.”
    Roland smiled. “Food helps me with the jitters and my tech burns a lot of calories. Hey, looks like someone is coming on stage. See you at the finish line.”
    Enrique turned to face the stage. “Good luck. Stay sharp out there!” Then Enrique grabbed a water and walked back into the crowd.
    Roland continued to eat while he listened to ‘Honest Al,’ the announcer for the Tech Games up on stage. He gave a few introductory remarks and then thanked some sponsors. Roland grabbed a plate of pasta after the third sponsor was thanked. Then Honest Al informed everyone that the Tech Games would begin in thirty minutes and to be sure to be lined up. Then the outside doors were opened, and people were directed to line up at their assigned starting position number.
    Roland walked out into a large grassy field. The Pinnacle employee at the exit door had told him to line up at number 755. Roland walked about a hundred yards or so to the right of the door, watching the starting numbers painted on the turf. He finally found his and went and stood on it. “Skylar, time check?”
    Skylar glanced at her clock and put on her headset. “You got ten minutes until it starts.”
    Coach was also wearing a headset. “Just stretch out, Roland. Keep your mind clear. Don’t talk to anyone. Breathe slow and deep.”
    Roland sat down on the grass, a little behind his number, and began stretching out his legs. He saw a short Jamaican woman with droid legs step into the position on his left. She nodded to him and then began her own stretching routine. Roland nodded back. Then he felt a large shadow fall on him.
    “Organic Boy!” Duke’s huge voice bellowed.
    Roland kept on stretching.
    Duke walked up to position 756. “What a coincidence, I’m right next to you.” Duke motioned for a camera crew that had been following him to come closer. “This is the one I told you to watch. This little guy is using nanotech. You guys keep your cameras right here. Then