Expressions of Freedom

By Gareth Lewis

So you're minding your own business, doing your job, making influential people uncomfortable under your journalistic gaze, and what happens? Shadowy informants tell you the democratic system is compromised, the people behind it lean on your publisher to kill the story before you've even got it, and your life could be ruined if you carry on. But at least they’re not trying to kill you. Oh, sh...

A 10,000 word novelette.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gareth Lewis
• Release date: Jan 20, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452346014

Gareth Lewis

Gareth Lewis has written a number of novels and shorter works in a few genres, including fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers. A programmer, he has a degree in computer studies, and lives in South Wales.

Book preview

Expressions of Freedom

Gareth Lewis

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2010 Gareth Lewis

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Cover art produced using Midjourney AI

A yawn escapes me as the PR pitch drones on, way beyond being a reasonably succinct and illuminating presentation. It’s ten minutes since the last opportunity for a concise speech, and it’s bloating to match Marsters’ self-importance. He’s the type to expect a round of applause on finishing, even if most of the press only attend via the remote cameras.

Having heard a rumour that PR fluff can rot your brains, I’m safer zoning it out. The possibility of actual content is low, and it’s being recorded. I’ll assign an intern to tell me anything I’m missing.

It should be nearly done, as Marsters seems fit to burst, so I start listening again. ‘...with these upgrades automatically uploaded to customers’ phones tonight. Implementing the latest technologies, we’re confident our customers will find a noticeable improvement to our already leading-edge systems.’ After a pause for applause, he continues, unfazed by, and possibly unaware of, its absence. Outside his head. ‘I’ll happily answer as many questions as time will allow.’

‘Mister Marsters,’ a camera squeaks, its operator selected by Mercuris Communications’ systems as a preferred reporter. ‘James Tremaine of the Globe, sir. Can I ask how excited you, personally, feel by the technological innovations your company is pioneering?’

That’ll tax Marsters’ rehearsed responses. Why not ask his hat size? Bland questions from bland inquisitors, receiving plastic replies. As the parade of uninteresting questions bleat forth from the assembled press, I abandon any attempt to stifle my yawns.

A camera within reach finally lights up. ‘Mister Marsters, Marian Weatherly of the Mirror...’ The question dies with a squawk as I stand, discarding the yanked wires.

‘Mister Marsters, Jonas Harper of the Chronicle-’

‘Mister Harper,’ Marsters interrupts before I can begin, which is a bit rude. But the control he manages over his growl is somewhat admirable. ‘If you’d wait your turn, I’m sure-’ he’d ignore me, taking only pre-screened questions from pre-screened reporters.

Politely ignoring his rudeness, I continue. ‘Would you care to comment on rumours your upgrade includes software to record your customers conversations?’

‘How did...’ Marsters blurts in surprise, before regaining his composure. With obvious reluctance, and barely suppressed hostility, he continues. ‘Changes made at the request of the Security Service allow limited AI programs to scan communications on our networks, searching for select keywords or phrases, but only suspect calls are recorded, so let me assure our honest customers that their communications will remain