The First Subject

By James Vesping

Peter Coureau, a struggling artist with a dead-end job at an aircraft manufacturer, finds himself sent to a defense exposition with his boss to sell a obscure aircraft. While there, he sees a demonstration for a new series of aerospace computers that are seemingly self-aware. The only question is whether or not it is an elaborate sales pitch or if someone is trapped within the machine itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Vesping
• Release date: Aug 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463521908

James Vesping

James Vesping is a former network technician, having worked in both the private and the government sector. He has worked in software and web development in both professional and hobbyist capacities, including several simulation projects for popular sandbox games. In 2015, he began writing novels as a hobbyist, which turned into a full time job by 2017. You can find him on the web at JamesVesping.com.

Book preview

The First Subject

by

James Vesping

Copyright 2018 James Vesping

Cover art Copyright 2018 James Vesping

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The First Subject

You ready for this? Kelsey asked.

Peter shook his head. No, not really. But we've got to, right?

Kelsey smiled and nodded. We're swimming with the sharks now, Pete. The defense industry is big money, if not the biggest; there's always some boogeyman out there, just chomping at the bit to bring civilization as we know it down to rubble.

Peter frowned. Thanks for reminding me. Are you sure we can do this?

If we don't, we'll be out of a job. Just remember to emphasize 'affordable' and 'capable' to anyone who asks. And get our cards out to all the representatives, too.

Peter sighed and looked at his watch. Well, it'll be open soon. Better get the booth ready.

Kelsey looked ahead to the convention center and opened a hand. Let's go. We won't make much of an impact standing around out here.

Peter nodded and began walking into the convention center. It was a large venue, stuffed tight with defense corporations from around the world, all of which were eager to show off their new and future technologies for military and governmental use. He and Kelsey were fortunate that their company was able to get them some space, but it felt as if it was a wasted effort; they were trying to sell a militarized crop duster turboprop airplane, comparatively archaic compared to modern jet fighters and ubiquitous drones. It was similar to selling muskets to people who had access to assault rifles – at least, in Peter's mind.

As they entered the building, Peter and Kelsey were greeted with the sight of various defense exhibitions – some large, some small – as the employees scurried about, trying to make last-minute preparations before the expo opened to the visitors. It was supposedly an invitation-only event, but the vast majority of attendees would be members of the press rather than those who could actually make deals. There would be some corporate espionage, a clueless general or admiral, a few head hunters, and plenty of so-called industry representatives. The primary purpose was to show off wares and hope that word would somehow get to the politicians who would actually make money change hands – usually by emphasizing particular voting districts in hopes of latching onto the graft and corruption that typically followed government representatives around.

Focusing on their own display, Peter increased his pace and ignored all the other displays sitting around, especially those by much larger firms. Like Kelsey said, swimming with the sharks. These guys would sell weapons to serial killers if they could. And probably sell out their own mothers to make that deal happen. He let out a breath as he finally reached the display, moving around behind it and taking a seat at one of the chairs they had positioned last night. He didn't expect much attention at all, though Kelsey was more enthusiastic than he was; she was a much more confident salesperson than Peter, which was why she was the head of the public relations division, and more importantly, his boss. He was only there because he was a