Illustrations of the Class of 2087

I hope readers have stumbled upon the recent chapters in my new disability romance story One Way To Graduate, which is being released weekly, but let’s put that aside for a hot second.

You might be thinking the illustration Gammatelier drew for his commissioned story Quint Boss was the traded art for that story (cause I wasn’t too clear in the last blog post) but actually, I’ve had him developing some high-quality reference sheets for our magnificent quartet from Beta Academy; Jessica, Amy, Adam, and Cathy. Gamma went above and beyond here, offering to redesign the chair itself on top of my goal of a new uniform and obviously the character faces themselves.

Through a back and forth over a frantic couple of weeks, Gamma designed a sort of segway-style cradle which is lighter and more streamlined than my design (built with Demon-Man’s wonderful help). These chairs can balance, as well as get closer to each other, and it holds the passenger firmly in place regardless if they are driving or the Central system has taken control. I think both designs have their appeal, as Demon-Man’s has a certain “faded future” aesthetic I like, but Gamma and I decided that if money is going anywhere, its to the beta future programme, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I especially enjoy the uniforms Gamma designed. While I was writing in 2018, I was heavily influenced by Brave New World and Huxley’s obsession with the sensualism of a zipper, the speedy release and ‘promiscuity’ of it (lol the 1930s), but I think the alternate take here is to have a very elaborate costume. I haven’t decided if this is all pre-stitched and zippered down the back again or around the butt underneath the skirt, or if every Beta must be individually dressed, but regardless the idea here is clothing specifically designed to highlight the limbless body, including the fertile aspects and change in waist location when the legs are gone (or never there to begin with!).

Also if you’re wondering who Cathy is, I’m afraid she was the next character POV before I lost the plot. I fully intend to continue their tale someday, but for now take these tokens of thanks for reading my stories.

An illustration of a quadruple amputee in a two-wheeled chair, looking at the camera cutely. — Jessica 326 (In Good Standing), illustrated by Gammatelier

An illustration of a quadruple amputee in a two-wheeled chair, winking at the camera cutely. — Amy 312 (On Probation), illustrated by Gammatelier

An illustration of a quadruple amputee in a two-wheeled chair, looking up, anxious. — Adam (California Import 7), illustrated by Gammatelier

An illustration of a quadruple amputee in a two-wheeled chair, in a dazed state. — Cathy 327 (Low Beta slated for Reuse or Reclamation), illustrated by Gammatelier

You can read more about Jessica and her friends in Beta Academy.

P.S. a week on: Gammatelier has been incredibly generous and gifted a fifth Beta, Alyssa 295 the Teacher!