ONE
Vio opened his eyes, yet part of him remained still in the dream, in that memory, and even as his vision adjusted to the harsh sunlight, he wondered if that memory would truly ever release him.
The sun of Obcasio II bathed the shuttle’s cabin in red light, and while several passengers were marveling at the alien landscape, Vio was instead fixated on the sprawling settlement below. Surrounded on all sides by a coarse environment, the expanding town was no more than a cluster of state-of-the-art luxury high-rises, with the distant roof to roof air traffic buzzing about like flies. Civilian relocation had only been approved for Obcasio ten months prior and yet those that chose Obcasio followed suit with every other RecOp world. With space travel accelerating passengers incrementally into the future, that meant the first group to relocate to Obcasio had already spent years making the settlements look as much like Earth as possible.
Almost defeats the reason for making a life here, Vio thought. Opportunity to live on a new world but still let’s make sure we make it a carbon copy of the shithole we just left.
Not too far from the settlement Vio caught a glimpse of a domed structure, with several protruding pylons propelled into the sky. He recognized the design as a standard atmospheric regulator, one of five needed to maintain the planet’s manufactured environment that human settlers required. The way it had been explained to Vio was if one or two of them go offline then, within thirty years, the air would become unbreathable. So, long before the Obcasio system could be stripped of its resources or used as a potential beachhead for war, civilian scientists with lucrative IM Corp contracts arrived to terraform the surface. If any native lifeforms hid from the recon scanners, they likely didn’t survive the metamorphosis of their ecosystem. Vio could relate.
The guy on the bottom never gets a say when the world is flipped upside down.
The shuttle aligned itself with the AED spaceport and began its approach. The passengers began collecting their things, but Vio remained still, lost in thought.
These pricks are going to give me hell, I know it. This whole trip’ll be a waste if they decide to detain me. And then it’s straight back to Earth, to rations and the work lottery.
Fuck that.
As the shuttle touched down, Vio noticed two soldiers awaited them out on the tarmac, which was customary on a RecOp world as the passengers’ travel licenses would need scanned. Vio stood up, retrieved his duffel bag and tugged down on his torn jacket sleeve, slouching as he crossed the aisle.
Best not to draw attention. Just carry yourself like a civilian.
As the occupants began deboarding, an attendant outfitted with a white vest awaited everyone as they reached the hatch. Taking each passenger’s hand and placing them on a medwand, the attendant administered a quick inoculation. The small girl ahead of Vio yelled ‘ouch.’
“What was that for?” she cried.
With little enthusiasm, the attendant muttered back to the child. “Just a routine cerebrospinal inoculation to prevent hydrocephalus, ma’am.”
A puzzled look upon her face, the girl rubbed her finger and followed her mom outside.
I’m with you, kid. I don’t want to be hassled either.
Vio winced as he exited the shuttle, raising his hand to shield his eyes from the overhead sun. The three soldiers processing the passengers each wore a modified helmet to reduce exposure to the red sunlight, allowing them to scan licenses with no impairment. Vio squinted, trying to make sure he didn’t bump into the girl and her mother in front of him as the line moved up.
“Mom, why is it in the picture Trevor sent us he kind of looks like dad?”
Oh, I have to hear how she does this.
“It’s hard to explain, sweetheart,” The mother bit her lip. “It’s called time dilation. Basically, when you take a spaceship ride, the ship goes so fast it’s like you’re flying into the future.”
Probably the simplest way of explaining it.
The soldiers asked for their licenses while the mother juggled her bags. “And ever since your stepbrother got his new job and left to come here, we’ve visited your grandparents, and then your aunt-”
“And we jumped into the future too many times and now Trevor’s old?”
“Something like that.”
“Cool.”
Once the soldiers cleared them both, the mother took her daughter by the arm and moved on.
Shit. My turn.
Vio could now see their ranking pips, or lack of in one’s case. That meant that one was a private PVT, and the other a PV2, private second class. The closest soldier, the PV2, held out his hand. “License.”
Vio slid the small glass sleeve out of his standard, ‘no frills’ ICO wristband, and offered it to the soldier.
The soldier scanned it with a slim instrument, then read the match on his tactical gauntlet. “Vio Recarey?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Duration of stay?”
“Indefinitely, sir.”
“Reason for relocation?”
“New opportunities, sir.”
The soldier eyed Vio up. “Quite decorous for a civilian, aren’t you?”
Force of habit. Shit.
The PV2 pinched Vio’s jacket sleeve and raised it enough to expose a tattoo on his wrist. Upon seeing the body ink, the soldier keyed in a command on his gauntlet.
And now he’s going to run the background check and-
“Vio Recarey, Airman First Class.”
“He outranks you, Kilmer,” The second soldier looked at Kilmer’s gauntlet display. “Sorry, sir, but what’s an A1C doing on a civilian shuttle?”
“You don’t have to address him as an officer, Hayden. Recarey here resigned his commission the day after the war ended.” Kilmer handed Vio back his sleeve. “Couldn’t be bothered with the clean-up, shirker?”
“I’m not a shirker. I did my duty,” An image of a debris-blanketed deck appeared briefly in Vio’s mind’s eye, again trapped in that memory of his feet resting beside a severed hand. “And some things can’t be cleaned up.”
Kilmer had no reply.
Hayden tried to lower his voice. “If he’s former AED, shouldn’t we buzz the sergeant?”
Kilmer sighed. “No, because if this guy wants to throw his life away on this dust ball, let him. Rather that than waste Earth rations on him.” Kilmer stood back, pointing to the other passengers. “Follow them, shirker.”
Vio refrained from responding. He simply adjusted his bag’s shoulder strap and moved on. Throwing my life away? Huh. Never thought that to start living I’d have to throw my life away, but whatever. No big loss.
Vio caught up with the group of fellow civilians as they eventually reached the spaceport gate. On the other side, a kiosk built into the spaceport’s perimeter wall was broadcasting an AED recruitment ad on repeat.
“…ensure the future of your children and neighbors by joining us in Astronautical Expansion Defense! Be the first to see mankind’s future colonies side by side with the brilliant minds who prepare them! And with your courage and dedication we can safeguard civilization’s interests from raiders and malefactors! Guaranteed work for life! Join today!”
As long as your interests align with theirs, that is.
Vio and the passengers filed out into the settlement. The streets were composed of a cheap alloy, giving off a shine from the reflected daylight, but the constant and powerful crosswinds littered sand everywhere. The granules were colored navy blue and charcoal, a result of unique oxidation caused by the atmospheric regulators. As Vio trekked deeper into the town, the crunching of sand between his feet and the streets lessened, the central buildings tall enough to block most of the wind. He looked up at the neon and digital displays affixed to almost every inch of usable surface.
Yep. Just as obnoxious as back home.
As he navigated the streets, Vio noticed that most people sported headgear similar to what the soldiers wore, however some were more practical than others. The helmets women wore were designed to be more stylish, usually matching their entire ensemble. It wasn’t just the women sporting the fancier pieces, though. Men as well were dressed in a fashion that spoke a certain truth to Vio.
This a very wealthy settlement.
Across the street Vio identified what seemed to be a bar or club and he decided fifteen minutes on the ground was more than enough time sober. He crossed the street and waltzed inside, the doorway scanners verifying he was unarmed.
Those are AED issue, Vio thought. What are they doing outside of the spaceport?
Vio felt all eyes on him as he creeped inside. The patrons, even the bartender, all were clothed in garments that carried a significant price tag, his own jacket likely costing a mere fraction of their garb.
At least I know they’ll have good booze.
Vio reached the bar and set his duffel bag down on the closest bar stool. “Bourbon. Breeg’s if you got it.”
The bartender snorted. “ID?”
Vio hiked up his sleeve, slid his ICO band around and extended his arm for the bartender to scan his code.
“25? Bullshit. You don’t look a day over 14, if that.”
“14! Are you crazy? I’m about a foot taller than you, I’ve almost got a full beard going,” He pointed to his tattoo. “And I served two tours, pal.”
“I think this gentleman is new to Obcasio, Earl.” A young man, about Vio’s age, stood up from the table in the corner and joined Vio at the bar. Unlike the other patrons, the young man was dressed plainly, his outfit a mix of two different uniforms. He pointed at Vio. “Probably doesn’t know about the planet’s axis yet.”
“What about it?”
“Well, Obcasio’s smaller than Earth, similar seasons, but due to the axial tilt, the years here are longer, so the calendar’s longer, and, well…”
“By the time you’re a teenager you’re already a full-grown man?”
“Basically. Like dog years I guess. Short of it is people here follow the Obcasio calendar, not the Prime calendar.” The young man finished off his drink, then offered Vio his hand. “Gary Manx, but everyone just calls me Router.”
“Vio Recarey.”
The bartender put his scanner away. “Well, Mr. Recarey, until you have a New Luucrum issued ID, there’s no bourbon for you here, Breeg’s or otherwise.”
Vio locked eyes with the bartender.
The shit I’ve seen… the shit I’ve done… all for these assholes to sit here and judge me, and I can’t even get a fucking drink. I’m inclined to just-
“Let’s go, Vio.” Router slapped Vio on the shoulder. “Better places to be.”
Vio took a deep breath, reached for his duffel bag, and followed Router out into the street, taking note of all the smug patrons enjoying his departure.
“Trust me, man, it’s not worth it,” Router said as they passed through the scanners. “Last year I saw a guy in there refuse to switch tables when one of those pompous couples came in.” They both reached the sidewalk. “Next day he was found stuffed into that disposal bin.” Router pointed down the alley where a large metal container sat next to a loading skiff. “Surface living carries a hefty fucking price, you know what I mean?”
“Surface living?”
Router wrinkled his brow. “Did you even bother to research this place before getting on that shuttle?”
“I spent the last two years flying troops into the mouths of hell and back. Didn’t matter where I wound up, as long as it wasn’t a battlefield or Earth.”
“Yeah, but you were enlisted,” Router threw up a hood to cover his eyes from the sunlight as they passed through an intersection. “Earth would feed you, right? Set you up someplace with a stable life?”
“Living on Earth is life support but it’s not a life. Rather take my chances here.”
“Fair enough. Well, Vio Recarey, you can take your chances, as you say, mingling with the sanctimonious surface society, or, you can tag along with me back underground, live like a rebel.”
“Depends. Do I need a New Luucrum ID to get a drink?”
“Nope.”
“Well, then lead the way.”
Router led them to where he had parked his cobbled together hover skiff, which was barely big enough to transport one person, let alone two. “May be a bit cramped but it beats walking.”
Vio crouched down into the back, resting his bag in his lap. “Why? How far is it?”
“Well, the formal entrance to the mines is about 75 kilometers out,” Router reached under the seat and retrieved his helmet, a miner’s hat modified with an extended brim and goggles. “The New Luucrum passenger ramp isn’t far, but I think a more scenic approach is called for. I mean, they don’t call me Router for nothing.” Router sat down and powered up the skiff. “Battlefields, huh? Then this should be nothing.”
The skiff rocketed forward, propelling them both across the surface at a speed of 150 kph. New Luucrum quickly became a distant image as the transport zoomed over the sand dunes, the setting sun not as grating on Vio’s eyes but still radiant enough to illuminate the passing landscape.
“Are there any other settlements?” Vio shouted.
“A few, like Daable and Elliobrutt, but Daable’s only for the super-rich and Elliobrutt’s pretty much a ghost town. And there’s sporadic science outposts and whatnot but most of them are abandoned.” Router was bringing them closer to the atmospheric regulator Vio saw during his landing. “But that’s just the surface. Obcasio’s real population’s down here.”
They were almost at the domed building. “Router?”
“Hang on.”
Just as Vio prepared for a fatal collision, the skiff descended into a narrow cave, its mouth located underneath the eastern edge of the regulator dome. Router threaded the transport through the passageway until it opened up into a vast cavern, the diameter close to five kilometers wide.
“Welcome to Lower Luucrum!” Router eased up on the throttle so Vio could soak it all in. “This planet was a honeypot for cabidium, but once the bonanza dried up most of the miners and their corporate masters dusted off. Didn’t bother to finish the hyperloop they had planned.”
Vio looked down at a commerce market, with people in mismatching uniforms or oversized garments swarming booth to booth. He could see high priced data devices and footwear exchanging hands. “Where you finding this stuff?”
“ISRU. In situ resource utilization? You’re former army.”
“Navy, and I know ISRU. Make best of everything that’s been shipped here, I get that. The mining equipment, making the helmets your own. IM Corp. has a whole reference packet we’re told to memorize. What I mean is if you’re all about recycling then where’s that luxury junk coming from?”
“Oh, well, people have their ways. Sky’s the limit down here in LowLuu, and unless you’re a total creep, people tend to live and let live. Better than the alternatives up top, trust me.”
Router descended the skiff to ground level and continued on down the streets of Lower Luucrum, all the while Vio took note of its inhabitants. Mothers playing with their children on fabricated balconies, teenagers hanging out on top of an abandoned distending drill, even older gentlemen having drinks while watching an old sparring match projected onto the tunnel wall. The population was just as crammed and destitute as on Earth.
The difference was they all looked happy.
“Alright, here we are.” Router decelerated, parking his skiff behind an old rusted foreman’s tower. “Home sweet home.”
Vio climbed out, sighing with relief as his legs were no longer cramped.
Router tossed his helmet onto the skiff seat and skipped up the tower’s metal staircase. He slid the data sleeve out of his dented ICO band and swiped it across the door sensor, Router passing inside as the hatch slid open. “Excuse the mess, the cleaning array is non-existent.”
Maps and schematics hung from the walls, deactivated scout drones sat lifeless in the corner, and empty containers of standard rations littered the floor, but the first thing Vio actually noticed as he walked inside Router’s abode was the still form of a nude female laying on Router’s makeshift bed. “Umm…”
Router looked over and stammered. “Oh, shit, yeah, well, I uh… yep, that’s Monica. She’s my… well, live and let live, right? She’s my ‘love assistant.’” He stepped across the room and pulled a sheet over Monica’s artificial skin. “Found her on a transport dock up above two months back. She was marked defective.”
“Defective?”
“Yeah, she’s supposed to have seven personality options but only nurturing mode works. I guess a sexbot only capable of love wasn’t really sought after in New Luucrum.” Router shrugged. “I know I should be ashamed, right, but… I don’t know. I like to hear a caring voice before I go to sleep. It’s… soothing.” He cleared his throat. “Is that so wrong?”
“No, I guess not,” Vio dropped his duffel bag onto the couch. “We all cope one way or another.”
Or fail trying.
“Exactly. Well, I promise to keep her deactivated while you’re crashing here. In the mean time, do you want me to show you around more? There’s a little place not too far away where the ladies aren’t quite as artificial. And, your penchant for bourbon? I know a place where-”
“Actually, I’m a bit worn out. Tried sleeping on the shuttle but…”
“No, I get it. Yeah, man, snooze away. I’m going to track down a buddy of mine who has a lead on fresh trail boots, because mine?” Router lifted his left foot, showing a hole in the sole. “They’re done. So I’ll leave you be.”
“Thanks, Router.” Vio offered his hand.
“You’re welcome, Recarey.” Router shook his hand then made for the door.
“Why?” Vio said. “Why help me? How do you know I’m not a psychotic?”
“I don’t know, maybe you are. But my brother served. 14th battalion. A tour on Rebta Prime. I promised he could stay with me when he was done, but…” Router sighed. “Guess I’m trying to make good on that promise.”
Vio nodded.
Once Router had left, Vio slumped onto the couch. He laid his head down, staring at the covered form on Router’s bed.
‘I like to hear a caring voice before I go to bed, It’s soothing.’
I wouldn’t know. Vio closed his eyes. Maybe one day. For now, all I can do is roll the dice and hope I don’t wake up screaming again.
