I smiled as I saw an Arthur Swine and Dine, complete with waving pig.
A thin looking dirty boy wearing a shoulder bag grabbed a shopping bag a woman had set down on the floor to talk to an Info Bot and he then bolted. He was stealing that ladies bag! And he ran my way, not seeing me as he glanced back. I grabbed him by the shirt. "I don't think that bag belongs to you!"
He turned tried to worm himself out of my grip and screamed."Let me go!" Now I noticed it wasn't a boy but a girl. Her hair was cropped short and she was perhaps twelve or thirteen. Wearing a one-piece coverall like smudgy gray suit,
I twisted the collar making it tighter. "Not before you gave back what you have stolen!"
She kicked me on my shin bone and I felt her kick even through my padded Fangsnapper leather boots. Two similar looking but much older teens both about my age and male for sure, approached us trying to blend in the crowd. "Now you are in trouble Mister, my brothers are coming and they will shank you, better let me go now!"
"I don't think they will." They had spotted the security officer just as I had. The girl changed her tune."Please Mister, don't turn me in. I don't want to go back to Mother Moore's happy Orphanage. Please!" Tears glittered in her eyes and I said." We give the lady back her belongings and I let you go!"
"You don't understand! If I don't bring my share I get beaten and kicked out of the nest!"
"I tell you what. We give the lady back her stuff and I buy you dinner at Arthurs and I buy you something you can use for loot. Stealing is not the answer and unfair to that woman who paid for whatever you stole!"
"You aren't for real! Are you?"
"I always keep my word!"
"Dinner and twenty Credits and you got a deal!"
"Alright. I give you ten now, bring back the bag and I give you ten more and buy lunch."
She nodded. "Deal!" with her free hand she fished a battered scratched looking Credit Chip form her pocket and I swiped her ten credits in the thing.
She stared at the read out." You give me ten more?"
"When you done your part of the deal!"
I let her go.
At first it seemed she was about to bolt but then she went to the lady who was still arguing with the Info Bot and had not even noticed her missing bag. The girl put it right where she took it and came back, first on distance with a distrusting expression on her dirty face. "You earned the second ten and I keep my side of the bargain."
She approached and I swiped another ten in her strip. On the far left of my field of view I saw one of her older friends coming closer, holding his right hand under a jacket and I turned fast. He revealed knife about ten centimeters and hissed." Don't interfere with the Port Roaches! I brushed aside my mantle drew Mördaren and held the blade under his chin."Don't come to a sword fight with a knife!"
He paled and tried to flee but a suddenly appearing Security robot grabbed him and a police man arrived moments later."Traveler did this Non citizen harm or steal from you?"
"No but he tried to stab me."
"I have scanned your weapon. It appears to be a simple metal sword without energy signature and is therefore permitted. You may however put it away now. Can I also scan your CIT?"
I slid the sword back into its scabbard and let him do it. He thanked me and said."Thank you for your cooperation citizen Olafson. Have a nice stay on Twilight."
"Do I have to do anything else?"
"No Sir. This thief and would be stabber will see the Judge and then either Ma Moore's if he is a minor or Dust camp if he is old enough. He won't bother travelers for a while in any case."
The cop left with the robot dragging the young man along. I didn't see the other boy or the girl. I decided to check out the shops get me some different clothing, a better PDD and maybe go outside and see how the air felt on another world and did not think much further about the incident. But the girl suddenly stepped in my way. "You still owe me a dinner!"
"Of course, and I will keep my promise. We can go back to Arthurs or go that Pizzeria there or any other restaurant. I see there are many choices here."
"Any restaurant?"
"Sure."
"We go to Chong's all you can eat then! But I must warn you it's 12 credits a nose."
"It's okay I think I can manage it!"
She led the way to a set of black lacquered doors with golden symbols and two ferocious looking golden animal statues sat on each side of it.
Inside behind a counter stood a woman, her face looked very much like that of the Off world assassin I had fought in my Submarine, her hair was black though and not silver. She bowed slightly and smiled at me but glared hostile at the girl." Your kind is not welcome. You have no money and steal much food!"
"She is with me and I pay for all the food she eats or steals."
"This is fortunate and acceptable to me. She is now welcome!"
The restaurant consisted of rows of tables and in the middle a long buffet with rows of tubs of steaming foods. The girl took a tablet and a plate and looked at me." You pay for the food I steal too?"
"Yes."
She first loaded her plate with a white cereal of little steaming kernels and filled bowls with stew like meat dishes. Then she filled her bag with rolls, and chicken pieces.
"Don't you want to wash your face and hands first? I am sure they have a wash room and maybe they could wrap the food before you put it in that bag? Remember I pay for it."
"Can I eat first and wash later? I am really hungry!"
"Sure, it was just a suggestion. So what's good here?"
"Everything is good! Do you like chicken or duck, spicy or not so spicy? Get little of the rice and much of the meat. "
I simply did what she did and went to a table.
To my surprise she used two sticks instead of a knife or spoon. Luckily there was a spoon like contraption made of ceramics. She ate like there was no tomorrow and then pointed at my plate."Have you never eaten with chop sticks?"
"No not really. We actually advanced to spoon and knife."
"They have regular silverware too; you don't have to use the rice spoon."
After she went for the third time she finally slowed down, chewing she looked at me," So what world are you from? You wear furs and leather and a sword and all that!"
"I am from Nilfeheim. Not that far from here."
"Never heard of Nilfeheim."
"And you? You are from Twilight?"
"You are not some law man right?"
"No I am Eric Olafson from Nilfeheim. I am a Neo Viking, the first time off planet and on my way to Arsenal."
"Oh right I heard of the Neo Vikings. Rough barbarians from some water planet, galactic east from here, right?"
"I think so."
"I am Exa, don't know if I have a real last name and I think I was born on Blue Moon if my mother told me the truth, but she stowed when I was real little to here and that's how I ended up on twilight."
"Stowed?"
"Stowed away, hid in a freight crate, you know. That's how Gal Drifts get around. It's not easy and sometimes you get stuck on a planet for a while, the Freights are pretty tight secured these days."
"It's not really my business and I have no idea what a Gal Drift is, but why are you stealing to get by and why are you hungry? Aren't you going to school?"
She poked the sticks in her food and then said without looking at me."Galactic Drifters, it's a sub culture. They don't believe in CITs and think it's not right to be tagged like cows so Big Brother can keep tabs on you. They don't believe in Union laws and that includes Schools. Citizens of the Universe they call themselves and believe all war is wrong, weapons are for evil purposes only and think if the Kermac want to rule over us then let them, instead of fighting them. Gal Drifts would not accept them as authority either." She sighed." My mom got hooked on God Dust, you know Califerm. Then she got caught and shot. They shoot Califerm addicts and dealers on sight as you know."
"So you are a Gal Drift? How about your father?"
She pushed the plate away." I told you Mom left Blue Moon or whatever planet when I was very little. Gal Drifts don't marry or keep track of their lovers. Of course it is easier on the men they don't get pregnant. I am no Gal Drift. I am a frikkin' Below. Below everyone else, as they call the Non Citizens. Without Union school you don't become a Union Citizen and the only school I can go to as an Orphan is Mother Moore's Happy Orphanage. It's the worst place there is, it is pure hell and I ran away three times. It isn't easy to get away. They have security like a State Pen and if I am sent back I go to the Inside on Slammer Moon. No chance of escape there."
"Seems you caught the short end of the stick here. If you want you could go to Nilfeheim at our place and go to school there. It's not a very sophisticated planet but it is quiet and boring for the most time."
"I can't simply travel, Mister even if I wanted to. Mother Moore is my legal guardian and one of them needs to sign my travel permission and release forms and all that."
"Is there more than one mother?"
"It is a Company they operate these orphanages on many planets and locations in the Union, and they get paid per Orphan they house, school and educate. The more complicated a kid is the more money they get. Therefore every second child is complicated! The real bad cases are sent to a moon not far from here called the Slammer. No escape possible and the kids only leave when they are legal adults and after extensive Psycho Surgery. After that they never complain,or tell about the real conditions and they praise Mother Moore's as the next best thing to paradise. There are no controls, no authorities checking on it unless someone complains. Who complains for an Orphan? We are by definition alone!"
The more she told about this unfair situation the more I felt angry and while a voice in me warned me to let it go and make my way to Arsenal as planned. I leaned forward and said to her." You are not alone no more! Let us find a way to get the Authorities involved. This is the Union and you have rights!"
Chapter 4: Exa
She finally gave up and pushed the plate away." That feels so good, to be full and all. I even got enough food in the bag so they will be nice to me at the nest, even though Benjamin has been arrested and most likely sent to Dust Camp."
"What is the nest?"
She looked around as to make sure no one listened in. "No outsider is allowed to know where it is and the roaches kill anyone who does."
"I didn't ask where it is but what it is."
"It's our hideout, us the Port Roaches that is. They found a neat spot sublevel nine, behind the Space ports Enviro tanks the Tunneling robots digging the tunnel for the water and supply pipes brushed a natural cave. It's not big but it is all ours. Much better place than the Short Rats or the Filth Flies have. It is dry and warm. Outside nothing is ever dry!"
I didn't tell her that she told me where her hideout was after all and said. "It rains a lot?"
"It hasn't stopped raining in this area for the last 100,000 years or more. This space port is located on the East wall of the Twilight river Canyon. The river is about 3000 meters below us. The Town Dusk is on the West wall, connected via the famous vertigo transparent bottom bridge. I can show you if you like I know my way around."
"Alright, I think I stay a day or two on Twilight and take a different bus. I want to see if we can't do something about your situation!"
Her suspicious facial expression came back. "Not that there is anything you can do, I am a Bottom no one wants to deal with us, but I sure like to know why you would want to get involved?"
I shrugged. "There is always something you can do and I simply can't help myself not getting involved when I notice something unfair and your situation is so far the most unfair I ever heard off."
"You said that about the ladies bag too, the unfair thing!"
"It's one of my two big problems that keep getting me in trouble." I got up, "Let's pay the Inn keeper and then I need to get me a hotel or something and buy me some other clothing. I also want to find a Union Post office. I think I am sending Mördaren home and get me something else. I would never forgive myself if I lost it."
"Mördaren?"
"My sword's name."
"You are weirder than I thought! I did hear of pets but naming a sword?"
"It's a Nilfeheim thing!"
I paid the bill and the lady said to the girl. "You can come back now and will be always welcome!" On our way out I said." You won't be welcome if she notices her golden cat thing missing you stole from the counter. I buy you one if you want one."
He eyes darkened. "I don't want one but it might bring a few credits on Xchange net."
I went back in and paid the lady for the missing statue, and when I left I didn't see the girl. Maybe it was better that way. I should not get involved anyway and who knows what the entire story was, maybe she was a hardened criminal. She sure was stealing everything in sight.
In a clothing store I looked over the offerings and found the male section measly and drab compared to the two floors dedicated to female clothing. I resisted the urge, purchased a pair what the sales man said was a 3000 years classic, blue pants he called jeans and a few shirts, a leather jacket. I did like the Terran All terrain boots with tough soles that would adjust automatically to the terrain I walked over. Then I went and put my old clothing and the sword in a big box and paid the Union Postal service to deliver it to my sister for safe keeping. I felt already very different without fur coat vest or tight leather trousers and I decided I liked leather better than jeans. Everything I wore now felt lighter, much lighter and I wasn't sure I would keep dressing like this and if I did the right thing sending my stuff back.
I also purchased a more advanced PDD with GalNet connection and it was over 8000 credits, the most expensive item I had ever purchased and yet it did not really change the readout of my credit strip. As I left the girl stood outside, her bag looked empty and she said." I just went and shared the food with the others in the nest. They could not believe what I told them. So here I am. Your Twilight tour guide. If I charge you 20 Credits for this service would you say no?"
"Why don't we make another deal? We get you cleaned up and I get you some decent clothing and when you are all clean I give you twenty credits and a tip."
"You pay me for that?"
"Sure will!" I took the PDD and said. "Greylines Passenger Relations of coach 554 on Twilight. I like to make changes to my travel arrangements."
"One moment please, connecting."
"Greylines Passenger Relations. Please transmit your ID blip."
I did.
"Olafson, Eric. Boarded on Nilfeheim with final destination Arsenal Gate?"
"Correct"
"What can I do for you?"
"I like to stay a little on Twilight and take a later bus"
"No problem. Your ticket is good for one year and on all connections to Arsenal Gate, regardless the route you take. Do you have luggage aboard?"
"No."
"Then all is set you may take any later or different bus at any time you choose. Thank you for choosing Greylines and have a nice day."
"That's a SII – Prodat 9 is it not?"
"I think so, I just bought it. My old one was not GalNet enabled. Don't steal it! It was quite expensive!"
"I know I could get 100 Credits for it from the Roach King!"
"I think your roach king keeps a hefty profit for himself then. This just cost me 8000 and its brand new. Even if he gets half for it, you should get more than 100 credits for it."
She blinked." You just spend 8000 credits, just like that?"
"More or less. So are we still on or keep standing around?"
"There is a scrub and soak on Level 9 for Dust Miners. I could shower there." Her face did not look happy as she said it.
"You don't want to get clean?"
"Yes I don't mind being clean, water isn't free up here and it's a long way to the river. There are only Dust Miners and rough men at the Scrub and soak…"
"It was your suggestion. I
was thinking about a Hotel room with a private bath!"
Her face lit up." A real Hotel with one bed per room?"
"Do they have unreal hotels too?"
"There are Bunk Houses, Hostels, Sleep halls, Hour Hotels, Portels, Bed and Breakfasts, one, two, three, four and five star Hotels and there is even one Ultra Lux in the City.
I sighed lead the way and pick one. "We have two hotels on Nilfeheim and that is it and I never been in one."
"How much do you want to spend?"
I shrugged." Is there one with a nice view perhaps of the outside or something?"
Exa's eyes sparkled." Well there is no better view than from the Bridge Hotel."
"That's the one Girl. Lead the way!"
She led me to a bank of Inter Port Transports and we entered the transport bullet, she keyed in a destination and the bullet shot down. The transparent tube we traveled in left the bottom of the space port and I now saw the entire port was build hanging two thirds of a mind blowing canyon. On the other side was a City with sky scrapers built the same way hanging over the cliff the two were connected via fragile looking bridge. But taking the size of the city and the space port complex into account the bridge must have been gigantic." I said to her."Say didn't you want to stay somewhere on that bridge or is there another bridge hotel or something?"
She said." I am sorry Eric, but the others said I must do that or they kill me.!" She touched my hand with something and I felt my legs give away and slide along the wall to the floor. She looked sad." Sorry Eric! I had no choice! You would be gone tomorrow and I am still with the Port Roaches!"
Eric Olafson Series Boxed Set: Books 1 - 6 (The Galactic Chronicles Series) Page 214