Chapter 3
Pairs well with Real World, by The Buzzcocks
Sitting at a public table, Juan’s whole body hurt. He rubbed the back of his neck trying to salve his bruised ego as much as his tired muscles. When he told her what happened in PT class, Greta was unsympathetic. She patted him on his new shoulder pad and told him his feelings would pass. Then she bounced over to one of the closest vendors to get them some dinner.
For her, it was a late supper time, but it was lunch for Juan. Their circadian schedules were a bit out of sync, but still allowed them plenty of time together. Besides, young people have always been unconcerned about sacrificing sleep in favor of social activities.
Greta was heading back with a steaming bowl in each hand. She took a seat and slid one over, “Here, this’ll make you feel better.”
“Thanks.” He dug in. Greta ate slower and watched her boyfriend devour his meal.
When he was finished, Juan looked up sheepishly, “I guess I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“Taking a whooping must really work up an appetite.” She teased, egging him on a bit. Juan resisted the bait, but part of him wanted to take it. Bruised ego or not, Greta could just never understand what it was like for students on the Guard track. She had always been favored, with her positive attitude and quick smile. Her academic scores were exceptional and at a young age she was selected for the Sales and Acquisitions track– highly competitive, but once you were in, you were treated like royalty- there were Krelborn employees who deferred to her, and she hadn’t even graduated yet.
Juan, on the other hand, had to fight and claw from the very beginning to stay in the elite Guard section. Being in the top twenty was a steep climb and one could easily fall back to the bottom. The promise of a special assignment today would have helped him solidify his superior status. To have it be so close to his grasp and then stolen away by Rae, was something he would not get over soon.
Looking across at Greta’s pretty face and stylish clothes, Juan felt lucky to be dating her. He was never sure why she chose him out of all her possible suitors, but it made him feel indebted. He sought her approval, which made her teasing sting all the more. He knew that she, from her privileged position, could never really understand him. But, he supposed, he would never really understand her either. As long as they accepted each other, they made it work.
Greta smiled, trying to redirect his brooding mood. “Wanna come with me tonight? I’m heading to Skid Row.” She lifted her eyebrows in time with those last two words.
“You know I can’t, I have guided duty”
“But I thought you didn’t get the special assignment? Aren’t you free now?
“No, I still have my regular shift. Just plain ol’ observe and absorb with Rafiq.”
Munching on a bit of tofu, “At least you get to hang out with Rafiq. Can’t be all bad.”
Shaking his head, “Not much hanging to be done. We have to stay pretty silent, take notes, and then pass the end-of-shift quiz. They’re still giving those, and they get harder each time, it seems.” Juan paused. “Why would you be going to Skid Row? You know it’s dangerous and the company doesn’t like us spending time there.”
Shrugging, “Call it S&A benefits. It’s good for us to have a better understanding of all parts of Nekonikon; the non-aligned are customers too. Besides, the guards would never give me trouble.” Winking with a smile “I guess you shouldn’t either.
“Is that so? Really, what are you planning to do there?”
She feigned an exasperated sigh, “I guess I’ll just have to see where the wind takes me.”
“You got time for a walk? It’s still a couple hours before I have to report to the Ram.”
She stood and took his hand, “I’ve always got time for you.”
Walking through the vendor market was a cacophony of both aromas and sound. Sizzling synth meats, noodles, tacos, kabobs and more. The smell of chou tofu was overwhelming, something Juan never could get used to. The ambient noise of Nekonikon was amplified in this enclosed space. Vendors called from all directions, patrons deliberated their meal choices, or were in raucous conversations over steaming bowls, wrappers, and cups. People bustled in all directions and Juan would have struggled to keep track of Greta were they not holding hands.
Emerging from the tented ceiling of the market onto the street was a relief. They walked easily along the wide clean sidewalks of the Battery.
The buildings of the Battery were not as elaborate as Harborside or Cogstown. This area began as an industrial center, so it was built for ease of movement and transport. Wide accommodating streets were rimmed with tall rectangular buildings, nearly all the same shade of gray. Harborside was built for residents as well as commerce and trade. Run by Longyu, their skyline boasted beautiful pagodas and stylized architecture to draw one’s eye. Cogstown, as well, was quite an architectural marvel. No expense was spared in bringing in the greatest avant garde architects to engineer their elaborate buildings. The crowning jewel, being the Knot; Cogswell-Smythe’s headquarters drew three buildings together and appeared to tie them in a giant knot in the center, the highest point in all Nekonikon’s skyline.
Of course, since moving most of their data farms and energy production to the Plant, the Battery became the residential area of the Krelborn district. Neon signs brightened up the drab buildings. Advertisements for everything made by the big three corporations and their subsidiaries were endless. Augmented by AR ads in their neuros, it was sometimes difficult to ignore the intrusions and focus on the person next to you.
“What’s it like in Skid Row?” Juan asked.
“You should know. Don’t you go there sometimes on your guided duty shifts?”
“Yeah, but that’s different. When I’m on duty people avoid me and I’m not there for fun.”
“It’s good. Different. Not as dangerous as you grunts like to claim. Certainly, the best music you can find anywhere.”
“Really? I can’t imagine the music is that good. What makes their AI so special?”
“What makes it special is they write it themselves.”
“Really? Heh, now I know you’re joking. There is no way that’s any good.”
“They have recordings, but you gotta hear it live first; the recordings don’t do it justice.” Juan gave her a disbelieving smile. “Really, really babe. Come see Corpslayer with me tomorrow; I won’t take no for an answer.”
Juan stopped, uncomfortable. “I’m not supposed t… y’know, it might be OK for S&A, but Guards are not to fraternize with…”
She cut him off with a kiss. “You worry too much. I’ll protect you. No one will bother you with me there. And, if they ask, we can tell your superiors that I needed an escort.” She gave him another kiss, this time longer. “I gotta go, ordered a taxi home. See you tomorrow at the northwest gate, be there 21:00 sharp soldier.”
With that, she saluted then bounded off as her taxi landed at a nearby pod. Juan took a moment to enjoy the view. The graceful way she moved– surety in every light but determined step. He felt lucky. No. Not lucky…Grateful. He was grateful she chose him. The hatch opened for her, she turned and gave a short wave, and seconds later the drone lifted straight up, and she was whisked away.