Difference between revisions of "Rina Hires On"

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'' … A spaceport is a world unto itself, where everything is condensed and magnified by the limited real estate it occupies.  Crime and industry, poverty and prosperity, life and death—all changing on a coin toss or a turn around a corner.  It makes for uncertainty and risk.  And opportunities aplenty for those who keep their eyes open and their plans flexible.                                                               --from Baedeker’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2497 edition ''
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'' … A spaceport is a world unto itself, where everything is condensed and magnified by the limited real estate it occupies.  Crime and industry, poverty and prosperity, life and death—all changing on a coin toss or a turn around a corner.  It makes for uncertainty and risk.  And opportunities aplenty for those who keep their eyes open and their plans flexible.                                                                                                                                                                                         --from Baedeker’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2497 edition ''
 
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Revision as of 21:19, 13 December 2008

An excerpt from Peripatetica, by M. K. Sebastien, Engr. ret.


Tuesday, 14 Sep 2517
Jamestown Station, aka Container City
Bernadette
09:35 hours, local time


… A spaceport is a world unto itself, where everything is condensed and magnified by the limited real estate it occupies. Crime and industry, poverty and prosperity, life and death—all changing on a coin toss or a turn around a corner. It makes for uncertainty and risk. And opportunities aplenty for those who keep their eyes open and their plans flexible. --from Baedeker’s Guide to the ‘Verse, 2497 edition


I’d touched down on Bernadette and after a bath, a bed and a restock of my supplies, I found myself running low on cash. I would have to find another job and soon, or I’d be reduced to begging. I packed my duffel, paid my hostel bill and hit the streets to find gainful employment. I hadn’t gone two blocks before a job offer found me.

“I got twenty credits if you got twenty minutes.”

I kept on walking. There was no way I’d earn my living on my back.

“I’ll make it worth your time, honey.”

He grabbed my arm, hard. I buried my fist in his stomach and put him on the sidewalk. I ignored the language he threw at me but kept my eye on the street. In my experience, roaches like him rarely worked alone and sure enough, two of his friends raised a ruckus and started in my direction. I looked behind me and saw another closing in from the rear. It was three-to-one odds and I had barely gotten any honest Bernadette dirt on my boots. From the looks of it, they were about to get filthy.

“Hey!” Rear Guard hollered. “Whadja do to Bernie, you ruttin’ bitch—.”

He had a wicked-looking pipe and he swung it at my head. I ducked and lashed out with my heel, taking out his knee.