Sunspot

[Proselyte]

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It's a lot like Lake City. Murmuring crowds of people and passing spacecraft overhead fill the air with the go-along humming of urban life. It's been just about four years and some change, since I left the life I'd made back there. Taking a plunge on flight school definitely did raise eyebrows in the family.

I've never regretted the choice, but I do miss waking up in the comfort of my own little domain. Surfing the various Freeport habs and their environments ranging from homey to coarse, or roughing it on a spaceship might be fulfilling excursions, but it doesn't match the sense of belonging from having my own place. Nor does getting stuffed into prison cells, for that matter.

I know I can't go back, regardless. Not after Liberty's invasion, after the annexation. At least not to back how it was. I'd only be there to aid the fight, or say my goodbyes. Curiosity tempts me to wonder what it must be like for the people making their lives here instead. Canarians won out against their own occupiers after all. They have to be worried about the eventual climate freeze though, surely. It'll change everything, as circumstance typically does for the Zoner community.

But in this moment, it echoes Erie.

That soothes my nerves, which I surely need after getting brushed aside by most people I try to talk to. Running up against urban apathy doesn't surprise me - I've been these people before - but it does chip away at my optimism a bit.

I need to get a hold of someone. For that, I need credits. Or a lot of goodwill.

After taking a public elevator to some of the connected terraces in the upper city, that's where I get lucky. Among more of the foot traffic, I spy a younger couple, a black-haired taller girl and a blonde young man, taking pictures in a spot near the safety railing, looking down on the streets and buildings below. Tourists, maybe, but they're stupid cute and I can't help but smile.

Schicker Hut, aber ich bin dann doch lieber für unser Team.

Ope-!

The blonde man, a little skinny, caught me watching and wears the smallest smirk on the planet as he looks me over. My cheeks flush a bit, but I hope to bail myself out with a friendly little wave. Rheinlandic German always kicked my butt.

Um, hey! Hope you're having a decent day.

The taller woman playfully shoves the guy by his shoulder, and nods to me.

Hello there. Do not mind him, he just enjoys your cap. We are fans too, back in Hamburg.

Oh, how neat! So you're taking in the view?

Changing the topic's better than mentioning I haven't actually seen a full plasmaball game in almost half a decade.

Yes, taking pictures. We did not know Zoners built cities this way. Something to share with our other traveler friends.

I can hold the camera if you want. Help you take a little piece of the world with you?

Ja, bitte!

So long as you do not mind!

The photos come out beautifully with the mountains in the background. I can tell through the tiny smiles that they're giddy about sharing the moment together - despite their reserved personalities. Maybe it's a Rheinlander cultural quirk? Sort of charming.

They thanked me, and were glad to repay the favor when I asked if they could give me directions to a bank terminal with their PDA. Came within a hair's breadth of asking them to send the message for me, but... with how many dangerous, ruthless parties are tied up in our mutual problem, it's safer for everyone if I send any message under my own name, or secretly. There's no way I'm endangering these people with loose threads that could lead trouble their way.

We say our goodbyes, and I file away a mental note that I owe one to Ida and Herman, for posterity. Thanks, you two.

It's a short walk away towards the concourse a few towers over where the attended ATMs are located, so I take in the city as I walk, stopping at a public drinking fountain for a minute. Drinking deep, I allow the wind to brush over me as it whirls between the skyscrapers.

Just as I'm starting to move on, I notice a group of shifty looking men, three of them. Leather jackets, and each having a holstered weapon of some kind. They don't look like law enforcement.

I'm painfully aware that I'm not a very good fighter. I might not know who they are or what they're doing, but I do know that I would prefer not to find out firsthand.

One glances my way and seems to be taking an interest. My heart quickens.

No thank you.

I hasten away from the fountain at a brisk walk, gaining distance while keeping things cool. Acting natural under observation has served me pretty well, especially since the occupation, and it seems to here as well. I don't know if it's because I seem like I know where I'm going, or due to general disinterest, but the small party doesn't follow me. Thank goodness.

Alright, so maybe it's not exactly like Erie. That's okay. Variety's the spice of life, right?

One sigh of relief later, I continue to bumble my way towards a quite lively gray market bazaar, located in the middle of a local concourse between all the skybridges connecting the towers of the upper city. Conveniently located nearby in a small structure are several banking terminals, with an attendant overseeing them. I go over to greet her.

Looking up from a datapad, she puts on a customer service smile and seems to take a moment to look me over before speaking. No need for the doubletake, hon. I know I don't look stellar.

Hi there! Help you with anything?

Howdy! I need to withdraw some credit chits, is that alright? There's no prereq usage fee, is there?

Nnnnno, not a fee as such...

She rolls her eyes while enunciating "as such". Here we go...

So I can just-... ?

Whoa, just a sec! This is your first time here, isn't it?

Yes, that's correct.

Oh- well, welcome! That means that before I letcha use our terminals, I need you to sign-a-statement-of-understanding-that-our-independent-teller-machine-deployment-company-isn't-liable-for-any-financial-distress-as-a-result-of-fraudulent-use-of-our-machines, does that sound alright?

Geez louise, she blew through that in almost six seconds!

I don't hide my astoundment at all, but she doesn't so much as flinch.

Um, uh- so, by fraudulent use, you're referring to if someone tried to steal my money from here?

That's part of it, I guess! Just boring legal stuff, honestly.

Liability protection. That sounds normal enough.

Works for me, miss.

Great! Here's a form and a pen. I know, paper, right? So retro.

I take the pen in hand and the form she hands me, leaning up against the counter she's standing behind to make ready to sign. Once I have a little money in hand, I can buy some time at a proper Net terminal and get a message out, or get a new PDA and-

NEW COVENANT CHURCH SIGN-UP FORM

Uh.

I think you might have handed me the wrong form, miss.

Huh? Oh! That! Yeah, we also only service those within the Faith of Deux! But that isn't a problem, right?

"Deux"... I don't believe I understand. Is this a Christian denomination?

It's higher than that, it's the culmination of all those old religions! But I'm not a priest, so they'll send you all kinds of info after you sign.

Not so sure about "those old religions". Folks in my town were raised Baptist.

Oh my honey, don't worry. There's still hope for you!

She flushes her lips in a cheeky, still-a-little-insincere smile.

No, don't worry for me. I am agnostic these days. Gods and I don't often work out for very long.

Well you just haven't found the right one yet! Trust me when I say you won't regret receiving the Church newsletter!

A disconcertingly zealous light in her eye glints.

This is sort of inane, but she's standing between me and my NN account. I could spend more time talking around her, but...

Ohh, so be it. Worse things have happened.

You know, persistence like yours is something I have to reward. As long as I can use the terminals after!

Another sister for the flock! Welcome aboard, yes, welcome aboard!

I sign the form under duress, as well as the actual disclaimer form that she "misplaced" until I got the Church membership out of the way. I'm now an enlightened member of... well, a New Covenant Church. She said I'd have a newsletter sent to my Neural Net, but as a fresh neophyte of about ten seconds, I have no clue what I'm supposed to believe.

I suppose I'll find out. This is probably some kind of demographic scam. I'll worry about that after I'm not destitute!

Accessing one of the ATMs, I input my NN account information swiftly on the console. Security questions, mhm mhm... what was the name of your dog, et cetera...

And, success!

Due to repeated suspicious login attempts, this account has been flagged for possible identity theft. If you are the genuine account holder, please visit the office of your establishing branch in person to unlock and secure your account. Ensure you bring all necessary personal identification.

Your branch office is located here: Freeport 10.

Sister? You got to push the buttons to make the terminal work, it doesn't follow your eyes!

This is not happening.

I can't even talk to an operator. The terminal is just stuck on that screen. The only option I have is to log out.

Ma'am?

Uh- nevermind.

This is going to be harder than I thought. I press the logout option and leave the little ATM shack, passing my new sister-in-arms.

I can't even begin to parse how this happened to me. Loose documents on Heisenberg? I haven't been there in a while. And if my banking's compromised, my Net account probably is too.

Tch. Witness the furthest and deepest bounds of the sector, and it's this that might do me in.

What am I supposed to do now?






I'm shaken out of my anxious state by those three dangerous-looking men from earlier, appearing in front of me just outside.

This day gets better and better, doesn't it?

Hey you. Lady.

Yes, me. Lady.

We've got a little proposition for you.

His cohorts wear sinister grins. Hands resting on their waists.

Self-assurance washes off the leader in waves, practically buffeting me.

He locks eyes with me. I stare back, despondent.

He extends a hand. There's something in it. I glance down.

NEW COVENANT CHURCH SIGN-UP FORM

Have you considered joining the New Covenant Church?

Oh! I'm sorry, uh... s-... seriously?

It's a respected faith, miss. Membership is growing fast on Canaria. You never know who you might need protection from.

No-... I mean, the weapons and matching biker jackets... why? You have to understand, it makes you come off a little...

Worthy of respect?

Intimidating. It sort of makes you look like...

Go on.

Like a... gang?

His eyebrows nearly leave orbit.

Uh, really? I- I thought- you know, they told us it'd make sure nobody jumps us or tries to start anything. Are we scaring people?

Um, no, hey, it's okay. It's not a bad idea, just... you might just want to pick more friendly outfits. Bright colors.

Huh. Is that a fact?

Definitely. And you can relax about the form. I'm already a member.

Okay, we'll have to write that down. Honestly, someone should've thought this through.

The two young men behind him as well are really cordial. They're local students, doing this on the side to earn some extra money. Apparently they make rounds through the city signing people up for the faith and collecting donations, and they keep a small percentage of what they collect.

That still sounds a lot like extortion. Someone probably did think it through. But these people are actually quite alright on a personal level.

It makes me smile.

But it doesn't solve my problem. They ask if I want to join in to make some money. I shrug and say I'm new to the faith and wouldn't know how to sell it. I definitely could, but it's just an excuse - I'm not keen to harass passersby. The leader said to holler if I change my mind.

I might, if my luck continues.

Seated on a bench in the bazaar, I spend some time watching people come and go through the stalls while I think. They seem to trade everything here: weapons, various styles of armor, vac-suits, electronics, fresh produce, augmentations, different kinds of bots, designer clothes, tourist items, drugs and medical supplies, holobands, even some classic artwork and paintings... it must all flow down this way from Nichols, in orbit. I can squint up through the Barrier-lit night sky and barely make out its running lights, as it blinks its way across the void several hundred kilometers above.

I notice a woman sitting next to me before long, in a long grey overcoat with hair to match, silver-touched black hair in a messy ponytail contained under a headscarf. She has wide reading glasses and looks quite motherly. Also, really out of place in this kind of neighborhood.

She's fussing over a PDA and, to be honest, I think she's trying to ignore that I exist. That was the last available seat around here. Normally I doubt I'd think anything more of it, but the tension on her is palpable.

The longer she remains the object of my awareness, the more I feel it bleeding into me as if it was my own.

I wince. A dull pain in the back of my neck. I relax the muscles that I've unconsciously tightened, thanks to my neighbor. A few breaths and focus toward recentering myself cools away the needles of that foreign anxiety under my skin.

I should be maintaining better discipline than this. But it's been a long few weeks. I'm tired. Slipping.

For what it's worth, I try to tell myself it isn't my business. Not to intrude.






...but I can't put the genie back in the bottle.

Pardon me, ma'am?

It's a deadly look I receive after grabbing her attention. With a glare like that, she seems ready to whack my knuckles with a ruler.

No, no. I am not interested in the New Covenant Church, do you understand?

I hold both my palms out, facing upward.

Nothing to worry about there! I'm fresh out of forms.

Good, then you can tell your all your extortionist friends, too.

I'd be glad to, ma'am, but I'm not exactly acquainted with much of anyone here. I'm a... fresh arrival.

Not precisely true. But certainly closer to reality than falsehood. Her expression softens.

My apologies, then.

A little head bow. Her airy voice has an accent that I've definitely not had to place before, it's completely new to me. Maybe it's a local thing.

I was only wondering if you were alright. If it's alright to say so, you seem on edge.

You have a good eye. It's the girl at the ATMs. I saw you go in there.

Right, the Church membership form. Why was she so insistent about it?

It is all over nowadays here, this recruitment. Nobody can tell if it is official or not, but I bet they get kickbacks for forcing people to sign.

She rubs her thumb and forefinger together in that classic "pay me" gesture, then shakes her head firmly.

You would not see me do that. I will not leave God's name in the gutter for convenience.

Impressive commitment to principle, ma'am, that's good of you. But I'm guessing you've got to use those ATMs still.

Yes. A loan offer we took out to help a friend in need from Freeport 9. We have to make the payment by midnight.

It'd be reasonable to say I shouldn't involve myself in this when my situation is so unstable. The alternative, though, is playing part in a scam.

I'll pass. And I'm sort of in the mood to fool the attendant girl, I must admit.

Actually, perhaps I could lend a hand. She wouldn't turn away a recent "convert" I bet.

What? Do you mean you want to deposit it for me?

I might as well. I already put my name down.

She gives me a scrutinizing look, which is certainly fair for a neighborhood like this.

I'll watch you the whole time. I want your word that you don't cash that money for yourself.

On my honor. Don't worry, I couldn't even if I wanted to.

Hesitantly, she assents to this plan and lets me handle a Sirius credit card she has with her, watching like a hawk from the bench as I go into action after giving me the target bank's routing info on a little napkin. First I need a little insurance, though.

You'd like to pass out forms? That's more like it! You seem like you have the nerve for this.

Believe me, I'll put them to good use.

Welcome back! Forget anything?

Nope. I'm actually making a deposit.

I hold up the cash card for her to see. She squints, about to put two and two together.

On behalf of a recent donor, actually.

Doesn't that belong to-

The donor on this form? You bet.

I slide forward a signup sheet with a "Theresa Rubble" signature on it. I knew practicing that would come in handy one day.

One of those boys making the rounds introduced me to this work, and I got my first name.

Huh. So it's going to the Church?

Yup, that's correct. Honestly, feels pretty rewarding! I see why you were so persistent.

Well... alright, sister, don't let me stop ya!

The operation goes without a hitch. The machine accepts the prepaid card and the deposit is acknowledged. I ensure it forwards a receipt to her Net, and give my "fellow faithful" one last smile and wave on the way out.

Thank you so much! Merciful God, I had no way to wire it when the money was on the card.

Oho yes, that seems like far more trouble than it's worth.

And you really have nowhere to stay?

Stranded. It's only me and the clothes on my back. I've wandered most of the night.

What is your name miss?

I'm Aspen. It's good to meet you...

Noora al-Idrisi. Welcome to Gran Canaria.

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Recite the words of the your Elders, boy.

What is taken by the Empire, remains with the Empire.

You have heard them. Now you will live them.

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