This is number 5 in a science fiction series I started. Here are the links to the previous ones if you wish to catch up. This is completely made up as I go and started on a suggestion from a chat. Comments welcome.
1. Undercover Angel
2. Double Vision
3. Ya Gotta have Friends
4. Getting to Know You
Georgia crouched down to pick up a piece of fruit she nudged off the table. "Now," she whispered into her com.
Though she knew what would happen, the force of the blast left her ears ringing. Several people bumped past her before she managed to get under the table.
The electromagnetic pulse knocked out lights and cameras, but not life support. Those areas had protections and safeguards to prevent disruption. After this, she though, even Penny Lane would be secured with redundant systems, space station operations would see to that.
The market took up the center of deck nine. The gang confined the disruption near the Chentry section. They hoped to blame the whole operation on anti Chentry separatists.
Market goers began to bump and jostle in their panic to escape the darkness. Georgia scurried from her hiding place, feeling for the edge of stall tables. The scents of fresh cut fish, guided her to the left and down two tables.
She knew security officer Jones sat and had coffee with his cousin every morning at 10. As she rounded the corner she heard his gruff voice bellowing, "Stay calm!"
The panic in his own voice only served to upset more people. "He's doing my job for me," thought Georgia. As she moved closer she bumped into a table of hissing insects. As she reached out to steady it, she felt a tentacle slither under her fingers..
Shuddering she snatched her hand away and began wailing to attract Jones to her. As he neared she grabbed a passerby and body checked them into a small group she heard milling about.
She ducked under the bread table across from the now fighting crowd and listened as officer Jones tried to stop the chaos she created.
Georgia reached up and grabbed a loaf to nibble on while she waited. The pungeont flavor of the sourdough took her back to the first time she went to a Penny Lane.
Benhi had just handed her a phone that served as ID. She turned it over in her hands and checked to see her face staring out at her.
"You'll have to learn how to use it before you go out. You don't want to be fumbling with it when asked," said the Chentry."At least you can read, that's a step up from most people who live on the street."
Georgia clicked through the menus and noticed that she had a few credits on balance. Benhi told her that she'd earn more as time went on. She smiled to herself at the new found personhood, though it did make her feel a bit dizzy.
Early the next morning she dressed in her brown overalls and black shoes and headed to the market. Benhi wanted her to run an errand for him. She needed a few things for herself as well. The Chentry don't have hair so Benhi neglected to buy her a comb. She made do with her fingers, but she needed to learn proper grooming.
They decided that she would start out as a low level worker and build her ID as time went on. She needed time to adjust to having an address.
In the past, she avoided the market during the day. Though it proved excellent nighttime scrounging grounds.
Now that she could browse and even buy a few items, Georgia savored the pungent aromas of fresh local delicacies. One stall piled fish around all four sides. Three aproned dark haired men stood around the center table gutting and skinning items for customers too lazy to do it themselves. She eyed the chum bucket and thought about the times when she'd found fish heads to eat after the market closed.
She kept to the edge as she glanced at bread and fruit and guessed at a couple of items where more Chentry stood waiting their turn. Vats of dark liquid roiled with living thing waving tentacles out the top. Cages of hissing insects protested with piercing chirps when the clerks grabbed one out to sell.
Georgia lurked past the minstrel strumming a lyre. He thrusted his chin at her hoping for a tip, but she didn't know how to do it so she scurried past. He turned to look for easier pickings.
An argument between a pair of stall owners ensued near where Georgia stood. She looked for a place to hide , but realized that no one else was paying any attention to the loud voices. She forced herself to hold a passive expression and moved away.
Lost in the excitement of the new experience Georgia realized she missed the alarm on her phone. When she found Drax in the electronics section, He yelled at her for being late.
"You think I have all day? Now you wait for me." With that the brown skinned man sat and began watching something on his phone.
Georgia watched him a moment then looked down at his wares. Old useless junk, she reasoned. Nothing on his table shone with the gleam of modern tech.
She decided to try a bluff and see how he would react. "I guess Benhi will have to take his business to someone else. Someone who delivers." She turned to walk away.
He stood and glared at her frowning a moment, then shrugged and smiled. "Any friend of Benhi's" he trialed off. Taking the package from him, she gave him the stern look she always got in the orphanage. His smile faded as she turned away and hurried back to her mentor.
Back at the space station, lights began flashing about and crowds filled lit corridors. She slid in near Jones just as the gang gave her the all clear.
After the market cleanup, the security chief picked her up when he saw the video of her ducking down before the blast. He used this as an excuse to debrief her. She feigned complete ignorance. She didn't know what they were exchanging, only that they needed her to keep Jones occupied. She did report on some minor gang activity and they agreed that nothing would be done.
Her cover more secure, Georgia rose within the ranks of the gang and kept her under cover status with the chief. Soon she began using both resources to trace the people responsible for killing her mentor.
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Getting to know you
(This is number 4 in a science fiction series I started. Here are the links to the previous ones if you wish to catch up. This is completely made up as I go and started on a suggestion from a chat. Comments welcome.)
1. Undercover Angel
2. Double Vision
3. Ya Gotta have Friends
Georgia awoke to chimes that vibrated the whole house. Not loud, but low frequency so it would carry through the paper membrane homes the Chentry preferred.
She leaped behind the "couch" she was sleeping on and tried to make herself small. Benhi scurried past griping over his shoulder at her to "calm down, it's only my delivery." She blinked a few times and tried to wake up but remained hidden.
Benhi lowered down a platform out his door and pulled up his delivery. Once the platform rose to the same height as the floor, he flipped a switch and a force shield held it in place. He buzzed something to the delivery team and went about moving things off the "door."
"Make yourself useful and come help me, Kapkah."
Georgia glanced up from her hiding place and saw packages of various sizes. Most wrapped in the paper like substance the Chentry use, but some were square wooden crates.
She moved out and began pushing things off the door plate. Benhi pointed here and there when he wanted something moved to a certain place. She huffed a couple times when something was very heavy and he came over and put anti grav discs on the side and things slid much easier.
Once the pair put everything in order he asked her if she wanted to leave right away. He offered to open the door, but if she would stay a bit longer and help him a bit more, he would give her breakfast. She agreed to stay.
This Chentry fascinated her. He asked what she wanted to do and treated her with respect. She glanced at him as they worked, trying to puzzle out his angle. Everybody has an angle. She'd learned that much in her short life.
After they unpacked and sorted through what she could only guess was contraband, she started to work out that Benhi dealt in black market Chentry and human goods. No wonder he didn't turn her in. She had no status to turn him in either.
He gave her some breakfast and sat nearby to talk. She ate more slowly than the night before. This time he gave her some guava nectar and she sipped it slowly. She knew the Chentry loved the drink but she'd only seen it once at the orphanage. Some of the other students intentionally spilled some so they could taste it while cleaning it up.
"How long have you been on your own"" Benhi asked.
Georgia looked down and fidgeted with her food trying not to answer too much. The night before he knew when she lied. She tried a bit of a sob story line to see if he would buy it. Told him she ran away from her "family," but he just glared at her.
"If you are gonna work with me, Kapkah, I'm going to have to teach you how to lie," said Benhi with a chirpy laugh. She shot him a look of surprise and then realized her impertinence and fell to her knees in apology.
"None of that, now, " he said gently. "Get up and let me have a good look at you." He motioned for her to lift her arms and asked her to raise her hair. She worried that he might be contemplating selling her into prostitution and she risked his wrath and told him she wouldn't do it.
"You're too clever for that. What has it been, two years since you left the worker training orphanage? You have that look about you. You know how to behave and not to ask questions, but I need you to pass for upper class. I think I can teach you, if that sounds interesting?"
Georgia didn't know what to think. She had questions of her own. Keeping her eyes averted, she shrugged.
Benhi chirped a chuckle and went to his phone. He called up another Chentry and spoke so fast she couldn't catch a single word. He turned and looked at her and said a few more things and then hung up.
"Tell me how you survived so long on the streets? I ordered you some new clothes and a portable shower unit. It will take a bit for those to arrive. We might as well get acquainted."
"I don't know where to start," Georgia hedged. She wanted to keep her secrets. She was still reeling from being called clever. In school she often felt the sting of a whip for speaking too soon or figuring out how to do something without being instructed.
"look, Kapkah, I trusted you enough to help me so far. I feel I've earned enough for you to trust that I mean you no harm. How about you start with your name?"
Georgia took a deep breath and told him her first name. Then she confirmed the two years on the street. He invited her to sit down while they talked and after a few minutes she'd told him of her petty thefts of clothes, food and occasional shelter. He nodded and told her that he knew that there were quite a few underground humans scurrying about. He'd done a little business with a few and used them to run errands for him.
He proposed a trade. He would help her with a reasonable status, so she wouldn't have to ever worry about being sent to forced labor. In exchange, she would work for him. She looked up at him when he asked, not told, but asked if she thought she could work with him. She held his gaze for longer than she thought proper and agreed.
"Now you're learning, Kapkah!" he bellowed. He reached out to pat her on her back and slowed when she flinched. He only tapped her gently and tossed his head back in a smile.
"Please, may I be addressed by my name from now on, "she asked.
"Yes, my new friend, Georgia, " he said with a bow of respect.
"Thank you, my new friend, Benhi, " She replied, returning the bow.
1. Undercover Angel
2. Double Vision
3. Ya Gotta have Friends
Georgia awoke to chimes that vibrated the whole house. Not loud, but low frequency so it would carry through the paper membrane homes the Chentry preferred.
She leaped behind the "couch" she was sleeping on and tried to make herself small. Benhi scurried past griping over his shoulder at her to "calm down, it's only my delivery." She blinked a few times and tried to wake up but remained hidden.
Benhi lowered down a platform out his door and pulled up his delivery. Once the platform rose to the same height as the floor, he flipped a switch and a force shield held it in place. He buzzed something to the delivery team and went about moving things off the "door."
"Make yourself useful and come help me, Kapkah."
Georgia glanced up from her hiding place and saw packages of various sizes. Most wrapped in the paper like substance the Chentry use, but some were square wooden crates.
She moved out and began pushing things off the door plate. Benhi pointed here and there when he wanted something moved to a certain place. She huffed a couple times when something was very heavy and he came over and put anti grav discs on the side and things slid much easier.
Once the pair put everything in order he asked her if she wanted to leave right away. He offered to open the door, but if she would stay a bit longer and help him a bit more, he would give her breakfast. She agreed to stay.
This Chentry fascinated her. He asked what she wanted to do and treated her with respect. She glanced at him as they worked, trying to puzzle out his angle. Everybody has an angle. She'd learned that much in her short life.
After they unpacked and sorted through what she could only guess was contraband, she started to work out that Benhi dealt in black market Chentry and human goods. No wonder he didn't turn her in. She had no status to turn him in either.
He gave her some breakfast and sat nearby to talk. She ate more slowly than the night before. This time he gave her some guava nectar and she sipped it slowly. She knew the Chentry loved the drink but she'd only seen it once at the orphanage. Some of the other students intentionally spilled some so they could taste it while cleaning it up.
"How long have you been on your own"" Benhi asked.
Georgia looked down and fidgeted with her food trying not to answer too much. The night before he knew when she lied. She tried a bit of a sob story line to see if he would buy it. Told him she ran away from her "family," but he just glared at her.
"If you are gonna work with me, Kapkah, I'm going to have to teach you how to lie," said Benhi with a chirpy laugh. She shot him a look of surprise and then realized her impertinence and fell to her knees in apology.
"None of that, now, " he said gently. "Get up and let me have a good look at you." He motioned for her to lift her arms and asked her to raise her hair. She worried that he might be contemplating selling her into prostitution and she risked his wrath and told him she wouldn't do it.
"You're too clever for that. What has it been, two years since you left the worker training orphanage? You have that look about you. You know how to behave and not to ask questions, but I need you to pass for upper class. I think I can teach you, if that sounds interesting?"
Georgia didn't know what to think. She had questions of her own. Keeping her eyes averted, she shrugged.
Benhi chirped a chuckle and went to his phone. He called up another Chentry and spoke so fast she couldn't catch a single word. He turned and looked at her and said a few more things and then hung up.
"Tell me how you survived so long on the streets? I ordered you some new clothes and a portable shower unit. It will take a bit for those to arrive. We might as well get acquainted."
"I don't know where to start," Georgia hedged. She wanted to keep her secrets. She was still reeling from being called clever. In school she often felt the sting of a whip for speaking too soon or figuring out how to do something without being instructed.
"look, Kapkah, I trusted you enough to help me so far. I feel I've earned enough for you to trust that I mean you no harm. How about you start with your name?"
Georgia took a deep breath and told him her first name. Then she confirmed the two years on the street. He invited her to sit down while they talked and after a few minutes she'd told him of her petty thefts of clothes, food and occasional shelter. He nodded and told her that he knew that there were quite a few underground humans scurrying about. He'd done a little business with a few and used them to run errands for him.
He proposed a trade. He would help her with a reasonable status, so she wouldn't have to ever worry about being sent to forced labor. In exchange, she would work for him. She looked up at him when he asked, not told, but asked if she thought she could work with him. She held his gaze for longer than she thought proper and agreed.
"Now you're learning, Kapkah!" he bellowed. He reached out to pat her on her back and slowed when she flinched. He only tapped her gently and tossed his head back in a smile.
"Please, may I be addressed by my name from now on, "she asked.
"Yes, my new friend, Georgia, " he said with a bow of respect.
"Thank you, my new friend, Benhi, " She replied, returning the bow.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Ya Gotta have Friends.
(Writing seems to help calm me down so here's a bit more on our story. Ifiction will figure out a title after a few more installments. I am totally making this up as I go. I have a couple ideas, but they're vague and undefined. Feel free to comment. ) Catch up on the story here:
Georgia held her breath and tried to shrink inside herself. If she could just be invisible for a minute, he'd go away and she could eat. The alley looked deserted and closed up for the night, but naturally a Chentry lurked down there. Just her luck.
"Bastards act like they are god's gift to humanity." Thought Georgia. In the 127 years since their first contact, the Chentry paraded around and took over every position of authority. Unworthy, imperfect natives lost what little place they had built. Now they worked for their benevolent overlords. Though humans still have the illusion of freedom.
If she were caught, she would be sent back to the orphanage for training. The idea of back breaking mining camps, coppa crop field work or cleaner duties never appealed to Georgia. She had a fertile and active mind but only humans from a good family got a decent education. So she escaped.
After lights out, and most of her fellow captors were asleep, she made her way to her cache of food, wire cutters and a small digging tool she hid in a bin near the fence. The lump of pillows and covered hole kept her exit secret until morning. Before anyone knew she was even gone, she was dozing behind a human grocery market on the outskirts of a nearby town.
The Chentry kept the streets safe and clean enough to appear survivable, but she soon learned how much she had to hustle to get by. For two years, she learned how to eat, wear and sleep in the cast offs of her betters. And she knew everyone was better than her.
She figured out how to fake a persona for the daytime. By accident someone mistook her for a girl from Cherry Hill. The distant acquaintance hadn't seen the girl in a long time and wanted to catch up. At lunch, Georgia tried not to scarf the meal as she pretended a life from stories she read about in scraps of tossed magazines. Nothing extravagant, just real enough to seem interesting.
After that, she used the name Gilda Menger whenever anyone challenged her. If you walk confident and with purpose, most people and even most Chentry, ignored you.
At night, everything changed. Chentry preferred to do their business when they weren't blinded by the sun.
The Chentry down the alley came closer to where she pressed herself flat against the brick wall. He peered around the dumpster and she could see him craning his spindly neck, his triangular shaped head swiveling, searching from side to side. He glowed pale green against the darkness. His black marble eyes blinking as he scanned the surroundings.
When he started to move off, Georgia carefully let out her breath. The Chentry whipped around and caught her by the collar. "There you are you little mouse!" At first, Georgia thought he was going to eat her. They didn't eat human adults, that she knew of, but they could be cruel if they were in a mood.
He set her down and looked her up and down. "you're too small to be out this time of night."
"I lost my notebook and I needed it for lessons. I didn't think anyone would mind if I just picked it up." she bluffed.
The Chentry looked behind where she tossed her bread when he caught her. He growled a bit and glowered down at her. "Not the best lying beigy I've met, but not the worst. Come on, I've got some things you can eat. "
Georgia contemplated running when they got to the edge of the alley, but he put out his arm and told her to wait. He was the closest thing she has to a friend out at this time of night. She nodded and let him lead her. Another Chentry appeared around the corner and the one in front of her waved him off. "Not tonight, Jaho. I have to feed this kapkah, I'll catch you another time."
The other glared at Georgia, but just shrugged and went back the way he came. Georgia wondered why he spoke in Standard so she could understand. Maybe he didn't want me to be afraid of the other Chentry. That seems odd. She knew some Chentry lingo. Kapkah, for instance was slime eater.
It makes sense that Chentry homes resemble wasp nests. It reveals their insect like nature. He climbed up the entrance and let a rope ladder down for her. He's had humans in here before. The small rounded main room made from human hand sized rough hexagon cells. One section featured a flat bench with some kind of grassy covering. Definitely made for people. He waved his hand toward it and she sat down.
Several of the closed sells glowed with a warm light. The Chentry rustled inside a cupboard of sorts and brought out some cheese, an apple and some kind of fungus. "I'm Benhi, " shared the Chentry. "What do they call you, kapkah?"
Georgia took a bite of the apple and sniffed the fungus. She used the time to consider what to tell him. Her lie could be checked too easy under these circumstances, but the truth would send her back to slavery. She had never encountered anyone, not even a human who talked to her as a person. She didn't know what to think. And he knew she was lying in the alley.
He observed her dilemma and chuckled. "It doesn't matter right now. You can keep it to yourself. I'm not going to turn you in to anyone. Though, I don't know what I'm going to do with you either. It's not exactly safe out there for orphans, but I bet you know how to handle yourself. '
She cocked her head and looked at him through narrowed eyes. She carefully chewed her cheese and tried to work out what this game was. He waved his hand to the open door. "It's late, I'll decide what kind of offer I will make in the morning. Sleep there, if you want. Or leave if you want. I"m going upstairs to signal Jaho and see if I can salvage that deal you screwed up."
Georgia couldn't help the flash of fear that came across her face. She didn't want the Chentry angry with her. "Oh relax, you, I know you didn't meant to do anything. Jaho's a REAL kapkah, I'm only working with him because he's a neighbor podmate. I'd just as soon work with a dung merchant!"
Before he leaped upstairs the Chentry tossed his head back in their equivalent of a smile. Georgia quickly finished her meal and headed for the door. Just as she looked down she caught herself. What is this all about, she thought. Might it be safer to sleep here for a few hours. She could always leave before he came down.
Georgia looked back longingly at the bench. She hadn't slept or even sat on anything so comfortable in her life. After a few seconds of hand wringing she went back and curled up. Just a couple of hours and then she'd go.
(So now we know where she met Benhi, now I just have to find out how to tie these together. )
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Double Vision
(We left Georgia in the Medlab after her gang initiation. In case you missed the start of the story, have a look at:
Undercover Angel
"Benhi! STOP!" screamed Georgia. She blinked a couple times and looked around. The sounds of her own cries woke her. These nightmares had to stop. She needed sleep. She needed both sides of the angle to find out what happened.
At least she'd earned her bunk. She didn't have to answer questions about it. Though she told the truth, she left a few details off. Both with the cops and the gang. She tried to suppress her amusement when Security Chief Ranaldi lectured her on working undercover "People know when you're misleading, they can smell it. Use your background as your cover." Hell, yeah, she thought, it worked on you!
As she got up to wash her face, Georgia wondered what Benhi would think of all the trouble she was going to for him. He'd probably bust her head. "It's just business, babe. Leave the personal for your love life." Yeah, that's the problem Benhi, they done business on someone I love.
Georgia sighed and crawled back to her bunk. Sitting cross legged, she closed her eyes and began breathing deep. Slowly she raised her arms in slow rhythmic movements. Tension started to drain as her cells filled with air. She imagined putting her fear on a shelf. Her goal still existed. Tomorrow began the steps toward untangling who really ran the operation that got her friend killed.
(More when I feel like writing it. Probably a couple of weeks. I have an idea where the story is going, but not a definite one. Georgia might surprise me too. )
Undercover Angel
"Benhi! STOP!" screamed Georgia. She blinked a couple times and looked around. The sounds of her own cries woke her. These nightmares had to stop. She needed sleep. She needed both sides of the angle to find out what happened.
At least she'd earned her bunk. She didn't have to answer questions about it. Though she told the truth, she left a few details off. Both with the cops and the gang. She tried to suppress her amusement when Security Chief Ranaldi lectured her on working undercover "People know when you're misleading, they can smell it. Use your background as your cover." Hell, yeah, she thought, it worked on you!
As she got up to wash her face, Georgia wondered what Benhi would think of all the trouble she was going to for him. He'd probably bust her head. "It's just business, babe. Leave the personal for your love life." Yeah, that's the problem Benhi, they done business on someone I love.
Georgia sighed and crawled back to her bunk. Sitting cross legged, she closed her eyes and began breathing deep. Slowly she raised her arms in slow rhythmic movements. Tension started to drain as her cells filled with air. She imagined putting her fear on a shelf. Her goal still existed. Tomorrow began the steps toward untangling who really ran the operation that got her friend killed.
(More when I feel like writing it. Probably a couple of weeks. I have an idea where the story is going, but not a definite one. Georgia might surprise me too. )
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Undercover Angel
(This is a fictional story I just made up from a suggestion of futuristic gangs. I have no thoughts for the future of this. I just like that I can start something and get drawn in myself. )
"Oh, this is gonna SUCK, " thought Georgia as her helmet began to fill with fluid.
"Chill, girl! You gotta calm down or you're gonna die!"
Georgia choked on the smell of medicinal alcohol. She took in a big gulp of air just before it covered her nose. As it continued up her face she tried to close her eyes to keep out the sting. No luck there. She opened them again and tried to look out. After several blinks from the pain her vision cleared.
"Get the sequence in! " Joe yelled.
She punched in 9892257 from memory but forgot to hit the execute key before the door open button. The airlock blinked red. She grabbed the panel hard, frustrated with herself. Once again, 9892257 then EXECUTE then door open. SUCCESS!
Pain seared her lungs. She wanted to inhale but knew better. She clenched her fists as best she could inside a heavy suit glove. The close sequence was just a large green button, but she had to get to it.
Wham, the outer lock shut and the inside began to fill with air. Now to stay calm enough to get her helmet off before she drown.
After a couple bashes against the wall the mechanism slid up and liquid splashed down, exposing her nose and mouth. She spit and opened her mouth to take in gasping deep breaths.
Two more sequences and her initiation would be over. She'd already spent months muling tech past security. Now she could rise in the ranks and get better jobs, a better percentage and a regular bunk. Most of the gang knew and trusted her, to a point. She still came with baggage. Or rather lack of it. No one stood for her or even sent word. She came from nowhere. Orphaned or so she claimed. She saw the outer rim as her only chance.
Out of the airlock and into the corridor, she wriggled out of her suit. She opened the vacuum seal on the clean dry maintenance overalls and slipped them on. She ran her fingers through her mostly dry hair, the seal on the scull cap must have leaked some. It couldn't be helped. It would dry soon, she could always say it was sweat, if anyone asked. Maintenance could be hard work.
She found an unused panel to stow her suit behind and stood quiet, listening to anyone further around the curve. Some murmuring echoed, but it began to fade. Silence the other direction. She squared up her shoulders and headed for her destination, junction B42X, maintenance hall 39. She had to bypass the security alarm to let Joe and his crew pass inside. The equipment they needed was too big to come in through the airlock.
Hall B had a few people going about their business, but no one gave her a second glance. Neither did they see when she slipped into hall 39 and opened the panel. She clipped the leads punched a few buttons on her scanner and patched the wiring with tape. Once she finished, she cut the lead to the door where her companions waited. They would hear an alarm right away if she screwed up. All silent.
Pleased with herself Georgia smiled and closed up the panel. She tapped the side of her face and told Joe, "done." She made it, now the really hard work began. She needed to prove herself trustworthy.
"Good girl," said Joe. "We'll give your evaluation later. Head on out. "
She found a vacant room, broke in to turn her overalls inside out to a blue MedTech uniform and made her way to the inner ring Med unit. Her shift didn't start for an hour, but she would just pretend she wasn't paying attention to the time and start early. No one would mind. It was a front job to give her the right to walk around the station. Mostly paperwork, something she could do in her sleep.
Being early would also give her a chance to check in with the head of security. He had a spy in the Med Unit. She sent in the code updating her status and went on with her regular work. Soon the gang would let her in on all their secrets.
(that's all I'm going to write for today, if you want more, you're going to have to ask for it. )
"Oh, this is gonna SUCK, " thought Georgia as her helmet began to fill with fluid.
"Chill, girl! You gotta calm down or you're gonna die!"
Georgia choked on the smell of medicinal alcohol. She took in a big gulp of air just before it covered her nose. As it continued up her face she tried to close her eyes to keep out the sting. No luck there. She opened them again and tried to look out. After several blinks from the pain her vision cleared.
"Get the sequence in! " Joe yelled.
She punched in 9892257 from memory but forgot to hit the execute key before the door open button. The airlock blinked red. She grabbed the panel hard, frustrated with herself. Once again, 9892257 then EXECUTE then door open. SUCCESS!
Pain seared her lungs. She wanted to inhale but knew better. She clenched her fists as best she could inside a heavy suit glove. The close sequence was just a large green button, but she had to get to it.
Wham, the outer lock shut and the inside began to fill with air. Now to stay calm enough to get her helmet off before she drown.
After a couple bashes against the wall the mechanism slid up and liquid splashed down, exposing her nose and mouth. She spit and opened her mouth to take in gasping deep breaths.
Two more sequences and her initiation would be over. She'd already spent months muling tech past security. Now she could rise in the ranks and get better jobs, a better percentage and a regular bunk. Most of the gang knew and trusted her, to a point. She still came with baggage. Or rather lack of it. No one stood for her or even sent word. She came from nowhere. Orphaned or so she claimed. She saw the outer rim as her only chance.
Out of the airlock and into the corridor, she wriggled out of her suit. She opened the vacuum seal on the clean dry maintenance overalls and slipped them on. She ran her fingers through her mostly dry hair, the seal on the scull cap must have leaked some. It couldn't be helped. It would dry soon, she could always say it was sweat, if anyone asked. Maintenance could be hard work.
She found an unused panel to stow her suit behind and stood quiet, listening to anyone further around the curve. Some murmuring echoed, but it began to fade. Silence the other direction. She squared up her shoulders and headed for her destination, junction B42X, maintenance hall 39. She had to bypass the security alarm to let Joe and his crew pass inside. The equipment they needed was too big to come in through the airlock.
Hall B had a few people going about their business, but no one gave her a second glance. Neither did they see when she slipped into hall 39 and opened the panel. She clipped the leads punched a few buttons on her scanner and patched the wiring with tape. Once she finished, she cut the lead to the door where her companions waited. They would hear an alarm right away if she screwed up. All silent.
Pleased with herself Georgia smiled and closed up the panel. She tapped the side of her face and told Joe, "done." She made it, now the really hard work began. She needed to prove herself trustworthy.
"Good girl," said Joe. "We'll give your evaluation later. Head on out. "
She found a vacant room, broke in to turn her overalls inside out to a blue MedTech uniform and made her way to the inner ring Med unit. Her shift didn't start for an hour, but she would just pretend she wasn't paying attention to the time and start early. No one would mind. It was a front job to give her the right to walk around the station. Mostly paperwork, something she could do in her sleep.
Being early would also give her a chance to check in with the head of security. He had a spy in the Med Unit. She sent in the code updating her status and went on with her regular work. Soon the gang would let her in on all their secrets.
(that's all I'm going to write for today, if you want more, you're going to have to ask for it. )
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