Alpha Centauri

///Although his hands are cuffed, so far the interrogation experience hasn’t been too bad, Snacker reflects. The captain asking him questions has humored his demands, sending subordinates to bring colorful cupcakes and freshly cooked wings. “I just can’t think clearly on an empty stomach,” Snacker insists. But there’s a limit to how long he can … Read more

///“I try to stay away from these places,” Louisa tells Cleve as they approach the fake brick facade of the High Roller. “They’re engineered to draw your attention.” Normally, that is one of the factors that makes her dislike the casinos so much. Today, though, she’ll use it to her advantage. But first she’ll need … Read more

Cleve and Louisa tromp on downstairs to prepare for their job. As I hastily get dressed, I call to Fritz, “We have to bring that trunk with us. We need to show its contents to Leyland Campos.” There’s nothing else here that I care about. Well, my mended blazer and dress shirt, of course. But … Read more

///Since rescuing Snacker has fallen to just Cleve and Louisa, he changes back into his fancy bleach-splashed clothes from the day before to maintain some level of disguise appropriate to their destination. A wealthy-looking person will not be out of place at the casino. Cleve snatches up his rifle to bring along but then pauses … Read more

I’m shocked out of a deep sleep by sudden bright lights, Cleve shouting, and Fritz’s warm body shifting away from mine. “Up! Up!” Cleve says urgently. The clothes I’d laid neatly out last night are suddenly flung at me. “What’s the problem, man?” Fritz asks, sitting on the edge of the bed now, rubbing the … Read more

///Fritz gives Cleve a rundown on where everything is, the bathroom, the telephone, the light switches. He is not expecting any trouble, but since Cleve is on alert, he tells him, “If you do hear anything, let me know right away.” “Oh, I’ll take care of it,” Cleve says. He takes his rifle out of … Read more

“What is that smell?” Fritz asks, intrigued, as he emerges from the staircase into his studio apartment. “It’s wonderful!” The kitchenette is on the back alley side, leaving the living space to look out onto nicer streets. I’ve been busying myself here, heating water on the electric range and picking cups from the cabinet. Other … Read more

“Well, I’ll have to visit Data Haven sometime,” I hear Shu-Fen saying as I approach our table. Cleve runs a hand over his newly smooth chin in consideration. “After the war, maybe that wouldn’t be so complicated,” he says. “I hope not so complicated,” Shu-Fen replies. “Me, too,” Cleve agrees. And on the topic of … Read more

///“No, looking good is not useful. It doesn’t get things done,” Shu-Fen says. “Except deals, I guess. But yes, you look good, okay?”  With those words directed at Cleve, Mariah excuses himself, standing up and dropping his napkin on his empty plate. “Where are you going?” Cleve immediately asks. “To the restroom?” Mariah’s voice lilts … Read more

I have an intriguing proposition and Shu-Fen has credits to spare, so she actually takes us out to dinner! The restaurant decor is somewhat fancy, but more importantly to our immediate needs, it has secure booths to support private conversations. Shu-Fen is known well enough by the staff to be greeted by name and given … Read more

We follow our directions from Fritz, and they take us to an in-between part of the dome—not the fancy boulevard but also not the dirty back alleys. This is the corporate sector. We’ve heard that Morgan Prospecting has its own dome, but that must be more equipment and processing related, because their office building is … Read more

It’s late afternoon by the time we get out of Fritz’s shop. “So what kind of people do we look like?” Cleve asks. For him, everything is utilitarian, even nice clothes. “Just fancy people,” I say. Which is fine, given that we’re once again strolling down the main boulevard of the dome. We’ve got a … Read more