1-134 - 13th December–Age 17
Artem, Mega-City, Upper Ferris.
I turned over in my bed; the springs squeaked, and I stared up as the view of the cracked ceiling above me faded. Like a wave, Aug-World (AW) took over my whole room, and the ceiling was replaced by perfectly painted, yet old-school cornice, swirling-patterned and plastered crap I knew as artex, and a glittering white and metallic ceiling fan. The fan was always on no matter how much I tried to get it to turn off. Instinctively, I shivered, the cold air blowing over my semi-naked form even if it wasn’t real.
I always appreciated the space I had set up using my credits in AW, and I could only dream that my dilapidated broken bedroom could one day look like this.
The stained sheets also turned white, the floor grew a carpet, and the door made of chipboard turned into varnished oak. Instead of the stench of mold, my nose was touched gently with the scent of pine and oh, gods, soap. What I wouldn’t give for a shower with soap right now . . . just like using hot water, we’d run out, and food took priority.
This trip into the higher tiered area in AW was likely my last for a while. To spend time in this area cost money, and it was all I had left in credits. I couldn’t even sell them, they were so few, so I’d chosen to use them, and this morning I was meeting Bail in one of the most expensive areas of Upper Ferris.
Bail was my best friend. We’d known each other since preschool, and even though my mom had pulled me out because of costs, choosing to homeschool me till we got our keystone mods, we’d stayed close.
With my mind, I dangled my feet over the end of the bed. They touched the carpet, feeling the soft pile underneath them, and I scrunched my toes into it. My feet were just as clean as the room. That I had wished, too, though I knew they were not. Not at all.
Even though my body never really moved, I stood, testing my feet. Then I sat back down to put boots on. I didn’t hesitate when I headed for the door and exited the house. The dank dirty streets, like myself and my room, were pristine, where buildings that had been made of anything going were now designed to the hilt, seemingly made from the finest bricks, metals, and woods money could buy. I walked fast, taking turn after turn. I had no credits for instant travel, and that meant I had to walk.
My concrete city gradually turned into a suburban collection of streets with houses and gardens as I walked. Cherry blossom trees decorated this street, and today they’d decided to bloom. I paused to take in the very subtle yet drifting smell of lilac, rose, and almonds, looking up the street to Rankin’s chop shop, the sun in the distance.
This. This was beyond beautiful, and I stared for quite some time before heading down to the shop. I wished I could use Aug-World all the time, but it cost credits, credits I couldn’t spare right now. so I'd be left with the basic, free version. That sucked, no access to anything this beautiful at least for a while.
Bail’s leather jacket, padded combat pants, and red spider T-shirt were easy to spot on the other side of the street as he stood waiting for me. I coughed on my approach, added in a “Hey,” and he turned.
“You sure you want to do this?” Bail asked, his bright glasses, his recent choice of eye tech, were glinting in the sunlight. He was not rich by any means, but he’d saved just as hard as I had for an upgrade. Even if this was the cheapest version going, it was still better than “normal” eyes.
“You want that part for the car, don’t you?”
Bail lowered his head, his face flushed. “If I can get it in today, it would really give you an extra edge for the race tonight.”
“If you think he’ll deliver it, and you can install it before the race, then we’re buying it. We decided weeks ago that we would if I could get enough credits.”
I moved to push the shop door open, but he put his hand out to stop me. “Rus, you’re getting evicted. You could really use that money. Stay in the block.”
I put my hand on his. “Sergeant Vrolk is going to kick us out, even with the money. This is about principle now.”
“If you win tonight, you’ll have more than enough money, right?”
On the inside, I grimaced, but he deserved honesty. He and our other friend, Daisy, had totally backed me a hundred percent, always. “I don’t know, Bail,” I said. “Every day, what we owe goes up, and I can’t guess it. It could be a lot more than what I win tonight.”
Bail’s usual grin fell, and he frowned so deeply it added ten years to him. “I don’t want to lose you.”
I slapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t be an idiot, where am I gonna go? The best jobs are around here; add in the extra money from racing, it’s a win-win.”
“Rus—” he carried on.
I turned away and finally pushed open the door, entering Rankin’s shop.
It was easy to get lost in Aug-Word, wandering around the shelves, checking out the car parts and prices. The tech he had in here. So easy. I didn’t have anywhere near enough credits to get lost or to enjoy browsing. Not anymore. I checked my remaining time.
Aug-World (AW) Credits = 0
Time Remaining = 12 minutes.
I never had enough time. I never had enough money, or well, I just never had enough of anything.
Rankin’s stony eyes never left me, and he watched my every move in his domain; he had seen me before, many times. He’d also chased my ass out many times.
“Come on, kid, you shouldn’t be in here. This is a shop, not a place to keep browsing.”
“Bail?” I called, knowing Rankin had been watching him, as well. That guy had cameras everywhere, even though this “shop” was fully online, a virtual world which imitated one of the real ones he might have, somewhere.
Bail appeared from one of the aisles. “Got it,” he said, and he held up a shiny silver filter. “Took me a while to find the one I wanted.”
“Are you buying?” Rankin asked.
“Waited for your sale,” Bail added. “Fifteen percent off, right?”
Rankin’s eyes furrowed. “Ten,” he growled, his dog ears flat to his head.
“Okay,” Bail said. “Ten it is. We’ll take it, on the condition that you can get it delivered in less than six hours.”
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“Where to?” Rankin asked, his hands flicking over his desk unit, bringing up a map of our area.
Bail moved forward, and with a quick flick of his wrist, he sent his garage address over to the keeper.
“Might take seven. That’s a fair way from me.” Rankin groaned.
Bail fell silent, weighing the time and cost while my stomach churned. That tiny part really would make a difference. The fuel would get through the engine so much better, which meant the car would respond faster, and I had much more of a chance of winning my race.
“Okay,” Bail said and held his hand out.
Rankin shook it, and my best friend’s face paled. I’d saved a long time for that money, and it was gone in seconds.
I checked my time again.
Aug-World (AW) Credits = 0
Time Remaining = 5 minutes.
“Bail,” I said, getting his attention. “I gotta go. I’ll message you later, yeah?”
Bail turned to me and smiled. “You okay?”
“I’m gonna be blind from today. Till I get some more AWC.”
“Shit, that sucks.” His eyes fell; he knew “blind” meant the absolute worst: I would be cut off from Aug-World, cut off from instant contact with everyone through their system, the net. If I messaged anyone, it had to be text again, old school. His crooked face held the one thing I hated the most. Sympathy.
I left them finishing the deal off, and I walked a few blocks. Aug-World shopping was a breeze. In here, you could see anything, be anything with enough money. I wanted one more look at my dream. Just one more while I had the time.
I entered the next shop, with the bell jingling above me. It always made me smile.
“Back so soon, Master Korolyov?” the sweet young woman I knew as Fay asked from behind the counter.
“Last chance for a while,” I replied.
“Would you like to see the usual?”
I nodded, and within a moment she appeared in her sales assistant suit. She made me laugh. Suited and booted, yet her pink-tipped, spiked hair, plaited in long white tails down each shoulder gave away a wilder side. She pressed play on lot item 1017 and the instructions flashed up. I always read them, even if I knew every single word.
Spinal TAP = Public Information
This mod necessitates a full spinal replacement from L5 to C1 and is a true scientific marvel, designed to integrate seamlessly with the body’s neural network, allowing precise control signals to be sent and received between organic and inorganic constructs.
Once the spinal implant is in place, the TAP is connected to a left and right branch. At the end of each branch is a node which acts as the intended vehicle’s eyes. For example: Tier 1 has two spinal branches, four nodes, to Tier 5 which would have the maximum of seventeen branches and thirty-four nodes.
This mod enables the user to control a variety of vehicles and devices, within a limited distance and without requiring actual physical input. The control signals are routed through the owners’ neural network by a series of specialized sensors and processors built into the implant itself and utilizing Aug-World. This enables precise and responsive control, even in extremely stressful situations requiring split-second decisions.
The implantation process is delicate and complex, necessitating the collaboration of a team of highly skilled and accredited M-Corp surgeons and medical professionals to ensure that the implant is properly installed and fully functional.
The implant is made of a variety of advanced materials, including carbon fibers, titanium alloys, and biocompatible polymers, all of which have been carefully chosen to provide the necessary strength, durability, and compatibility with the human body.
This mod is a critical and life-changing technology for those who wish to rely on the TAP for daily activities, allowing them to interact with the world in previously impossible ways. It exemplifies the power of human ingenuity as well as the remarkable capabilities of modern medicine and engineering from M-Corp’s finest.
The skeleton structure of the human spine showed first, rotating, from L5 to C1, then the tech appeared alongside it. The new fully reconstructed metal spine perfectly aligned with the curve of your body, and from each vertebra, like the branches of a tree, split what M-Corp called nodes, numbered for ease and up to a maximum of 17.
I could do nothing but stare at these glorified and highly modified bionics. Tier 1 of 5. Trash, Basic, Professional, Elite, and Artisan. But perhaps the only tier I could ever afford. I read over its details yet again, dreaming of one day owning something so wonderful.
Spinal TAP – X2/10 *X Two-Ten*
Tier: One
M-Corp’s Xenith Series – Three Branches = 6 nodes.
Unlike Spinal Reinforcement Mods, the Spinal TAP is of the highest-level M-Corp can provide in spinal science.
This mod requires a full spinal replacement L5 to C1 and is a scientific marvel, allowing precise control signals to be sent and received between organic and inorganic constructs.
To use this model, you must learn to separate your mind. Training starts, of course, into two, then three, then up to the maximum of four.
WARNING:
Implantation is delicate and complex, requiring a team of highly skilled and accredited M-Corp surgeons and medical professionals to properly install the implant.
A full consultation with a TAP Specialist is advised to discuss suitability for this procedure. It is not for the faint of heart. A very strong will and strong stomach for pain is a must.
(M-Corp holds no responsibility if this surgery goes wrong even if a legitimate consultation is on record and it is performed by an M-Corp accredited surgeon)
Warranty: Zero
Durability: 100/100
Slot Cost: 12 - Credit Cost - 9,999
With up to six silver titanium nodes directly connected to your spine, you will be able to feel and see everything of the item you’re controlling, be it mecha, military tech, or drone. You will be in perfect harmony with anything you pilot.
If I could afford it, this model would become one with each and every nerve in my body. I was totally ignoring warnings coming with the surgery.
I let out a deep sigh as I sat there; the slot cost alone for the mod—twelve!—meant it was way out of my reach.
Just like the life I wanted.
Pilot.
Aug-World (AW) Credits = 0
Time Remaining = 15 seconds.
I let the image of the TAP fade. “Thanks for the look, Fay. I’ll see you around, yeah.”
She didn’t get to respond. My time was up.
My bedroom came back into view, and I stretched, banging my elbow on the wall. Fucking stupid funny bone. Was. Not. Funny! Mornings were always my time in Aug-World. I got up early every single day, 4 a.m. early, when the cost of jacking in was always the lowest, when there were fewer . . . people. It was a transitional time. Those who stayed up late had gone to bed; those who slept late were not awake yet. It was peaceful. It was heaven.
Circumstances over the last few days had me doing everything in a blind rush. I’d come in from my second job and found the notice on the door, calling Bail right away. As a family, we were out of time.
FINAL EVICTION NOTICE
Arrears = -3500 - Pay up or get out!
Signed - Sgt. Vrolk.
There were no other chances for us. We’d been living hand to mouth since . . . well, since my stepfather, Tsomak, had injured himself. No work, no money, no food, no nothing.
Tsomak had been injured in training.
Fucking training.
My biological father had died at the last wall breach. Being injured meant Tsomak was only earning half wages. And half wages meant no food and just enough money to pay the rent.
A slap on our kitchen table echoed in my mind, and I jumped, just like I knew my mom would have upstairs. The yelling started immediately after.
I didn’t need to leave the house just yet, but I really ought to. This wasn’t going to go down well. There hadn’t been a single day recently that had.
Tsomak’s voice carried, just like his slap had. “If he doesn’t get that money by tonight, there’s nothing I can do.”
Everything rested on my shoulders, on the upgrade to my car, and my race tonight.
My HUD’s clock currently showed the local time as 5:21 a.m. I wasn’t supposed to leave until much later today, but I desperately wanted to get away now.
My mom’s cries were heard next, begging and pleading.
But she was powerless to change the situation. There was nothing she could do, absolutely nothing.
And as much as I hated to say it, there was nothing Tsomak could do, either.
We’d been slated for eviction for months.
Each of us was responsible for covering our own living expenses. I didn’t have any kind of stable job and despite my parents doing their best to assist me financially, we had gotten behind on the rent payments. Our need for food was obvious, and this was the final straw.
Either pony up the cash or get out.