Claus station was packed.

It always was, but Terrence wasn't always stuck between a fat man and a smoker. His legs were still heavy from the hourney here (and what an adventure that had been), otherwise he would've stood up. But hey, at least sitting down he wouldn't get accidentally pushed onto the tracks and splattered into a million pieces when the Hyperion arrived.He'd seen it happen before. The man had begged-

No. He wouldn't let the litres of Daze go to waste. It was part of his job, that's all. Just like his business tonight was part of his job. Nothing more, nothing less.

A train hurtled into the station at full speed, coming to a complete stop instantly. It hovered over the tracks like a shadow - a shadow streaked with bright blue - as tonight's party-goers scrambled on-board. And then it was gone. Drifting away silently, as if it was never there at all. The next one would be his.

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The fat man got to his feet and the smoker put out her cigarette. He glanced hopefully towards the traintracks, but there was no sign of the train.

"Snow!"

"It's snowing!"

Terrence watched the little flecks of white as they drifted in the gentle winds, glowing as they crossed the bands of neon. Everyone rose to their feet. The elderly, the sick, the little children who could only wobble on two legs.

"Mummy, look!" one of them said, tugging at his equally awe-struck mother.

Terrence couldn't help but smile at that.

His smile faded when the train arrived. The doors opened, welcoming him. The snow was getting heavier now, a rare spectacle in Cybercity, and although people filed off the train, none climbed on.

None except him.

It would've been nice to stand around and enjoy the snow, but he had a job to do. A job that couldn't wait.