Jessica was fully packed and ready for her move; she was doing the final walkthrough of her empty former abode. The only thing she had with her was her suitcase with the supplies she would need on her two-week flight to the Homestead-14 space colony. Jessica was 28 years old and very slim. She had a smooth caramel skin tone which accentuated her form. Her dark brown hair was short and styled with loose curls which parted to one side. She had glowing neck tattoos designed to look like the light came from just beneath the skin and would increase and decrease in lumens as she breathed. She liked the design because it made her look almost like a gynoid especially when she had on her visor.
The emptied dwelling sung a somber tone as the heater spooled one final time. Jessica left her suitcase at the front door as she walked further inside. The home was a two-story townhouse style apartment; the first floor was once the living room with a kitchen in the far side and a dining nook opposite. There was only the bedroom and toilet room upstairs. Baths would have to be taken at the apartment bathhouse only available to residents.
“Finally, I am done!” She let out an excited squeal as she turned around and walked back to her bag at the doorway. “I can finally get out of here.”
She opened the door, and a cool breeze caused her to zip up her jacket. Outside the massive dome over the city was open for the first time in a few months, letting in the cool air from outside. She remembered that there was snow in the forecast for later that evening. Tiny speckles of silver already started dancing through the air as the indication of the first frost.
The colonization of Mars was the first terraformation project undertaken by humanity after the establishment of the Celestial Bridges. The once barren red planet is now home to millions of humans and has in just a few hundred years become a second earth-like world. Innovations in technology have led to rapid planetary development. Mars’ surface consists of a breathable atmosphere that is only slightly thinner than the one on earth. Specialized genetically engineered fauna and flora have been seeded around the planet. Trillions of gallons of water are delivered annually from asteroid ice mines to create aquifers, rivers, lakes and even an ocean.
While someone could survive on the surface frontier a special permit is needed. Cities still had domes to protect against atmospheric thinning which could happen without warning and leave an area deprived of oxygen for extended amounts of time. While atmospheric thinning had become rarer, it was still a threat if you were outside without proper equipment. Domed cities like Tharsis, Ares and Redrock are the largest and most popular, and draw in tourists from all over the solar system.
In the same vein as those from Earth are called Gaians, those from the red planet are called Marsano. The Marsano have a sorted history with Gaians as they have become an economic powerhouse and self-sufficient leading to them becoming their own sovereignty. This has led to Ultron C.D. imposing hefty fines and tariffs on Marsano made goods in the Trade Alliance. Despite this Mars continues to thrive on trade deals with the Western Colonies Systems, who are also fighting for independence from Earth.
Standing just outside of the apartment Maria, Jessica’s sister, walked back and forth talking to someone on her Sensory Augmentation. Beside her was a well-dressed man with a commanding look about him. He was Maria’s chief security officer, which meant there were more of her security team around here locking down the area. Maria was twelve years older than Jessica and had slightly more mature features. Beside her lighter skin tone the two could pass for nearly identical twins. Maria, unlike Jessica, was wearing the tight-fitting Marsano terrestrial jumpsuit. The suit offered greater protections against temperature as it could heat or cool as well as provide emergency air incase of atmospheric thinning. Some people would always wear it when the dome was open as a precaution, but Jessica never did.
“Are you finally ready?” Maria said as her gaze turned over to Jessica.
“Yes, everything is out.” Jessica affirmed as the door slid shut behind her. “I am glad this is the last year I am going to have to worry about all of this cold weather. Wish they kept the dome closed.”
“Alright, looks like she is done… no I don’t know why she didn’t just have the help do this for her. I will call you back, love you!” Maria said to whomever she was talking with. “You could have just had the moving guys come back out here you know.”
“You didn’t have to come; I would have just gotten a ride.” Jessica said with a slightly annoyed tone. “I like to make sure that they got everything.”
“Don’t be like that. All I mean is it is not a Petterson’s job to do the work of a laborer. You should have just had someone come out here and do this for you. Everyone already agreed that we are going to meet at the elevator after you through your little fit about doing this in-person. You could at least be a little bit more considerate to our schedules.”
Jessica’s family was one of the most wealthy on Mars. Her father was the COO of HyronTec Inc. and had a plethora of smaller businesses around Mars. Her mother was a chairwoman of the Marsano Trade Commision which directly handled all trade agreements with Earth’s Trade Alliance. Maria was also largely successful owning several interplanetary businesses of her own. Vincent, Jessica’s oldest brother had his own clothing brand and was a celebrity starring in several high budget movies. Her younger brother was still in school but already had a bright future and keen business sense.
“Are you mad I wanted to see my family in person?” Jessica asked pointedly.
“If you had a Sensory Aug we could talk anytime.” Maria stated. “I will buy you one if you like. I know writing your little stories hasn’t exactly worked out for you has it?”
“How do you know…”
“Oh please,” Maria said with a haughty chuckle. “Like there is anything that you can do that slips past the family. Your little pin name can’t hide things from us.”
“Let’s just go.” Jessica responded.
Jessica, unlike most people, did not like the idea of the Sensory Augmentation and had refused to get them. Instead, she used a rival brand called SensoryMap, which did not have to be surgically implanted into the body. SensoryMap used a helmet and holographic visor along with two nodes that were placed on both sides of the neck. It allowed for some sensations in digital space like sight and sound, but did not allow for touch, and taste.
“The car is on the way.” Maria stated matter of factly. “Why did you want to live in this dump anyway? Ma and da would have gotten you a much nicer place.”
“I liked the neighborhood, you would know if you ever visited. Not that I wanted you too.” Jessica said under her breath as she turned away from Maria.
“What was that dear?” Maria asked, not really caring about the answer.
“Nothing sis, I was just lamenting how inconsiderate I have been to you.” Jessica said with an exaggeratedly sarcastic tone. “It must have been such a burden for you to make time for your little sister who told you five galactic standard months in advance.”
“Six would have been preferable.” Maria said flatly while sending Jesica a glare meant to kill. “But I shouldn’t expect much.”
The two continued to banter for a little while longer as a limousine rolled to a stop at the corner. Maria’s head of security took Jessica’s suitcase as the ladies were escorted to the luxurious car. The driver opened the door for them as they approached. He was also a member of the security team and not your typical limo driver. He was tall and broad and looked like his muscles would rip out of his suit if he flexed too hard.
It had been a long time since Jessica rode in a limo and since she had seen her family in person. Most family meetings were done over the internet as everyone seemed to drift into their own worlds. Jessica was the black sheep of the family; she never capitalized on her family name like her siblings and instead wanted a simpler life away from the dry, loveless home she grew up in. Everyone was always in it for themselves, always looking for an advantage over the other. She decided it would just be better to take herself out of the rat race all together.
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Jessica never told them why she was leaving since they never approved of Kevin. Her father told her that if she continued to date him she would be removed from the family. Jessica knew he would follow up with the threat too and she would no longer have an inheritance. This just pissed her off and she wanted everyone to be all together one last time before she departed for the space colony and she never looked back. Her goal was to tell everyone that she was in love and she and Kevin were moving to the Space Colony together. She couldn’t wait to see the looks on their faces when she broke the news.
The car glided across the ground with movements so smooth that Jessica hadn’t even noticed that they had started moving. The streets had been cleared by her sister’s security so there was no traffic and the normally busy neighborhood she called home was eerily quiet. Jessica smirked when she remembered walking up and down the streets to get groceries for herself for the first time. She recalled the liberated feeling when she met her first friend who wasn’t just the son or daughter of a rich prick that wanted to get closer to her parents. She also recalled the surprise on her face when that same friend saw the Maria Petterson pull up in her limo earlier that day.
Jessica turned her attention over to Maria who had already resumed her call on her Sensory Augmentation. The drive to the elevator was going to take at least a few hours once they left the city. She let out a long yawn and decided to look at her TKLiveSpace account. She pressed a button on the SensoryMap watch on her wrist. A holographic visor appeared over her eyes. Jessica was greeted by her avatar which is a cartoonized version of herself with a vintage double barrel shotgun. Her account name was DoubleBarrel which is also the name she used at gaming conventions to hide her identity.
Seeing the avatar reminded her of Kevin since they made the account together. It also reminded her of the time he got doxed. He was worried that they would find her identity as well. No one ever found out or her father would have stepped in and put a stop to it quickly. Jessica was far more worried about her father finding out she was a professional Esports gamer than a rando on the internet.
She scrolled through her feed and saw Kevin’s posted pictures of his emptied-out apartment. She smiled and liked the image and the short video he posted. She left the message on the post with a couple of heart and kissing emojis. Almost instantly her post was singled out by their combined followers and replies flooded in. They had already told their fans that they would be moving in a livestream, but this just confirmed everything for them.
Before she could get lost in responding to fans, she got a notification that she was receiving a call from the HTN. She smiled when she saw the name Kevin appear. She quickly answered the call but surprised herself at how nervous she was to hear his voice. She had butterflies in her stomach now that she was finally going to be moving in with him and starting a life together. Now that it was finally moving day it felt almost too surreal for her as she waited in anticipation for the call to connect.
“You are connecting to the Hyperspace Telecommunication Network brought to you by HyronTec Inc. You are a VIP Member; all fees are waived. Please hold as you are connected.” An automated voice stated as the ringing continued for a few seconds. “Connection established, thank you for using the Hyperspace Telecommunication Network brought to you by HyronTec Inc.”
“Hey-hey, Jessi are you there?” Kevin started as soon as the connection went through.
“Hey, I am in the car with my sister so I can’t say too much.” Jessica said while looking over to her sister to make sure she was still on the phone. “Don’t want to ruin the surprise for them.”
“Yeah, I wish I could be there with you, Beautiful. I just found out that my shuttle will be delayed.”
Jessica sat up in her chair after hearing the news. They had planned to meet at the interchange before going to the colony together.
“Why, what happened,” Jessica asked in a higher pitch than she intended. “Is everything alright?”
Kevin went on to describe the event at the port. He sent over a few of the news stories about what was going on so she could take a look at it. The port was closed for two days as repairs were already underway. Luckily, he will be transferred to a new vessel that could make it to the interchange before they were out of range. Jessica breathed a sigh of relief that they would still be able to meet before they went to the colony. She wanted to ask a few more questions but looked back over to her sister and decided against it.
“How about we meet in Deicide so we can talk freely?” Kevin suggested. “Do you have your stuff?”
When playing Deicide your body was placed into a dreamlike state, so you didn’t move around and injure yourself. In the game you control an avatar as if you were them. The players with the SensoryMap had to connect additional sensors or have a Sensory console. The limo they were in doubled as a mobile office so the chairs were integrated with sensory tech which Jessica could connect to.
“Yes, I will get it on and meet you in the guild!” She said excitedly. “See you soon, baby.”
She covered her mouth as soon as she finished her sentence and looked over to Maria with her eyes wide. Maria raised an eyebrow but could not see Jessica’s eyes through the holographic visor. To Jessica’s dismay she was no longer on the phone and had been eavesdropping on the conversation.
“Did I hear you right,” Maria said with a concerned expression as her lips tensed. “Are you dating someone?”
Jessica took in a short fast breath and exhaled through her nose in frustration at herself. Maria was one of the people that she did not want to find out what was going on until it was too late for her to do anything about it. Jessica thought for a second as she slowly sat up, she was careful not to show her emotions on her face. The members of her family were experts at reading body language and micro expressions. To them it was an essential skill to be able to get into the heads of rivals and business partners alike. If not for the holographic visor obscuring Maria’s vision of Jessica’s full visage she would have already been caught.
“No,” Jessica said, keeping her expression as blank as possible.
“I see, I know you and father had a talk about your rather poor choice of suitors in the past and he has some contacts he would like you to meet. I know that the poor street boys can be…” she paused to search for the right word. “Hmm… fun to toy with, but they are just toys for women of our stature, and it is time you grow up.” Maria prodded to see if Jessica would react. “You know, he arranged my partner and I together and we are both quite successful.”
“The word you meant there was husband.” Jessica jabbed with her words.
“What?” Maria was caught off guard by the statement.
“He is your husband.” Jessica answered, her tone flat. “You make it sound like you both are business partners… or trophies to each other's agenda.”
“Y-yes, we decided that partner is a better choice in words.” She states her eyes now glaring at Jessica even though she had a politician's smile across her face. “You will understand too, honestly I was hoping you would grow out of your little rebellious phase sooner.”
“Rebellious phase?” Jessica questions.
“Yes, we all know you left the house just to upset father and mother like some spoiled brat. Did you think you were making some grand statement about our family? Luckily you didn’t comeback pregnant with some fucking losers kid.” Maria shrugged. “That would have been harder to cover up than if you had just died.”
“I came out here to get away from how toxic you all are.” Tears started to well up in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. “I haven’t seen you in four years and you are just being accusatory and blaming me for nothing. People I meet in the street treat me with more respect than you. Do you just get a kick out of it? This is why I did not want you to pick me up.”
Jessica took a calming breath and turned away from Maria to look out of the window. Jessica’s face twisted into anger as she clenched her jaw. She reminded herself it was not the time to go off on Maria. Jessica knew that she had a few more hours in the car to burn and if she said anything now Maria would tell her father and he would most certainly cancel the trip with his connections.
“Father coddles you too much and allows you to indulge in these ridiculous ventures of yours.” Maria kept the pressure up with a snake's smile. “I wish I could spend my days doing nothing like you seem to do but some of us appreciate the Petterson name, you just seem to have it.”
Jessica was stunned for a second then turned back to Maria. Her face was completely tense at first but relaxed when she took a deliberate breath. She smiled sweetly which put Maria on her figurative back foot since up until this point the conversation seemed to be going her way. The change in Jessica’s attitude raised her attentiveness to what she was going to say.
“You are right.” Jessica said flatly but with a sweet hum to her words. “I’ll have to see about changing my last name. Maybe one of the street boys you spoke about will have a better one I can take.” She turned her attention to the console on the armrest of her seat which projected a holographic screen in front of her. “If you will excuse me, sister, I have a meeting I must attend. Disconnect me when we arrive. I am sure you have something you can be doing as well.”