An orange glow pulses near the far end of the Main room. Light music and an occasional greeting are a welcome transition from the streets outside. Each step gets louder as the noise of the busy station gets further behind me.

A sign that reads, ‘Terminal Market’ glows in orange with an arrow pointing towards an exit.

Peaches. Strawberries? The soft scents of fruity perfume welcome me as I step into a bright shopping area. Merchants chat with each other calmly with the occasional patrons browsing their wares.

The muted olive green coat of a merchant with dark grey hair catches my attention against the backdrop of pastels and brightly dressed shop keepers. Their hair is shaved on one side and a chain connects from their nose to their ears.

Holographic displays show armor in various forms. Approaching the displays a shimmer catches my eye. The shop keeper is a cyborg.

“See anything you like?” Their voice is deep but I can’t place the inflection.

“Yea, just looking”

“Take your time, if you have questions let me know.”

“Thanks.”

Golden armor shows up on the display as I swipe past a few options.

“Like that one?”

“Yea, it looks really cool.”

“Looks can be deceiving when it comes to armor. You see those stats?”

At the bottom right is a box with stats.

Name: Glistening Coat of the Gods

Armor Type: Light Armor

Protection Type: Shields

Armor Rating: 4-30

Cost: 3400d

“What’s with the Armor Rating?”

“That piece is all about looks.”

“Then why is it so expensive?

“Because it’s all about looks.”

“Ah.”

“You a newcomer?”

“Just getting used to things again.”

“Right. Well all the newcomers that showed up recently have been inflating the prices on these cosmetic pieces. Not many of them are Artisans, mostly just hot headed kids looking to hit or shoot things.”

Nodding I swipe past the golden armor and find an even stranger piece with bright red lining and spikes on the shoulders.

“If you’re looking for something practical to get out. Whatever that is. I have a piece here.” The merchant limps to the back of their shop and and calls out, “It’s not very fancy, and the battery is drained on the shielding unit, but it’ll hold up against most energy weapons when powered up. Plus it’s padded, so you can take a few blows without too much shock actually getting through.”

They return with a smoke white jacket with just one sleeve. The collar looks like a scarf, but as they place it on the counter I see it’s actually a plate under the chin.

“This part is actually the power cell. It’s right up next to your chin so it can protect your head. It also doubles as an encounter suit. So if you plan on traveling anywhere that the atmosphere doesn’t agree with you, you’re safe.”

“What about the left sleeve?”

“Well, this one is actually meant for cyborgs who focus on arm attachments, so they aren’t covered.”

“Can I see the stats?”

“Just getting used to things again, eh?” They grin at me showing off a metallic tooth.

“You can use your PID to scan it here.” They tap a small square on the shoulder.

My thumb rubs against the square.

“I’ve seen some newcomers use their interfaces to examine it as well.”

“Yea, I was just checking the materials.”

“Right.”

The familiar glow of my interface pulls up in front of me. Swiping around I look for a screen that will let me examine the item. In the inventory screen, I see a magnifying glass near the top left and tap it. The interface becomes mostly transparent and at first I don’t see anything. But focusing on the square on the vest I see a dialog box appear over it.

Name: Valor’s Redemption

Armor Type: Light Armor

Protection Type: Shock Absorption

Armor Rating: 22-34

Cost: 360d

“Is something wrong with it?” I ask.

The merchant scoffs, “Nothing.”

“That smug look on your face is telling me something else.”

“Don’t get cheeky with me.”

“Fine, fine. I’ll give you full ask if you toss in those pants back there, those shoes and the grey under shirt.” I point to a pair of pants I’d been eyeing. I wasn’t sure if the shoes were any good, but I was tired of walking around barefoot and didn’t want to wear the jacket without something under it.

“400 for the set and I’ll charge the shield.”

“400 if you charge my other gear also.”

“400 for the set and shield only. I’ll quote your other gear separately.”

“Fine. Deal.”

The pistol and energy arrows capsules clatter on the counter after I pay for the new armor and set my pack down. Without even thinking about it. I take off the pajama tops and change into new shirt and jacket.

As I slip on the jacket on the shop keeper looks across the way. I look back and see the other shop keeper staring at my arrows wide eyed. Our eyes meet and they turn to fidget with their wares.

“What was that about.” I ask the shop keeper I’d just paid.

They look at the capsules and pistol, their arms resting on the counter palms down. Tilting their head they ask, “Where did you get these?”

“Get what?”

“The energy arrow capsules.”

“I picked them up at another shop.”

“Which one? Here or in Vroma?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Think back, where did you get them.”

“I don’t remember.” I repeat emphatically.

They scowl at me for a moment, then their brow softens and they pick up one of the capsules.

“These are very rare. Despite this being a pretty big city, most of the Smiths that could make these items are long gone.”

“Gone?”

“Yea, after the Collapse, the knowledge on how to make these was lost.”

“What was the Collapse?”

“Not a newcomer, eh?”

I shrug.

“You can find out about the history from the libraries if you’re curious.”

“I don’t need the whole history, just curious.”

“Yea, well information will cost you kid.”

“Fine, never mind. Can you charge these?”

Their large hands look like bear paws with longer digit and stubby claws as they pick up the capsules.

“I think so.”

From under the counter they pull out a pad that looks similar to Beatrice’ charging pad and set it on the counter.

Fiddling with some wires they for a bit, they say, “It’ll be another 100 dims for the charging of these.”

“100 dims!?”

“It’s ancient tech, I don’t know if they’ll suck up a ton of energy or not.”

“I’ll give you 50.”

“Sure, then I’ll charge half of them.”

“80.”

“80 percent of them.”

“Fine.”

They place the capsules on the pad after I pay and a light turns on.

“Ha! Looks like they’re compatible.” They rub their hands together and smile.

The disc is peeking from my bag, so I reach over and pull it out.

“Are you familiar with this?”

“Hm?”

“This. Can you charge it?”

“I have no idea what it is.”

“Oh.”

“But I can try after your arrows are charged up.”

“How long will that be?”

“Another few minutes. You’re welcome to leave them with me if you want to keep browsing.”

“I’m ok.”

“I won’t steal your items, if that’s what your worried about.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t really want to go out there right now. Plus, why is this jacket called Valor’s Redemption. Seems pretty.”

“Over the top?”

“Yea.”

“I’ll tell you about it, and the idiot that named it.”

“That’s why you never want to pull a wild cats whiskers.” Finishes the merchant.

My laugh is genuine, as they wrap up their story and hand back my disc. A long story later, my arrows and pistol are charged. The disc didn’t take a charge.

“Thanks for the help.”

“Anytime.”

I put my disc away with my other items and look around for a moment.

“By the way.”

“What’s up?” I reply.

“There is Smith shop across town with some items that they want e to sell. As you can tell, I don’t exactly have the mobility I once did and I could use some help picking them up. I’ll pay you for it of course and if Chester is willing, they can help teach you how to craft some basic surveyor equipment.”

A prompt shows up.

[Mission: Aging Cyborg in need of a Courier] Leandra needs help picking up some parts from Gavilar’s shop. Reward: 200 dims and affinity with Leandra Penalty: Loss of affinity with Leandra

Whoa! An actual mission. Grabbing the pants from the counter I ask, “Is there a place I can put these on?”

“Is that a yes?”

“Yup.”

“Great!”

[Mission Accepted]

With the mission accepted I find some more information in my interface. There is actually an option to turn on navigation but when I select it nothing happens at first. Then I notice a faint trail on the ground. I have to focus on it to see it clearly.

“Where you headed?” Asks Leandra.

“Back out.”

“You can walk down the isle here and it’ll take you to Traxian Way”

“Right. Thanks.”

“Be safe out there.”

“Thanks.”

Bright neon lights replace the pastel lights as I get closer to the exit of the Market and out into the street. People, creatures and mobile ‘things’ are bustling all around me. A tall skinny creature with three legs passes by me speaking a strange language at no one in particular.

The path leads me towards the shop as I take in the sights around me. Tall buildings some ornate and made of brick combined with metals, others made of glass or just metal. Everyone is heading somewhere either on foot, wheel, or stump. Some are in vehicles, flying, hovering, or rolling by. Head down I keep to myself and focus on getting to Gavilar’s.

The street I’m on stretch on for a while and the further I get from Traxian Way, the rougher things start to look. Those around me are wearing ratty clothing, some laying on the ground, others holding up hand written signs or holographic signs asking for help. Street art starts small and turns into bigger and bigger murals.

I grip the pistol handle like a lever as I walk past a group of humanoids sitting on a stair case.

“Ha, you see that Spitz? The nook strayed away from the trax.”

“Think he’s lost?”

“Probs, why don’t we help them out.”

Picking up the pace I hear them walking towards me.

“Hey nook.”

Nearly at the verge of a jog I pick up the collar of my jacket and try to just ignore them.

“They must be deaf.”

“Must be!”

Ahead I see a girl standing by the corner of a building spinning a string. Her collar comes up to her ears and I can see her pants are laced along the sides down into her utility boots.

“Tei, you see this nook?”

The girl looks up and stops spinning the string. A glisten come from her nose ring as she grins at me. I stop.

“Hey little nook.” Tei says spinning the string again.

“I’m just heading down the street.” I say gripping my gun.

“We can help you.” She replies. “It’ll be faster if you lighten your load though.”

Behind me I can hear the sound of metal against fabric and Tei lets her eyes flit to the two behind me. A sick grin touches the edge of her lips and my heart races.

Rocks burst from the ground as I draw the pistol and shoot the floor in front of the her.

“Gun!” Yells a voice from behind me and I can hear them running. Tei stares at me, her eyes darting between me and the pistol.

“Watch yourself nook.” She spits and rubs at her face where a bright red streak is dimming. "You got lucky tonight."

Keeping my pistol pointed at her I walk around in a wide arc and once I’m far enough I turn and start running.

“Watch your back!” I hear her call out as I pick up the pace. Time to test my Endurance.