I found some time to write my first transmission! It has been rather eventful since I arrived at Freeport 14! Or, well, I guess to other people this is routine? I didn't know how things are done on a space station!
First of all, the bad news: I haven't managed to access the accounts yet. I can live off the 100.000 Credits you sent me yesterday for a little bit, but I am already in the red. A bit silly how that happened, really.
When I got to the security checkpoint, they gave me a freeport ID card because I didn't bring any papers with me. Like, not that I have any. They asked me when my last medical check-in was, and I gave them the honest answer, so they escorted me to the medical bay where I got a full physical. Had I known that was about to happen, I would have used the water you gifted to me to clean myself. It was really embarrassing! Both the nurse, the doctor and the two security women saw me naked! One of them even made a comment, it was really... Well, I guess I was just another person to them, but knowing I'm currently on the same station as four people who saw me naked, it's really awkward!
It got even worse, though! The doctor gave me three sample cups, and told me to return them with the specified "samples". I knew that, you know, pee and poo get checked for signs of infections and such, but I didn't understand why I am supposed to provide the third sample! So I asked and the doctor gave me a, what felt like ten minutes speech about how radiation can affect reproductive organs, how STDs work and how a bunch of kusarian women died to a virus from a planet in the Sigmas that is transmitted via sperm! While I was STILL naked and getting stared at!
After that, as I left the medical bay lobby, one of the security officers yelled after me, audible to the thirty other people in the lobby, that I'm not allowed to "fire the razor" at anyone before I provide the samples. I didn't have anything to hide the sample cups so I held them in my hands as I left. Doesn't help that everyone referred to me as "kid", either! I'm almost 20, god damn it!
Next, I really, really, really wanted to get a room, simply to finally get to shower, so I went to the administration, with my three sample cups, of course, and tried to get in touch with someone. I had to wait about an hour because a man kept arguing with the administrative representative, in a room with someone who didn't care for the no-smoking sign, a woman with a crying baby and a very demanding daughter, and an older man who kept sneezing into a medical mask. Mind you, I don't want to sound complainy, given I'm used to a more rough social environment, but you can probably paint a picture with this description.
When I finally got to talk with the administration, they simply sent me to another guy's office at the opposite end of the station, who then asked me why I didn't use the terminal at the promenade area to rent a room and get a key card. So I went back to the main hall, still having the three sample cups with me, and saw a long queue of people at said terminal. So I figured, until those people are done, I could tackle a different problem, namely my lack of adequate clothes, as all I had before that was my mining jumpsuit from Pittsburgh. So I went to the Manhattaner, the one big clothing store on the freeport, and looked around. A man noticed me and my sample cups and went to me and the first thing he asked as I was looking at some leather jackets was "You're not weird, right?" - I explained the situation to him, and he offered to help me, scanned my measurements and gave me a PDA to check out outfits. Good news is that I have cool stuff to wear now. Bad news is that I need to pay in two weeks, and I didn't know that this was a premium service, but then again, I could have thought of that myself, looking at the stuff gotten tailored for me to perfectly fit.
He said I should pick up the stuff in twelve hours. Good, I thought, so things got better from there, except that the queue at the terminal was EVEN LONGER THAN BEFORE. One hour later, I finally got a key card for a room right next to a, what I thought was a massage parlor. Little did I know, it was more than that, and as I am writing this, I can hear a woman making very enthusiastic sounds. But at least the rent is cheap, and I finally got to shower. I don't know if you are familiar with the living conditions on Pittsburgh, but showers and bathtubs are not included in the standard all-you-can-enslave package. Sometimes there was nothing more than a bunch of water bottles, and if you catch my drift, if you're a slender person like me, you often don't get to keep what was handed to you. So, as silly as it may sound, I sat in that shower for half an hour, until the water contingent I paid for was used up, and it felt great. I think my hair was never this fluffy before, and I didn't even use shampoo yet!
I put on my jumpsuit again and then explored the station a bit. I got myself some synth paste, enough for probably a month? And after I brought that to my room, I realized that I didn't know where my sample cups are, so i checked Manhattaner, the administration, the office and they weren't there. I lost my sample cups, and I will, later, go to the medical bay and admit my defeat. One can sink only so much below, right?
Right?
I remembered that you told me to get a drink from the cantina, so I went there and sat down at the bar. The bartender asked me if I was pranking her, because she thought I was a kid. I asked for something non-alcoholic, she gave me a Liberty Ale after she saw my freeport ID card, and said it was on the freeport. I asked her whether that's how Zoners say "on the house", because, you know, Zoners and Houses are two opposing extremes. She gave me the eye and just said that I'm probably the millionth person to point that out.
It got a bit more crowded so I left the bar and instead sat down in a corner, just enjoying my drink, until a woman sat down next to me - like, right next to me, instead of going for literally any other free spot - and asked me some things while her hand was on my thigh. It took me a while - I'm quite new to this, mind you - but she was obviously looking for a new potential client. I had a nice conversation with her, she flattered me over and over again, ordered some expensive drinks for herself and made a few advances. I told her that I wasn't allowed to do the things she proposed she could do with me because of the ten minute speech of the doctor, but she laughed it off, saying she wouldn't "raw-dog" me anyway. I don't know what that means, do you? I asked her, but she laughed again and complimented my sense of humor. After a while she left and the bartender gave me the bill. Her bill.
... I'm in debt.
So I went back to my room and slept. Again, I must stress that, while that bed was probably the cheapest piece of metal rods welded together, it was better than a wooden pallet and cardboard. The mattress has a plastic-ish smell and the pillow had stains on it despite having, assumedly, getting cleaned before I got the room. I slept like a rock. Just knowing that nobody would knock down the door and steal my stuff or harm me in any way, it feels great, really. I woke up a few times when the people next door got a bit louder, but that was alright. I feel rested!
My hands are shaking, though, as I write this. The past 48 hours were so incredibly overwhelming, I don't know when I will be able to process all this. My life went from bad, to horrible, to me facing deportion to assumedly Malta or something, to me being free, on my own feet, with my own ship. I think stuff like the lady scamming me for drinks would have really pissed me off if I had any sense of realization right now. Things are happening, and I don't have the capacity to process them. If anything, I feel happy.
And while it probably seems like just a little act of care for you, Aspen, to me, what you did was a lot more than that. So much more than that, really. I don't think words can express my gratitude, and I'm deeply in your debt. So, and this might sound weird and I don't want to sound clingy or anything, right? If I can help you in any way, do tell me. Apart from paying the money back, of course. Without the water, I could have passed out any moment, really, and without your guidance to the freeport, I would have probably gotten killed by the Corsair we saw in Kansas, or something else!
My life is open-ended right now. I have no idea what to do next and where to go next. I have a medical appointment in three days as the doctor wants to help me with my bruises, but apart from that, I'm at your service! If you have a job for me, just tell me! Of course only if you want, I really don't want to be pushy! The last thing I want is you to feel regrets for helping me!
Oh, and sorry for the long message. I only now noticed how much I wrote!!
You know, with the benefit of hindsight, I think perhaps you'd have benefitted from me being on-station to walk you through in-processing, because oh my does that sound like a major sensory overload. Freeport hospitality can vary a lot depending on where you are - would you believe me if I told you this was one of the better ones? But you still pulled through it all and got to a decent enough place to ring me up. You're a real trooper, bud. Trust me, it gets easier. Especially when you've got a proper personnel record to carry around with you.
Still, that's on me for not being there to walk you through things and get you sorted properly before zipping off. Sorry about that, really. The cantina was an especially dumb recommendation at the time... I made it my responsibility in that moment to ease you into this, but I've been-... I don't know. Continuously distracted, lately. You'll find no shortage of mystery out here to occupy your thoughts, that's for sure, but it's no excuse for being a poor facilitator on a first visit to a proper Freeport.
But let's get you started off the right foot, huh? You've got the ship, you've got a pressing need, and what's on the agenda is work. I think I can help with that, to start with. Let's meet up someplace and talk business. Around the Freeport sounds nice.
Also, uh, if I may ask you for a favor: let's keep the place we first met a little secret just between us, hm? Privacy is very important out there, so I hope you pardon my initial suspicions if I gave off any signals.
I have not seen you since we last talked about, uhm, you know. I hope you are doing well!
First of all, I need to tell you about something! This is important, so please bother listening for a minute!
A few hours ago, a Liberty Navy officer came to Freeport 14. Her name is Ma... Ma... Mahina? Does not matter. She is part of a wing of the 46th Liberty Navy fleet, and she came to Inertess system and talked with me and a few other people at the freeport. We talked a bit and she said she is one of the Navy people who would prefer if they would not need to shoot at Zoners. We kept talking and Miss Harper asked her about her rules of energement and she said that orders are to
Shoot any Zoners defibrillating from the trade lanes!
She also said that Navy pilots have some aunomity when it comes to following those orders, she said it can be decided on a case-by-case basis. This still means that going into the mining fields as Zoner can already be reason for them to attack them.
That was the important part!
As for the rest, I can tell you when we see each other again! I have met a lot of people and got a little job! No idea about how much money I get, and when, but I have done already a little bit! Even survived my first fight! There was something happening in the Cobbler system.
I hope you are doing well, Miss Aspen! Looking forward to hear from you again!
Yeah. Harper and Laz filled me in on the whole score with the Navy's pretty loose rules on shooting folks off the lanes. Technically, it's not just Zoners. Any traffic off the trade lanes at more than ten kilometers distance is in violation, so says they. Isn't that something? You were technically violating Liberty authority looking for that water. We're criminals together! Congratulations, pal. It's ridiculous, I know. Relax, that's only if they ever find out. I'm not telling.
I sort of already knew all this, though. It's been my damn reality for the last month in Penny - that's uh, short for Pennsylvania, you've probably picked that up by now. The important part of all this in my eye is a Navy pilot was willing to fly out and share that. I recognize the name, too - I've spoken with her, I'm aware of her doubt about the legitimacy of all this. Maybe she needed to clear her conscience some. I should talk to her.
Good pronunciation on the name, too! Her last name aught to be a fun one for you to practice. I look forward to hearing about what you've gotten up to - not sure what you mean by Cobbler system. Coronado? Hopefully the locals have been nice and accommodating!
As for myself, I'm honestly... feeling... scared I think. But excited too, on top of it. I know you know the feeling. Like you've found something you've been searching for after so long, and then realizing that's only just the beginning, that there's still so much more life to live and see? Overwhelming. But an occasion for growth. Positive disintegration...
[She stares off into the distance as she speaks. Breathing a deep breath, in and out, she seems disoriented or glazed over for a moment, before startling to attention.]
Uhm... oop- sorry. No, uh... no coffee, this morning. Still easily... distracted, you know. But time marches on, eh? Got to stay busy, and I appreciate the warning, either way.
I do not want to, uhm, waste your time, but I was wondering if you are in Pennsylvania right now? I was near where we met each other right now but looks like you are busy elsewhere. I am flying around in the system, I found a nice view behind Sayre and Bradford. If you happen to be around and have a bit of spare time, why do you not come around? But, really, only if you have time. I know you are a very busy woman!
I have not heard of you in a while. I hope you are doing well!
Uhm, Lazurith and I left Inverness for a while. There has been... some drama, to say the least, and we headed away as far as possible. Turns out the various freeports could not be more different from each other! We found some place to stay for a while, but a few days ago, Rebecca found us, so we keep moving.
Yesterday I went to Inverness, because I wanted to see if you are there, but I guess you are busy in Pennsylvania. I, uhm, really hope you are doing well. Freeport 14 seems weird lately. Without Lazurith and you, the people seem a lot less bearable to me. Caliban, Rebecca's brother, then the Corsair that wanted to kill Lazurith, and of course Moyer. Scumbags left and right, really.
A few days ago, Kristoff and I watched a very cool match of Plasmaball. Honshu Heroes against the Avalon Raiders. It was fun watching it with him, but I am still hoping we get to have a fun evening together, a movie night, just the three of us. Or, uhm, four. Tamara might be with us, too. She, uhm, kind of showed up at my door step and, uhm, asked if she could move in. So, eh. We are currently moving things around to, you know, have her move in. I did not get to talk to Kristoff about it. He rented a fighter from a freeport and, uhm, just took some hours off.
Actually, he could be on the freeport. Uhm, I will check later. He seems sort of fine, but, uhm, he is quite traumatized by what happened to him. It is all a bit difficult, lately.
... I really wish you are doing okay, because I would give a lot to hear you say "Howdy".
From:____ ____LevanHarlow
To:___________AspenHarlow
Subject:______Please be alive
Hey.
I do not know if you are still out there, Aspen, but... in case you are, give me some life sign, okay?
Kimiko said you are out there and alive. But if you are, why are you not responding? Why are you not giving me a message through Kimiko? I... just want to know if you really are alive or not. I would lie if I would say that I am not looking for help, but, uhm, my guess is that even you cannot help us with what we are currently looking at. Things are... getting more and more complicated. I do not know how things could... get better again. Kristoff... he needs some kind of help. You know, physically.
I am somewhat at my limit. Nothing matters anymore. Space fishes, zombies, loyalty implants, the nutjobs called Harper, robot ships, butterfly ladies... No, nothing matters anymore. My brain seems to be too small to get a grip on reality. I just want... some normalty. Or normalcy. Uhm, what is the right one? Oh right, it does not matter. People destroy planets, dead people get revived, gods exist and nobody knows what truth is anymore. But hey, as long as people blame me for daring to lie to a Rogue who threatens to kill me, all is fine and good.
People are losing their minds, Aspen, and I am afraid I am one of them. No wonder there are weirdos like that SLRC juggernaut captain who completely refuses to comply with the basic sense of respectful behavior. If an uneducated boy like me struggles to make sense of all this, I guess people with a little bit more brainpower get to acknowledge how horribly unimportant everything is, when death is no longer the final frontier and people become ghosts and zombies.
Sometimes I wish I never left Pittsburgh. But then I remember I would not have met you and Kristoff and Yoshiko.
From:____ ____LevanHarlow
To:___________AspenHarlow
Subject:______The time of the year
Hey Aspen.
Yeah, it is that time of the year. I am browsing through the space of Pennsylvania in the hopes of finding a single signal from you. Of course, still a joke. The system is huge, and you and me are just tiny, meaningless dots out here.
And, uhm, I do not know if you are alive or dead. That is the worst part about it. Just not knowing if you are still out there. Weirdly enough, only a few days ago, I found out that Kristoff is alive. He was in med-stasis. Under my name. He survived the crash, can you believe it? And three years later I find out about it.
Sadly, our reunion was... not as happy as I would have wished for it to be. But if he can survive a crash, I guess that means that even you could still be out there. I read the news about something blowing up on Erie, and I got reminded about your involvement with Pinnacle. I just hope that... if you are still alive and out there, you are not really wasting your years on terrorism.
What can I say, Aspen. I miss you. Very much. I made a lot of new friends in the past three years. Among them some... closer friends, too. But, you know. It is not at all like the simple days in 830. You, Kristoff, and me. I miss that. And that is why you need to be alive! You still owe both of us a funny movie night. With popcorn and these little juice packs Kristoff liked so much.
So, as every year. If you are alive, give me sign. I will keep flying around. I know the odds to find people in space are astronomically tiny, but, hell, if a cunt like Rebecca can track me down literally anywhere, maybe even I can stumble upon a chaotic little Zoner scientist in her mother's freighter.
I... when I got this message... my God, I don't even know what to say.
Levan... Levan, is this really you? I'm not dreaming this? I thought you were-... you and Kris both, gone, faded away. Rebecca, she showed me, his message, the crash. But, I spend less than five minutes at a terminal, and here you are? Alive? He's alive?
Damn. Sorry, sorry for the questions. I just-... oh my gosh, thank you, stars above!
Yeah, pal, I'm here. We're both here, we're okay. I'm there, at Pinnacle. We have to talk. I'll come to you if I have to! Get back to me lickety-split, okay?