It tasted bitter. They always tasted bitter. The filter that was clenched firmly between his lips didn't detract from the gritty substance beyond. The acrid smoke that wandered into his mouth and slithered down his lungs was not enough to get him to stop sucking on the end like a baby wanting its mother's milk. Addictions were a pain in the ass. This was not Rheinland. And the cigarettes here were absolutely dismal. Maintain cover.
Those that sat about him busied themselves with media devices of all shapes and colors. Music, conversation, neural-net connections, holotainment bands...it was all so numerous. And their variety only made it worse. For every one device, there were thirty-odd manufacturers; minimum. The noise was a part of basic training, but it was all so numerous and detracting.
"So I was talking to Sharon the other day..."
"I said sell, you moron! You're fired!"
"No, put the gun down, chill out, and think positively..."
"Like, no way she said that."
"No...you hang up..."
Despite it all, his vibrant blue eyes stared forward, watching the superstructures that Libertonians called buildings whiz past at breakneck speeds through the window. While observing, one emotion crawled through his mind: Jealousy. The only planet that was somewhat decent was planet Stuttgart. And that was entirely devoted to agriculture. Here on Manhattan, it was a technological organism basking in the warmth of a beautiful star.
"We have now arrived at our destination. Beginning descent," The female tone was loud enough to make sure the obnoxiously noisy people on the transport heard it. He heard it loud and clear, quickly grabbing his bags and making his way to the door. Then without hesitation, he stopped outside when the porthole opened up just enough to let him slip through, right onto enemy soil.
"Welcome to Manhattan," A soft voice said over a loudspeaker, "Remember to abide by all laws and inform the local law enforcement of any and all illegal activity. Thank you for your cooperation."
The landing platforms was about two kilometers long, wide enough to allow the widest of atmosphere star ships a comfortable place to dock. They came and went like bees at a hive, dropping off and taking passengers. Even as he got off the armored transport, a man pushed his way past and through a bunch of the other passengers waiting to dismount. He paid these rude individuals no attention, continuing on towards the massive building that the starport was connected to.
"It's time," He whispered to himself.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"