I needed sleep. I didn’t care about how filthy I was, or the small concussion, I just needed to sleep.

  After Gary and I pulled Kade the rest of the way to the city we called emergency services to come get him. Their lack of shock or questions concerned me. Apparently this happened often enough that it didn’t warrant an investigation. They looked him over before placing him on a proper stretcher and loading him in to their private ambulance. Etsuko had already bled through her filthy shirt bandage and elected to share the ride with him. At a minimum she would need a few layers of graft sealer to close her wounds.

  They looked over the rest of us as well. None of us had gotten away unscathed. Morrighan told them she could find her own way to the hospital to get her wrist looked at. Junebug720, Oryx, and myself were covered head to toe in small lacerations and bug bites. Some of them were turning a very concerning shade of purple and beginning to ache. They offered us each a tube of some sort of ointment that should handle it, but at 600 rev per tube I was the only one willing to bite the bullet on that. The others would take their chances. Gary didn’t want them to look him over. He hadn’t made it this far to be poked and prodded while carrying prod-sensitive grenades.

  We traded contacts before parting ways. JuneBug720 and I were the only ones without prepared arrangements so everyone else gave their newbie hostel vouchers to us. It should keep us clean and dry for a week while we get settled.

  It wasn’t a tearful goodbye. Or a huge relief dump and a 'we did it you guys!' This wouldn’t bond us forever. I actually hoped to never see a few of them ever again. We’d hardly discussed each other's professions but I knew some of them – Oryx especially – were dangerous company. The most emotion came from Kade who gave each of us individually one of the most genuine, weighty Thank You’s I’d ever gotten. He shook each of our hands for a long time and said his thanks and he promised to try to repay it in kind or pay it forward. I believed him.

  But I was anxious to get away from there. Everyone was safe and sound and that was good enough for me. It felt rude not to walk with JuneBug720 to the newbie hostel, so once she had received her gratitude from Kade, we set off together with a final wave and a nod.

  I could feel the replay of the last day in the back of my mind, begging to take center stage and crush me, but I was just too tired. I barely registered my own footsteps dragging me forward, let alone had the energy to process. We just marched blindly in to the city.

  Home Zone as people called it (it official name was New Happelia but that name freaked some people out) felt like we were back in the jungle. The buildings were too close together with new units built on older ones as needed resulting in a haphazard, very unsafe conglomeration. Hundreds and thousands of wires and cables were knotted and bundled and coiled anywhere they could fit. Trash littered the streets where people just marched over it, stomping it until it became the new sidewalk. It was crowded, loud, and by the smell you’d think plumbing hadn’t yet been invented.

  All of that was perpetually lit by a cacophony of neon. Every stack had a dozen businesses attached followed by retro apartments and then more businesses. Restaurants, salons, clothing stores, weaponry, private contractors, lawyers, everyone just set up shop with no regard for zoning or juxtaposition. It wasn’t surprising to see an antique book store tucked between a night club and a caffeine shop. And the effect was a permanent pink and blue “daytime” with a constant electric buzz in the air.

  I felt at home again. Finally. I was fully aware that some of the stacks were just for show. The Galaxion didn’t have the population yet to support this mess, maybe two million people in all. It was close, but something like 20% of the buildings remained empty, owned by the early developers. I didn’t care, though. It felt exactly like the Hildrun, and it was enough to breathe some life into me.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do.” JuneBug720 opened up conversation immediately. “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I came over here, but now after all of that, I just want to leave.”

  “If you can afford it, go for it. But it ain’t cheap.” That was true. The cost to get to the Galaxion was significantly cheaper than it was to get off the Galaxion. Something like 250,000 rev. Plenty of people did it; it was just an expensive process. Probably half the people here intended to only stay for a short time. Just long enough to either have their fun or try to becoming some sort of mogul. There was plenty of rev to be made for sure. Though a lot of the wealthier participants would just put the return money in escrow aboard their home ship so they knew they had a way back whenever they wanted.

  “Yeah, no. I may be useless, but it isn’t because I’m rich as hell.” JuneBug720 laughed. “I came here to figure out who I am. Figure out what I’m good at and how to make my mark.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you. I guess just figure out something you enjoy and see if you can do that. You can swap professions all you want, you’ll just get a progress reset for whatever you do next. And its a few thousand rev, but you should have that by the time you decide to switch.” The people clogging the sidewalks gave us an understandably wide berth. I’m sure our own scent was cutting through even the stink of the city.

  “Yeah, I guess. But how do you do that?” She asked. I wasn’t sure if she was understanding.

  “I don’t know. My sister picked my profession for me because she thought it would be safe.” We both laughed at that. “So I’m probably the last person who could help. Maybe just register as a Shopkeep or Unemployed for a bit and feel things out for a while. Definitely get something on there by tomorrow though.”

  We had reached the newbie hostel after only a few blocks and climbing a few more sets of stairs. We hadn’t even stopped to ask directions or to get a map, we were just wandering. I think once we had gotten in to the city, at least for me, it didn’t really matter where we ended up. This gray miasma was good enough. It felt safe enough. But we found the hostel regardless and went inside.

  It was just a single hallway below the neon “Hostel - Vacancy” sign. No attendants or bellhops or fancy to-do’s. We walked down the hall passing all of the plain metal doors with a red light above them until we found some with green lights on. I inserted three of my vouchers below the normal rev pad and the door opened up with the light switching to red. JuneBug720 did the same for a door across the hall diagonally from me.

  “Roane.” She said standing in her doorway. I stood in mine and looked back at her. “You’re a good leader. I know we worked together a lot to get out, but you never stopped. I don’t know if we would have made it without you.”

  “Thanks, but I think Gary deserves most of the credit.” I replied, feeling an up-well of some emotion I couldn’t parse. Some mix of glee and self satisfaction?

  “He helped a lot too, but you were someone I wanted to follow. He wanted us to follow. There’s a difference. Just… thank you. Truly.” It was the first time seeing JuneBug720 look this sure of herself. She met my eyes and held them.

  “You’re welcome?” unintentionally making it a question. “Good night. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Good night.” We both closed and locked our doors. I couldn’t tell you what the room looked like as I’m fairly certain I fell asleep halfway to the pillow.

  I’m not sure how long I slept, but my Horizon said it was afternoon the next time I brought it up. And apparently I’d earned enough experience to gain another level.

  ROANE MORIZU.....................................................................................ANIMAL CONTROL SPECIALIST

  LEVEL - 6

  INTELLECT - 15 ......................................................................................................................................................PRIMARY EQUIPMENT:

  CHARM - 20 ...............................................................................................................................................................ACS UNIFORM

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  BODY - 20 ...................................................................................................................................................................MACHETE

  AGILITY - 20................................................................................................................................................................________________

  DURABILITY - +2......................................................................................................................................................

  HEALTH - 43/43........................................................................................................................................................CURRENCY

  UNASSIGNED POINTS - 5 .................................................................................................................................REV - 2041

  EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - 1178........................................................................................................................

  ACHIEVEMENT(S) UNLOCKED

  WHERE IN THE WORLD (2)

  You discovered a new area! There’s loads of exploring to do!

  Just put one foot in front of the other.

  Current zones explored: 2/40

  50 EXP AWARDED

  CAPITALISM!

  You engaged in the purchasing or selling of goods or services!

  Because Money!

  200 REV OF PURCHASE PRICE REFUNDED

  Huh, well that was nifty. I tucked away my overlay before remembering I needed to message my mentor. I brought up the messaging system.

  Mr. Voss,

  You were correct. I wasn’t just held up by the delays, we were the delay.

  Apologies for the late message. We didn’t make it to a hostel until late,

  and I’m on the mend at the moment. Please let me know when and where

  you’d like to meet and I’ll make it. Just give me a few days

  to get my feet under me.

  Look forward to working with you,

  Roane Morizu

  This time the message sent fine, and I received a reply a minute later.

  Heya Roane!

  Glad you made it out ok! Scary stuff. Come by the Third St. ACS

  building whenever. I’ll be here for the next 3 hours or so

  and the same hours for the next week.

  Take care of yourself,

  Javick

  That was probably enough prompting to get the day started. My faculties were returning and I became keenly aware of the layer of filth all over my body. My bedding, which I initially chalked up to being a symptom of how cheap the hostel was, had been thoroughly stained with every color of dirt and bodily fluid I could think of. I Needed to figure out the shower and caffeine situation, and get my hands on some new clothes.

  I also noticed for the first time the effect my allocated stat points had on me. Maybe it was because I only got a nap before, but now I definitely felt stronger. My muscles hadn’t seemed to beef up, and my brain wasn’t about to pop my skull open, but the changes were very apparent. I felt efficient. My body was performing like a computer that had been upgraded. Same form factor, better parts.

  The hostel didn’t have showers or even bathrooms of any kind, but I was pretty sure we’d passed a set of pay toilets a few rows down. The larger ones usually came with shower facilities and pay-per-minute running water. Clothes would be easy enough to come by. You couldn’t sneeze anywhere in Home Zone without someone in a shop yelling “bless you”. The only real hurdle would be buying an outfit without being kicked out in my current state.

  I sent JuneBug720 a message since she was undoubtedly in a similar predicament. We hadn’t exactly hit it off, but we’d probably look less problematic if we weren’t alone. Or at least we’d feel less weird about it.

  I’m going shopping and getting cleaned up

  if you wanted to come with.

  Roane

  No response. I guess she could still be sleeping, or maybe she’d gone out already. I gave it a few minutes before I went across the hall and knocked on her door.

  “JuneBug? You up? It’s Roane,” tap tap tap. “I’m going to get some clothes and a shower. Wanna come?”

  No response. Guess this was a solo mission. I turned up the hall and started heading out, and in seconds I was on the floor.

  I don’t know what happened. Maybe the hallway’s lighting and shape reminded me of the capsule car? I felt like I was back in the jungle only this time completely alone. I tried squeezing my eyes shut, but the flashes of Chodely Whipplespurt being dragged away came fast and real. I tried humming when the sounds – bugs swarming, monkeys chittering, Kade holding back groans of pain – started to assault me from all sides. It didn’t work. I was frozen, being bombarded while I lay curled in the fetal position on a piss-drenched floor sobbing and shaking.

  “Hey. Hey! You ok?” someone was prodding me with their foot. “What did you take?”

  I opened an eye to see a sallow-skinned man in clothes just as dirty as mine looking down at me with heavy concern.

  “I’m fine. Sorry. Stubbed my toe.” I was actually thankful he had kicked me out of my torment but didn’t want to put that on him. He extended a hand and helped me to my feet, sizing me up.

  “Ah, hate when that happens.” The man obviously didn’t believe my bullshit. “Well you just be careful. Lot of coffee tables around here.”

  I gave him a half smile and nod of acknowledgment before turning around and going back in to my room. I used the last bit of semi-clean fabric on my undershirt to wipe my face. My hands were shaking, and I felt like there wasn’t enough oxygen in the air, but the confinement was oddly comforting.

  That can’t keep happening. Work be damned, I couldn’t live in this world and have the stupidest little thing set me off. Could I even handle being an Animal Control Specialist after having dealt with so many of them in the jungle? Would my first rat encounter put me on the ground again? Could I ever ride the mag-line again? I was at a loss and I felt I’d never be able to leave my tiny room again. I started to hyperventilate. I needed help.

  Maybe Kade? I felt like he was maybe some kind of enforcement officer or tactician. If anyone had experience with this kind of post-traumatic stress it’d be him.

  Kade,

  How are you holding up? How’s the leg?

  Roane

  I didn’t want to dump on him while he was still recovering.

  Hey Roane,

  Good! They got it facing the right direction last night,

  so that’s a win. Pain meds are a bonus.

  Thanks for checking in.

  Wasn’t quite sure how to take that. He hadn’t asked how I was doing. I was probably reading too much in to that and, frankly, I didn’t care.

  Glad to hear it! Listen, I just had

  a panic attack or war flashback or something.

  Hoping you can help.

  Roane

  Hey Roane,

  That’s understandable. It’d be weird if you didn’t

  have some kind of PTSD from yesterday. You’re not alone.

  You’re safe now. Keep telling yourself that. Focus on details

  of your surroundings. Breathe slow. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

  I’m in the hospital until tomorrow, but if you’re still having trouble

  reach out. Where are you staying?

  Kade

  Just the acknowledgment and telling me I was not alone made me feel worlds better. I still didn’t want to leave my room, but I at least had hope that I could. I thanked him, sent him my address and room number and got to work on some of the coping techniques. Being able to redirect my fixation was the biggest help, but it was still trying to claw its way to the front.

  Shortly after our exchange someone knocked on my door. The peep screen on my side of the door activated, shedding a faint blue light. I could see someone just leave the frame, leaving behind a couple bags on the floor. I waited a minute before opening the door. No one was there, just the bags with a few wrapped parcels inside.

  I received a message ping.

  Hey Roane,

  Self-care is also important.

  Kade

  He’d sent me some things to hold me over. I guess he just assumed I was having trouble leaving the room. There were two changes of clothes, hygiene supplies, some ready-meals, bottled water, and a MAC card with 100 rev attached. It was a bit overwhelming and so appreciated. I wasn’t alone. At least one person understood.

  Kade,

  That was very kind. Thank you. I was having trouble

  leaving my room and was getting pretty hungry.

  You’re a life saver. Let me know

  how much I owe you.

  Roane

  Hey Roane,

  Just pay it forward. Message me whenever.

  Kade

  I opened up my Horizon and loaded the MAC in to my entertainment hub. I used half of it to purchase enough songs directly to make a TechRock playlist, and the other half I used to subscribe to a couple channels. It was the most powerful armor in Galaxion right now. It gave me the confidence I so desperately needed.

  With my Horizon playing my custom playlist, I ventured back out. I checked once more with JuneBug720, again to no answer, and headed to the showers. I still couldn’t resist focusing my attention up in to the viney cabling, but it didn’t stop me.

  An hour and 300 rev later (extended hot water wasn’t cheap), most of the reminder of the previous day had vanished and I felt like I was starting again new. The only real physical marks left were a fair few gnarly bruises and superficial lacerations. My back in particular was almost one giant purple bruise.

  Once my old clothes were deposited in the trash for incineration and I’d gotten a ready-meal in my belly, I went about making some sense of my surroundings.