Starbourne, page 9
“Not if you do it your way, Jo,” Jaeden said. “Just like you always tell me. Do it safe, take your time, and watch your step. If you lose out on the extra credits, so be it.”
“So bust my ass even harder, get paid less, and get written up by that white-collar moron when I can’t meet my targets?” Joanna protested.
“That’s exactly right,” Lorenzo boomed. “Listen, kid, I don’t like this either. And I’ll protect you for as long as I can, but things are changing around here. This is above all of us, and it’s not going to get any better any time soon.”
“If you want, I could always crash my shuttle into his dormitory wing on my way off the station,” Jaeden said with a dry smile.
He was kidding, but the realization of his situation was just starting to set in.
“Damnit, Jae, I’m sorry.” Joanna sat on the bed beside Jaeden. “This is all so messed up.”
“Jaeden, you’re good people, kid. Wherever you end up for your next job, you tell them to call me. I’ll vouch for you,” Lorenzo said while standing beside Jaeden. He extended his hand out, and Jaeden reached his hand to complete the handshake. “Hades, in a few weeks, we may be asking you for help to find work too.”
Lorenzo finished the handshake with Jaeden and clapped him on the shoulder affectionately. The shift supervisor then turned towards the door and hiked up his pants before passing through and into the hallway.
Jaeden watched as the door shut behind his former supervisor and was left alone with Joanna. She was sitting quietly with her back facing him. She was staring at the floor and clenching her jaw.
“I told you to be careful with that witch,” she finally said coldly. “I knew something like this would happen.”
“Better me than you, right?” Jaeden remarked solemnly.
Joanna scoffed and turned to punch Jaeden in the shoulder. As always, he feigned that it hurt more than it did. She smiled softly and rose to her feet, stretching out her back. She took a deep breath and let out a sigh while shaking her head. The two friends looked at each other until Jaeden broke away.
“I’m so screwed,” Jaeden finally said, accompanied with a chuckle.
“You’ll be alright,” Joanna said softly. “You’re more resourceful and adaptable than I am. So I guess you’re right; ‘Better you than me’.”
The two laughed for a moment followed by a thick silence that filled the room. There wasn’t much left for the two to say to each other. They both knew their paths would diverge now, and it would be difficult to go on without the other.
Joanna bent over Jaeden, kissing him softly on the cheek. Jaeden looked up and smiled at her as she pulled away and they locked eyes. Her trademark smile spread across her face, and she stood to her full height and patted her hands against her hips clumsily.
“Well,” she cooed, pursing her lips together. “Keep in touch, loser.”
Jaeden watched her as she moved to the door.
“I’ll see you again, Joanna,” Jaeden said.
She flashed a warm smile in his direction before spinning around and disappearing through the doorway. The door slid shut behind her, and for the first time since he had woken up, Jaeden was alone.
How quickly his life turned upside down, literally. The last thing he could remember was hurdling through space after the ship he was working on imploded.
He thought about how his career was over.
He thought about how long and hard he was working to get to this point for it all to end like this.
He thought about Manda, and how her life was changed forever now.
He thought about going back to Mars and being planetside again.
“Shaz,” Jaeden said to no one in particular.
“Nimble Nate’s Electricals. The system’s most trusted residential and commercial electrical services for over forty years! You won’t find any faults with us, while we find the faults for you! Nimble Nate is not liable for any accidental damage or deaths that may occur during or after installations.”
(Nathan Hoxton of Nimble Nate’s Electricals)
CHAPTER
SEVEN
The next morning, Jaeden had been escorted from the hospital wing of the Indigo Station back to his apartment. When the door to his room opened, he was shocked at how many people were swarming around inside.
There were half a dozen employees crammed into Jaeden’s small apartment, each working on their tasks to clean and pack. He stood in the corner and watched as his home was stripped down by these strangers.
His apartment looked as if it had been sterilized overnight. All the surfaces in the room had a glossy sheen to them, as they had when Jaeden first arrived at the station ten months ago. Likely the company intended to rent out his room to another recruit as soon as possible.
Jaeden surveyed his home, or rather, his soon-to-be former home. Initially, he was surprised at how much remained out in the open, but he quickly realized that he didn’t own any of these items.
Everything on the station was provided to the employees by Fairfex,
“At least I made some credits while I was here,” Jaeden said under his breath.
“Which brings us to your tab.” A woman in a grey business jacket said.
The smartly dressed woman approached Jaeden. She wore a high-ranking company badge clipped to her jacket and walked with an air of authority. She carried with her a company-branded satchel, slung over her shoulder.
Jaeden figured she was the one in charge of seeing him thrown out today.
“What tab, “Jaeden paused to read the name printed on the company badge. “…Glorence.”
“Your final dues owing to settle the balance of your time serving about the Indigo Station,” Glorence responded, a sheepish smile forming upon her lips.
The corporate executive pulled free a datapad from the satchel and began swiping commands onto the tablet.
Jaeden took a deep breath and exhaled the hot air through his nostrils. He could feel his jaw tensing as he waited for the woman to present the company’s final insult.
“Here we are,” Glorence said triumphantly. She turned her attention back to Jaeden, and the data pad beeped a high-pitched note as a receipt began to print from the device.
Jaeden watched with mounting annoyance, as the paper continued to flow freely from the machine. It was only a few inches wide, but it had grown so long it nearly touched the floor.
With a final satisfactory beep, the device announced it was done printing. Glorence pulled the receipt free from the data pad and handed it to Jaeden.
“You’ll find the total printed clearly on the bottom of–”
"Are you kidding me?” Jaeden blurted, reading over numbers.
“Do you believe there to be a discrepancy? You will find that all the appropriate costs are itemized and listed clearly for your convenience.” Glorence said calmly.
Jaeden glanced from the outrageous invoice to Glorence. He could feel his left eye twitch as he stared the executive down.
“How do you morons figure I owe this much? It’s practically everything I made from working here!” He bellowed.
“Ten months room and board. Food and sustenance charges. Use of private utilities. Use of company washrooms. Workshop and tool rental. These are all standard charges listed in the extended lease agreement you signed when you were hired, Mr. Starbourne.” Glorence said, her tone brokering no argument.
She placed the data pad back into the satchel and crossed her arms tightly across her chest. “Not to mention the extensive damages you and Ms. Binson inflicted.”
Jaeden’s expression softened as he thought of Manda. “Is she dealing with the same fines? Manda, I mean.”
“I am not at liberty to discuss the account specifics between current or former Fairfex employees,” Glorence said, turning her face to look away from Jaeden. “But,” She continued, “It would be reasonable to assume that Ms. Binson incurred many of the same damages and restitution fines as you have.”
His thoughts were filled with images of Manda going through this same scenario. But unlike him, she didn’t have the credits stored up to cover the costs. And she had lost both her legs. When Jaeden compared his situation to hers, it sobered him up.
“Shaz…” Jaeden started, “That’s messed up.”
“We should focus on the current circumstances,” Glorence said. She cleared her throat and turned her attention back to Jaeden. “The funds listed will be deducted from your accounts to settle the balance. All I need is your print to confirm you agree with the transaction.”
“I don’t agree with any of this crap, but something tells me you’re going to do it anyway.” He growled.
“Listen Jaeden,” Glorence started, “I’m just doing my job here. Even if I wanted to sympathize with you; my hands are tied.”
She held up a small biometric reader and motioned for Jaeden to place his thumb over it.
“Do me a favor and remember that when you’re in my position,” Jaeden said.
He stretched his arm out and pressed his thumb down on the reader. Once the device beeped its success of reading his print, he pulled his hand free.
“Well then, that’s that,” Glorence said. “As a representative of Fairfex–”
“You’ve ruined me,” Jaeden said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
“We’ve finished up here Ms. Fraser.” One of the employees said, approaching Glorence. “All company property is accounted for, and the personal property has been sealed in a crate ready for departure.”
“Very good, see to it that the crate is moved to the shuttle bay now.” She instructed.
The man nodded in response and turned to leave.
As the employee moved, Jaeden noticed something red and cylindrical peeking out of his jacket pocket.
“Hey!” Jaeden exclaimed, reaching for the man. “Those are mine!”
Another employee behind Jaeden put their hands on his shoulder to pull him back.
Jaeden attempted to shrug off their grasp on him and take back his medication from the thief.
Two other employees moved in around Jaeden to restrain him, and he quickly found himself surrounded.
Glorence quickly sought to regain control of the situation and instructed the employees to calm down. The three employees around Jaeden released their hold on him and took a step back.
Jaeden pulled free and adjusted the collar of his shirt. He tugged on his sleeves to straighten them back out and carefully eyed each man one by one.
He thought of how the situation was about to get ugly if not for Glorence’s quick interruption. For that at least, he was grateful to the woman.
Jaeden’s gaze finally fell on the original thief, the man who had tucked his medication firmly into his jacket pocket.
Glorence traced Jaeden’s gaze and focused on the employee in question.
“Laughlin, come here.” Glorence requested. “What’s that in your pocket?”
The employee stepped forward and reluctantly pulled the red canister free from his pocket. “Just some contraband that I was going to dispose of.”
“It looks more like licensed medication to me,” Glorence said. She held out her hand and gestured for the man to pass the item to her.
With a grumble, Laughlin handed the canister to his superior.
“As you were.” She said, inspecting the canister in her hand.
Laughlin nodded to Glorence and stepped away, returning to his work. Laughlin snarled at Jaeden as he walked by; upset about being caught.
“Sucks to suck, you dirk,” Jaeden said to Laughlin as the employee slinked away.
Jaeden turned back to Glorence and watched as she inspected the canister.
“Listen, I paid a lot of credits for that, it’s mine,” Jaeden said.
“I can’t disagree with that,” Glorence responded. “Here you go.” Without hesitation, she extended the canister out towards Jaeden.
Surprised, Jaeden reached out and took the canister from her. He quickly inspected the contents. It looked to be untampered with, and fully stocked which was a relief. Jaeden tucked the canister into his pocket.
“I think we are about finished here now, Mr. Starbourne,” Glorence said.
“I guess so.” He responded. “Thanks, for this at least.” He said, patting his pocket where he had placed the canister.
“Of course,” Glorence said, her hand dismissing the comment.
"So now what?” Jaeden asked.
“On behalf of the Fairfex Industries Salvage Division, we conclude our business here,” Glorence said.
Jaeden noticed the executive furrow her brow as if she wanted to say something more. “And on behalf of myself, I wish you the best of luck in rebuilding your life.”
“Well, thanks,” Jaeden said.
A sincere but somber smile stretched across Glorence’s face. She nodded to Jaeden and gestured towards another employee standing near the doorway.
The man approached Jaeden and extended his hand out towards him. “It’s time to go now.”
Jaeden was ushered to the departing shuttle bay where he waited to board a ship that would take him back to Mars and New Parora; the city he had lived in before working on the Indigo Station.
He hadn’t left the station since he set foot on it ten months ago and going back home under these circumstances felt humiliating. He didn’t have any family on Mars; he didn’t have any family on any planet for that matter. But to go back home with his tail tucked between his legs with nothing to show for it was gutting.
Jaeden spent the entire flight back to Mars thinking about what he would do once he landed.
Who would he call?
Where would he go?
How could he afford anything?
And now, before he had come up with any serious answers to his questions, he found himself exiting the ship, stepping foot on solid ground.
He departed the shuttle bay and followed the crowd of people to the main hall. Looking to get away from everyone, Jaeden stepped to the side to get his bearings.
A subtle vibration and tingling sensation raced through Jaeden’s arm, from his wrist up to his shoulder. The sensation was uncomfortable but nostalgic, and he remembered what it meant. He looked down at his wrist jockey to see it was lighting up with new messages and announcements.
Now that he was back on Mars and connected to the grid, he was open to receiving special offers from all the great companies and their fantastic product lines, whether he wanted to see them or not.
Jaeden decided he would need to reactivate his ad blockers. Anyone who wanted to live in a major city center like New Parora needed to have ad-blocking software just to keep their sanity.
Fairfex Industries had all their employees disable their blockers so that each worker could receive ‘important company updates and announcements’.
In other words, employees needed to be subject to Fairfex Industries and their affiliates’ targeted ads. At least down on Mars, the ads weren’t as biased as what he had seen on the station.
Looking at his jockey, Jaeden attempted to navigate to the settings. The pop-ups cluttered the interface and made it tedious to use the device. He swiped through the various ads, rejecting them, and desperately trying to find the settings icon.
Decreased appetite software, decline.
Hovercar headlight fluid top up, reject.
Iridescent tooth plating, hades no.
Preorder Manifest Bliss’ new album, no thanks.
Finally, enough ads had been cleared that he could see the icon he needed. Opening the app, Jaeden reactivated the ad-blocking software, and the rest of the intrusive pop-ups disappeared. He sighed with relief as the tingling sensation in his arm subsided.
Jaeden then looked through his wrist jockey’s contacts for a familiar name. If there was one person he knew he could rely on right now, it was Alexander Hoskins, his best friend, or at least his former best friend before he got the job at Fairfex.
Hoss was a little insulted when Jaeden told him he took the shipbreaking job. As what some would call a petty criminal, Hoss didn’t understand why Jaeden wanted to start an honest career. After he left, there was a bit of animosity between Hoss and himself. He hoped time would have healed that wound.
Jaeden found Hoss’ details and pressed the “Connect” button. He could hear the connection start to form in his mind, as the dial tone echoed in his head.
One ring. Two rings. Three rings.
Maybe Hoss was still angry with Jaeden?
Four rings. Five rings.
Jaeden started to feel uncomfortable.
Maybe this was a mistake, he thought to himself. Maybe I am out of line to think—
“What?” a heavily distorted voice echoed in Jaeden’s head, followed by a loud crunching sound. It sounded like the person was sinking their teeth into a fruit of some kind.
“Hoss?”
The connection was abruptly cut off as the person on the other line ended the call. Jaeden looked over the details on his wrist jockey, but nothing looked out of place. The number should have been Hoss’. Maybe he had changed his details; it had been nearly a year since he last spoke to Hoss.
He scrolled through his contact list looking at the other names. Jaeden somberly realized he didn’t have that many close friends on Mars. None that he could call out of the blue, asking for a place to stay after ten months of being away.
Jaeden’s wrist jockey lit up, and the chip on the side of his head tingled, signifying an incoming call. He looked down at the jockey and read the words “Unknown Caller” displayed. Jaeden shrugged and accepted the call.
“Hello?” Jaeden asked curiously.
A slight static was present on the line, but other than that, there were no other sounds to identify someone was on the other end of the call.
Suddenly, a loud crunch echoed through the receiver as someone took a large bite from a fresh piece of fruit.
“Who is this?” A distorted voice said.
“It’s Jae.”
“Oh shaz!” The voice exclaimed with heavy digital interference. “Hang on, my guy!”
