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    Past the Fringe: A Cyberpunk Story
    Past the Fringe: A Cyberpunk Story
    Past the Fringe: A Cyberpunk Story
    Ebook109 pages1 hour

    Past the Fringe: A Cyberpunk Story

    By David Arthur

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    About this ebook

    Jane Swift is a gritty starship captain aiming for opportunity and adventure. The crew of the Starstriker is in desperate need of work. While searching for clients at the Star Harbors, Jane is approached by Sir Jarris Hackwell, founder of Atlantis. The famous explorer is leading an expedition to find a lost planet and offers her a job to transport his team past the Fringe. Despite her reservations, Jane cannot resist the call to adventure. Little does she know, dark forces are plotting against her.

    Not only will Jane's world be turned upside down, but she will be forced to make a decision that will affect every man, woman, and child in the Cybersphere.

    Within this cyberpunk dystopian adventure, you'll find starships, star-docks, cyber gadgets, speech and clothing, explorers, bionatrons, modified weapons, monsters, ancient ruins, and much much more!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDavid Arthur
    Release dateAug 17, 2017
    ISBN9781386817079
    Past the Fringe: A Cyberpunk Story

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      Book preview

      Past the Fringe - David Arthur

      Chapter 1

      Jane Swift sat in the captain’s chair of her starship, the Starstriker. She held a revolver in her hand. After inspecting the rain-maker, she flicked the cylinder into position and rolled it across her sleeve. It clicked as each chamber rotated over her forearm. The weapon comforted her. The smoothness and predictability of the barrel reassured her. In some ways, the pistol was the only thing that made sense anymore. She locked the hammer back into position and looked around the room. Various control panels and screens surrounded her. Each one lifeless, much like the ship itself. Jane used to consider this place home.

      But how could anywhere be safe?

      Not now. 

      Not after what she had seen.

      She pushed the image from her mind and inhaled another draw of her pipe. The tronium only dulled the memories. It did not erase them. Jane could still hear the technician’s screams. They echoed in her mind. Madness threatened to take hold and she gripped the gun tighter.

      That damned business man.

      She shouldn’t have taken the contract.

      If only she’d listened to her gut.

      If only.

      A board creaked. Jane spun around, gun raised. Her index finger hovered over the trigger. But she saw nothing. Instead, her reflection glared back at her through the glass. The visage that stared back, a mere shadow of her former self. Disheveled hair. Pale skin. Tattered clothes. She shuddered, and exhaled. As she slumped back into the captain's chair, tears slid down her cheeks.

      Nothing made sense anymore.

      Nothing was right.

      Only a month ago the world represented a place of opportunity and adventure.

      But now?

      Why had she taken that contract?

      Fool.

      She shook her head.

      Fool, she said out loud, then pressed the barrel to her temple.

      Chapter 2

      There was nothing in the world quite like the Star Harbors.

      The vast bodies of ion-crafts and starships as they sat moored at the space-docks. The roar of engines as they arrived and left. The smells of ships and food vendors mixed together. And the hubbub of activity that only a melting pot of cultures brings. Everyone in the Conglomerate did business here. The sights and sounds had always meant adventure to Jane.

      Adventure and freedom.

      She sat at the base of the boarding ramp that led to her ship, her boots propped up on a table. Jane watched the harbor go about its business. A retailer hawked his wares, strange, spectral creatures from some far flung part of the world. He claimed they gave blessings of good luck. On the other side of the dock, a captain haggled over fuel prices. Further down she could see local girls trying to sweet talk a bunch of sailors that appeared to be on shore duty.

      Jane shook her head. Everyone does business here.

      The Starstriker, her starship, moored in place above her. The thick magnets that held it to the dock hummed in the background. Its hawk-like silhouette provided shade against the afternoon sun. All in all, this was the place that Jane felt like she belonged.

      This was home.

      Normally Jane enjoyed her time at the Harbors. But weeks had passed since the last contract. If that’s what you called it. At first the crew jumped at a chance for off time. But now, relaxation turned to restlessness, and restlessness turned to boredom. Devron and Mel were at each other’s throats, and Blake would probably quit if he didn’t get any coin soon. She had already lost one crew member to a rival captain offering better pay.

      Her crew needed a contract.

      Jane tapped her boot against the table.

      Cargo arrived at their mooring point earlier that morning. Normally that was a good sign. But the shipment came with no manifesto. No instructions for delivery. No message, or even anything to identify who it belonged to.

      It was just, there.

      Taking up space.

      Space in front of her ship.

      Space that could be given to cargo they could actually transport.

      She glared at the crates as if she could make them disappear through sheer disapproval alone. It didn't work. Hour after hour went by and they continued sitting there, refusing to declare their intent. Reaching into her overcoat, Jane flipped open her techno-cuff to check the time. Her first mate, Devron, should have been back by now. She’d sent him to solve the cargo mystery hours ago. How long did it take to get a name? Maybe he had stopped for some local cuisine? While it wasn’t like Devron to meander, he had an appetite for exotic foods. Perhaps it was military equipment? If that was the case, Devron probably had to deal with an official, which meant it could take all day. She rolled her eyes.

      Great.

      Jane shut the techno-cuff closed, then removed her gloves and set to picking her nails with one of her boot knives.

      Captain Swift, I presume? someone asked. The voice was unfamiliar, but sounded like money.

      Jane craned her neck to get a better look at the stranger. A lean man in an expensively cut suit approached.

      That depends, who's asking? she replied, slipping the knife beneath her ruffled sleeve. While the question seemed innocent enough, not many customers came asking for her by name.

      I beg your pardon, the man said. He removed his top hat and bowed. Silver hairs danced in the breeze.  Sir Jarris Hackwell, at your service.

      Excitement jolted through Jane’s body. She sat up straight, realizing who she was talking to. Jarris Hackwell, founder of New Egypt. If this guy was who she thought he was, then he definitely had money. And she definitely wanted his business.

      Jane tried to play it cool. Hackwell? Sounds familiar.

      He chuckled, then realized Jane wasn’t joking.

      Hackwell leaned in and whispered, New Egypt.

      Oh, right. New Egypt. You’re that business man? Jane asked, attempting to remain stoney. If he sensed she was off balance, then he would have the upperhand in the negotiations.

      Indeed. He raised his eyebrows. Although I try not to take the credit. I was merely the instigator of the expedition. My crew and fellow scientists found the lost city.

      Is that so?

      The man nodded.

      Jane was young when his expedition returned, but she could recall a great deal. She heard the hoopla over the wireless broadcasts. Her father read the newspapers. For someone who didn't want to claim the credit for New Egypt, Mr. Hackwell spent an awful lot of time speaking to the press.

      So, Mister Hackwell...

      Jarris. Please Captain, call me Jarris. He smiled.

      Jarris then. What can I do for you? she asked bluntly, not sure how being approached by someone so famous made her feel. "You've already discovered New Egypt. You have a fleet of starships from what I understand. What

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