FUNCTION-L₃ #15

“Sure, that sounds great!” you sign. “Over 1200 months old, amazing, what kind of primitive tech could be down there?”

“They say it’s a treasure trove for Autistics of tech or history,” she signs.

You see the train station ahead, a massive complex of glass and metal. Looking over a city map in your mind’s eye, you see that several major lines intersect here at the spaceport. But there are far bigger stations than this, where many lines meet. Some cover the top few levels only, others are deeper down, a three dimensional web connecting all of the city.

“I hope I don’t need a subscription to take these trains,” you sign.

“No, they’ll take direct payment. It was too confusing with all the competing transit companies.”

“I have some MoonCoin and SpaceCoin...”

“They take SpaceCoin,” she signs.

A corridor covered in bright flashing advertisements leads you down into the station. The crowd moves fast--in no time you’re standing before the row of entry gates, closed by metal doors stretching from floor to ceiling. You scan the chip in your hand to submit your payment, and the doors slide open just long enough for you to pass before slamming shut again.

“This way,” Akiko signs, than takes your hand again.

You’re exhausted already, but momentum carries you onward down to a platform, where your train is just pulling up. Akiko pulls you inside, along with too many others. You hoped to find a place to sit, but that was unrealistic it seems.

Akiko squeezes your hand. You feel a sense of concern through the open empathic link between you. She looks over at the row of seats across from you, locking her gaze on a man--wearing a black suit with embroidered chrome seams, an unknown corporate insignia over his heart, and a commercial interface headset, the sort normies can use. Akiko’s eyes light up dark red, and you feel her intent as you see her working technopathy over the near-æther. Her target suddenly looks up at her, with intense fear in his eyes. He looks around him, clutching his suitcase tight against his chest, afraid to look directly at Akiko. He gets up and pushes his way through the crowd away from her, pulling the headset off his head in a panic.

She gestures to the empty seat, squeezing your hand again. Struggling to stay standing, you seize the opportunity to sit in a chair. Standing in front of you, Akiko makes a heart with her hands, radiating love across the æther.