“My footsteps fell in a muffled hush as I studied the large pearl button next to the opulent hardwood door. I heard about this thing called a ‘door’ bell, but found it so impractical in a world of vid-consoles. Now, as I came face to face with one, I acknowledged the baroque classiness of summoning a resident who had all the time in the world to answer. Chimes played a short, but exquisite, concerto and I smiled.
Thoughts of the Grasshopper’s synthetic sheets and cold gray sleeping quarters dissipated to the splendor of wood and brass walls of Zero G’s hallway. The carpet runner was a perfect shade of crimson; the overhead lantern a perfect glow of amber. If a room could show affection, this hallway was a master at the introductory handshake.
The heavy door swung open to an entryway of polished geodes as golden as the sun. The floor, long sliced slabs of harden sunshine and a single amber light bathed me while obscuring everything out its cone of illumination.
“Hello?” I called out, squinting into the darkness. “Chado Outworld Sundries! You ordered Star Shatter, yes?”
Silence. I was many things back them, naive being one of them, but never, never was I stupid.
“Your package is in the foyer! Thank you for purchasing with us!”
With haste, I placed the box on a small stone table and turned to leave before something caught my eye. It was a small hovering dot in the black. It grew as it approached, glowing a cool, soft blue. I realized it was a glass filled with that Lagoon liquor Hosea was so excited about. The amber light dimmed and the room illuminated. There he stood, reserved and regal, taking methodical pulls from his drink.
It was the green haired, off duty guard from the Merchant Quarters.
“Greetings, Pena Orwalt. I apologize for not coming sooner, but I am a sucker for dramatics. Welcome to my home.” the man said with a wink.”
The Stranger in 0-G is ready for scifi ero fans all over the world!
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