by Ben Wolf
Hallie, he’d learned, was actually Hallie Hayes, a moniker she’d rolled her own eyes at.
“Who names their kid Hallie Hayes?” she’d lamented, and then they’d both shared a good laugh about it.
She had a handful of PhDs in scientific fields, including biology, robotics, engineering, and biomechanical engineering, and yes, she’d had no life growing up. All she’d done was work and study, and study and work, and then do it all over again for the first twenty-four years of her life. But it had paid off, and now she was essentially working in her dream job.
Despite all of that, she hadn’t actually said what she did, what her dream job was, or where she worked. Justin didn’t press the issue… not this soon into the conversation, but he noted it and listened intently to everything she had to say.
He had to admit, at least to himself, that her success made him feel pretty insecure. She was about the same age as him and had achieved far, far more than he probably would in his entire life.
Then again, Justin doubted she would’ve survived the shit he’d gone through back at ACM-1134. Everyone got dealt their own hand in life, and she was playing hers a lot differently than he was playing his, and that was okay.
Later, when the android server cleared their empty plates, Justin just shook his head at the sight.
“What’s on your mind?” Hallie leaned forward with her elbows on the table and her hands under her chin, smiling at him.
Justin blinked away his puppy-dog eyes and tried to remember what she’d just asked. “I just think it’s ironic that a restaurant would have both paper menus and android servers.”
“Why is that ironic?”
“Well…” Justin found he could more easily focus on her if he wasn’t actually focused on her, so he did a lot of looking around the room instead of meeting her captivating eyes. “If you think about it, what does having paper menus say?”
Hallie shrugged. “You tell me.”
“It says ‘we’re an expensive, top-of-the-line place,’” Justin continued. “Which is ironic, at least to me, because if they’re such an expensive place, why would they have android servers instead of hiring real people instead?”
“Ohhh.” Hallie nodded. “Because they’re not paying for ‘real’ employees?”
Justin hesitated. Something about the way she’d said the word “real” made him worry he’d walked into a trap. “I mean, androids are fine, but why not give a human being a job instead?”
“Lower margin of error, easier to ensure quality standards, overall cost savings, all of which leads to increased profitability for the business, which is undoubtedly owned by humans…” Hallie rattled them off and numbered them on her fingers. “Reduced food waste through precision preparation and cooking, streamlined and error-free communication…”
Justin nodded. “Okay. That proves my point. Expensive place, but they’re using androids to save money. I get that there are benefits, but I guess what I don’t like is that they’re putting machines before people.”
Hallie’s eyes glinted with mischief. “What about the people who work in the factories who helped to build those machines? And before you tell me they’re automated, let me say that I’ve been to most of the big ones in the galaxy, and while there’s a lot of automation involved, they still employ plenty of human workers as well.”
“What about them?” Justin shrugged. “How far back into the supply chain do you need to go to justify androids working here instead of people?”
As soon as he said it, Justin bit his tongue. Already, he’d overstepped, pushed too far.
“You look embarrassed,” she said. “Don’t be. Don’t back down, either. This is my field, so I don’t mind a hearty discussion if you don’t. And besides, it’s not like you’re sitting on a high horse with no skin in the game.”
She nodded toward his right arm—his prosthetic arm.
“You gonna tell me you designed this, too?” He held it up.
“Even if I did, I couldn’t tell you because of these companies’ nondisclosure agreements. They’re ironclad and brutal on anyone who violates them.” Hallie gave him a wink. “But don’t try to change the subject on me now.”
“It’s your move. I asked a pointed question, and you said you were fine with that kind of discussion, so let’s have your answer.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” She took a sip of her water and refilled both of their glasses with the carafe. “My answer is that your question is inherently flawed, because without that supply chain, nothing in this restaurant would even exist. This whole ship wouldn’t exist. So the answer is that it doesn’t matter how far back I go in the supply chain since everything is so interconnected.”
[Damn. I like her, JB,] Keontae said.
Justin folded his arms and smiled. “Wouldn’t that also mean your question is flawed? You asked about the workers who built the androids. If everything’s interconnected, then…?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but…” Hallie’s smile widened, big and bright white. “…you’re a lot smarter than you look.”
Justin laughed, and so did Keontae. “I’ll try to take it as a compliment.”
“It is, truly,” Hallie said. “And you’re right.”
“So where does that leave us?”
“Right back where we started.”
“Which is?”
Hallie leaned forward again. “We’re a part of a much larger system, a galactic economy that’s never going to change on a macro level, no matter how much we want it to. So we can either get on board with it, we can complain about how it could be better, or we can try to do something that actually causes change on a micro level.”
“So I was complaining?” Justin jabbed. “That’s what you think?”
Now Hallie laughed. “Yeah, a little. I won’t hold it against you, though, because your words are only a part of who you are. Your actions are much more important to what makes Justin who he is.”
“And what do my actions say?”
[Oh, you just walked into this one.]
“Aside from you being a stalker?” Hallie quipped.
Justin bit his lip. “Damn. I really did walk into that one.”
“I’m kidding. Mostly.” She winked at him again, and he loved it. “No, your actions say that you’re hardworking, resourceful, and willing to give more than you get. Hence your arm.”
Justin huffed, but only because her assessment was so accurate. “That’s kind of you to say.”
“I think it’s true.” She nodded at his arm again. “Mind telling me how it happened?”
“I would, but someone recently told me that these companies and their non-disclosure agreements can be brutal for anyone who violates them.” Justin winked back at her, and she laughed.
[Alright, JB. I take it back. You’re doin’ well now, son.]
Keontae’s comment made Justin smile all the more.
He realized he hadn’t had this much fun since he’d finally broken through to Shannon back in that club on Ketarus-4, and even then, that whole experience had combined all seven herculean labors into one insane night. Thus far today, he hadn’t gotten his ass kicked—well, aside from getting laid out by a stun gun—so this was already better, if only for that reason.
But it wasn’t just that one reason—everything about his interaction with Hallie since they’d arrived at the restaurant had been positive. No, great. Better than great.
He’d never connected with a woman like this, ever, and he’d never expected to connect with a woman as gorgeous as Hallie. Not to mention she was a thousand times smarter, too.
“Here’s what I can tell you,” Justin finally said. “There was a mishap at a mine I used to work at. A mech suit went bad, and one of the mining lasers cut my arm off at the shoulder. Had to get a replacement.”
Hallie shook her head, and her pleasant countenance went solemn. “Sorry. That had to be rough.”
“It was, but now I can give that company the most me
tal middle finger you’ve ever seen.”
Hallie rolled her eyes. “Class 4 purdonic laser, right?”
“Yeah…” Justin tilted his head. “Most people don’t know anything about mining equipment, but you nailed that one.”
She shrugged. “I told you, this is my field.”
“From the sound of it, you have so many degrees that everything is your field.”
“You’re not far off, actually.”
The serving android approached and presented a bill for the meal, also printed on fine paper. The android said, “At your leisure, kindly remit payment for your breakfast. I trust everything was to your thorough satisfaction?”
Both Justin and Hallie nodded and uttered affirmations.
“Splendid. I will pass your feedback on to our chef,” the android said. “It has been my pleasure to serve you. Thank you for your patronage, and we hope you’ll return again soon.”
As the android left, Justin looked at Hallie. “You think the chef’s a human or an android? I’ll bet it’s an android.”
She shook her head. “I’m not taking that bet.”
Justin reached for the bill, but Hallie snatched it away before he could grab it.
“Hey!” Justin said. “Give me that.”
“Not a chance,” she said. “Rarely do I have this much fun talking to anyone, so breakfast is on me. And besides, I guarantee I make at least ten times what you make.”
“Ten times? Really?” Justin eyed her.
“Yeah. At least that.” She eyed him back. “By the way you’re dressed, it might be twenty.”
“Ouch. Well, I don’t care what you make.” Justin shook his head and pointed his thumb at his chest. “Your stalker deserves the right to buy you breakfast, at least, to make up for all the… you know, stalking.”
“If my stalker really wants to make it up to me, he can buy me dinner here tonight.” She stared right at him, unflinching.
Justin stared back, stunned. Had she really just—
[You dumbass!] Keontae shouted. [Say yes! Say it before she realizes the terrible mistake she’s just made and changes her mind!]
Justin would’ve killed Keontae if he could’ve. Then again, he kind of already had.
He ignored Keontae’s quip and answered Hallie. “Deal.”
“Seven in the evening, then?” She slung her satchel over her shoulder.
“I’ll be here,” Justin said. Literally nothing would keep him away. Even if the rig got repaired and Captain Marlowe wanted to head out, Justin would convince him to stick around at least through dinnertime. Or hell, he might just quit his job and stay behind.
That’s how determined he was to meet her for dinner. That’s how much fun he’d had with her, how much he’d enjoyed talking to her.
“Good.” She leaned forward again with her eyebrows scrunched down. “You think I should leave the android a tip, or…?”
“Can I walk you back to where you’re staying?” Justin offered as they exited the restaurant. “I mean, as your stalker, I’m gonna find it eventually anyway, so you might as well let me make sure you get there safely.”
Hallie laughed, and Justin decided he’d never get tired of the sound of her voice.
“Sure,” she said.
“Good. I also happen to know these streets aren’t the safest place. And not just because of potential stalkers.”
“Oh?” She turned toward him, and her expression told him she wasn’t sure if he was joking.
“Ever heard of the Ikari?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“An Asian gang. Multiethnic, but all Asian in descent. I’ve been told they’ve got a presence on this ship, in this city.”
“Oh, really?” Hallie’s tone suggested he still hadn’t convinced her.
“I’m actually dead serious,” he said. “I don’t know how long you’re planning on being here, but I wouldn’t head into the Asian District if I were you. I went there last night and nearly lost my wallet. Maybe even more than that.”
[Look at you,] Keontae said. [Tryin’ to low-key strut your badass self in front of your new girl.]
“You’re not joking?” Hallie stopped and looked at him. She was only a couple inches shorter than him, and she had such flair to her personality that she seemed brighter than almost anyone he’d ever met.
“Like I said, dead serious.”
“Sounds like there’s a story that I need to hear,” she said. “And don’t give me that nondisclosure line again. Street gangs don’t use those.”
Obviously Justin couldn’t tell her the extent of what had happened, so he decided on a detail-free version of the truth. “Some guys approached me and forced me to leave. I found out later they were Ikari, and that was enough to keep me from ever going back there.”
“Sounds scary,” she said as they continued walking.
“It was,” Justin admitted. “A little.”
[Liar.]
“Any idea how long it’ll take to complete the repairs on your ship?” Justin asked.
She glanced over at him, and her eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m not sure. Hopefully not too long.”
“Our rig’s supposed to be done in a day or so, and then I’m gone again, back to chewing up asteroids.”
“It’s nice that you can make a living even way out in the middle of nowhere.”
Now Justin eyed her. “Is that supposed to be a dig?”
“I see what you did there.” She wagged her finger at him. “But no, I’m being serious. I’m glad this is working out for you.”
“I guess so,” he said. “Truth be told, I’m saving up so I can make a visit to Bortundi Prime. Gotta visit my best friend’s mom.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. He—died back at the mine I worked at. I promised him I’d check on his mom for him.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Justin nodded. He didn’t like having to feign sadness whenever he mentioned Keontae, especially since he still existed, albeit not in physical form. “Thanks. He’s a—he was a good guy. Still is, I’m sure, wherever he is now.”
[You’re not so bad yourself, JB. That’s why I stick around.]
They’d walked out of downtown now, and though the buildings had gotten smaller, they made up for it in grandeur. Fine stone houses loomed overhead, most of them three or four stories high and built in an old, regal style Justin loved but could never dream of affording.
Stone steps led up to their imposing front doors, giving them the look of small castles like those Justin had seen in shows and movies. Old-fashioned silver doorknockers gleamed with amber light from the artificial sun, beckoning Justin to try them out—were it not for the reinforced metal fences and gates blocking his path to them.
Even so, despite the houses’ large sizes, hardly anything separated them from each other. Their perimeter fences extended down the sides as well, but the homes were built so close together that Justin probably could’ve reached out the window of one of them and high-fived a guy doing the same thing in the house next door.
What was the point of having this kind of money if a person couldn’t even get space to themselves? Then again, Justin had lived in much tighter quarters than these places his whole life. Perhaps the whole idea was that the houses were big enough to afford people extra space on the inside instead.
“Bortundi Prime is nice,” Hallie said. “I’ve been there a few times for work. What will you do after that?”
“Not sure. Might collect a half dozen PhDs of my own. I gave you enough of a head start. Now it’s time to catch up.”
Hallie grinned at him. “Even if you had three lifetimes, you couldn’t catch up to me, handsome.”
[Oh, shit. She just said you were handsome,] Keontae said. [And maybe stupid, too, but focus on the handsome part. That ain’t nothin’, JB.]
They walked a few more blocks until Hallie stopped them in front of a regal white mansion with a bronze door. A bronze fence surrounded the property, tipped
with pointed ends that looked decorative but were definitely functional as well. It was a fence Justin wouldn’t be trying to climb over any time soon.
“This is your place?” Justin asked.
Hallie faced Justin. “Well, we’re renting it. The crew’s splitting the costs. We wanted something with a bit more comfort.”
[Maybe a bit more privacy, too,] Keontae suggested.
“It’s…” Justin paused. “I wanna say ‘nice,’ but I’m gonna go with ‘huge’ instead. And ‘decadent.’”
“Yeah. That’s why we picked it.”
“If you say so.”
Hallie met his gaze, and the sight of her light-blue eyes sent his stomach fluttering. In that moment, under the artificial sunlight, he confirmed that she did, in fact, have a small ring of green around her irises. Like everything else about her, it was amazing.
“This has been fun,” Justin said. “The last woman scientist I met tried to kill me, so this has been an improvement all around.”
“What?” Hallie laughed, and Keontae snickered, too.
“Just ignore me. Making jokes.”
“Well, as far as my experiences with stalkers go, I can only hope they all end up this positive,” she said.
“So I’m your first?” Justin asked. “I’m honored.”
Hallie tapped the screen attached to the fence, and when it glowed to life, she pressed her palm against it. The gate in the fence unlatched and swung open.
“You want me to pick you up here tonight, or…?” Justin asked.
“Just meet me at the restaurant.” Hallie looked him up and down. “And while I don’t mind the handsome, rugged type, I wouldn’t mind seeing the handsome, rugged type in some nicer clothes if you’ve got them.”
Justin smirked. “I’ve been meaning to go shopping anyway.”
“I look forward to seeing what you come up with.” She showed off her marvelous smile again. “Have a nice day, Justin. See you tonight.”
“Yep. Bye.” Justin wished he would’ve thought of a more eloquent way to send her off, but that’s just what came out of his mouth.
Hallie closed the gate behind her and headed up the walkway toward the house. Before she got to the bronze door, it opened, and a man stepped outside. He was younger than Justin, and also taller and well-built. His haircut and his posture suggested he might be a soldier.
