A Difficult Choice
The final countdown had come. The Galaxy Games were approaching.
When Jay arrived at work that morning, he saw the bright red letters gamboling gloriously above the arched gateway of the Composium. They were announcing the Games:
Galaxy Games.
The time has come:
Be brave and bold!
He had never noticed before how huge this portal really was. It was the main way into the premises, and hundreds of people could step in at the same time. Glued to the arch was a see-through material that bent and distorted each time you went through it, leaving a faint moist feeling that lingered for a while on the skin. On passing, the material took on a variety of shimmering nuances, different for every person who used the entrance. All parameters were checked, from biological data to social status, and a voice greeted the incomer. Jay was no exception, and he was bathed in an array of cerulean and azure:
"Good morning, Jay Fleogan, Aspiring Challenger. You are expected in area 4. Enjoy this bright day. Be brave and bold: the Games are nigh!"
After the arch an immense area usually referred to as "the Station" welcomed all members of the Composium. That morning, the countdown was displayed high up in the air for everyone to watch and admire:
Galaxy Games: Day -7
Stronger than Death, Braver than Fear:
Soon they will fight again!
Below the towering transparent ceilings and bright skies, a huge crowd was hanging around instead of heading peacefully and quietly to work. All around the Station, portraits of the Champions and Challengers were displayed, in a continuous stream of moving images, energetic music and miscellaneous languages. Jay didn't know most of those guys, but he instantly recognized Starling's grinning face among the most prominent challengers. Next to him, a bunch of girls wearing the green suits of the Department of Transportation were talking animatedly, their voices drowning in the ambient atmosphere of loud cheerfulness.
"Oh whoa, Starling Kite's going to win for sure. Oh I'd love to go and watch the tryouts, it would be such fun!" said a wild-looking young girl with long blond curls.
"Oh yes, let's go after work. He's bound to be at the Swimming Grounds," exclaimed a girl with short black hair and big, smiling eyes.
"You're well informed, Liv!" said the blond girl.
"Mhh well, he's amazing, isn't he? I mean, he was just stunning at the last Games...I wish I could get his autoprint!" retorted a third girl.
"He was the youngest competitor last time. He has solid chances to win this time. Hey, I have a friend who knows him; she works in the Water Department. I'm sure I can ask her if we could meet him. Actually, she's part of the Galaxy Games team too!" said the girl named Liv.
"Aaaah, no kidding? I'd kill to meet that dude. He is soooo good-looking, isn't he? I hope nothing bad happens to him this time!"
"Ahem, not sure the Games are your primary interest there, Dane!"
The girls roared with laughter and scuttled away. Starling was surely growing more popular every day, which made sense since he seemed to be one of the Games' favorites.
Jay felt detached from the atmosphere of excitement that was building up around him. He was curious to watch the Games, because everybody had started speaking about them in an unusual, less contained way. He could feel some weird kind of fever slowly accumulating in people's talks, on the Restoration Piazza, in girls' incessant chatter, in men's prognostics. It looked as if everyone was getting merrier, looking forward to experiencing something extraordinary. For once, the entertainment didn't seem completely planned out, even if it was advertised in every corner of the Red City, and all colony-dwellers appeared to be naturally attracted to the event. Yet Jay's own mind was set on finding out who he had been, not on how much fun he could have.
Does that make any sense, after all? I should just let it go. But... hell, no! I need Starling to help me get this emergency stuff he told me about. I will look at this locket again, for God's sake. And maybe I'll know. Or maybe I'll...
Suddenly, he heard a clamor and caught sight of Starling arriving in the Station. The girls from the Transportation Department, who had been lingering nearby, all moved in his direction in a single dashing, coordinated motion. At the same moment, Starling saw Jay and headed towards him, cutting through the crowd in long, nonchalant strides. Since their last punchy exchange, they had been avoiding each other most of the time. Jay was missing his fun evenings spent flying and drinking Space Lagers. The ebbs and flows of his anger had kept him distant, and he had spent most of his time letting the steam out in the Swimming Grounds.
"Hey man, how ya doing?" asked Starling.
"Fine, though it seems you're doing way better than me!" answered Jay, rolling his eyes in the direction of the girls. They were all giggling and staring at them, wondering whether they would go and ask Starling for an autoprint.
"Mhhh well, you've just saved my life," answered the Galaxy Games competitor, "it's getting a little crazy over here. But I bet you haven't noticed the way those girls look at you, have you?"
"Well, you're quite a star now! I didn't know the Galaxy Games were...well, could be a little crazy."
"It's our big moment here. The only time when things get a little out of hand. Believe me, dude, this is just the beginning. Wait til next week!" As he spoke, he waved at the girls, upon which a cackle of laughter and giggles rose and echoed in the Station. "Hey, how about heading to the Restoration Piazza for a quick drink before work?"
"Okay Star," answered Jay. He couldn't believe the opportunity had just come up to talk with Starling again. Work would wait. After all, everyone seemed off-schedule since the Galaxy Games had been announced. "Trying to bypass your admirers, hey?" he added, hardly containing a smile as he watched the girls who now seemed to be frozen in awe.
They stepped on a glider that softly took them to the Piazza. For the onlooker, a glider looked like a tray gracefully curved around the edges. It could set on any of the rail-paths that criss-crossed the Composium, silently transporting you from one place to another one in an instant.
"Still haven't got used to these gliders," said Jay as he stumbled. "They are the gentlest thing ever, but it's like they throw me off balance!"
They chose a small arrangement of tables overlooking the Swimming Grounds, summoned Morning Drinks, and surprisingly again, Starling was the first to talk.
"Listen Jay, I just wanted to say... I'm not sure I understand how you feel. Actually, I don't. And I think you're as stubborn as a Sand-Bug. Oh and yeah, you're a little nuts too –"
"Is that all?" sighed Jay.
"Not quite, but...I...I just wanted to say I'm your friend, for real."
"Oh you are, indeed," snapped Jay.
Dear God, I want to punch his face again. Dammit!
Starling's look stopped Jay in his train of thoughts. Something like a silent plea, a very intent expression that seemed to try and say more than he was allowed to.
"Okay then," added Jay slowly, "so will you help me?"
Please Star. I need your help. Can't do this on my own.
"Help you do what? Not your silly nonsense again I hope?"
"For whatever reason I'm lost. I don't know why or how. But there's no hope for me ahead. I told you already, I can only go back, Star. Do you understand? I need to find myself. You spoke about some witnesses from my first life. You said some objects from the past of second-borns are stored away and kept secret? Where are they? Star, you must help me find my past. We need to get into this secret place and steal my keepsakes!"
This nonsense is all I have. You work for the High Intelligence Bureau anyway. You probably won't help me.
Starling took a deep breath and a long gulp of his Morning Drink. He stared at the Swimming Grounds, this sea of light and water in which he loved to spend most of his time.
But if you do, at least it'll mean I have a friend.
Starling looked at Jay's unfathomable black eyes. What with Epos on his back, giggly supporters on his trail, Games to survive, a broken oath to expiate and a lost friend to help, times of trouble were ahead.
"Oh what the hell, Jay. Okay, let's do this!"
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