u/Traditional-Sign6852

Just out of interest. Do you think there is a difference between the writings of amatuers vs someone who has had formal training in literature/writing. What are the differences?

How's it going, I have often tried to explain to non-space opera fans what the genre really means. I always find it difficult beyond you know it when you read it. There seems to be quite a diversity in what I would call a space opera.

If you had to define it in a couple of sentences, how would you describe it?

Multiple POV's, grand space politics where many different characters decisions impact each others. Or something else? Does it need to be 'hard scifi'? Are the characters more defining or the setting?

Hello, I've recently started writing my first novel, a science fiction story about two protagonists growing up in a future where humanity is subjugated and poverty is the norm.

I've had some feedback that my characters feel realistic, but that their flaws make them difficult to like. One is an 18-year-old who is highly driven to prove herself better than those around her. The other is a burnt-out professional who has become emotionally distant from his family and copes by making increasingly self-destructive decisions.

It made me wonder: how important is it for protagonists to be likeable, especially in science fiction?

Is it enough for readers to find them believable and interesting, trusting that they'll grow over the course of the novel? Or do they generally need to have enough immediately redeeming qualities in the opening chapters for readers to want to keep following them?

I am currently writing a novel in which humanity has been subjugated by an alien race. I'm trying to determine a believable scope and scale for the remaining "human empire". One where humanity is poor, fragmented, and struggling to survive.

This raises the question of how FTL travel fits into the setting. I want it to integrate naturally into the background of the story, allowing the characters and political tensions to be the focus without readers wondering, "If technology this advanced exists, why are people still dying from the flu?"

I also want humanity to span a number of star systems, but that seems out of place given the rest of the setting. Does anyone have any advice on making those ideas fit together?

Hi everyone, I am new to writing. I know the prose needs some work but I am interested in whether the overall story + characters hold their own to keep working on this idea. It is a scifi text, with myself having experience in the medical/military space.

Equilibrium

Chapter 1 - David

Four men pushed the body of children back away from the large window that formed the front of the well-furnished room. They with arms spread apart tried to shepherd the children away, inching them closer to a large bar that adorned the opposite wall. David hid at the back of this group of children his legs shook; the men towered over him and through teared eyes their appearance distorted into creatures only a frightened child could conjure. Their faces flickered by flashing red lights from above that stood in contrast to soft amber lighting that filled the room.

Another step back and then another. David felt something soft touch his back, he flinched but then eased into the bony grip, of his sister Sam who had been silent up to this point whimpered “Where’s mummy?”. She wasn’t the only one who called out for a mummy or daddy, some just cried, others hid their faces into stuffed animals offered to them as a parting gift from tearful parents. David and Sam did not get that opportunity as they were in primary school when they were lined up and taken away by these creatures.

Another step and then a ‘SMASH’, one of the glasses that was haphazardly left on the bar dropped onto the sticky-once red carpet. This made a blonde pig-tailed girl beside him jump and screech, before she bolted in between two of the creatures. They shouted, “Stay here, you don’t want to see!” and one grabbed the girl only managing to get a grip on a chunk of hair. Another scream and then mayhem as the group of thirty children also bolted, the men failed to keep them herded as they struggled to negotiate the cluttering of chairs and tables in the room as adeptly as small children.

David grabbed his sister and ran, now the creatures were distracted, as he led her as far away as possible. They found themselves beside the window, where they ducked down behind a pair of chairs that faced out into space and the station that stood beyond. His sister now gripped onto him closer, face buried into his chest as they both crouched. The noise of dozens of foots steps only dampened by the carpet, where the crash of furniture around them felt distant, as now David became captivated by the lights that stared back at him. Calder station, his home. His eyes dried as he focused on the station, he had never been outside it before. It appeared to him like the beehives he had been learning about in class, with hundreds of little bees pouring out of the pours of the large hive.

He watched as the station was evacuated, the rhythmic rise of fall of his sister’s chest against his was the only thing that kept him connected to his body as his world widened. Suddenly a stream of blue light flashed past his eyes, if he blinked, he could have missed it. Then the flashing red lights of bar were absent, and the men began to laugh so hard they began to cry alongside all the children. David continued to cling to his sister, joining in the chorus of tears.

10 million people died that day, Calder Station was spared but others were not. Humanity had missed quota.

Chapter 2 – Sam

Sam pushed past her schoolmates who congregated outside her final exam hall. She dodged and weaved through excited chatter, comforting and vehement arguments. As she squeezed through each group, she felt her breath tighten, she avoided every familiar face. Every time she overheard “the academy” her heart fluttered.

It was slow work, the corridors of the school precincts were tight, with bare white floors and adorned with worn grey lockers on one side and colourful murals on the other. Depictions of greenery, oceans, furry animals and birds were now crowded by newly minted adults wearing the plain grey jumpsuits of the fledgling workforce. She was sure the crowds would persist for hours as her peers delayed their first steps into adulthood.

Her long journey forward was only marked by the change of the murals to the more abstract drawings of youngsters as she reached the primary school segment of the corridor. Five-legged dogs, shakingly drawn rainbows and a thinning crowd greeted her. She only noticed the dizziness she had experienced moments earlier when her feet began to thud surer. She quickened when something grabbed at her new grey sleeve.

She spun so quickly that her head spun and she had to grit her teeth to not stumble. A smiling freckled face looked back at her.

“Hey Sam, I knew you’d try to disappear without saying goodbye” Chelsea announced with no malice in her voice.

Her hand remained on Sam’s arm, which Sam was thankful as it steadied her.

“Oh, I promised my mum I would come home to celebrate”. She clambered out.

“Oh nice, in case we don’t see each other before you disappear to the Academy. Good luck!”

Sam flushed bright red at the mention.

“I haven’t even got an interview offer…”

Before she could finish Chelsea pulled Sam into a tight hug, and Sam sighed before she returned the favour. When they eventually parted, Chelsea’s eyes had begun to tear, she interrupted.

“Wherever you end up I am sure you’ll be great.”

Sam stared for a moment as she contemplated what to say, before Chelsea was called by another voice in the crowd. Another hug more kind words shared, and Sam turned and walked away.

When she was far away from any familiar face she paused to stare at a wall of posters that promised everything from true love to a back-pain remedy, or a lucky slap at the pokies. She had a vague memory of how the vibrant colours of the posters once drew the eye—now they were dull. 

She knew her mother would be worried, but if the passageways were cramped, her home was stifling. So, she turned down a corridor that led to the 30^(th) expansion. An overcrowded sector, home to the refugees of the last re-correction, not everyone were as lucky as her and her brother.

She breathed deeply now, the air smelt even more stale than she was used to. At least you could forget the smell at home when lost in study or a good book but here it stifled. Young children ran in the corridors in groups; they screamed and laughed as they took turns to chase one another.

Her mind wandered, to a time when she would chase her brother around the passageways of the accommodation block, they grew up in. He was a few years older, but he would always let her catch him just before she ran out of breath and would give her a big head start before he chased. He would try to make the noises of the dogs they would see in educational films shown at school, not very well though. Those days were always filled with laughter, but he never laughed as hard after they put us onto that ship. Even though we were taken home it felt like we forgot some of him out there.

I haven’t heard him laugh since he was taken on as a medical officer. A role only allowed to us by a quota negotiated after the last riot, and he was only chosen because of Dad.

Her quiet contemplation was interrupted when the hairs on her neck stood up. She didn’t know how far she had walked but there was no more laughter, no more children and all people that spilled out of the surrounding cubicles stared. Her catharsis had turned into a dull regret as she turned, and her sure footfall turned into a panic trot home. That was when she saw it, a crowd had formed behind her. A group of older boys surrounded a tall man and a woman; there was shouting and shoving. Then there was a flash, a blade then crimson red between the amalgamation of hands it was impossible to know who’s blood and whose blade. She turned and ran deeper into the expansion, when she heard the alarm.

ALL CITIZENS POLICE ACTION IN PROGRESS, SHELTER IN YOUR HOMES.

The words shook her chest, and her brain raced just as fast as her feet. She new that the police were known in these parts to punish indiscriminately anyone caught breaking laws or being out after a curfew was announced. She flinched every time the alarm repeated. Soon later she felt a dull sting across her side as she knocked into someone who ran the opposite direction. She couldn’t even understand the sharp words that were dealt to her as her legs gave way. She crouched down covering her ears as her breath escaped her.

She could see in the distance a line of four police abreast battering their shields in unison, the thuds piercing past her hands. All she could do now was cry, she hoped they would ignore a crying girl. She clearly wasn’t from here. She’s wearing the grey jumpsuit of someone with a secondary education,

In the midst of trying to downplay the situation she found herself in she felt someone grab her arm; she jumped up to stand already heightened.

A greyed wrinkly lady, whose spine was bent at almost forty-five degrees, pulled at her. Unlike Sam, she did not flinch at each announcement. 

She wanted to resist, but she heard the rhythmic thumping louder now.

Come, dear,” was all the lady said before she gently pulled her into the nearest cubicle. 

She now followed. The softness of the woman broke through the deadly noise. The thump of the fire door made her jaw tense. But the bent-over lady continued and led her into one of the cubicles she had passed. 

Inside was a mess. Dirty mattresses filled the single room. Rubbish everywhere. A single portable stove sat in a corner alight; an old-timer kettle whined as it boiled. The only relief was the dullness of the screech from outside. 

“Girl, have a seat. I think some tea is in order.” 

Sam continued to stand, even though her legs felt like water. She wasn’t going to sit on one of the sweat-soaked mattresses, and all the floor space was taken up by empty food packages and dirty clothing. 

Instead, she spoke, “Thank you. What’s your name?” 

The woman who poured the tea into two cups glanced at her when she saw Sam continue to stand. 

“Dear, I’m deaf as a bat. Sorry I won’t be the best company, all I can offer is tea.  

Don’t worry, the cup is clean—I save it for special occasions.

Sorry about the mess; my boys aren’t too good at tidying up. But I can’t complain—they always make sure Grandma has something to eat, and when they can, they make sure I get some tea.” 

The reality of the moment began to hit Sam. She slumped against the wall. Her mother—she should be home right now.

The withered woman’s eyes teared when she saw Sam’s despair. She slowly made her way over to her with the cup; she stepped deliberately over the mattresses and debris. 

“Sorry, girl, tea is really all I can offer you. They should pass soon”

Finally, she made her way over to Sam and passed her the cup. On instinct, Sam took a sip. Her mouth scalded with the heat. She forced the molten liquid down and the burning sensation passed down her throat and into her stomach. 

She smiled at the lady and nodded. The woman smiled brightly; her eyes lit up. Even while Sam fought away a grimace. 

They held each other’s eyes for a moment. The woman’s face became a blur with tears—she wasn’t sure of the cause her current situation or the burn. Finally, the woman reached and grabbed the cup of tea out of her hand before she said, 

“Sorry I only have the one.”

She took a sip, then grimaced, and finally laughed. 

“Oh dear,” she said between her chuckles. 

ALL CLEAR, ALL CLEAR. 

Sam glanced back at the door she came through and the woman. She was torn. The decision was made for her. 

“Go on, girl, I’m sure your family will be worried. Your politeness is all the thanks I need.” 

Sam smiled, and then she left. Then she ran all the way home. Her footsteps echoed in her ears. 

 

Chapter 3 – David

Around David was chaos, a clinic bursting at the seams. The noise of chatter, moans, screams and coughing filled David’s ears and made his temple throb. He yearned for the bitter taste of paracetamol, but his attention had to remain with the girl in front of him. Aged twelve and clearly wearing clothes sized for a girl-years younger, bones threatened to tear at the patch works that held the fabric together. However, she still didn’t fill the jump suit and the fabric remained loose around waist and chest.

Beside her sat a similarly malnourished women who clutched the girls hand knuckles white. He continued his work and asked a series of questions that rattled off his tongue without much thought. The diagnosis was obvious but he was thorough, whenever the girl was unable to answer due to breathlessness or cough the mother filled in. After an auscultation of the girl’s thin chest and back the answer was clear – ‘filter sickness’. A notifiable disease, an indication that the air in what ever habitat they resided had gone bad with mold.

Normally a notification of filter sickness would warrant an investigation by the administration into a cause before others got sick. But the girl was a refugee, the filters were changed infrequently in refugee habitats, the station couldn’t afford otherwise. She was the first so scored some prednisolone, but more will show and the allocated stock skimmed for refugees would run out. Another Band-Aid, but all the station could afford.

He sent them on their way, diligently reported the case even though he knew it wouldn’t be actioned. His head still throbbed, but his gut turned when he thought about the ease, he could self-medicate while others suffered. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the mother piggy-backed the young girl towards the exit of the clinic dodging the line that moaned and coughed.

“Fuck” he muttered under his breath.

He rushed after them and caught up quickly as the mother was already breathless under the load. He gestured for them to follow him into the staff station a circle of desks which thankfully was empty. He was not keen for the smirks and sharp words he would receive.

“Here, you can stay here for a few days” he spoke as he held out his data terminal, an address and entry code displayed on the screen.  The women stared blankly for a moment before she responded.

“No, I can’t accept this.”

He did the maths in his head again, happy to take the out of his foolishness. He doesn’t have anything in there to steal, he had just cleaned it, and it would be a good excuse to see his mother and sister especially after the graduation.

“Don’t worry, I can find somewhere else to crash. Clean air is the only thing that will make her feel better. Go on, feel free to eat whatever you find in there.”

The women pulled out her own data pad with a large crack on the screen, her hands shaked as she moved in a way to not drop her daughter who was now asleep.

She responded, “Thank you, I won’t tell anyone about this.”

“Please don’t” is all he said before he gave in and went to go to the medication room.

On his way over he heard a mans shout pierce the usual ruckus which quickly went silent.

“Can’t you see, those alien fucks are everywhere. They’re watching with their fucking rules.”

David glanced over in the direction of the commotion; two large male nurses backed the man into a corner as they tried to take hold of the disheveled man as his arms flailed.

“They knew, why else would they take her away from me!” David could globules of spit from the man’s mouth even from such a distance as he screamed.

“Your one of them, going to get me too. Well fuck that!”

He could see the nurses eventually wrestle the man against the wall and inject his leg with a syringe. The final thing the man said David could barely hear.

“Cynthia.”

Then the man dropped, and David continued to walk.

Hi everyone, I am new to writing. I know the prose needs some work but I am interested in whether the overall story + characters hold their own to keep working on this idea. It is a scifi text, with myself having experience in the medical/military space.

Equilibrium

Chapter 1 - David

Four men pushed the body of children back away from the large window that formed the front of the well-furnished room. They with arms spread apart tried to shepherd the children away, inching them closer to a large bar that adorned the opposite wall. David hid at the back of this group of children his legs shook; the men towered over him and through teared eyes their appearance distorted into creatures only a frightened child could conjure. Their faces flickered by flashing red lights from above that stood in contrast to soft amber lighting that filled the room.

Another step back and then another. David felt something soft touch his back, he flinched but then eased into the bony grip, of his sister Sam who had been silent up to this point whimpered “Where’s mummy?”. She wasn’t the only one who called out for a mummy or daddy, some just cried, others hid their faces into stuffed animals offered to them as a parting gift from tearful parents. David and Sam did not get that opportunity as they were in primary school when they were lined up and taken away by these creatures.

Another step and then a ‘SMASH’, one of the glasses that was haphazardly left on the bar dropped onto the sticky-once red carpet. This made a blonde pig-tailed girl beside him jump and screech, before she bolted in between two of the creatures. They shouted, “Stay here, you don’t want to see!” and one grabbed the girl only managing to get a grip on a chunk of hair. Another scream and then mayhem as the group of thirty children also bolted, the men failed to keep them herded as they struggled to negotiate the cluttering of chairs and tables in the room as adeptly as small children.

David grabbed his sister and ran, now the creatures were distracted, as he led her as far away as possible. They found themselves beside the window, where they ducked down behind a pair of chairs that faced out into space and the station that stood beyond. His sister now gripped onto him closer, face buried into his chest as they both crouched. The noise of dozens of foots steps only dampened by the carpet, where the crash of furniture around them felt distant, as now David became captivated by the lights that stared back at him. Calder station, his home. His eyes dried as he focused on the station, he had never been outside it before. It appeared to him like the beehives he had been learning about in class, with hundreds of little bees pouring out of the pours of the large hive.

He watched as the station was evacuated, the rhythmic rise of fall of his sister’s chest against his was the only thing that kept him connected to his body as his world widened. Suddenly a stream of blue light flashed past his eyes, if he blinked, he could have missed it. Then the flashing red lights of bar were absent, and the men began to laugh so hard they began to cry alongside all the children. David continued to cling to his sister, joining in the chorus of tears.

10 million people died that day, Calder Station was spared but others were not. Humanity had missed quota.

Chapter 2 – Sam

Sam pushed past her schoolmates who congregated outside her final exam hall. She dodged and weaved through excited chatter, comforting and vehement arguments. As she squeezed through each group, she felt her breath tighten, she avoided every familiar face. Every time she overheard “the academy” her heart fluttered.

It was slow work, the corridors of the school precincts were tight, with bare white floors and adorned with worn grey lockers on one side and colourful murals on the other. Depictions of greenery, oceans, furry animals and birds were now crowded by newly minted adults wearing the plain grey jumpsuits of the fledgling workforce. She was sure the crowds would persist for hours as her peers delayed their first steps into adulthood.

Her long journey forward was only marked by the change of the murals to the more abstract drawings of youngsters as she reached the primary school segment of the corridor. Five-legged dogs, shakingly drawn rainbows and a thinning crowd greeted her. She only noticed the dizziness she had experienced moments earlier when her feet began to thud surer. She quickened when something grabbed at her new grey sleeve.

She spun so quickly that her head spun and she had to grit her teeth to not stumble. A smiling freckled face looked back at her.

“Hey Sam, I knew you’d try to disappear without saying goodbye” Chelsea announced with no malice in her voice.

Her hand remained on Sam’s arm, which Sam was thankful as it steadied her.

“Oh, I promised my mum I would come home to celebrate”. She clambered out.

“Oh nice, in case we don’t see each other before you disappear to the Academy. Good luck!”

Sam flushed bright red at the mention.

“I haven’t even got an interview offer…”

Before she could finish Chelsea pulled Sam into a tight hug, and Sam sighed before she returned the favour. When they eventually parted, Chelsea’s eyes had begun to tear, she interrupted.

“Wherever you end up I am sure you’ll be great.”

Sam stared for a moment as she contemplated what to say, before Chelsea was called by another voice in the crowd. Another hug more kind words shared, and Sam turned and walked away.

When she was far away from any familiar face she paused to stare at a wall of posters that promised everything from true love to a back-pain remedy, or a lucky slap at the pokies. She had a vague memory of how the vibrant colours of the posters once drew the eye—now they were dull. 

She knew her mother would be worried, but if the passageways were cramped, her home was stifling. So, she turned down a corridor that led to the 30^(th) expansion. An overcrowded sector, home to the refugees of the last re-correction, not everyone were as lucky as her and her brother.

She breathed deeply now, the air smelt even more stale than she was used to. At least you could forget the smell at home when lost in study or a good book but here it stifled. Young children ran in the corridors in groups; they screamed and laughed as they took turns to chase one another.

Her mind wandered, to a time when she would chase her brother around the passageways of the accommodation block, they grew up in. He was a few years older, but he would always let her catch him just before she ran out of breath and would give her a big head start before he chased. He would try to make the noises of the dogs they would see in educational films shown at school, not very well though. Those days were always filled with laughter, but he never laughed as hard after they put us onto that ship. Even though we were taken home it felt like we forgot some of him out there.

I haven’t heard him laugh since he was taken on as a medical officer. A role only allowed to us by a quota negotiated after the last riot, and he was only chosen because of Dad.

Her quiet contemplation was interrupted when the hairs on her neck stood up. She didn’t know how far she had walked but there was no more laughter, no more children and all people that spilled out of the surrounding cubicles stared. Her catharsis had turned into a dull regret as she turned, and her sure footfall turned into a panic trot home. That was when she saw it, a crowd had formed behind her. A group of older boys surrounded a tall man and a woman; there was shouting and shoving. Then there was a flash, a blade then crimson red between the amalgamation of hands it was impossible to know who’s blood and whose blade. She turned and ran deeper into the expansion, when she heard the alarm.

ALL CITIZENS POLICE ACTION IN PROGRESS, SHELTER IN YOUR HOMES.

The words shook her chest, and her brain raced just as fast as her feet. She new that the police were known in these parts to punish indiscriminately anyone caught breaking laws or being out after a curfew was announced. She flinched every time the alarm repeated. Soon later she felt a dull sting across her side as she knocked into someone who ran the opposite direction. She couldn’t even understand the sharp words that were dealt to her as her legs gave way. She crouched down covering her ears as her breath escaped her.

She could see in the distance a line of four police abreast battering their shields in unison, the thuds piercing past her hands. All she could do now was cry, she hoped they would ignore a crying girl. She clearly wasn’t from here. She’s wearing the grey jumpsuit of someone with a secondary education,

In the midst of trying to downplay the situation she found herself in she felt someone grab her arm; she jumped up to stand already heightened.

A greyed wrinkly lady, whose spine was bent at almost forty-five degrees, pulled at her. Unlike Sam, she did not flinch at each announcement. 

She wanted to resist, but she heard the rhythmic thumping louder now.

Come, dear,” was all the lady said before she gently pulled her into the nearest cubicle. 

She now followed. The softness of the woman broke through the deadly noise. The thump of the fire door made her jaw tense. But the bent-over lady continued and led her into one of the cubicles she had passed. 

Inside was a mess. Dirty mattresses filled the single room. Rubbish everywhere. A single portable stove sat in a corner alight; an old-timer kettle whined as it boiled. The only relief was the dullness of the screech from outside. 

“Girl, have a seat. I think some tea is in order.” 

Sam continued to stand, even though her legs felt like water. She wasn’t going to sit on one of the sweat-soaked mattresses, and all the floor space was taken up by empty food packages and dirty clothing. 

Instead, she spoke, “Thank you. What’s your name?” 

The woman who poured the tea into two cups glanced at her when she saw Sam continue to stand. 

“Dear, I’m deaf as a bat. Sorry I won’t be the best company, all I can offer is tea.  

Don’t worry, the cup is clean—I save it for special occasions.

Sorry about the mess; my boys aren’t too good at tidying up. But I can’t complain—they always make sure Grandma has something to eat, and when they can, they make sure I get some tea.” 

The reality of the moment began to hit Sam. She slumped against the wall. Her mother—she should be home right now.

The withered woman’s eyes teared when she saw Sam’s despair. She slowly made her way over to her with the cup; she stepped deliberately over the mattresses and debris. 

“Sorry, girl, tea is really all I can offer you. They should pass soon”

Finally, she made her way over to Sam and passed her the cup. On instinct, Sam took a sip. Her mouth scalded with the heat. She forced the molten liquid down and the burning sensation passed down her throat and into her stomach. 

She smiled at the lady and nodded. The woman smiled brightly; her eyes lit up. Even while Sam fought away a grimace. 

They held each other’s eyes for a moment. The woman’s face became a blur with tears—she wasn’t sure of the cause her current situation or the burn. Finally, the woman reached and grabbed the cup of tea out of her hand before she said, 

“Sorry I only have the one.”

She took a sip, then grimaced, and finally laughed. 

“Oh dear,” she said between her chuckles. 

ALL CLEAR, ALL CLEAR. 

Sam glanced back at the door she came through and the woman. She was torn. The decision was made for her. 

“Go on, girl, I’m sure your family will be worried. Your politeness is all the thanks I need.” 

Sam smiled, and then she left. Then she ran all the way home. Her footsteps echoed in her ears. 

 

Chapter 3 – David

Around David was chaos, a clinic bursting at the seams. The noise of chatter, moans, screams and coughing filled David’s ears and made his temple throb. He yearned for the bitter taste of paracetamol, but his attention had to remain with the girl in front of him. Aged twelve and clearly wearing clothes sized for a girl-years younger, bones threatened to tear at the patch works that held the fabric together. However, she still didn’t fill the jump suit and the fabric remained loose around waist and chest.

Beside her sat a similarly malnourished women who clutched the girls hand knuckles white. He continued his work and asked a series of questions that rattled off his tongue without much thought. The diagnosis was obvious but he was thorough, whenever the girl was unable to answer due to breathlessness or cough the mother filled in. After an auscultation of the girl’s thin chest and back the answer was clear – ‘filter sickness’. A notifiable disease, an indication that the air in what ever habitat they resided had gone bad with mold.

Normally a notification of filter sickness would warrant an investigation by the administration into a cause before others got sick. But the girl was a refugee, the filters were changed infrequently in refugee habitats, the station couldn’t afford otherwise. She was the first so scored some prednisolone, but more will show and the allocated stock skimmed for refugees would run out. Another Band-Aid, but all the station could afford.

He sent them on their way, diligently reported the case even though he knew it wouldn’t be actioned. His head still throbbed, but his gut turned when he thought about the ease, he could self-medicate while others suffered. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the mother piggy-backed the young girl towards the exit of the clinic dodging the line that moaned and coughed.

“Fuck” he muttered under his breath.

He rushed after them and caught up quickly as the mother was already breathless under the load. He gestured for them to follow him into the staff station a circle of desks which thankfully was empty. He was not keen for the smirks and sharp words he would receive.

“Here, you can stay here for a few days” he spoke as he held out his data terminal, an address and entry code displayed on the screen.  The women stared blankly for a moment before she responded.

“No, I can’t accept this.”

He did the maths in his head again, happy to take the out of his foolishness. He doesn’t have anything in there to steal, he had just cleaned it, and it would be a good excuse to see his mother and sister especially after the graduation.

“Don’t worry, I can find somewhere else to crash. Clean air is the only thing that will make her feel better. Go on, feel free to eat whatever you find in there.”

The women pulled out her own data pad with a large crack on the screen, her hands shaked as she moved in a way to not drop her daughter who was now asleep.

She responded, “Thank you, I won’t tell anyone about this.”

“Please don’t” is all he said before he gave in and went to go to the medication room.

On his way over he heard a mans shout pierce the usual ruckus which quickly went silent.

“Can’t you see, those alien fucks are everywhere. They’re watching with their fucking rules.”

David glanced over in the direction of the commotion; two large male nurses backed the man into a corner as they tried to take hold of the disheveled man as his arms flailed.

“They knew, why else would they take her away from me!” David could globules of spit from the man’s mouth even from such a distance as he screamed.

“Your one of them, going to get me too. Well fuck that!”

He could see the nurses eventually wrestle the man against the wall and inject his leg with a syringe. The final thing the man said David could barely hear.

“Cynthia.”

Then the man dropped, and David continued to walk.