He parked the hovercraft in the private EPED lot and ushered Vee toward the port. The entryway loomed ahead with a glitzy chrome and glass sign that said:Welcome to Space.
“I’ve…never been here before, or space,” Vee said with awe beside him. Bees meowed, trapped, struggling to be free from her arms. Vee didn’t even seem to notice. She just held her cat tighter.
“It’s not all that interesting,” he muttered, heading under the archway.
“I think it’s probably the most interesting. I can’t even imagine what it truly looks like. I bet my game doesn’t do it justice.”
“It’s a whole lot of emptiness, a whole lot of black, with the occasional splash of color. The stars look the same here as they do up there.”
“Maybe you should look at them more closely next time.” She laughed. “I know if I ever get the chance, I will.”
“I’ll take you up later.”
He stopped. Did he just say that?
“We’ll see.” Vee chuckled, not even noticing his mishap.
To take her up would mean a lot. Bureaucratic bylaws aside, no one got the chance to leave unless they paid a significant amount to a vacation company, owned their own ship, or worked a job that required or allowed it.
Before they made it to the doors, a woman stepped in front of him, mouth agape.
“Are you Cypher?” she asked.
He glared at her.
“Oh my god, it is you! Can I get a picture, an autograph?”
The woman turned on her wristcon and crowded up next to him before he could respond. Several flashes went off, and she stuck a holoscreen in his face. He scribbled some gibberish, and she skipped away happily.
There was a tug on his jacket lapel. Expecting to see Vee, he was surprised to find a young boy. “Can I get a picture too?”
Stunned, he sought Vee’s eyes. She smiled at him.
“Sure, kid.” Cypher kneeled, helped the boy with his band, and got the picture. This time when he wrote his name, he made it clear. When he stood, the boy’s mother was beside him, eyes wide.
“You’re the Cyborg on the news,” she said, grabbing her son to her. “The one who beat up those men on the street. Get away from him, Mika!” She dragged her son away, glancing back at Cypher with horror.
“It’s a Cyborg!” someone shouted.
Vee flinched next to him, and he moved to her side.
“Let’s go,” he said, pressing his hand to her back and moving her toward the doors. But it was already too late—a crowd was gathering around them. Drones littered the sky above, and cameras came out. Cypher frowned and pushed through but more people closed the gap.
“Vee, stay close,” he ordered.
Bees yowled in response, and she nodded.
Questions screamed at them, hands came out to grasp at their bodies. Every excited sentiment and word of hate filled the space. He stopped short of tugging out his gun.
“Get out of our way!” he bellowed, eyes narrowing.
“Cypher…” Vee whispered.
Someone jerked her out of his grip, and she cried out. Bees fell at Cypher’s feet as he saw her get pulled into the fray.
Snatching the cat up under his arm before Bees ran off, Cypher thrust the closest people away. “Fuck off!” Red clouded his vision.
Some stumbled back as others spit and threw things at him.
