Dream of the Navigator Faraway Saga, #1 by Stephen Zimmer

Author:Stephen Zimmer
Format: epub

Jaelynn

After seeing Gabriel in such a buoyant mood around Dr. Swedenborg, his current disposition made Jaelynn uneasy. With his lips pressed tight and jaws taut, he glowered in silence from where he sat across from her in the booth.

The cafe had a light crowd at the present moment, affording them a small degree of privacy.

“Another one, just removed them outright from the VR channels,” Gabriel said, shaking his head.

“Nothing can be done about it,” Jaelynn said.

“Any show close to making any sense is shut down,” Gabriel said. He grinned, but no joy could be found in the expression.

“I hadn’t seen that one yet,” Jaelynn said.

“Nobody in this technate can live without subsidies. Nobody can do anything, anymore, unless you are in the Northern Sector,” Gabriel said, the anger building in his voice. “Want to start any kind of organization or venture? A wall of permits, mandates, regulations, and even if you get by all that, they’ll just shut you down without recourse if you don’t fit their narrative.”

“Gabriel,” Jaelynn said, her voice filling with apprehension. She raised her eyes in a gesture toward the sensors engaged in surveillance of the cafe.

The same as those on the streets outside, the sensors collected audio and visual information, in addition to scanning the implanted identification tags of every patron and employee in the cafe. Government mandate had extended surveillance to the interior of businesses, citing that there stood a public interest, since anyone from the general population could access a business site.

“Yeah, I know, I know” Gabriel said irritably, glaring toward the sensors. Sarcasm flowed through his words, adding, “Keeping us safe, right?”

“Let me get another coffee,” Jaelynn said, hoping that a few moments to himself would help Gabriel calm his frustration.

Standing up, she slipped on her MR glasses and made her way over to the counter. Making her choice, and relieved to know she still had authorization for one more refill, she awaited the automated system to process her request and deliver a full cup of hot coffee. Just as her credits and balance were listed on the projection before her eyes, everything went blank.

A few muttered curses and audible sighs emitted from the patrons around her. Everyone knew what was coming. Turning, and looking out the broad windows into the street, she watched everything but the security drones roll to a halt.

A few seconds later, the lights went out.

Everything would be shutting down across the technate, save for the security infrastructure. From personal devices to public utilities, everything would grind to a halt.

Called a Reminder, the planned instances occurred a few times a year.

The technate government stated that the purpose of the periodic shutdowns was to remind the populace of everything made possible with the stability of the Greater Good Doctrine. To her eyes, the incidents were stark reminders of the power of the government to shut everything down if it wished to.

She took her glasses off, not wanting to see the VR broadcast that would be taking over all accessible channels.

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