The Power Cube and Wacky William

Ryne touched the intercom at the gates to Nova City. The screen flashed on. Old world tech that didn't use current hologram technology. The face of a border security guard appeared on the screen.

"Identification," he said.

Ryne tapped his band against the chip reader below the intercom.

"Ryne Connors. No scheduled work or school visit. What's your reason for entering?"

"Purchasing a power cube. We're running low."

"Very well. We will just have you sign a visitation form and you will need to show the purchase statement before leaving Nova City, or we may hold you for questioning. As always, you will need to leave Nova City no longer than 12 hours after you arrived."

The gates whirred open, and the guards let him through.

"Thank you," Ryne said, advancing into the City.

The usual sights and sounds of the city assaulted his senses as man and machine traversed the concrete jungle of the metropolis.

His destination lay ahead—Watt Wares, a shop dealing in power cubes and other energy sources, new and old.

The bustling marketplace pulsed with energy, a lively dance of commerce and trade. Store after store displayed an array of wares, from exotic trinkets to self-proclaimed groundbreaking technology. Compared to the run-down stalls inside Fracture, the sellers in Nova City sported new and clean wares valued at precisely calculated costs.

Entering Watt Wares, a buzzer sounded. Ryne scanned the displays, his fingers twitching with anticipation.

Models ranging from those manufactured ten years ago, up to the most recent models. The power cubes, small devices that held the key to sustaining their meager existence, gleamed in their sleek casings. Each one whispered promises of clean, renewable energy.

As Ryne touched the glass on the display cabinet, the hairs on his body stood on end and he felt as though if he touched someone, he'd deliver a powerful zap. He smiled at the thought.

A man wearing a red suit, fancy goggles, with hair that looked like a comic book character with how spiky it was, walked through a door behind the counter.

"Welcome to William's Watt Wares! Ryne, right?" William greeted Ryne with a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with recognition.

"Yeah, you remembered my name... Hey, William."

"Model 2.1 again? The newest model has about eight times the capacity and is only four-thousand credits."

Just the 2.1. I don't need..."

Right... If there is a bunker, having something to power it long-term would be handy...

"What don't you need?" William asked, watching Ryne closely.

"Never mind. Give me the usual, and the newest model."

"Spending big today, are we?"

William greedily rubbed his hands together while grabbing the chosen products, looking over at Ryne between each action.

"Special occasion."

"Work must be good at the moment, then! Good for you!"

Regardless of my Fracture residency, William always treats me as he would any of his customers. A rarity in Nova City.

William turned around with two small cubes and grabbed a dual inhibitor box to protect them.

"This may look like a suitcase, but I'm sure you already know that the lining of the box and the padding inside protects the cubes and you from the cubes as well. Only take them out when using them."

"I know, William."

William nodded and slotted them inside.

Ryne placed his wrist on the counter, and William accepted payment with his datapad. As the confirmation sound rang out, he handed Ryne the box.

"Now, remember-"

"Don't touch the cubes without gloves on, don't eat the cubes, and don't allow them to get wet. I know, I know."

"Good kid, now get out of here. This might not be Fracture, but some people here wouldn't think twice about taking those off the hands of a Fracture resident."

"Thanks, William."

The weight of those credits could have sustained myself and Cassie for an entire month. But a sacrifice now will lead to a brighter future in the long run. I hope.

Clutching the box of power cubes tightly, Ryne embarked on the journey back home. The midday sun cast a golden glow over the city, transforming its towering structures into silhouettes against the radiant sky.

The border guards looked at Ryne cautiously from underneath their caps.

"You're back," a border guard stated.

"I am," Ryne said, nodding with the case clutched tightly to his chest.

"Proof of purchase?"

Ryne held his hand out, and they scanned his data band.

"I've confirmed your purchase, Ryne. But the order shows you've purchased two power cubes. What reason could you have for purchasing two?"

Ryne's mind raced. Of course, it made sense to buy one power cube, but two for a Fracture resident was unheard of.

"The store purveyor mentioned that there is a slight shortage in power cube stock and they're getting harder to order in, so he suggested I get two."

"One moment..." The intercom emitted a little static before clicking off.

Ryne stood there, waiting for some time. Sweat pooled on his skin as the anxiety ate away at him.

"William Watts has agreed with your statement. You may be on your way."

The doors whirled open, and he stepped foot in Fracture once again.

Ryne sighed, free from the suspicion of the guards.

Being a Saturday, the entrance to Nova City became an area bustling with activity as people tried to sell their wares to the occasional Nova City resident that strolled through.

Everyone's eyes were on Ryne as he approached, but the moment they realised he wasn't a resident of Nova City, they went about their days and glued their eyes back on the border gate.

It's always been that way. If they don't see me as a potential customer or mark, I'm not worth the effort.

While he moved through the droves of Fracture citizens, a cloaked person bumped into Ryne and pried the case from his fingers. The thief darted through the crowd of people, deeper into Fracture.

"Hey! Get back here!" Ryne yelled, as he took off after the thief.