The War of Sand

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

USNA, 2314

It was late into the evening by the time Alyce finished with her lessons. Considering she had just started Chemical Physics, she had sent more time  completing her lessons than usual. When she left the Learning Center, the sky was dark yet illuminated with the bright street lights that floated overhead. Nat, Cameron, and Ami had left long ago, as they had pinged her, so she was left to return home alone. The crowded streets meant it was impossible for her to use her hover board. She hated how the town was more active during the night than day.

 She followed the crowd in the direction of the Bullet Station. It was impossible to move about; she felt like a sardine in a can. She was unable to board the first two Bullets that arrived due to them filling up so quickly. To pass the time and avoid boredom, she pinged Cameron. Nearly an hour later and she still wasn't able to get on one. She gave up and left the station, choosing to walk.

The air was bitter cold. Alyce pulled her hood up and shoved her hands deep into her pockets, walking quickly to stay warm. At this rate, it would take her an hour to get home. The lights remained bright, but the further she got from the heart of the city the less people she saw. It gave her the creeps. So she focused on walking quickly.

"Hey! Stop where you're at!" A deep voice shouted at her.

Startled,  she did. Her pulse sped up and she turned to look at the man but a strong light flashed in her eyes.  She raised an arm to block  the blinding light but was yelled at.

"Keep your arms down and straight to your side."

"I would if you'd stop blinding me!" She yelled back but lowered her arm, closing her eyes. "I'm sure the city lights are bright enough for you to see my face without that, you blippin' moron."

He chuckled and lowered the light. Alyce blinked away dark spots for a few seconds before she got a good look at his face. She internally groaned. It was a police officer. Not only that, it was the officer from the Bullet that morning.

"Where you going in such a hurry this late at night?" He questioned her. He had his Port open and ready to scan her. He motioned for her to hold out her arm. She did and he pressed his Port on hers. It started flashing multiple colors.

She replied as he scanned her Port. "Heading home. I got out of lessons about an hour ago and the Bullet was too full, so I decided to walk home."

His port beeped, flashing a quick green and he checked the screen. "Hmm. Alyce Royce. 17. Class Two.  Student. Your story matches your records. Very well." He nodded to her curtly. "Be careful and don't look so suspicious."

"Ah. Yes."  She nodded back and headed on her way. He hadn't recognized her. But of course he wouldn't, there was no reason for him to. He probably saw hundreds and thousands a people a day, there's no way he would remember her. 

His name! She forgot to catch his name. She hadn't even read the name tag on his shirt.

She sighed, her breath coming out in white clouds. She continued home, reaching her apartment building as quickly as she could. The cold remained the same inside the building; it would be a waste of energy to heat up hallways of such huge buildings. She took an individual gravtube up to her twelfth floor home. Typing the code into her house, she quickly stepped into the warmth of the spacious suite. 

"I'm home." Alyce called out, taking her shoes off. 

"Where have you been?" Her mother stood in front of her, arms angrily crossed.

"Learning Center." Alyce replied, holding back from retorted "Where else would I be?", for she knew it would do her no good to talk to her mother like that.