Light and Haze, 2: Signpost
14 Sep 2021Meowers
So, speaking about Jacqueline. When I saw her first time during that weird messed up operation, one glance was enough for me to realise that she's here... Against her will too. Enough to spin up that instant thought about 'I should pull her out of here, this situation is awfully not right'. As I was in position to try, at least. Without any additional plans on what to do next, because, well, there was no time to think about such details.
And now we're both here and... What do we do next? What should I do?
Well, according to all standards and protocols, you should escort a person straight to the Search and Rescue office on the station, and that's where your involvement ends, okay, everything is fine, you're a good one, blah blah blah, you can go home and be proud of yourself. Then they accommodate people in shelters of some sort, they recover their IDs if needed, also they may give them some simplest jobs, etc. But something tells me that it's not the... Exactly right thing to do now. Maybe I'm completely wrong and everything is not that bad, but, errrm... I don't think it will be the best option.
And another aspect. See, it's complicated. Apart from classic well-known 'nobody can read your thoughts, speak them out'. Stress, confusion and initial distrust may make your words and actions interpreted... Not as you initially wanted and expected. Person may start thinking something that you didn't mean. Because other mind is always other experience and other point of view, and now I'm talking about... Quite extreme experiences. So, the less detail you give, the more chances of this to happen. Yup, you got it, talking saves. Also, talking in much detail may be a simplest way to keep the situation clear and understandable, when you don't know each other well.
And these 'first impression' things too... Sometimes it's difficult to change them. No matter how hard you try.
So, I told her about five options that were on my mind at the moment. To keep my, um, cards open. My actions predictable. Mentioning that I may help her with whatever one that she may choose...
First way was the most 'legal'. I'll escort her to the SAR office, explain what happened, and then I'll leave her for the officials. But, uh, said that I don't want to do it, honestly. Why? They'll try to recover her ID, they'll put her into that shelter... Interrogate about what's happened, in detail... Ah, I was rescuing people from Lave after those NMLA bombings, had seen their work... Ugh. So. Then they'll release her. Without, uh, money and a place to go. Again. Welcome to the square one. Or... Or maybe they'll tie her to some braindead job that she'll have to do, in order to stay in that shelter. Until she can rent something... separate. And I don't want to talk about what may happen to a lone young woman who can't afford a safe living place. And her ID might be tracked already, so she needs a... New one.
Also, and I didn't want to even mention it now. Those office clerks aren't angels. They're humans. And humans have their flaws... And some humans have a price tag attached to their flaws. And also they have to deal with lots of homeless, vulnerable or just lone people who can't get more 'personal' help from someone who knows them. What do I mean by that? See, slavers are known for marking people, be it physical marks, small tattoos or something like that, or even the miniature tracking implants. And they gladly bribe those clerks to gather any clues about possible runaways. Or just vulnerable people. Like young women without money and a place to go. It's too damn common and widespread to ignore, and even the smaller gangs do it, not to mention Delaine's hidden network. And I have no doubt that some of his thugs and nosey rats are living on that station too. It's a... popular place. Or I'm just being paranoid? Who knows.
So... We were slowly walking to what looked like a small garden on a station scheme. A good place to relax and think. And... Uh. Looking at her... Yeah, she didn't look well, obviously. We both were completely exhausted, but compared to my slow, heavy steps, and I'm much taller... Seemed like she could, uh, drop on the floor right here, barely keeping up even at that slow pace. But there's more than just that... And you know what I mean. Her eyes. You can't forget that empty stare once you had seen it.
The second option had a bit more of personal involvement... Not that I liked to toss my money here and there, however... I could transfer her some creds when her ID would be restored. To kickstart that new life she's going to have. But, uh... It could backfire. Her ID may be already tracked, as I said... And neither the Feds, nor the Imps, nor even the Alliance like me for what I do. So... Big Three declared me an enemy. Literally. First balance check and they'll see that she received money from me... And will ask questions. And arranging it via some independent folks whom I helped once... It may make her a perfect scapegoat one day, for any kind of their internal faction fuss.
I looked at Jacqueline again, to be sure that she's okay and listening, and she nodded. At least that garden was close already and looked uncrowded enough, so we may find an unoccupied bench and enjoy a few minutes of relative silence and sitting on something. Sitting. Not walking, running, jumping, blowing out pressure doors, falling from the roof, riding on the back of the malfunctioning SRV, shooting people and other funny, but not exactly healthy things.
The third, 'personal'... Umm... I was, to be honest, secretly hoping that she would choose this one. We'll go to my place... The place that I rent here while my ship is under maintenance. And, uh, there's nobody waiting for me there. Still no luck on that, hah. So, we could just drop asleep at last and then, next day, I'll start to pull my strings on getting her that new ID. Which nobody knows about. Main concern was her distrust. Hey, she barely knows me. From her point of view, I'm just someone who may shoot a bunch of gangsters for hell knows what reason. And also she may think that I have some none less malevolent plans on her. And... Damn... I know how difficult it may be... To let someone believe that you just want to help. And, hah, we'll need to stick together. Avoiding scans and patrols and all that stuff, playing that 'I just had rescued her' card if stopped for checks.
So we reached the garden, found a bench and dropped on it like the gravity was double, and... well, that's a relief. At least for the legs. Brain still had to work. Yeah, I would more like to head directly to the cabin as there was a bed, and falling on a bed was my number one wish at the moment. But I don't want her to think that I 'push' her to choosing that third option. Yeah, it's the most safe choice, but... How do I put it... She probably knows that I'm not another gangster, but I wanted her to trust me. And I definitely don't look like a rescue team member or a law enforcer. So neutral ground it be. Ah... Have to mention that too.
Fourth option was almost like third, but I'll arrange a separate cabin for her, provide her with enough food and supplies and all that stuff. And leave her my intercom number. Pros are privacy, privacy and, ummm... More privacy. She won't see that face much. Cons are the same, and also I can't really guarantee... That those cabins will be close enough to each other for me to show up in case. So, first check-up and she may find herself interrogated and escorted to the local authorities. Against her will.
And the last, number five, was about bringing her to any friends or relatives. Parents, maybe. It seems quite logical, but... Not so easy in our case. My own ship is still in maintenance. And, uh, marked as 'hostile' by Imperial authorities. So, back to numbers three or four, at least for a few days. Then, if she has the implant or another mark, it could be safely removed in the hospital... Which will refuse to accept her without ID. And I don't want to bring her to any underground butcher shops. So, it's about documents again... Same as with just buying her a passenger liner ticket. Ugh... Everything is so... Tricky.
"I... Ah, thank you. So, I have to choose... Now?!", she asked, making that 'now' sound surprisingly louder than everything else.
"Ah, no, no, don't rush. Take your time", I assured her, and then added, "See, I brought you to that place because it's neutral. It's not 'mine', I have no power here. You can even leave now, telling me to, hah, go to hell. Or you may come up with your own option."
"Oh... Right. Yeah, I understand...", Jacqueline replied, looking at the surroundings with... well, no doubt she was still confused, but... Was that a curiosity of seeing a new place, or she tried to spot something specific? Can't say. "I really... Have to think now."
So, the waiting started. Yeah, I wanted her to choose that 'staying with me' option, as I can, probably, talk our way out in case of any unwanted questions about her ID. Or, I'm more confident about this one, shoot our way out in case of any unwanted guests. And also I know that... She needs more than just recovering her documents and some money to restart the normal life. Aftermath of what she's been through can be quite severe... Anyway, sitting in this place was rather pleasant and relaxing after that mess of a last day, and tiredness started to take its toll... As there was no more need to be exceptionally mobilised. So I felt that..my own eyelids were slowly... Becoming heavier..and heavier... Thoughts becoming vague, unfocused... Dispersed... Ugh, not even smoking could help... Think, dammit...
...Sudden feeling of something pushing my shoulder made me open my eyes instantly and... Ah, dammit! That's totally great. While I was just about to drift off... Jacqueline made it first. And now she was asleep and leaning on me. Aaahhh... It's going to take longer than I expected. Perhaps I should... Yeah, I'll just wrap the rifle belt around my palm, so that nobody could snatch my weapon if I fail to stay awake, and be thinking about... Well...
I don't know, it's strange... All that situation... Where should I start anyway...