Summary: Dash has a time-sensitive packet to deliver. Unfortunately, getting it where it needs to go has become a little more complicated than it used to be.
1
A low-frequency ominous throb repeated relentlessly at a rate close to a heartbeat. Every fourth surge being slightly emphasized with the others trailing off, suggesting possible relief from the repetition. There was just enough reverberation in the beat, however, to stimulate fear instead.
As if that isn’t enough, a higher pitched rattle grew in volume and then declined. The Doppler effect made it sound like something passing by outside. That occurred less frequently and with less certainty. It would not be at all disturbing had it not included a release of high-pressure air at its apparent near point. That was loud enough to make you jump.
Dash stood in line awaiting his turn. His peers, standing both ahead and behind. Each, like Dash, preparing to prove their worth. The line advanced slowly but surely. Not quite predictably. He would be called upon to act shortly.
As he looked around, Dash wondered what was ahead for him this time. He had performed these duties before but knew that there was always a chance of something being different. The hope was always for the positive. He tried to remember past excursions. His memory, today, was not cooperating.
Finally, he reached the head of the line. He would be next to carry the baton. He was practically overwhelmed with anticipation. This was what he was made for. He would prove his value today. They would know his name after this.
A green light accompanied by a short tone summoned Dash forward. There he was handed a packet that he dutifully tucked safely away. He was led to a doorway and told to proceed quickly. Today’s adventure, for Dash, would now begin.
Dash jogged to the portal attempting to save time. The station used to run more smoothly but with recent changes there would be lines. Dash knew that what he had to deliver was time-sensitive. He anxiously joined the line for the departure terminal. As he and the others slowly moved forward, he watched other passing carriers leaving the facility. Each seemed relieved if not a little dazed.
2
The carrier just ahead of him turned and with a sigh said, “I remember getting through this much more quickly in the past.”
Startled by the conversation, Dash replied, “It’s the new security procedures. They say that we just have to get used to it.”
While not as quickly as Dash would have hoped, he was next to depart. They summoned him over to a pod. The attendant robotically said, “ID papers and destination documents, please.”
Dash handed over his credentials and he was led to the seat in the pod. It was the new and improved container. This was part of the new procedure. The attendant returned his papers, having presumably copied them.
Dash was strapped in and just before closing the pod the attendant said, “Make yourself comfortable. We need to lock you in here now. It is for your protection. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Dash wasn’t sure about that, given the effort it now took to close up the thing. He wondered if it was worth the time he lost here. He listened to the muffled conversation outside.
The attendant said to an assistant, “He is ready. These new pods all look the same from the outside. No telling what is in there. It can only be opened at his destination. Best not be claustrophobic these days.”
Finally, he was on his way. He felt the acceleration of the jump. There was a vibration for a moment, and then an equally jolting deceleration. Dash could again barely hear someone outside. This time shouting. It sounded like routing instructions. It was all very muffled. Then another jump acceleration and more familiar vibration. The old cable system was fast but not smooth.
At the next stop, he heard them changing something on the outside of the pod. He wondered if his routine had been changed. He was surprised then by a much larger burst of acceleration. The travel now was very smooth and quiet. Dash thought then that the system upgrades to use light were well worth it. He decelerated and then again accelerated. Jumping a few more times before being dumped back into a local traffic system. At that point it sounded like they messed with something on the pod again. He was bumped around a bit and traveled through a couple of the noisier jumps before finally stopping.
He sat. There was discussion outside as attendants seemed busy digging their way in. Finally, the pod opened. Dash stood up and found himself as usual, completely disoriented. The attendant took his hand, ran some instrument over him and said, “It is okay. You have arrived and will feel better in a second. Your paperwork has been approved. You are good to go.”
The attendant indicated a direction. Dash noticed the exit sign and began to, somewhat uneasily, move.
As he exited the station, another attendant said, “Have a nice day.”
3
Dash found his way to the service center. He walked up to the main desk. A well-dressed apparently cheerful agent on the other side of the counter said, “Welcome. Checking in?”
Dash said, “Yes, I am,” as he handed over his credentials and travel documents.
After a few minutes he was handed back his ID papers. The agent said, “Okay, here is your standard room number assignment. The elevators are down there just on your right. Someone will be up shortly with a new itinerary once the registration lists have been checked.”
As Dash entered the room, the previous occupant was just leaving. They exchanged pleasantries and Dash closed the door. He took a breath and looked around. As he sat there relaxing, he wondered if there was more travel in store for him today. It was kind of weird to come all this way and then just go back when the next carrier arrived. It wasn’t all that much fun.
Down in a room deep behind the main desk, agents reviewed the new resident lists. These were meticulously compared against registration listings. There was a lot of activity. People were very busy.
After a short period, one of the agents raised his hand and said, “Here! I’ve got a match. Here is the room number.” His finger pointed to the room number that Dash now occupied.
4
There was a knock at the door. This wasn’t a surprise as there was some signaling that led Dash to believe that he was getting company. At the door there was an agent and another carrier. Dash let them in.
The carrier said, “Let me see the packet. I will keep a duplicate.”
Dash passed him what he had been handed for safekeeping earlier. The agent and the carrier both did something at the console and they promptly returned the packet to Dash. The agent then handed Dash new travel papers and suggested, “You best hustle back down to the portal station. Time is ticking.”
This portal station was busier than the one earlier. The lines now were longer. Thankfully this line moved quickly. Dash eventually was led to another new fancy pod. The attendant said in a very monotonic voice, “ID papers and destination documents, please.”
Dash complied and prepared himself for another journey through what he would like to call The Shaker. He steeled himself for the initial acceleration. He jumped, jumped and jumped again. It was the routine. He could do without it.
5
Dash wandered out of the portal station. This trip wasn’t much different than his first leg. Here, at this location, he would proudly complete his task. He set off to locate the consumer center.
The place felt oddly familiar. Here, there was even a similar, and equally annoying, audible throbbing including the associated vibrations. Dash found his way to the technical office.
Inside there was a rather old dude that seemed bored with his surroundings. He didn’t appear to notice that Dash had entered. At least he wasn’t acting as if he had.
Dash, deciding to wake things up, announced, “Hello. I am Dash. Here is the information packet.”
The dude reached up for the material without looking away from whatever it was he was reading. It was all a bit disappointing since Dash had just done his job very admirably.
The dude eventually said, “Hmm. Let me see it.”
He then winced and said, “Oh. Interesting.” He got up and walked over to a console. There was some odd mechanical rattling that ultimately produced another packet and travel documents.
The dude then walked over to the window and, turning to Dash, said, “Come here, kid.”
Dash walked over to him. He was handed the newly generated packet and travel documents. The dude then pointed out the window at the enclosure mounted next door. Dash looked out incredulously.
The dude said, “Now hurry up and get this back over there.”
∎