Through Dreams - Chpt 1 Dream Weaver, Part 4 29/01/06

[Nat]

The world of the future is a very different place, dark, deadly and depressing. Everyone flocks to the City as war ravages in the borderlands and surrounding countryside. Only the City is relatively safe and overcrowding leads to lawlessness. Downtown is a no go area after dark unless you know how to look after yourself.

To Tara Annan this is normal, she is just trying to live as best she can. She is one of the lucky ones as she has a secure job at the robotics factory, a place to call home and a couple of great friends she'd trust with her life. If only her dreams were as peaceful, each night she is haunted by his face. The face of man who she feels she should know, the face that brings the nightmares. What does it all mean? Tara isn't sure but her mother always told her to trust her dreams and she intends to find out....

[Nat]

Chapter One - Dream Weaver

Part 1



Tara stared intently at a fourth floor window of the large grey stone building opposite. A faint light glowed around its perimeter, contrasting with the absolute darkness of the evening. She hopped from one foot to the other, trying to relieve the cramp that was starting to build up in the muscles of her calves. Shivering as she pulled her thin jacket closer around her, hugging herself to keep out the chill air. She really hadn’t dressed for an all night vigil; it had been a warm spring afternoon when she had set out for Kleine and Sons. She hadn’t banked on him working so late, it was Friday evening didn’t he have a life? Tara flipped open her mobile phone and checked the time, 21:37 the illuminated display flashed at her. ‘Just ten more minutes’ she thought to herself ‘ten more minutes and if he hasn’t left by then I’m going’. She’d almost convinced herself that these ten minutes would be the last, but she had been waiting ‘just another ten minutes’ for the past four hours. She just couldn’t drag herself away from the hope that hid in the shadows of her heart, the hope that he would see her and recognise her… the way he did in her dreams.

Tara’s heart leapt in her chest as she heard a scuffling noise behind her and she clung to the rough, brick wall trying to make herself invisible. It was pitch black in the small alleyway that had been her refuge all afternoon and evening. She peered back into the darkness, balanced on the tips of her toes, muscles taught, ready to fight or run if she had to. Her eyes were useless after staring so long at the soft light of the window; all she could make out was a grey smudge a little further back from where she recalled a smelly, overflowing dumpster was located. She sensed movement and then sighed in relief, as a large cat ran out of the alley into the weak puddle of light cast by the streetlamp on the corner. She decided to call it a night, her pounding heart reminding her that next time it might not be a stray tabby on the prowl. The city changed when the sun went down and danger lurked round every corner, especially for a young girl out alone. Not that Tara was completely helpless of course, but trouble brings attention and is best avoided if at all possible.

She subconsciously smoothed down her silky, black hair and picked up her back pack. Throwing it over her shoulder, she prepared to leave. Lingering for just a few seconds to take one last look at the softly lit window, wondering what must be so important to keep him working this late. Releasing a breathy sigh, she cleared her thoughts and walked briskly away. There was always Monday…

[Nat]

Chapter 1 - Dream Weaver

Part 2

The journey home passed uneventfully, the mono was full of the usual gangs who frequented it after dark, making the occasional late night worker on their way home uneasy and defensive. Maybe it was the sullen expression on her face that made them think twice about hassling her tonight, whatever the reason Tara was grateful, she wasn’t in the humour to politely fend off lewd suggestions. She heaved a sigh of relief as she unlocked the door to her small apartment and dumped her bag on the floor inside.



Her flat wasn’t much, it was too small and cluttered and none of the furniture matched, but she had worked hard to afford her own place and move up from a room in the community dorms, that so many people seemed to settle for. Her job at the robotics factory involved long and tiring hours, but the money wasn’t bad and it was fairly secure, which was a rarity with the way things were in the city these days.

Tara breathed in the familiar smell of fresh lilies and smiled wistfully as she flipped on the light switch and navigated through the overcrowded living room into the kitchen. She pulled open the refrigerator door and grabbed the only item in her freezer, a bottle of Stoli, half empty. ‘Hah guess that makes me a pessimist’ she thought to herself before grabbing a handful of ice and dropping it into a tumbler with a clink. She nudged the fridge door closed with her elbow and carried the glass and bottle into the lounge. Sinking into her comfy, old sofa she flicked on the info screen. “You have 1 new message” announced the electronic voice of her mail service. Tara poured herself a generous measure of vodka and took a swig. The cold, thick liquid froze her mouth, for a brief second, before tracing a soothing, icy path down her dry throat. There was nothing more refreshing after a shitty day than an ice cold vodka shot.

“Play message” she instructed the screen.



Her best friends Trix and Andro appeared larger than life on the large standard issue screen on the wall. Trix, with her pupils dilated and her hair wilder than ever, was obviously high again; while Andro’s pale skin glistened with perspiration, wispy tendrils of blonde hair escaping his customary bandana and sticking to his brow.

“Hey Tara!” slurred her best friend “get your butt down to the Lizard, it’s kicking in here”

“Yeah come on Taz we’re at our usually table. You can’t let us down on a Friday, plus I’m gonna need help getting Trixy home at this rate” Andro added giving the big ole puppy dog eyes into the screen.

Before he could add anything further the credit must have run out and the screen went blank. “Message ended. Message will be saved for 3 days. You have no more messages.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever!” Tara called lazily at the screen. “Swich off,” if it she left it on all she would see were soft porn films the networks churned out or images of the war, and she’d seen enough of both of those to last her a lifetime. She finished the rest of her drink off in one swift swig and considered heading to the club. She really wasn’t in the mood for partying, but maybe it would do her good after her earlier disappointment. She was wide awake and the thought of even trying to sleep made her shiver. The clock on the wall showed 10:45 if she hurried she’d be there before it got too crowded, not that it mattered as she was sure she could sweet talk Gator into letting her jump the queue.



Gator was a regular bounce at the Lizard and made no secret about his feelings for Tara, he always let her sneak in even if the place was jammed. Not that Tara planned on doing anything about it, pumped up muscles and shaven heads really weren’t her thing. Still she enjoyed the male attention since it was in short supply with every available man fit enough enlisted in the army and off fighting in the wastes. Only the rich club owners could afford to bribe the government enough to prevent them signing up their muscle, hence Gator and the rest of the male staff avoiding conscription. The only other guys to avoid the war were those too young, too old, or too important. Her friend Andro was one of the important ones, as chief developer at Cybertronix Industries he was spared being called up to fight. Instead he was cornered into using his mechanical genius to create new and inventive ways of killing people. Sometimes Tara thought he’d prefer to be out there fighting, especially when off duty soldiers start giving him flack and calling him a coward.

All the barstaff at the Lizard were male, these days it was the women who were the main club goers. The City was full of them, all earning money making weapons for the army and the owners of the clubs made sure they were well catered for. The only women not allowed to drink were the breeders, women who were paid to birth the next generations of soldiers for the army. Kept in high class housing on the nice side of the city they were implanted with eggs fertilised in labs and genetically engineered to be male. Unlicensed breeding was a crime these days, sex was encouraged as it released pent up energy and helped keep things calm, but marriage and relationships were a thing of the past. Only when you’d served your time and retired were you allowed to take a mate. Jealousy was also a crime, men were in such short supply that they pretty much had their pick of partners for the evening and then moved on again the next night. Tara knew that even though Gator has expressed an interest in her as soon as he had her he would be after the next woman. Men who weren’t out fighting had a responsibility to satisfy the needs of as many women as they could, it was just the way things were.





Tara wandered into her bedroom and distractedly got ready, her head full of thoughts about the books she had read as a child, books that had long since been destroyed by the government, where dashing heroes won fair maidens’ hearts and lived happily ever after. Love was an outdated concept, to most of the people she knew it was scorned at for being weak and sentimental. Not to Tara though, to Tara it felt right, to meet someone special and build a life together raising a family. Tara mentally slapped herself, she was off living in a dream world again. It was a good job Trix wasn’t here as she have given her a lecture on her old fashioned ways and told her to go out and get laid, as if that was the answer to everything. ’Right she would have to do,’ she thought looking at her reflection in the bedroom mirror.

It’s not that she disliked the way she looked but next to the butterfly that was Trix anyone looked like a caterpillar, she never ceased to be amazed at the outrageous outfits she seemed to fashion for herself. Tara fluffed out her hair a little, applied an extra coat of lip gloss and grabbed her ID stick out of her jacket pocket. She buzzed down for a metcar, dead locked the door and headed down to the foyer of the building.

[Rue]

This is wonderful. You have a writer´s style and photos go with it. Very well planned through, cant wait for more!

[starlucid]

I'm liking this a lot your pictures are really beautiful too!  It feels like a good scifi type story.

[Nat]

thanks

Hopefuly get the next update up over the weekend

[oddball011]

I like this story
Keep up the good work!

[mieley]

wow this is good and the setting is interesting. cant wait for more!

[Elven_Song]

Great story! I adore futuristic stories. And this one's got a good start. Keep it up, you've got good story-telling skills!

[Nat]

Chapter 1 - Dream Weaver

Part 3



By the time Tara had run down the four flights of stairs the automated metcar was waiting for her. She jumped in and entered the destination on the nav screen. As the car lurched off she sat back and watched the city roll past. Gradually the high rise tenement blocks faded into the distance replaced with more commercial units. Run down department stores and second hand clothes shops interspersed with the occasional pawnbrokers and electrical shops filled the sidewalks. Every other unit was boarded up and abandoned; every time she passed Tara noticed more empty spaces where there were once thriving businesses.




She hated the way the City was declining, how years of war had dragged everyone and everything down into the gutter, reduced life to a shadow of its former self. Was it always this way? Tara wondered to herself she seemed to remember a lot more joy and laughter when she was a child, but maybe that was because her mother ensured that her childhood had been as carefree as it could be. She instilled in her the power of her dreams and the importance of following her heart. Tara bit back a tear, it had been four years since her mother passed away from the sickness, but she still missed her acutely and while the pain had lessened somewhat her memory had never faded in Tara’s mind.

The metcar juddered to a stop and a metallic voice announced they had reached their destination. Tara inserted her ID Stick into the payment slot bearing the Cybertronix logo and pressed her thumb against the screen to be scanned. “Payment accepted. Doors opening. Have a nice day!”

Tara jumped out of the car and headed for the Lizard across the street. Gator was in his usual position on the door, clocking the queuing punters in one at time. He winked as he spotted her approaching, “hey gorgeous, you gonna make it my night tonight then?” He asked hopefully, holding up the rope barrier for her to duck under.





“From what I’ve heard Gator, it’s always your night.” Tara answered cheekily ducking under the rope.

“You’ll relent one night Tara and I can promise you the ride of your life darling, you ain’t lived till you’ve experienced some Gator action.”

“Well that’s why I’m holding out Gator, once I’ve had the experience everything else will be a disappointment and I’m too young only have disappointment to look forward to.” Tara replied smiling and walking in through the big industrial doors.

“This one’s on me Tex!” Gator shouted to the cashier, his neck muscles bulging as he flashed her best smile before turning back to the waiting crowd.

Tara slipped inside laughing at the protesting voices offering Gator their company for the evening if he let then in for free as well; she doubted he’d be spending the night alone. As she entered the main area the heat and music hit her and her mood instantly lightened, maybe she was in the mood to party after all. She headed to the side bar pushing her way through the crowds with practised ease.
 
“Hey Rik usual please make them large ones.” She called to the keep.

“Hey Tara, coming right up, you’re in late tonight Trix has been on form for hours.”

“Yeah I had some business to sort out. It looks like I’m playing catch up,” commented Tara spotting Trix giving it large on the dance floor.

“She’s been there most of the night,” laughed Rik handing her three drinks, “I don’t envy you.”


Tara inserted her stick into the payment slot and pressed her thumb to validate.
“Catch you later Rik!” she shouted grabbing the drinks and making her way to their usual table at the back of the club.





“Finally some decent company,” cried Andro as she arrived at their table, “Oh and she comes bearing drinks, my heroine!”

Tara placed the drinks on the table and pulled up a chair, “where is everyone?” she asked searching the crowd for familiar faces.

“Well Luca and Stem disappeared together a few minutes ago, the amount of CX2 he’s sniffed they’ll be back before they’ve gone.” Andro laughed, “Trix is in her usual place centre stage and Dax is probs sniffing out new talent.”

“If he’s been on that stuff all night I’m surprised Luca bothered she knows what he’s like.” Tara replied

“Yeah but she has been knocking them back and you know she’s always gagging after a few.”

Andro took a swig of his drink and relaxed back into his seat, he had a lot of time for his mates but Tara was the only one he felt he could relax around, yeah she could be headstrong and stubborn but she had her shit together. She wasn’t a loose cannon just waiting to go off at the slightest touch like the rest of his eclectic bunch of friends. You could really talk to Tara, she was a cool chick.

Tara took a sip of her drink and relaxed letting the heavy bass of the thumping music take control. She watched Trix gyrating rhythmically around the dance floor, bumping and grinding with whichever guy got in her way. She thought about joining her, but decided she wasn’t really in the mood. She was tired from standing watch all afternoon and was quite content to sit and chill out with Andro.




“So Taz how have you been sleeping lately?” asked Andro leaning over, hand cupped around his mouth as he shouted in her ear so she could hear him above the pumping music.

Tara shrugged nonchalantly and just for a second considered lying to Andro, it would save further questions that she didn’t really want to answer. However, one glance at his serious expression, his grey eyes wide in concern, soon wiped that notion out of her head.

“Still not great to be honest,” she replied as loudly as she could without actually shouting, “But not here, okay? I’ll tell you about it later when you can actually hear me.”

“Well okay, just as long as you know you will be telling me and won’t be able to avoid the subject next time I ask!” Andro told her firmly, leaving no doubt in her mind that he would ask again and soon. Then his face broke into a warm smile, softening his features and revealing the familiar face of the friend she loved so dearly. Tara returned his smile, she resolved she would speak to Andro when he asked and she’d tell him everything. With the decision made she felt her shoulders relax as if a backpack full of boulders had just been dropped to the floor, grabbing Andro’s protesting hand she led him on to the dance floor and gave herself over to the pumping, rhythmic beat.




Some time later Tara weaved her way through the throng of rotating bodies to the edge of the floor, head back laughing at the display her two friends were putting on behind her. It’s not often Andro had his dancing shoes on, but when he did, he and Trix had a hilarious robotics routine they had worked out over the years. It never failed to elicit comment. Tara had made her excuses, gesturing she needed a drink and left them to it, she had seen it a thousand times before anyway.



As she squeezed past another leather clad body she froze. It couldn’t be, not here. She must be seeing things

[starlucid]

This is so good! Looking forward to more!

[Nat]

will hopefully update tomorrow


if I can sort out my boolprop mess

[Elven_Song]

Another great update, I'm totally hooked! ^^

Hope you do get it sorted out soon, I wouldn't want to wait too long for the next part!

[Nat]

Thanks

Flid helped me sort my game out so will hopefully update tomorrow

[Nat]

Hoping to update tomorrow :blob6: