BEYOND THE PALE: ( The Outlander ) by Senan Gil Senan

each
customer’s devices,”
    “I didn’t get any,”
pointed out River.
     “That is probably
because so far you have not made any purchases with your own account. Therefore
there is no database of purchases to be used in comparison or relational
searches. I don’t get any such automated welcome messages or shopping
suggestions because my identity implant is restricted to emitting only to
official government RFID readers.”
    River finished his
cappuccino and digested what he had just been told. He didn’t like the idea of
his identity details being openly transmitted to every random RFID reader. He
also didn’t like the inclusion of his father’s first name as his own.
    When they were ready to
leave, Nathan led him across the main concourse to a large entrance where they
joined a taxi rank. These taxis were driverless, and thus comprised only the
rear cab which could comfortably seat six people. There were a number of them
stacking into a queue approaching the pick up point. As one pulled up beside
them, they climbed in and the Major tapped in an alpha numeric code which was
probably some sort of address code specific to his home. He prompted River to
pay on this occasion, as he wanted to make sure that he was confident in how to
go about doing this. River just swiped his wrist over a scanner on the taxis
customer console, and it gave an instant message thanking Citizen Eli River for
his payment of 14 credits. He had no idea whether this amount represented a lot
or a little in their currency. The 30 minute taxi ride to Nathan’s apartment
seemed just as confusing, because the outside environment seemed so baffling.
So many of the buildings seemed impractically tall and there seemed little
evidence to designate whether an area was commercial, communal, or residential.
The taxi followed a route mostly along ground level, but he could see streams
of other traffic passing high above. The taxi eventually came to a halt in a wide
tree lined avenue opposite some prestigious looking buildings that housed
numerous residential apartments. River climbed out, and took in the sight of
what was to become his home for a while.      

Chapter
Six
     
    Major Carlson buzzed
his apartment number on the intercom at the building’s main entrance. He spoke
briefly with his wife giving her early warning that he had arrived home with
his young guest. She buzzed the main door open but Carlson waited for it to
automatically re-lock before asking River to swipe entry himself. He wanted to
see whether River’s credentials were being recognised by the buildings main
computer. They were and the door opened. The duo walked to the lift and headed
for the fifth floor. River didn’t get to test his entry credentials for entry
to the apartment, because the door had been left ajar. Major Carlson walked in
followed sheepishly by River, who copied his actions in removing his shoes and
hanging up his jacket. Whilst doing this, an attractive tall and sleek black
woman of indeterminate age appeared in the hallway to greet them. River was
uncertain at first whether this was Carlson’s wife or daughter.
    “River, I would like
you to meet the love of my life, Valerie,” gushed Major Carlson. “And Valerie,
I would like to introduce you to River, the young man whom I owe a considerable
debt to.” He was being magnanimous. He didn’t really feel that he owed that
much to River but he enjoyed his company and was beginning to see something of
himself in the young man.
    “I am so pleased to
meet you River,” Valerie Carlson said as she leaned forward to kiss him. Her
manner was warm and inviting, and as she withdrew from the kiss, she grabbed
hold of his hand and led him through the main living area and on through to the
kitchen. She blew a cheeky kiss to Nathan and told him to come along. Nathan
thought this was typical behaviour on behalf of his wife. She was always
initially warm and inviting, and almost the flirt. However this initial