This is Rom from the Packrat Sprawl making waves and coming to you live and direct from the street in front the Tram eatery. We are talking to homeless kids today and getting the low down on street life. I have been out here for the past hour hanging out with the panhandling crowd and those who can actually afford to eat at Tram. The Zone Police were hear about 20 minutes ago and rounded up someone selling data cards on the street. But right now it is quiet. We are interviewing Anya and Mips today who are friends. They are both members of the Packrat hackers hanging on the street and taking some time out for a good chill.
Mips has a buzz cut and is a Waste, a drug addicted psychic who takes juice and neurocyne which controls the aegis or manifestation of psychic power. Anya is his girlfriend who is beautiful with long blonde hair. I wanted to get their take on the streets. So lets begin shall we.
Rom took the corner and walked up to the Tram with the sign under the words “Tram” emblazoned on the window. The text reads “For All Your Economic Dining.” Tram gives away free crackers inside and lets homeless kids panhandle outside so it is a popular spot. The fat waitress who takes your order and whose uniform doesn’t fit right is nasty to the homeless kids but she will bring food if you order after she tells you not to dine and dash. There is a large window in the front and about 5 round tables inside with booths. The food is pretty good for how cheap it is. I like it but I can hardly afford to eat there regularly as I am usually broke except for the money I make begging on the street. But lets get to Mips and Anya now.
“So Mips, how are things today? I see you are fishing for some spare change?” asked Rom.
“Thursdays are good days for panhandling because it is not the beginning of the week and people are looking forward to the weekend. They get a little more generous. I come out here with Anya to panhandle,” said Mips.
“How much you made today?”
“About 600 credits. It was a good haul. But we have been out here pretty much all day. We will have to clear out when curfew comes but we have about 30 minutes before we have to worry about that.”
“So you both are members of the Packrat hackers?”
“Yes I am a Waste and Anya here is a distiller, she doesn’t have an affiliation.”
“So Anya, what is a distiller?” asked Rom.
“A distiller is a psychic that can influence you to do anything using their mind. As long as I am close enough to you I can get you to do or say anything I want. I sometimes work for the Packrats based on what is needed,” said Anya.
“What is a Waste?” asked Rom to Mips.
“A Waste is a psychic who takes psi inducer drugs and worships drug culture.”
“Aren’t the Wastes also the fighting force for the Packrats?”
“Yes the Wastes are the fighters. We conduct guerilla warfare against the government. The Elite government is corrupt and rounds up psychics off the street for experimentation. I hate them,” said Mips.
“Are you also a hacker like I am? I work out of the Processing Centre and also am a Level 9 hacker,” said Rom.
“No, I am not a hacker. More of a fighter. I sometimes work in the radio room at the Echelons base for the Packrats,” said Mips.
“That is cool. Tell me a little about the street?”
“You want to get off the street at curfew, otherwise they round you up and take you to the kedek mines for hard labour and lock you up. Panhandling is a staple. Others are hosts and pick up johns, you need a host license for that though. There are food trucks that come around at lunch but they run out of food fast. There are also hostels you can take a shower but I wouldn’t unless you want to get raped. We sleep on the street in abandoned buildings there are some squats which are available. I protect Anya out on the street because I wouldn’t want her to get hurt,” said Mips.
“Does he do a good job protecting you?” asked Rom to Anya.
“Yes he does,” she said leaning over and kissing Mips.
“Are you two mate pairs?” asked Rom.
“Yes we are mate paired a relationship between two psychics. Mips is my all,” said Anya.
“Cool,” said Rom who noticed the street lights come up. Mips stood up and motioned to Anya.
“We better go. Zone Police patrols for delinquents are starting soon. You best get off the street as well,” said Mips.
“Will do. Thanks for talking to me,” said Rom as Mips and Anya walked off.
Rom walked down the street and vanished using his psychic power and went to the underground Packrat Sprawl to his sleeping mat in the back of the living quarters. It had been a long day. When he got in he sat down on his sleeping mat and looked out into the room full of cots set up military style.
“Well that is it for me today. Time for me to take nap. I need to be up early for a hacking job at the Hack night club. Later everyone. This is Rom signing off. All Hail the Packrat Code!”