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the back counter and spilled over to the floor near the trash receptacle. Take-out containers were stacked on end tables. “Drunk and living in this hole of an apartment until you get kicked out because you can’t pay rent? You’re better than that, Dilyn. You could be helping people like you coming back from the war.”
    His words made something in her bubble over. Her fists slammed down on the counter with speed and powe r. After a pause, she explained; “I don’t want to help them.” She spoke slowly, voice on the verge of seething. Her head began to ache and she instinctively put her fingers to her temple and circled them counter-clockwise. The urge to find and finish a bottle of whiskey became overwhelming, “Don’t you get it?” She opened her eyes and fixed him with a pleading gaze, “I just want to forget! I want…” she paused and gestured towards the window and began to pace as she tried to put words to how she felt, “I want to be able to walk the streets without getting panicked when I have to cross a gap. I want to sleep through the night without waking up in a sweat. I don’t want to relive it every damn day of my life. I want to… I need to forget.”
    James held up his hands – he knew a dangerous situation when he saw one. “Alright, alright.” He caught her gaze and nodded reassuringly until she visibly calmed. He always had that ability with her – something about the depth of his eyes put her at ease. He sighed and looked around, “Will you at least let me help you clean up this mess?”
    Alexa glared at him for a few long moments, but he held his ground. The sincerity in his eyes convinced her. “I guess,” she finally surrendered. At her words, he was already shrugging off his overcoat and collecting takeout containers before she could pour the first cup of coffee.
    They spent the morning together, talking about menial things. Neither of them had families to speak of, and the one real thing they had in common was their service. So they talked about rumors of secret communes in secluded parts of the globe where people were bio-stamp free. That made them both laugh. They talked about the weather, and the new development across town that was going to add 20 floors to an already 30 story building, and of talk about a new project to lessen the population burden that had been advertising non-stop on the viewer.
    Alexa was glad to have James as a friend, but his company and even his devotion was not enough to chase away her demons. She thought his attentions were based on the bonds forged in training and battle, but the truth was that James was hopelessly in love with the woman. He lingered with her that day, until the pull of the bottle was too much for her. Embarrassed to drink in his company, she made an excuse for him to leave and drowned her shame in a way all too familiar.
    Later that night, Alexa lay in bed nursing her fifth glass of whiskey and scrolling through the news feed on the viewer. One of the World Corp sponsored propaganda pieces caught her attention. She selected the play icon and gestured sloppily with both hands to expand the picture.
    The video began with a landscape so beautiful it was almost beyond comprehension, with trees and a crisp, clean purple-blue sky. A disembodied but soothing voice began to speak, “Do you ever dream of living on Earth the way it used to be – before the overcrowding and pollution? This is your opportunity to move on from Earth and help start a new colony. World Corp is looking for volunteers to take the first voyage to Colony Alpha – a fully habitable planet in the neighboring Alpha Centauri system. Set sail among the stars and experience the beginning of your new life.”
    A few more scenes of pristine rivers and forests displayed, accompanied by patriotic music. COLONY ONE in thick white letters appeared with a field of stars in the background.
    The video timed out and a link to a registration form appeared along with paragraphs of