Cold Anticipation [Part 1]

“Who reads in a bar?”

Josefine asked openly in a casual manner, as she took the smallest of sips from her cool beverage. Lazily leering one of her eyes at an odd burly man in the corner of the bar sitting alone at one of the distant tables. They have an untouched glass of water, collecting precipitation, as ice in the glass is nearly melted; properly bundled and prepared for the frigid winter environment. Intimately focused on their book, sliding one finger over each sentence. Difficult to determine if they are content with the reading material, as their pale blue eyes are widely open and intently focused on the book. Vexed even by it, as they have hardly blinked.

“Who reads at all these days?” The bartender remarked, stereotypically cleaning drinking glasses. “Why waste time reading, when you can just upload the info straight to your skull?” They mentioned placing the glass wear on the shelf behind them.

“Perhaps they’re Neo Puritanism.” Josefine grinned at the idea. “Plenty of research claims that it's the healthiest way to gain knowledge.” She followed.

“On this corner of the planet? Doubtful, nothing will ever be natural about livin’ in this cold.” The bartender retorted softly.

“Where do you think they are from? They’re an awfully strange sight for this region.” Josefine asked, to then sip her beverage.

“Can’t say no, not very many people even want to stay here.” The bartender posits. “What about you? You're not from here, right…? Your English is way too proper to be any kind of american.” They then presumed about Josefine.

Josefine smirked at the statement; relieving a small breath of sneer.

“Noted.” Josefine said, eyes brightly opened, seemingly amused by the bartender’s perception.

A sudden yet mild commotion quickly filled the bar. Entering the establishment are several individuals suited in winter designed HiVis attire; each of them in a frozen clamor of relief that the end of the day is near. Appearing to have just completed an arduous day’s work of hard labor in the construction of the latest installment of the first of many Nuclear Power Plants. Now happily comforted by the obvious warmness of the building, along with the pleasant memories they likely share. Carrying with them the titular cold of this solstice, which forced the few customers of the bar to twitch from the expected chill.

This sudden noise startled the odd man, as they looked to the source of the noise, and closed their book. Much more crowded than before; no longer the surprisingly soothing atmosphere that the bar created. Once the construction workers took their clearly routine positions at the bar, the odd man almost took that as a signal to exit the once quiet establishment. Leaving a chip of digitized currency at the table.

Josefine peered at the man making their way to the door. Josefine quickly took a hefty gulp of her drink, cringing at the bitterness of the alcohol. Swiftly pays using her SmartSignet—a small device that is worn on the wrist or finger to be used as quick and secure access to one's personal information, typically used to pay and sign documents—Promptly following the odd man as they left. Within seconds: That same expected chill immediately struck Josefine, as a more than harsh gust of metal-like snowflakes covered her body.

“Of course it just had to be another cold place.” Josefine groaned, quickly adjusting herself to the cool, dry air of the outdoors. She then located the odd man; still maintaining her distance, tactically following them into the seemingly relaxing evening.

An icy sprawl on the northwest extremity of Northern America. Cold that constructs the overwhelming sensation of being held captive. As many are nearly forced to stay indoors during this time of the year. Thankfully, safe in the warmness of the well fortified homes. The Alaskan sky in a melancholic hue of scatter yellow and orange that the fading sun creates, practically in combat with the deep, dark blues and grays of winter. Fortunately, that’s where the combat ends, as the large City of Anchorage has a welcoming modernization that practically eliminates the notion of winter challenges. The roads are perfectly clear of any bright snow or dirt slush; design into powerful technology that keeps the roads warm to promptly evaporate any snowfall. However, the sidewalks have not yet been updated with this technology—still need to be routinely shoveled and salted. Endless poetic sounds of slushy sidewalks, crowded footsteps cover the sidewalks with the occasional loss of balance of the City’s residence by the ice.

Alaska, or officially, the Republic of Alaska. Had the surprising push forward to modernization: As did the other larger territories of the United States of America. Once they separated themselves from their former nation, becoming a fully independent state. Alaska utilized most up and coming technologies to promote a wholesome nation for anyone to live, as shown by the many boastful structures, lighting every shadow of the City with bold neons. How typical, they know that they need the look of the future to create more citizens. Imitating the unrealistic locus of Cybernetic Punk. Instead creating a blinding failure of modernity at every front; forcing the governing bodies to realize that true modernity is the understanding of the world’s entire progression. Thus the installation of Nuclear Power Plants, nearly 30 years behind the already established commonality of renewable power. Along with the productivity of Vertical farming and the perpetual advances in AI.

Conversely, the citizens were much more ready for the push forward. Another typical situation with modern civilizations: The prominent governing figures still lack the understanding of progress as their minds are often stuck in the realm of their generation, while the society as a whole naturally evolves forward. Patiently waiting for their surroundings to catch up. Especially for humans in such unbearable climates. Since the winters can be so harsh for Alaska as a whole; further exaggerated by the desecration of the planet’s natural cycles. The citizens sought any means to elevate that seemingly unavoidable suffering: Hyper Realistic games, virtual reality, constant updates to the latest body modifications. Thus the lack of individuals and groups in this region that reject the Cybernetic Enhancements, such as Neo Puritanism. As cybernetic enhancements are now the next aspect of humanity. Just as is Josefine, an actual realization of modernity. A woman of the future.

She treks forward with an objective, as her current path of profession is a mercenary of sorts. In the search for a defector Android. From several days of searching she suspects this odd man to be the culprit. From subtle clues and profiles made.

“Son of a bitch. Where is this guy going?” Josefine seethed at the peculiar walk the odd man took. “This better be the one, or my circuits will freeze for nothing.” Her body shook at the cold air.

Walking for what felt like hours, just from the cold. Josefine maneuvered her way around the cityscape, illustrating her adeptness in any environment. Quickly creating believable covers for secrecy to deter any suspicion of her action during the pursuit; even finding the best means of shade to hide herself if the situation called for it. Now reaching the outskirts of Anchorage, eventually landing them at a new establishment. Just at the edge of the city.