Ch 16: Working at the Docks

~
(Kade

I’m quickly getting into the habit of not talking “posh” around the people working here at the logistics depot. I don’t mind it actually. You can drop the occasional f-bomb without raising any eyebrows.

It’s nice that I got a bonus and even a modest pay rise to come and work here, and I’m certainly being treated well. My manager Vince has seemed a bit surprised that I came to genuinely work and help. I think he may have been nervous about me—coming from within the Administration, directly reporting to Harrington. Like I’m some kind of spy or something. I guess I’d be suspicious too. So I’ve gone a bit out of my way to gain his trust. I reckon that’s done by taking the job seriously and looking for greater efficiency.

But back and forth, back and forth. I pick up a crate from where it arrived, I fly it over to where it waits for ground shipping. I fly back and pick up another one. All day. I could go fucking nuts doing this.

Flying the heavy transport drones is kind of interesting because of the massive power and weight required of the drones, to lift the crates and still fly steadily. They’re real transport aircraft that can be piloted from in the cockpit, but I fly them remotely from up here in the command station. I can hear the roar of these beasts from all the way up here. I’d hate to be one of the people working down on the docks. I’ve been down there a few times and it is so loud, and usually windy being right next to the water, and they’ve got these huge crates hanging over their heads.

I’ll just keep at it. I’ve already found a couple ways to make it a bit easier, make the work a bit better I hope.

But it’s fucking boring. This work is just not me. Anyone can see that. I’ve worked in the Admin district my whole career. My whole adult life. I miss being in the city, right in the district.

At home, I settle in front of my workstation for what I hope is a relaxing evening. My body feels a bit sore. I’m still getting used to the less than ergonomic setup in the transport-drone command.

I flick around through some videos and music. I feel the need to talk to someone live. I’ll see who’s on the music forums. I used to chat with some people there about old movie soundtracks we like. It was kind of therapeutic to compare likes and dislikes, discover new soundtracks.

Okay, here’s some chats from today. One of my old buddies on there. I text him and see if he wants a live chat.

Great! I see his avatar pop up—he’s pinging me.

“Kade! What the fuck is up buddy? Long time man.”

“Oh man, I’ve got so much to say, my friend. Ready to hear me whinging about it for a few minutes?”

“Uh-oh. Ok, sure bro, lay it on me.”

I tell him the whole sad story of being transferred out of Admin district, flying the heavy drones now, etc.

We agree I should talk to Harrington and ask him to explain why this has happened to me. I have a good relationship with him; he’s been a mentor or sorts, and I’ve been a friend I think. I rarely see anyone else talking to him. He’ll see that some kind of mistake has been made. There has to be some way I can get myself positioned back in the main Administration tower.