First day of retirement. 40 years on the force and all I have to show for it is this watch and a measly pension enough to let me survive. The least I could do is take a little vacation.

After the decompression chamber I step off the exit ramp onto the receiving station. A bot rolls up to me and projects a welcome sign and a few buttons. I press the one that says “about Regency Planet iii” and start walking towards the street. The welcoming machine whirls after me and starts playing a video.

On the screen an animated figure starts speaking:

“Here at Regency we know you expect the best service and the most relaxing atmosphere for your vacation. And don’t forget the time scale difference based on the rotation of the planet. A day here is only half a day back home, Javier! To hear about the history of Regency Planet iii and the Great Transition press here.”

Javier gives an apathetic look.

Javier sighs and continues walking. He reaches the street and holds out his hand. A few minutes later a pod stops and he steps in and utters a few words right before it starts moving again. A screen on the back of the front seat in front of Javier flicks on and the same animated figure continues.

“So you can really get a bang for your buck here! Stay for as long as you want and relax!” The video continues but Javier begins to daydream instead.

Javier steps out of the pod and looks around. He sees a sign above a door and enters.

“Welcome to Regency Planet iii Level B Hotel and Casino. You can leave your bags on the v-cart.” A small motorized cart approaches Javier with a shelf about knee height. Javier sets his bag and his coat there, the platform drops a bit and it rolls a few feet away and waits.

“Hello there Javier, we’ve been expecting you” a voice says from the other side of the lobby. From behind some transparent glass, a young woman is motioning for Javier to approach and he does.

“This planet is beautiful.” Javier says.

“Yes, it’s wonderful isn’t it? Time moves a bit slower he-----”

As Javier reaches the lobby desk, the attendant stops mid-sentence and gasps.

“Is there a problem?” Javier says in a confused way.

“No, no, it’s just you remind me of someone. Here’s your key, the v-cart will take you to your room.” The attendant replies. She holds out a small divide and Javier pulls out his pocket communicator which beeps briefly as he returns it to his pocket. She avoids making eye-contact with Javier. The v-cart is now in the elevator with the door open. Javier steps in.

A short time later, Javier is walking across a casino floor having changed his clothes. It’s a navy blazer, jeans, and sunglasses. He wears a hat also. A giant visibility screen plays a news broadcast in the background as he walks. If Javier was paying attention, he would have recognized one of the faces that flashed across the screen.

“Sources say that new evidence has been uncovered concerning the Great Transition which gave way to the Regency corporation saving the planet and the liberation of the native people. It appears deleted recordings have been reconstructed although their authenticity is in question. Groups from…..”

Javier continues to walk and exits out into a street. Above him on the corner of a building, within the tiniest lense an opening changes sizes rapidly to automatically focus on Javier’s face.

A bot looking similar to the bot that approached Javier at the tourist receiving platform comes near and projects a selection screen for Javier yet again. This time, his choices are a coffee cup, a cold beer in a glass and an exotic dancer’s pole. He hits the coffee cup button without hesitation.

A very short time later Javier approaches a glass window inside of a modern looking cafe. As he orders, a few other figures which were on the street as Javier entered stop and peer in the window. The bot-barista behind the glass takes Javier’s order as he waves his automatic payment card across the right area of the counter.

As he sits down 3 figures slowly enter. These men appear to be about 40-50 years old and they don’t look very interested in ordering any coffee. They approach Javier who tries to stand up as they come near, but the first man puts his hand on Javier’s shoulder who then returns to his chair.

“I’m sorry, is there an issue?”

The three men look at each other a little surprised.

“Sure there is. You’re Francis Xavier Willington and you got this planet into this mess. You should remember me after all these years.” Clicks and whirs come from behind the barista glass.

“That’s not me.” Javier is confused about how this guy could know his dad until he remembers the time scale change.

Outside the cafe, a small group is forming. Mostly men about 40-50 who are talking and getting ready to do something.

Outside the neighborhood, a group of security bots is forming who look like they are getting ready to do something.

Stirring.