Beta Earth: Between Worlds 2.0 Edition by J.R. Napier Page B

through without further hassle. Another patron tries to enter the bar behind Clave. The bouncer picks up that patron and slams him against the wall. “City or sprawl?” he yells.
    Clave continues into the bar which is dark in some parts, and in others, such as the dance halls, it’s lighted very brightly. LCDs on the ground, walls, and ceilings make weird illusions and seem to distort reality. The music blares as Clave passes through one of the dance halls. As soon as he exits the dance hall and enters the dark part of the bar, the music level drops to about a fourth of what it was.
    Clave is slightly impressed. Even though the place looks rustic, it contains advanced sound focus technology. Clave moves toward the bar counter. He watches the punk sprawl kids and some city kids laughing around drinks.
    The groups are pretty random. Some of the sprawl kids talk with the city kids, but, for the most part, they stick to their own groups and weigh the situation. Clave watches the dance floor from the bar. A group of the sprawl punks are doing an interesting dance.
    It’s freestyle and they let their bodies move uninhibited. They seem confident in their movements. It almost looks as though they are training. One of the girls among the dancers seems to be dancing circles around the others.
    She is pretty, yet she still has the presence of a tough girl. Even her dance moves are a bit masculine but Clave is more impressed with her nimbleness. To Clave, she actually looks kind of … cool. The rest of the dancers realize it, too, and they give her silent respect as they watch her intensely. A bartender takes Clave’s order. “What will it be?”
    Clave looks around briefly for a menu of sorts and then spots a tough-looking guy drinking a small greenish drink. “Whatever he’s having.” The bartender raises her eyebrow and leaves to prepare the drink. Clave watches as a few of the sprawl punks chat up a pretty city girl who’s not into them. The bartender returns, drink in hand.
    “That will be—” Clave holds out a credit chip before she can finish. The bartender scans it and watches as Clave tries the drink. Clave takes a precautionary sip before he takes a bigger gulp of the greenish substance. The liquid burns on its way down but Clave fights the urge to cringe. The bartender is amused at Clave’s performance.
    “You are not from around here, are you?”
    “I suppose.” Clave replies.
    The bartender smiles at Clave’s response. “Let me guess. You’re from Beta Earth.” Clave finishes up the rest of his drink. “Why would you guess that?” Clave slides the glass to the bartender. She catches it and refills it. “Oh, it's just the way you carry yourself I guess. Here, this one’s on me.”
    Clave turns his attention back to the dance floor and continues to watch the girl dancing. “Who is that?” Clave asks. The bartender turns to look at the girl.
    “Rebi? Uh … I mean that’s Roni.”
    “Roni? Seriously? That’s a guy’s name.” Clave says.
    The bartender laughs as she calls one of the sprawl punks over. She whispers something in his ear. He runs over to the dance floor and gets her attention. Roni looks over at Clave and then over to the bartender and nods. Clave notices the interaction.
    “What’s that all about?” he asks.
    “Oh, I think she likes you.” The bartender says innocently.
    Clave looks away from Roni and the bartender. He focuses in on the rest of the scenery. “Sure.” Clave casually replies. He’s now sure the bartender is the type the likes to play games. Clave notices a girl who is being hassled by some sprawl punks. The bartender moves closer to Clave.
    “So, you gonna save her?” Clave picks up his drink and takes a sip.
    “Hadn’t planned to ... can't your big ass bouncer do that job?”A city kid at the end of the bar calls for the bartender.
    “Hold on!” the bartender shouts. She then returns her attention to Clave. He is watching the city kids. None of them