As I explored Port Atlantis I got my ground legs.
I found a lot of newcomers like myself--those awful orange jumpsuits were everywhere--and I heard the clamor that was made as endless questions were asked. Questions I had myself.
For the most part I kept my silence and learned the basics that a new arrival needed to know by just listening--sometimes to exasperated responses.
I must give credit where it is due: A lot of patience was displayed by the old hands--a question I would have asked was frequently answered several times. It made me wonder if there was really that much distraction, were these people that overwhelmed or were they just not paying attention? Or all the above?
I settled on just thinking it was varying combinations of all the above. I was getting used to my arrival in my way and who was I to say that others could not do it in their own?
Just following the noise I found a teleportation terminal and an open market full of people yelling about what they wanted to sell or buy. The yelling was a bit overwhelming: We had had free markets on the habitat but they were not as loud. Perhaps it was the open air that made the difference.
I found a couple of electronic sales locations and was surprised at how different the interaction terminals were from those back in the habitat. Rather than one kiosk with an overall menu everything was split-up into separate terminals. The kiosks themselves seemed quite bulky but with a little reflection that made sense. On a colony you’d want something very robust and if it was not economically feasible to put enough proper multi-function terminals around you would split things up to minimize bottle-necks.
I quickly found the mall and my thoughts turned to equipping myself.
|