Chapter 3

Ghost in Reality

Although it was past midnight in Midtown New York, there was still fever left in the streets. People passing by were cheering and warmly patted each other on the shoulders. Everyone was excited and shared the feeling of unity. The reality show , which broadcast the accident in orbit live, shook people's hearts. Some people chanted "Rei" loudly.

The self-driving car stopped in front of PNC Bank on West 41st Street, New York. A man with a dark curly hair got out of the car. Under the street lamp in the darkness of the night, his distinct features were portrayed as a shadow on the wall. He was over 6 feet tall and looking slender.

“Will call again at dawn,” Jay said to self-driving car. "Thank you, sir. Will await for your call according to the previous pattern," The self-driving car answered in a monotonous voice. It closed the door and departed. The man, wearing a pair of light blue jeans and dark beige trench coat, strode ahead.

A thrilling story that unfolds more dramatically than any existing fiction series, advent of a hero and a beautiful ending – the media effect was indeed strong. The incident was broadcasted live on TV thanks to Dragonfly’s well woven business model; and even though audiences should have blamed and criticized the event, the result was absolutely the opposite. People were craving for a drama in real life and longed for a live hero, in the epoch where myths were long forgotten.

The man crossed the 4 lane road and entered the New York Post building. On the outside of the building wall, were written a funny quote: “Martians Be Ambitious”.

As the time was late, there were hardly anybody in the newsroom. A colleague who was leaving the office having packed his bags, spoke to the man. “Jay Robinson, no need to overreact and make a fuss out of nothing.” Jay spoke nervously, “It’s none of your business, why don’t you go home, huh?” Jay heard his colleague mumble behind him “Ignoring other’s advice, some stubborn fella.”

Jay moved from Space Dot to his current position at New York Post some time ago, but he was not able to mingle with the New York Post colleagues. They were always keeping him in check, regardless of the situation. Everytime he sensed the distance from his colleagues, the more burden he felt when it comes to writing articles.

Jay had hesitated as the time was late, but he decided to come back to office, as he had things to finish up. Jay preferred writing in the office rather than elsewhere. Especially when he wanted to write an in depth feature article adding on-site atmosphere, not a straight article which only provides essential information. His pride did not allow inputting every information to the article documenting robot.

Jay sat on his chair and put his legs on his desk. “Doggy, get me a drink.”

A four-feet walking service robot fetched a can, wagging its tail like a real dog. Its body, which was made up of yellow plastic, stepped lightly. It was one of the popular products presented by the Boston Mechanics.

The population of cats and dogs showed rapid increase as more and more people lived alone. However, the advent of ‘companion robots’ made ‘companion animals’ useless; companion robots contained various functions and were free from medical fee. Some governments actually massacred all the cats as they do with rats.

Reuters and AP feeds beeped at the same time. A large-sized monitor in the office showed the satellite launching site in the West Sea. Press line was formed and a group of reporters gathered to take the best seat. They were extremely crowded that it seemed as if a little push will make them collapse like dominos.

Dong Chang district was originally a site for the development and launching of ICBM by the DPRK in the early 2000s, under the ostensible reason of ‘space development’. commercial small-size satellites were launched here occasionally after agreement on the case of nuclear weapon and the establishment of the Korean Federation. This was because the projectile could pass the Japanese sky.

Dragonfly established the Astronaut Training Facility and Mission Control Center in the Dong Chang district. It was because the human resources and facilities were comparatively cheap here. Most parts of the Korean Federation usually have high population density, but this place was not so, because DPRK had designated this area as a military zone. Mars Camp One, a shelter for the pilot advocates, was also built in this place.

From afar approached the helicopter transporting the heroes.

“Open up your memo pad and write down what I say,” Jay, while watching the screen, spoke to the article writing robot. “Helicopter door opened up and Rei came out first. She was holding her helmet with her right hand. She was wearing an orange color pressure suit and her red dyed hair blew in the air. The reporters are taking pictures of her and the flash of the cameras are brightening around Rei.”

Jay focused on the screen while drinking a sip of energy drink.

He said, “And Rei...” And he did not manage to finish the sentence, and his eyes opened up wide. As he had put his legs on the desk, he fell from the chair trying to change his posture in a hurry. The energy drink can he was holding was spilt all over his clothes. Nevertheless, as if nothing mattered at all, Jay concentrated on the screen. He seemed bewitched.

Jay ordered, “Change the screen. 1 minute ahead, rewind it to 1 minute before! Slowly, slowly and play”

Rei, with her helmet held in her right hand, smiled brightly at the reporters. Soon, as if doing a ceremony, twisted her forefinger and middle-finger and touched her left eyebrow with her fingers. Her ring finger folded and her little finger open.

“Again, play once again. Zoom in closer to watch her left hand movement. Zoom in! Stop!”

Jay stopped the screen and stared at Rei’s left hand and her two fingers. It was like seeing a ghost. Memories of the past passed by like a broken movie scene. Mars One Project Rocket Stumpalos which was exploded into pieces in fire. The person who was sitting on the very top. The very person who wanted to leave Earth forever, and who wanted to leave her last trace. Jay had a last farewell with her at dawn, at a place where there was a great plain ahead of them. Jay got up abruptly. He sat down properly again and started pressing the screen with his finger like crazy.

“Search for all information on Rei. Access all possible database.”

Jay put his hand on his forehead as he felt a little dizzy.

“Search for all social media images. Let me know if there’s anyone doing the same hand posing. Tina is dead!”

Jay wanted to deny it, but he did not yet find any rational basis to deny it.