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My Opened Eyes
Day 1: First Impressions
New Liberty is nothing like I imagined. When I stepped off the interplanetary shuttle, the first thing that hit me was the sheer size of everything. Towering skyscrapers loom over the skyline, their sleek surfaces glinting under the twin moons. Massive sky bridges crisscross between buildings, filled with people and vehicles moving in perfect harmony. The streets below are alive with sound, a cacophony of languages, some I recognize and some I’ve never heard before. Even the air smells different, a mix of urban tang from the hover vehicles and the faint, floral aroma of alien plants woven into the city’s landscaping. I came here from Earth, hoping for a fresh start. Standing in the heart of this metropolis, I feel both exhilarated and overwhelmed.
Day 3: The Mass Transit Maze
Today I braved the mass transit system for the first time. They call it the "Loop", a series of magnetically suspended trains that snake between the buildings and dip underground at dizzying speeds. It took me a while to figure out the holographic maps, but once I got the hang of it, I couldn’t help but marvel at how efficient it all is.
I sat next to a Cetian merchant who smelled faintly of a unfamiliar cologne and talked about the upcoming trade fair in the city’s central plaza. Across from us, a group of schoolkids chatted excitedly about a new virtual holo-game release. It struck me how normal this mix of cultures feels here. No one bats an eye at the variety of languages or the bright, bioluminescent markings on one passenger’s skin. It’s surreal, but also oddly comforting.
Day 7: Exploring the Market District
The Market District is like stepping into another world. Every street is filled with stalls and shops displaying goods from across Terran space. I stopped at a food stand run by a Jovian chef who served something called "Nebula Curry". It glowed faintly, but the flavor. Unlike anything I’ve ever tasted.
Nearby, a street performer played a haunting melody on an instrument that looked like a cluster of crystal rods. The sound resonated in my chest, almost like it was alive. I watched as a group of tourists marveled at an artist painting landscapes on floating canvases. Every stroke of his brush lit up the air like a firework, fading only when he finished the piece.
There’s a rhythm to this city, a pulse that pulls you in. It’s chaotic, yes, but there’s a beauty in the chaos.
Day 10: The Corporate Influence
You can’t live here without noticing how much of New Liberty’s architecture is influenced by corporate design. Some buildings shimmer as if covered in liquid metal, their shapes fluid and ever-changing. Others are built from translucent materials that glow softly at night, making the city look like a constellation come to life. Overall, it I feel the city tries to hide its relationship with the hyper-corps that were instrumental in its presence.
Even the parks are different. I visited one today, drawn in by the giant luminescent trees that tower over the pathways. Their leaves shift colors with the wind, casting soft hues of pink, green, and blue across the ground. Children were playing beneath them, laughing as their shadows danced in the shifting light. It’s these moments, these small, unexpected wonders, that remind me why I came here.
Day 14: Challenges of the Future
Not everything is perfect. The pace of life here can be relentless, and it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd. Today, I got caught in a throng of people leaving a corporate tower during the evening rush. The crowd swept me along, and for a moment, I panicked. It’s strange, being surrounded by so many people and still feeling invisible.
There’s also the cost of living. Everything here is expensive, from rent to food to even basic utilities. The apartment I’ve found is small, just a single room with a kitchenette and a view of the lower city. But at least I have a window, which is more than some can say. Still, I remind myself that every city has its struggles. The challenge is finding your place in it.
Day 20: Finding Belonging
I think I’m starting to settle in. Today, I joined a local community group that organizes neighborhood events. We met at a café that serves Earth-style coffee and pastries alongside local delicacies. Everyone was welcoming, eager to share stories about how they ended up here.
One woman, an older Mars-born engineer, talked about how she helped design the city’s first hover bridge. Another, a young Cetian artist, described her journey as an immigrant from a colony on the fringe of human space. Their stories were so different from mine, but there was a common thread, a sense of hope of wanting to build something new.
It made me realize that New Liberty isn’t just a city. It’s a mosaic of people, each bringing their own piece to create something greater.
Day 30: A New Home
A month ago, I was just another newcomer trying to navigate this strange and vibrant metropolis. Now, I feel like I belong here. I’ve found my favorite spots, the café Orion's Hope on Skybridge 12, the hidden Masser Park near Dome Plaza, the quiet corner of the Grand Metro Library where you can watch the moons rise.
New Liberty isn’t perfect. It’s messy and loud, and sometimes it feels like it’s moving too fast. But it’s also alive in a way I’ve never experienced before. It’s a place where various human cultures collide, where the past and future merge into something entirely new.
Standing on the edge of my tiny balcony tonight, watching the city lights stretch out into the distance, I feel something I haven’t felt in a long time: possibility.
--- End of Journal ---
Journal of Ken Bennett
Location: Terra Secundus, New Liberty Metropolis