The sun beat down hard that day. Saez's hair was plastered to his face with sweat; it had been a good shift. He was returning from the Sea of Ships, his bag stuffed with processors and chips, enough to keep eating for a few more days. Waiting for him up top was Chunkz, a veteran scrapper who shared a table with Saez every day.
"I see you've had a good day," the man said, handing him a bottle with a green liquid. "I'm happy for you, kid. You've got talent."
"Thanks, Chunkz," Saez replied, taking the bottle and drinking a long swig. "Hopefully, they'll offer me the monthly contract soon."
The Company that controlled the Sea of Ships paid based on the electronic components recovered. However, if you proved your worth, they offered a contract with a fixed monthly salary, whether you brought in one piece or three hundred. Saez was working himself to the bone to get it; he needed stability to support his little brother.
"I've got a few months left in this shithole. Soon I'll have saved enough to pay for a trip for my family and me to the Mars colony," Chunkz took a sip of his strange liquid. "No more being a scrapper and risking my life. There, I'll be a farmer and grow my own food. They say the soil on Mars is even more fertile than Earth's. The scientists' products were miraculous."
"Let me know when the day comes," said Saez. "I'd like to say goodbye; you've helped me a lot."
"Relax, kid, there's still time." Chunkz patted him on the back and stood up. "Let's go to the warehouse, it's getting late."
Saez jumped to his feet and followed him in silence. The warehouse was a gigantic industrial hangar, packed with electronic parts. At the entrance, there were several tables with managers appraising the delivered material. Once the price was set, they handed over a ticket exchangeable for cash at any bank.
Saez got in the nearest line and waited his turn. When he arrived, he emptied the bag quickly onto the old wooden table. The manager inspected the pieces one by one, meticulously. For Saez, that process always felt eternal.
"Eight hundred for everything," said the man with a hoarse voice.
Saez put the money in an envelope and returned to the entrance, where Chunkz was waiting. The veteran watched him with a serious expression for a moment.
"How much?"
"Eight hundred," Saez replied with a smile.
Chunkz let out a laugh and slapped him on the back several times.
"That's my boy. I'm happy for you; that'll last you a few weeks."
"It couldn't come at a better time. I can finally buy some new sneakers for my brother," Saez said, looking at the envelope.
They went to the station together and got on the first train that arrived. After three stops, Saez said goodbye to Chunkz and left the subway. Outside, he walked toward a boy with a backpack on his shoulders.
"How was your day?" asked Saez.
"Good. No homework today," the boy replied, smiling.
"Then let's go buy you some sneakers. Whichever ones you want."
They crossed the street to a store. The boy ran in; Saez followed and greeted the clerk. He picked up a pair of sneakers that caught his eye and, after examining them, said:
"Derek, come here. Try these on."
They were simple, white, nothing flashy, but Saez had looked at the price.
"I like them," said Derek.
"Let's get your size," Saez replied. He rummaged through the shelf, pulled out a pair, and handed them to him. "I think they'll fit."
Derek tried them on, took a few steps, and nodded. Saez paid at the counter while the boy waited outside. Then they went home.
The apartment was small and old. It had a single room with a large bed where they both slept, a tiny bathroom where the shower barely fit, and a living room with a small kitchenette. In the center, a sofa and a television. Saez dropped the bag and collapsed onto the sofa; Derek took two containers from the fridge and put them in the microwave. Saez ate quickly and fell asleep in front of the TV, just like every day.
The next morning he woke up with a start when his phone alarm rang. He woke his brother, they ate something quick, and went to the station. As always, Saez said goodbye to Derek and got on the train. It was almost empty. He saw Chunkz sitting there and approached him.
"Morning, kid," greeted Chunkz.
"Morning."
"I saw your brother's sneakers. Good choice."
"And a good price," Saez said, smiling. "Thirty, after haggling."
"You know, you remind me of someone," Chunkz commented. "A partner I used to go down for parts with. The best seeker I've ever known; he seemed to know where they were before entering."
"What happened to him?" asked Saez. "You speak as if he died."
"I'll tell you that another day. This is our stop," said Chunkz, getting up with difficulty. "I'm too old for this job."
They walked a few minutes toward a secluded area, passed the warehouse, and continued to the crater of the Sea of Ships.
"Which ship are you going to today?" asked Chunkz as he put on his gloves.
"That one." Saez pointed to a small transport ship. "I've been exploring it for days. Only the lab is left. Wait for me up top, as always."
"Good luck."
Saez descended into the crater and reached the ship quickly. He chose it for the easy access and because the lab promised interesting finds. He advanced to an iron door at the end of the corridor. Without electricity, the security system was inactive and the door open.
He rummaged through drawers, dismantled several computers, and stored the parts. He left a small iron box for last. Inside, he found a stone emitting a faint blue light. He was disappointed, but he kept it anyway. After exploring a bit more, he went up at lunchtime.
"What a shitty day," said Saez. "I only found this stone, which is worth nothing."
He showed it to Chunkz.
"Fuck... kid, you don't know what you have," Chunkz whispered, trembling. "I thought it was a legend."
"What are you talking about?"
"When I arrived at the Company, my old partner told me a ship went to Mars. There they found a mineral capable of advancing humanity ten thousand years at once," he approached slowly. "What you have in your hands is the most valuable thing on Earth."
"Fuck... I don't know what to do."
"Let me hold it, kid."
"No," Saez replied firmly. "That wouldn't be a good idea."
Chunkz lunged at him and snatched the stone. Saez resisted, but Chunkz grabbed him by the neck.
"I'm sorry, kid," he murmured.
Tears streamed down his face. He dragged Saez to the edge of the crater and threw him into the void.