Rooster's Dawn: Collected Stories, #2

By Nancy SM Waldman

Rooster's Dawn rises in the earnest east of emancipation; sets in the weird west where bros will be bros; goes north to magical, heartbreaking Riga; south to healing gene-transforming pools, telling a space warped romance along the way while catching unexpected times and places in between and way beyond.

Get to know a grandma hacker, a reluctant superhero, a jilted gal in Tucumcari, an insecure synesthetic, a Goddess-killing wannbe witch, an almost blind spacemapper taking one last sentimental journey, a competitive clown, a revivalist, a snake oil salesman, an MMO game designer with a desperate secret and so many more!

 

And don't miss: As Far As, Collected Stories, Volume 1

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nancy SM Waldman
• Release date: May 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781777620233

Nancy SM Waldman

Nancy SM Waldman grew up in Texas but now lives in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia with her husband Barry where she writes from the calm solidity of a house built in 1900 with views of the woods and just enough wildlife to keep things interesting. She has an outpost across the Butterfly Bridge from her beloved sister in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Book preview

Rooster’s

Dawn

Collected Stories

Volume Two

n

Nancy SM Waldman

By & bY

PresS

First Published in 2021

Compilation © By and By Press

Copyright © Nancy SM Waldman, 2021

Cover design © Nancy SM Waldman, 2021

All rights reserved.

Additional image credits: Carousel Horse image by David Mark from Pixabay; Backgroud shadows image: by LyraBelacqua-Sally from Pixabay; Ceiling, Biltmore Estate, Asheville North Carolina, personal photo, Nancy Waldman

Cover Fonts: Chocolate Box, Paul Lynde; Shelldonplain

Interior Font: Titles: Chocolate Box; Text: Book Antiqua

No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the author, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

This book contains works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, entities or settings is entirely coincidental.

By and By Press

Nancy SM Waldman

Email: [e-mail]

Web: nancysmwaldman.com

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Weaverville, North Carolina, USA

Rooster’s Dawn, Collected Stories, Volume 2

Print Version ISBN: 978-1-7776202-2-6

Electronic Version ISBN: 978-1-7776202-3-3

Books By

Nancy SM Waldman

As Far As

Collected Stories, Volume 1

To my mother who encouraged me to dream.

To my father who encouraged me to create.

To my husband who encouraged me to finish.

To my children and grandchildren who,

whether they knew it or not,

encouraged me to be myself.

Author’s Note

These stories surprise me.

I began writing fiction in earnest in my fifties. I’m in my seventies now. I offer two volumes of my short fiction written over these years as evidence of what richness can unfold later in life.

Surprises.

I wrote the stories one-by-one in response to some internal or external stimulus, with no overall plan or need to consider how they compare and contrast. Re-reading them now as a whole for the first time shows me recurring themes and motifs and also great variety.

The situations and settings are of course essential to good stories, but it’s the characters who inspire me. In these two volumes are a disillusioned military officer who finds a young girl in a place where no human should be; an ancient spacemapper blind and alone on a planet she and her partner discovered when they were young; a grandmother who resurrects latent hacking skills to save her grandchild; a kooky thief who gives away money, blissfully breaking all the rules of polite society. There’s an apocalypse survivor, and a kind homeless man who, alas, has no magic. My characters are teachers, caregivers, clowns, healers, subversive former bureaucrats, musicians, game designers, dog-sitters, revivalists, traveling snake oil salesmen, one reluctant superhero…and those are just the human ones.

Expect the unexpected, especially if you don’t read speculative fiction. There are plenty of familiar paths, however: a couple of romances, a ghost story, one murder mystery, a western. These tales teeter on the ledge of normal expectations; if they fall off completely, even better.

I hope my stories will surprise you too.

NSMW

Volume 1 and 2

March 2021

Speculative fiction: a well-established term that takes in many genres including science fiction and fantasy which I predominantly write. Non-speculative means normal-world fiction that does not include magic or fictional science and is set in the past or the present, but not the future. Each story has a note on the title page as to its genre. There are suggestions on the next page for various reading orders.

Spelling: I have a foot each in the US and in Canada, so you may notice inconsistent spelling. This reflects where the story was originally published. If a word is misspelled in both countries, just think of it as speculative spelling.

Suggested Reading Orders

Not a reader of science fiction or fantasy? Ease into it:

Big Enough, Amounting to Something, I Am, The Mews, ReMemories, NetWorld, Rooster’s Dawn, A Decorative Folly of Vocal Joy, Dragonfly, No Others Like Us, Xylo and Apia, Snake Oil Revival, Sound of Chartreuse

Not a reader of non-speculative stories? Start with the best for you:

Sound of Chartreuse, No Others Like Us, Snake Oil Revival, Xylo and Apia, Rooster’s Dawn, Dragonfly, NetWorld, A Decorative Folly of Vocal Joy, ReMemories, The Mews, Big Enough, Amounting to Something, I Am

Science Fiction Fan

Sound of Chartreuse, Rooster’s Dawn, No Others Like Us, Dragonfly, ReMemories, NetWorld, Xylo and Apia, Snake Oil Revival, A Decorative Folly of Vocal Joy, The Mews, Big Enough, Amounting to Something, I Am

Fantasy Fan

Snake Oil Revival, Xylo and Apia, A Decorative Folly of Vocal Joy, The Mews, Dragonfly, ReMemories, Sound of Chartreuse, Rooster’s Dawn, No Others Like Us, NetWorld, Big Enough, Amounting to Something, I Am

Shortest to Longest

Amounting to Something, I Am, A Decorative Folly of Vocal Joy, Big Enough, No Others Like Us, ReMemories, Snake Oil Revival, The Mews, Rooster’s Dawn, Xylo and Apia, Sound of Chartreuse, NetWorld, Dragonfly

Happiest to Saddest (subjective)

I Am, Big Enough, Rooster’s Dawn, Amounting to Something, Xylo and Apia, Dragonfly, Snake Oil Revival, A Decorative Folly of Vocal Joy, No Others Like Us, ReMemories, Sound of Chartreuse, NetWorld, The Mews

Mix it Up

Read in order

Rooster’s Dawn

Science fiction, far future

A clink of the clawhook and soft thud of the bumpers alert me even before X3GG-2a-05 says, We have arrived at the programed destination. I’d been recharging in anticipation of being off ship for a while.

The advisor who had helped me through the emancipation process recommended a vacation, so Festoon, a free port amusement station is my first stop.

After the docking check, put everything into stasis, I tell the ship AI. I’m not sure how long I will be here.

On the colony ship where I was created, and that had always been my home before now, the AI was easy to converse with. On this, my new little ship, the AI and I have yet to establish a relationship. So this first journey was a bit challenging. I think it might help if I could give Serial #X3GG-2a-05 a proper name, but I am unsure how to do this or if it is appropriate.

Being on my own is new. I am in an adjustment period. For instance, I’m ready to leave the ship now, but there’s hesitancy within me that I do not understand.

I walk down the ramp onto the dockway and smile at the unexpected barrage of colorful visual advertisements for attractions. The corridor fans out to all the adjacent docking stations at this end, but straightens into a wide passageway with parallel walls filled with more ads. A smattering of humans and other entities walk in both directions. I am ignored by all.

Festoon Station asks to make a connection and I allow it.

Welcome to Festoon. I am Mary, your guide. I am available at all times to answer any queries you might have, to offer assistance and, if you like, suggestions for which activities might best make your stay here a happy one.

Mary has a pleasant voice and I respond with a smile, but I don’t know how this works. I stand still. Newly arrived entities pass by as I forget to move.

If you would like to ask a question, just say/think ‘Mary’ and I will start listening.

Mary, I think, without a question in mind.

After three seconds, I hear, Did you have a question?

No. But could you continue to listen in case I think of something?

Certainly. Are you by yourself?

Yes.

Some people travel in groups. They rarely want me listening in.

I have been alone and would appreciate having someone to talk to or...to just be with me. Is this outside your parameters?

Not at all. I will stay with you as you enjoy Festoon. Do you know what attraction you would like to experience first?

What do you recommend? This is my first off-ship experience.

If it isn’t too personal a question, are you a newly freed entity?

Yes.

Congratulations. Festoon has been receiving visitors who share your status. I have been authorized to give you credit for one free attraction in recognition of your many services over your lifetime.

Oh. Thank you. I have plenty, though.

As I said, it’s our way of welcoming you. May I suggest the zoo first?

Animals!

It is a small collection, but it is likely that you have never seen these specimens in the flesh, as they say.

Odd expression, no?

I have always thought so. Are you interested?

Definitely. A map with the route appears highlighted in bright blue. Thank you.

Please enjoy.

I begin walking. Mary, have you spoken with any other emancipated androids about their experience of being freed?

No, but I welcome hearing about it. How is it for you so far?

"I must adjust to many changes. The Entity Emancipation Advisor warned me that free will can bring on the habit of worrying, such as looking ahead and hoping to know what will happen next, when that is never possible for any entity. Also, that freed androids may obsess about how human beings would do things. She suggested I remain aware of this possibility and choose whether or not that is a model I should—or want to—follow."

How interesting. Do you find this to be true?

I do. For example, I am resistant and unpleasantly concerned about my time here, even though it is supposed to be a relaxing, fun time for me. A vacation that I have been told I earned.

I will do my best to help you.

Inside the wide gateway of the zoo, I use my cred reader for the first time. It was installed as part of my emancipation package.

Canines come first. I have seen dogs before, but am amazed at the variety. They allow me to touch one of them—a fairly large black one with very curly fur called a poodle. I cannot fathom the sensation of soft, but this experience almost makes me believe I can. Even better, the animal seems to enjoy the connection. On the other hand, the beautiful felines in the next enclosure seem out of sorts. One fixes me with a long stare and the other won’t look at me at all in spite of the—what I consider—charming noises I make. The graceful deercats that follow are about the same size as the felines, but with smooth, short, spotted fur in shades of brown, and having spindly legs.

Water creatures are next. There are a dozen or so drellinds with antenna-like noses and amazing color variety. I see three ancient turtles and one large octopus—very oozy-looking. The jelly fish stop my forward motion. So many kinds! They are displayed in a large floor-to-ceiling transparent tube of water lit from within, which shows their whole floating length and their movement that looks like breathing.

Mary says, Are you still there?

Yes. I am mesmerized by these invertebrates. Have I been looking at them too long?

There is no problem. Mary’s voice is smooth and pleasingly layered. Stay as long as you like. Festoon attractions never close. I have two issues I want to mention, however. One, you neglected to pay your docking fee. These fees are not under my purview, but I noticed a blinking light at your slip while scanning for other arrivals. Two, if your time is limited, I remind you that there is much to see.

Oh, thank you. I will take care of that. Afterward, where should I go?

Are you interested in rides?

I believe human entities may get more...sensation from such things than I would.

How about the midway? There are games with resultant prizes for playing them well.

Prizes?

Yes. Toys. Useless but fun items.

I don't believe I have a use for something with no use.

There is no laugh, because that is a human thing, but Mary’s voice lifts a little when replying to my joke. No. No one does, but that might be the point.

Okay, I say, pleased to have made that voice lilt. I will try it.

I walk toward the exit of the zoo.

You must try some Byways Emulation & Simulation Tours. We call them BESTs. There are two hundred and sixty-seven.

Ah yes. The reproductions of locales from various planets, right?

I stop abruptly and turn toward the most raucous noise I have ever heard come from an animal.

That is correct, Mary answers. There are many from Earth: China, England, Egypt, Australia and The Old West to name a few.

I will head to that area next. But first, what do you know about chickens?

Just checking my DB. Do you, if you don’t mind my asking, have access to an extensive database of information?

No. I have only essential memory and local feed access while active outside the ship. I was created on a ship with a massive AI that was always available, so never needed more.

I understand your limitations. While I have an extensive database, it is heavily weighted toward what I need to tell our visitors about. Like chickens. May I view what you are looking at?

Please. Every 6.35 seconds, give or take, it seems to...erupt.

It is a rooster, a male chicken. They are from Earth but have populated many planets since. They are used as food. The females produce eggs which are considered highly edible by humans.

Yuck. Thank you. Am I keeping you from other duties?

Not at all. This is what I do. If I may…the rooster’s vocal eruption is called a ‘crow,’ which is a bit confusing because a crow is also an Earth bird with no relation to the chicken. Also, FYI, ‘crowing’ is sometimes done by humans when they are proud of themselves. On Earth, roosters were used as a morning wake-up call since they had the habit of crowing with the sunrise.

Oh my, this one is confused about that at the moment.

Mary sends me a photo of a crow.

The shape is a little different, but it is similar, I say. Both are black. The rooster is oddly beautiful. His feathers...gleam.

I start back toward the dockway. The crowded passageways don’t bother me, as I lived on an overpopulated ship all my existence. I am jostled as I make my way through groups. They seem to be mostly humans, though one can’t always tell. It will take some of my allotted memory, but I activate a wave band that will alert me to which entities have digital capabilities.

A non-digital human reaches out and grabs me.

What the blazes is wrong with you, you broken-down old bot? I do not resist his tug on my arm. Well?

Look at it, another one says. There are bits of its insides showing.

Are you hearing us!? the first one shouts.

I hear you, yes. This is who I am and how I look. I function well. Please release my arm.

He does, but with a shove. It’s not that violent and I have no trouble staying on my feet, which emit a minor magnetic attachment to the surface of the station. But it isn’t pleasant.

Mary.

I am so sorry that you have encountered distress on Festoon. I alerted security.

Three short, jaunty robots in painted metallic red, gold, and blue uniforms walk up and stand in a half circle around the humans. They look like toys—harmless and fun. Hopefully, they are useful.

Mary says, The guests are likely intoxicated. It is a common practice for humans who are having fun, but it can change their behavior in unpleasant ways. Our apologies.

I turn to leave, but the one who grabbed me does so again.

Security doesn’t react.

Look at this heap of junk! How is he even walking around?

One of the security team says, Keep your hands to yourself at all times. Festoon is designed so that every entity will have a good and safe time.

But look at this! the human says, dragging my arm toward them.

Please release the entity you are touching. This behavior is not conducive to having a good, worry-free experience in Festoon.

He does, but with a more aggressive shove that causes my arm to twist in front so that my torso follows the unexpected momentum before my feet can react. I avoid falling, soon regain my balance, and walk quickly away.

Eventually, I sit and watch the crowds, recovering.

Before being freed, the ship tech team refurbished and upgraded me, but my shell was not renewed and I suppose it is showing age. It doesn’t affect my functioning. I did not know that it would be troubling to others.

Mary.

I am here. Are you all right?

Yes.

That was not pleasant. I am sorry.

Yes. Thank you for your help.

It is my pleasure. To offset the unpleasant experience you have had, Festoon offers this small consolation.

There is a deposit of creds.

I get up and walk, unhappy about being given creds because some humans do not know how to have fun and have disrupted mine. But I don’t know why I don’t like it. I must figure it out.

Mary says, If I may, I would like to—

Please stop listening now. I will say your name when I need your services.

This isn’t rude. Mary won’t miss my company. While Mary is way more than a scripted program like the security robots, she is programmed to make it seem friendly and personal. But all this, all of Festoon, is no more than a profitable business, not the happy place that everyone is pretending it to be.

This is my period of adjustment and I realize now that this trip is not only a diversion, but a learning experience for whatever I decide to do in the worlds. I must practice standing on my own even while everything fills me with unpleasant doubts.

I find myself in the games area. People throw small balls or other objects at a variety of targets, usually missing. Others shoot pretend lasers in an effort to eliminate enemy positions. Some pilot pretend space craft in large, grav-lite