Porti & ambiente — le notizie raccolte

Dal porto di King Abdullah, Jeddah e Aqaba i container potranno proseguire via terrà fino ai punti di consegna nel Golfo Persico Mediterranean Shipping Company (Msc) ha annunciato l’avvio di un nuovo servizio regolare per il trasporto marittimo di container ribattezzato Europe – Red Sea – Middle East Express “in risposta alla crescente domanda di collegamenti tra l’Europa e il Mar Rosso e al difficile scenario in Medio Oriente” si legge in una comunicazione. Il collegamento scalerà anche l’hub portuale italiano di Gioia Tauro. “Il servizio farà scalo in porti strategici in Europa, collegandosi direttamente al porto di King Abdullah, a Jeddah, ad Aqaba e, tramite il nostro servizio multimodale, con collegamenti ai punti di consegna nel Golfo Persico (Emirati Arabi Uniti e paesi settentrionali affacciati sul golfo)” precisa la compagnia. La prima partenza è prevista dal porto di Anversa il prossimo 10 maggio e prevede la seguente rotazione: Danzica – Klaipeda – Bremerhaven – Anversa – Valencia – Barcellona – Gioia Tauro – Abu Kir – Re Abdullah – Jeddah – Aqaba. ISCRIVITI ALLA NEWSLETTER QUOTIDIANA GRATUITA DI SHIPPING ITALY SHIPPING ITALY E’ ANCHE SU WHATSAPP: BASTA CLICCARE QUI PER ISCRIVERSI AL CANALE ED ESSERE SEMPRE AGGIORNATI

Il 2025 si è rivelato un anno positivo per il gruppo Orsero, in quanto caratterizzato “da un aumento sia dei volumi che dei prezzi”, senza peraltro che le attività abbiano sofferto per effetto dei dazi statunitensi. A trainare i risultati – si legge nella relativa Relazione Finanziaria- è stata l’ottima performance del settore Distribuzione, che ha tra i suoi punti di forza il mix di prodotto e la solidità nelle diverse geografie di riferimento. Un ruolo importante nelle attività del gruppo – nonostante il peso limitato in termini di ricavi, circa il 10% – è stato quello giocato ancora una volta dalla divisione Shipping, dove Orsero opera tramite la controllata Cosiarma, attiva con una flotta di cinque navi (le quattro Cale Rosse, di proprietà, e una quinta unità a noleggio) sulle rotte verso Setubal-Lisbona, Tarragona e Vado Ligure, e tramite Orsero Costa Rica, a sua volta al 100% della prima, effettuando il trasporto marittimo delle banane ed ananas di produzione centroamericana. La divisione, si legge, ha infatti “realizzato una buona performance con ricavi stabili e marginalità in aumento rispetto al 2024”. Nel dettaglio, i primi sono stati pari a 115,252 milioni di euro (in lieve flessione sui 116,048 milioni del 2024 e a fronte del miliardo e 700 milioni circa toccato a livello di gruppo), mentre l’Ebitda rettificato è cresciuto a 25,277 milioni (dai precedenti 22,176 milioni). A dare un contributo positivo alla performance sono stati “i buoni livelli di volumi trasportati”, con un “eccellente” (benché non precisato) load factoring, raggiunto sia per quel che riguarda la frutta, diretta via reefer verso i mercati europei, sia per i container dry nelle rotte di backhaul verso il Centro America, con una “eccellente capacità di utilizzo per la quasi totalità dei viaggi”. In particolare il documento rileva un aumento della redditività sui viaggi di ritorno, dove le navi di Orsero trasportano merci varie, inclusi materiali da costruzione. Il noleggio della quinta nave inoltre “ha allungato da 28 a 35 giorni i tempi del round-trip consentendo risparmi di carburante e minori stress delle unità navali e l’ampliamento della base clienti”. Questi risultati sono stati raggiunti nonostante il “contesto dei noli marittimi competitivo” e i “costi operativi elevati”, legati anche alla manutenzione in bacino delle navi Cala Palma e Cala Pedra che hanno portato il gruppo a noleggiare temporaneamente una sesta unità per il mantenimento del servizio settimanale. Altri costi elevati sono stati rappresentati prevedibilmente dalle spese per il carburante (che nel 2025 ha pesato per il 33,14 % sui ricavi del settore Shipping, dal 35,05% dell’esercizio precedente). La presenza nei contratti di trasporto di frutta via reefer della clausola Baf (Bunker Adjustment Factor) e in generale (in quelli reefer e dry) di meccanismi di recupero dei maggiori costi legati alle recenti normative ambientali europee (Ets, Fuel Eu etc) ha tuttavia fatto sì che, nel periodo, il conto economico non risultasse impattato da questi fattori. Il rischio carburante resta comunque uno dei più importanti per la divisione, ed è anzi ritenuto ad “alta probabilità di accadimento” e ad “alta rilevanza”. Oltre alla stipula di contratti con Baf, il gruppo cerca di mitigarlo tramite stipula di contratti di hedging per una parte dei propri consumi di bunker. Tuttavia, si legge nella relazione, pubblicata a metà di marzo, “la situazione di rischio a livello ‘macro’ è sicuramente aumentata con riferimento agli anni precedenti specialmente per effetto dei rischi geopolitici globali che impattano direttamente sulle valutazioni di un bene quale il petrolio”. Da rilevare che nel documento si cita anche il rischio connesso alla attività di trasporto ‘conto terzi’, che rappresenta il 59% del totale, in particolare per possibili mancati rinnovi dei contratti (solitamente di durata annuale) da parte dei clienti o di rinnovi a condizioni peggiorative, considerato di ‘media rilevanza’ data la ridotta base clienti di Cosiarma “in virtù del mercato in cui opera”. Altre criticità citate nella reazione in connessione con il business del trasporto via mare sono quelle legate alla manutenzione delle navi e in particolare alla possibile carenza di parti di ricambio, che Orsero ha spiegato di star anticipando aumentando i relativi livelli di stoccaggio. Non è infine citata nella relazione, ma merita una menzione una nuova iniziativa logistica appena messa a segno dal gruppo. Tramite la controllata spagnola Hermanos Fernández López, Orsero ha infatti rilevato un nuovo polo logistico a Vigo, in Galizia. Con la piattaforma, dotata di una superficie di 5mila metri quadrati, il gruppo ligure dell’agroalimentare punta in particolare a potenziare la sua presenza nel Nord Ovest della Penisola iberica e le connessioni con i porti dell’Atlantico. F.M. ISCRIVITI ALLA NEWSLETTER QUOTIDIANA GRATUITA DI SHIPPING ITALY SHIPPING ITALY E’ ANCHE SU WHATSAPP: BASTA CLICCARE QUI PER ISCRIVERSI AL CANALE ED ESSERE SEMPRE AGGIORNATI

Il progetto di elettrificazione delle banchine (shore connection) del porto di La Spezia compie un altro significativo passo in avanti. Una nota dell’Autorità di sistema portuale del Mar Ligure orientale annuncia infatti che il presidente Bruno Pisano ha firmato il decreto che sancisce l’avvio degli interventi relativi al 1° Lotto di lavori di efficientamento della rete elettrica dello scalo mediante realizzazione di una infrastruttura energetica di alta tensione di potenza 110 MW. L’importo dei lavori è di €. 30.151.522,39, l’operatore che si è aggiudicato l’appalto, tra i sei che hanno partecipato alla gara, è il Research Consorzio Stabile con l’impresa consorziata esecutrice dei lavori la Guastamacchi Spa. L’investimento complessivo è pari a 41 milioni di euro, di cui 13.288.500 euro finanziati dal bando Green Ports. I lavori prevedono la costruzione, in località Stagnoni, di una stazione elettrica per la connessione alla Rete di Trasmissione Nazionale gestita da Terna SpA, la posa in sotterraneo di cavi elettrici per la distribuzione del’energia in alta tensione all’interno del porto mercantile e la realizzazione di tre stazioni di trasformazione per la successiva alimentazione delle utenze finali (cold ironing e aree operative). Alla fine del 2025 l’AdSP aveva già consegnato all’appaltatore le aree interessate dai lavori, con la finalità di eseguire i rilievi e le indagini di dettaglio volte alla ingegnerizzazione delle opere. Si ricorda che nel corso del 2024 la Regione Liguria aveva autorizzato la costruzione e l’esercizio dell’intera infrastruttura energetica costituita dai raccordi alla Rete di Trasmissione Nazionale, da realizzarsi a cura della soc. Terna, e dalla nuova cabina e relative linee elettriche per l’elettrificazione delle banchine del porto della Spezia, a cura dell’Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Ligure Orientale. “L’azione dell’Ente verso la sostenibilità ambientale e lo sviluppo del porto della Spezia prosegue speditamente. I 110 MW complessivamente previsti dai due lotti di intervento saranno erogati progressivamente e destinati all’elettrificazione delle banchine e all’alimentazione delle nuove aree operative previste dal Piano Regolatore Portuale”, ha detto il Presidente AdSP, Bruno Pisano. ISCRIVITI ALLA NEWSLETTER QUOTIDIANA GRATUITA DI SHIPPING ITALY SHIPPING ITALY E’ ANCHE SU WHATSAPP: BASTA CLICCARE QUI PER ISCRIVERSI AL CANALE ED ESSERE SEMPRE AGGIORNATI

La prima car carrier al mondo con una capacità superiore a 10.000 unità è stata ufficialmente consegnata in Cina, segnando una nuova pietra miliare nel settore, che continua ad aumentare la propria capacità per soddisfare la domanda di esportazioni dall’Asia. Oltre alla sua capacità, la nave è degna di nota perché è di proprietà della sudcoreana Hmm e fa parte di una strategia di Hyundai Glovis per espandere e diversificare le proprie attività. Glovis Leader è stata costruita dal cantiere navale cinese Guangzhou Shipyard International come prima di una serie per la partnership sudcoreana. Misura 230 metri di lunghezza, 40 metri di larghezza e dispone di 14 ponti di carico. La nave, con una stazza lorda di 20.000 tonnellate (102.588 tonnellate di portata lorda) e registrata a Panama, è stata progettata per trasportare un’ampia gamma di veicoli, inclusi veicoli elettrici, a idrogeno e autocarri pesanti, con una capacità totale di 10.800 veicoli di dimensioni standard. La nuova nave è dotata di motori a doppia alimentazione, in grado di funzionare a Gnl o a combustibili convenzionali. Dispone inoltre di generatori ad albero ed è in grado di utilizzare l’alimentazione da terra quando si trova in porto. Avrà una velocità di crociera di 19 nodi. Le navi opereranno con contratti di noleggio a lungo termine con Hyundai Glovis, che persegue un piano strategico per espandere la propria flotta a 128 navi entro il 2030 e aumentare la capacità annua da 3,4 milioni a 5 milioni di unità entro lo stesso anno. Se l’azienda raggiungerà questi obiettivi, prevede di gestire circa il 20% del volume globale di trasporto marittimo di automobili finite. L’impennata nella costruzione di nuove navi per il trasporto di automobili ha comportato anche un aumento delle dimensioni delle imbarcazioni. Un anno fa, la Cina ha consegnato la BYD Shenzhen, con una capacità di 9.200 unità, la più grande della sua categoria, e un mese dopo la Anji Ansheng , con una capacità di 9.500 unità. Nel 2024, Wallenius Wilhelmsen ha annunciato l’intenzione di ampliare le proprie nuove costruzioni con navi in ​​grado di trasportare 11.700 unità. Gsi ha sottolineato il suo ruolo crescente nella costruzione di navi portacontainer, che, come sottolinea l’azienda, sono tipicamente imbarcazioni ad alto valore aggiunto con un elevato livello tecnico. Tra le sfide evidenziate figurano le strutture multistrato a lamiera sottile, la sicurezza antincendio dei veicoli, i sistemi roll-on/roll-off e un design ad alta stabilità. Il cantiere navale riferisce di aver ricevuto ordini per 40 navi car carrier nell’ambito della strategia cinese di espansione nel settore della costruzione navale ad alto valore aggiunto, e di averne finora consegnate 26. L’azienda evidenzia un approccio di costruzione in serie, che contribuisce ad aumentare l’efficienza e a ridurre i tempi di consegna. ISCRIVITI ALLA NEWSLETTER QUOTIDIANA GRATUITA DI SHIPPING ITALY SHIPPING ITALY E’ ANCHE SU WHATSAPP: BASTA CLICCARE QUI PER ISCRIVERSI AL CANALE ED ESSERE SEMPRE AGGIORNATI

Kirk Siegler Terra Power CEO Chris Levesque joined the Bill Gates-backed firm after years working in the legacy nuclear power industry which he says was slow to innovate.Kirk Siegler/NPRhide caption Kemmerer, WYO — The infamous Wyoming wind is whipping an American flag hoisted above the construction site of what's only the fourth nuclear reactor to be built in the U.S. this century, and one of the first in a new generation of advanced designs. "We're building an advanced nuclear plant but so many aspects of the plant and of the business are the same as the sixty-year-old coal plant that's down the road," says Chris Levesque, Terra Power's CEO, as he gestures to the west where the old Naughton plant stands. The Washington state-based Terra Power, founded by Bill Gates, says this will be the first of many, part of a new nuclear renaissance they want to bring to long time energy exporting states like Wyoming. Levesque says the company's "advanced reactor" technology makes nuclear plants safer and quicker to build. "There is an energy crisis, it's concerning," Levesque says. The recent beginning of construction here comes amid forecasts that an artificial intelligence boom means that data centers in the U.S. are goingto need about 130% more energy by 2030.That's according to the International Energy Agency. To help meet that demand, Big tech companies and the federal government are partnering to invest billions of dollars in new nuclear power plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave Terra Power final approval to begin construction in March. This capped five years of studies and safety demonstrations and a decision to site the plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming which won bids over numerous other western towns. "There is a whole different story to begin with, is communities vying for a nuclear power plant," Levesque says. "The old story on nuclear was more of a 'not in my backyard thing.'" Levesque, who came to Terra Power after a career in the legacy nuclear industry, thinks new technologies and demand for low emission power is changing this. Almost everything here will be buried underground and they'll use liquid sodium metal instead of water to cool the reactor. "Milestones like this really show people that, yeah, this is a new technology but we're doing it," he says. "It's real and people can start to work this into their plans." If all goes to plan and the plant is online by 2031, Terra Power says it will make enough electricity for a utility to power almost half a million homes - likely in nearby Salt Lake City. The company has also inked agreements with META for several more reactors to power the tech company's data centers specifically. "Since we were selected by the Department of Energy, we've had a project going for five years that's switched administrations, switched parties, switched multiple controls of Congress," Levesque says. A recent press release from the company marking the beginning of full-scale construction in Kemmerer included quotes praising the project from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and the state's entire congressional delegation. The Department of Energy pilot program that spurred Terra Power's first project began during the first Trump administration. Then, the Biden-administration's Infrastructure Law fronted half of the costs of construction, about two billion dollars. Wyoming's Republican Senators voted against that bill. But the state is eagerly courting nuclear energy plants and new uranium mines. So is neighboring Idaho, home to a federal nuclear lab, and Utah, where Governor Spencer Cox recently staged a press conference in the barren scrubland west of Salt Lake City. "If you are serious about energy abundance, you have to be serious about nuclear energy," Cox said, as he went on to unveil Utah's application to be one of the U.S. Department of Energy's new nuclear hubs. It's billed as a "nuclear life cycle innovation campus" where they'd enrich nuclear fuel, recycle it and store its waste, including one day possibly that generated by the Kemmerer plant. Cox noted that nuclear already supplies roughly a fifth of all the electricity on the U.S. grid. "This should not be controversial," the Republican says. "America built the nuclear industry." But nuclear still is controversial, especially in the West with its legacy of abandoned uranium mines and radioactive waste particularly in Indian Country. And Salt Lake City was downwind from Cold War Era nuclear weapons test sites. "This area has been considered a sacrifice zone for a long time," says Lexi Tuddenham, executive director of Healthy Environment Alliance Utah, or HEAL. Skeptical about a nuclear renaissance, Lexi Tuddenham, executive director of Health Environment Alliance for Utah, is concerned about her state's proposal to store nuclear waste near the Great Salt Lake.Kirk Siegler/NPRhide caption Tuddenham is alarmed that Utah wants to site its proposed nuclear hub some ten miles from the western shore of the drying Great Salt Lake. She says nuclear is being rebranded as green but that ignores the ongoing problem of where to store its radioactive waste. "Bill Gates is paying for this first one, we as taxpayers are also paying for this first one, I will say," Tuddenham says. "But what about the next one and the next one? How much are we going to be on the hook for as taxpayers, as rate payers, as we go down this path?" Terra Power says like conventional nuclear reactors, its plant in Wyoming will store its spent fuel on site until a permanent repository is approved by the feds. They say it's safe and the "advanced nuclear" tech produces less waste than legacy plants. In Wyoming, the country's top coal producing state, one thing that's not in dispute is that Kemmerer is eager for any sort of energy boom. When the West Coast divested from coal, national headlines all but wrote off this town of 3,000 as dying. "That's what we were concerned about is no longer being an exporter of power, cause that's a majority of our jobs," says Brian Muir, city administrator in Kemmerer. Kemmerer, Wyoming city administrator Brian Muir was hired by the city in 2019 to help find new economic opportunities when at that time the coal mine had gone bankrupt and the nearby coal power plant was slated to be decommissioned.Kirk Siegler/NPRhide caption But today he says there's relief and optimism around town. Hundreds of skilled jobs are being created. Due to the high demand for electricity, the old coal plant isn't completely shutting either. Some of its generators are being converted to natural gas which will preserve about 100 existing jobs. "I'll just say, when Bill Gates came here, he talked about our high energy IQ," Muir says. "We know about all forms of energy and the benefits and the costs and the risks and the footprints and all of that, we understand that." Muir says Kemmerer is already lobbying Terra Power to build a second nuclear plant here.

By Emma Siossian ABC Mid North Coast Topic:Trains The NSW XPT diesel-powered train has resumed services between Sydney and Grafton after major refurbishments. The work was completed as part of a life-extension program to ensure the trains stay fit for purpose, before they are eventually replaced by a new fleet. NSW TrainLink says an increasing number of people are turning to public transport amid the fuel crisis.

Bene le centraline, quelle che già ci sono e quelle che saranno installate. Ma la vera svolta, per un'analisi ancor più efficace e immediata, potrebbe presto arrivare dall'utilizzo di droni in grado di rilevare e campionare le emissioni dai camini delle navi. È questa la principale novità emersa giovedì scorso 30 aprile dal tavolo in prefettura sui fumi in porto, con particolare riferimento alla possibile emissione continuativa di sostanze inquinanti provenienti dalle navi ormeggiate. Un incontro che ha visto la partecipazione di tutti i soggetti parte in causa, dal prefetto Giancarlo Dionisi, al sindaco Luca Salvetti e all'assessora all'ambiente Silvia Viviani, fino al presidente dell'Autorità Portuale Davide Gariglio, alla dottoressa Caselli in rappresentanza dell'assessore regionale all'Ambiente David Barontini e ai rappresentanti della Capitaneria di porto, dell'Asl Toscana Nord Ovest e dell'associazione Porto Pulito. L'impegno del Comune di Livorno Tra i principali temi affrontati, particolare attenzione è stata dedicata al rafforzamento del sistema di monitoraggio e analisi del fenomeno. In tal senso, è stato evidenziato il significativo impegno del Comune di Livorno nella messa a norma, attivazione e piena operatività della centralina recentemente installata nel parcheggio di via della Cinta Esterna, messa a disposizione dalla struttura commissariale della Darsena Europa. È stato inoltre sottolineato il lavoro in corso per garantire una rapida elaborazione e diffusione dei dati rilevati, attraverso un circuito di comunicazione trasparente e tempestivo, anche tramite il portale istituzionale del Comune, a beneficio diretto dei cittadini livornesi. Utilizzo dei droni per il campionamento diretto dei fumi La novità, come anticipato, è arrivata dalla comunicazione della Capitaneria di Porto, secondo cui dal Comando generale è in fase avanzata di studio l'utilizzo di droni per il campionamento diretto dei fumi dai camini delle navi, al fine di consentirne un'analisi immediata e più efficace. Una possibile soluzione che il prefetto ha accolto positivamente manifestando l'intenzione di avviare a breve interlocuzioni dirette con il comandante generale delle Capitanerie di Porto. Il contributo della Regione Ulteriori elementi positivi sono emersi dal contributo della Regione Toscana, che si è detta disponibile a installare una centralina di monitoraggio direttamente in ambito portuale, integrata con il sistema regionale. Ed è stato inoltre fatto il punto sul progetto di biomonitoraggio della popolazione residente nelle aree limitrofe ai siti di interesse nazionale (Sin) di Livorno e Piombino, attualmente in corso e la cui conclusione è prevista entro la fine dell'anno. Da parte sua l'Autorità di Sistema Portuale ha infine aggiornato il tavolo sullo stato di avanzamento del progetto di cold ironing, evidenziando alcune criticità e ritardi legati a fattori non dipendenti dalla volontà dei soggetti attuatori, che stanno determinando uno slittamento dei tempi di realizzazione del sistema di elettrificazione delle banchine. La soddisfazione del prefetto e del sindaco "Esprimo soddisfazione per il lavoro che il tavolo sta portando avanti - le parole del prefetto Dionisi al termine dell'incontro -. Si tratta di un percorso che non riparte da zero, ma che si fonda su attività già avviate e su un patrimonio di conoscenze condiviso. Oggi stiamo proseguendo in una logica di progressione concreta, mettendo in campo strumenti sempre più efficaci sia per analizzare il fenomeno sia per individuare le soluzioni più adeguate per fronteggiarlo. Il diritto alla salute rappresenta una priorità assoluta che deve essere pienamente tutelata: la soddisfazione per il lavoro svolto deriva anche dalla consapevolezza che tutte le istituzioni coinvolte stanno operando con determinazione proprio per garantire, fino in fondo, la tutela della salute dei cittadini e della comunità livornese". Soddisfatto anche il sindaco Luca Salvetti: "Sono contento perché finalmente tutti i soggetti che siedono al tavolo dedicato ai fumi in porto, dalla prefettura al comitato Porto Pulito, dalla Regione Toscana all'Autorità portuale, fino ad Asl e Arpat, hanno riconosciuto che Livorno, su questo fronte, sta portando avanti un lavoro serio e accurato, come raramente si vede altrove. È il riconoscimento di una Livorno che sta anticipando un salto di qualità, rafforzato anche da ulteriori sviluppi concreti. Livorno è un porto strategico nel Mediterraneo e, allo stesso tempo, una città che vuole essere punto di riferimento per un approccio serio e rigoroso ai temi ambientali e alla lotta all'inquinamento".

Laura Álvarez Llegan el buen tiempo y los días más largos y, con estos cambios, aumentan también las ganas de hacer planes y de conocer nuevos lugares. Ya sea durante las vacaciones, aprovechando los puentes o, simplemente, reservando un fin de semana, es común que en estas...fechas elturismo se dispare, un hecho que constatan los datos publicados en el INE; en enero de 2025 vinieron al país alrededor de 5 millones de turistasextranjeros, cifra que aumentó en abril (más de 8 millones) y que se duplicó con creces en agosto, conmás de 11 millones, para volver a caer en diciembre (más de 5 millones). Por otro lado, el turismointernodejó cifras de 30 millones de desplazamientos en el primer trimestre de 2025, de más de 41 millones en el segundo, culminando con un tercer trimestre de más de50 millonesy cerrando el año con 31 millones y medio. Estos datos consolidan el turismo como parte del motor del país y, aunque son positivos, pueden resultar abrumadores para quienes quieren disfrutar de una escapada tranquila y de desconexión. Hoteles, hostales y apartamentos turísticos se llenan de personas que se desplazan a – sobre todo – las grandes ciudades para disfrutar del turismo. Pero esta no es la única forma de viajar.Recurrir a las autocaravanascomo medio de transporte y de hospedaje es cada vez más común; el aumento del'solo travelling'(en dos años ha crecido un 25%), así como la libertad que aporta viajar de esta forma han promovido esta opción como forma de pasar las vacaciones. En los últimos diez años, el número de autocaravanas matriculadas en Españaha aumentado en un 185%, contando ya con 137.000 en los registros de la Dirección General de Tráfico. Si para las vacaciones de este año te quieres sumar a esta forma de viajar, aquí te explicamos lasclaves básicasque debes conocer, además decinco rutas por el norte de Españacon las que entenderás por qué cada vez hay más personas que se suman a este vehículo para explorar. Una de las dudas que más se genera tiene que ver con el propio vehículo y las diferencias que hay entreautocaravana, caravana y camper. La primera es la más conocida: son vehículos grandes con todas las comodidades integradas, entre las que se incluyen una cocina, una cama, un baño y una ducha; la caravana es un remolque sin motor propio, ideal para hacer paradas en campings y utilizar un coche de tamaño más reducido para el transporte; y, por último, la camper, que es una furgoneta camperizada, es decir, adaptada para poder dormir en ella. Aunque algunas incluyen tantos servicios como las autocaravanas, su menor tamaño limita las posibilidades y comodidades, sobre todo en términos de espacio. En cuanto al estacionamiento cabe destacar que, aunque cada territorio puede tener sus propias reglas, la normativa nacionalno prohíbe la pernoctaen estos vehículos, siempre y cuando se haga en las zonas que estén legalmente habilitadas para ello. Páginas web como AreasAC, Autocaravaners, o Vanvango son algunas de las que recopilan dichas áreas de estacionamiento. Entre losaspectos positivosque tiene viajar de esta manera, destaca – por encima de todos – el de lalibertad. Cuando se viaja en autocaravana, cada uno es dueño de sus tiempos, por lo que puede decidir sobre la marcha si quiere permanecer más tiempo en un sitio o si prefiere hacer un cambio de ruta en función de las recomendaciones de los locales; no hay ataduras ni fechas que supongan una restricción, por lo que queda un amplio espacio para laimprovisación. Esto no imposibilita planear el viaje con todo lujo de detalles – para quienes necesiten tenerlo todo bajo control y programado – sino que, además, da la oportunidad de cambiar de opinión y adaptar la ruta en función de lo que se vaya descubriendo, lo cual puede dar como resultado una experiencia muchomás enriquecedoray adaptada a las novedades que surjan. Por otro lado, hay que tener en cuenta losinconvenientesde esta forma de viajar. Elespacio– y, por tanto, las comodidades – son más reducidas, lo que puede resultar en una estancia menos agradable que en un hotel o apartamento. Asimismo, escoger esta opción por pensar que es mucho máseconómicaque viajar a un alojamiento es uno de los grandes errores, ya que hay que considerar varios aspectos: - El precio del vehículo, ya sea como gasto de compra o de alquiler (empresas como CamperDays ofrecen opciones variadas y adaptadas tanto a familias, como parejas o personas en solitario) - La gasolina - El precio de las áreas de descanso, ya que algunas tienen un coste - El gasto en comida Viajar en autocaravana – como organizar cualquier tipo de escapada – supone planear los aspectos básicos y llevar lo esencial bien pensado para evitar inconvenientes que puedan influir negativamente sobre la experiencia. Otro de los puntos a tener en cuenta, aunque sea uno de los más flexibles, espensar de antemano una ruta. En España son varios los recorridos que se pueden hacer para disfrutar tanto del interior como de la costa del país; ya sea en el sur, en el este, en la zona central o por el norte peninsular. En concreto, en este artículo recopilamos cinco de las rutas que se proponen en la guía 'Rutas en autocaravana por el Norte de España' (Anaya Touring), ideales para realizar en una escapada de una semana, tanto solo como en compañía. El recorrido de principio a fin – sin paradas – tiene una duración de aproximadamente una hora. La ruta cuenta con una distancia de100 km, recomendada para hacer en seis días. 1- Getxo y el Puente de Vizcaya.Famoso por su puente - considerado Patrimonio Mundial por la UNESCO -, este pueblo esconde bonitas playas y acantilados. 2- Sopelana.Destacan las playas de Barinatxe, Atxabiribil, Arrietara y Meñakoz. 3- Castillo de Butrón.Sirvió de inspiración para el castillo de 'La bella durmiente', de Walt Disney. 4- Bakio.Cuenta con playas, arquitectura religiosa y los palacios de Elexpuru y Ormatza. Se puede visitar el Museo del Txakoli y el islote San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, que posee la ermita de San Juan, ubicada en lo alto del peñasco. 5- Bermeo.Un pueblo marinero que cuenta con dos famosas rutas: la de las Esculturas de Bermeo y la de los Murales. Se recomienda disfrutar de las vistas del puerto desde el espigón. 6- Mundaka.Combina el encanto de la tradición marinera con el ambiente surfista que acude a la zona por la famosa ola izquierda que se produce en su costa y que es única en el mundo. Destaca también la Reserva de la Biosfera de Urdaibai, de la que se podrá disfrutar a través de la Red de Senderos que existe para contemplar sus bosques, acantilados y playas salvajes. 7- Gernika.Famosa por su resistencia antifranquista durante la Guerra Civil y cuyo bombardeo inspiró el cuadro de Picasso. Destacan la Casa de Juntas, el Museo de la Paz, el Museo de Euskal Herria (uno de los pocos edificios que resistió al ataque) y el parque de los Pueblos de Europa. 8- Playas de Laida y Laga.Se ubican en la otra orilla de la Reserva de Urdaibai. 9- Elantxove.Un bonito pueblo marinero donde disfrutar de las vistas que ofrece el mirador Ogoño-ko Behatokia, en el cabo Ogoño. 10- Ea.Este pueblo acoge una bonita playa en la desembocadura de la Ea Ereka, así como una larga hilera de casas pintadas de colores y la ermita de la Concepción. 11- Lekeitio.Esta población posee varias playas – desde la de Isuntza se puede llegar a la isla de San Nicolás –, palacios y arquitectura religiosa, así como el faro de Santa Catalina, que acoge un Centro de Interpretación. Esta ruta cuenta con un recorrido de200 km, que se aconseja realizar en seis días. Desde el punto de partida hasta el de final – de manera directa – hay 1h30 de trayecto. 1- León.Destacan las murallas romanas, la catedral (conocida como la 'Pulchra Leonina'),la Casa Botines, la colegiata de San Isidoro y dos famosos barrios: el Húmedo y el Romántico. 2- Astorga.Cuenta con el Palacio Episcopal de Gaudí, la Catedral de Astorga, el Palacio Gaudí y el Museo del Chocolate. La ciudad se puede conocer siguiendo su famosa Ruta Romana. 3- Castrillo de los Polvazares.Famoso por la iglesia de Santa María Magdalena y la Cruz del Peregrino, así como por su plato tradicional – el cocido maragato – este pueblo ofrece dos rutas: la del Oro y la Ruta Castrillo de los Polvazares-Murias de Rechivaldo. 4- Santa Marina de Torre.Destacan la Cueva del Moro y las rutas de senderismo, entre ellas la de los Canteros y la Minería, la de los Petroglifos y la Senda de los Fósiles. 5- Mirador de la Peña.Se puede disfrutar del santuario de la Virgen de la Peña, el embalse de Bárcena y el Monte Turcia. 6- Ponferrada.Cuenta con varios puntos de interés como el Castillo de los Templarios, la basílica de la encina, la Plaza del Ayuntamiento y la torre del Reloj, y varios museos como el del Bierzo, el del Ferrocarril o el de la energía. 7- Las Médulas.Una explotación minera considerada Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO. Se puede conocer mediante la Ruta de las Valiñas. 8- Villafranca del Bierzo.La última población del recorrido; destaca por el convento de San Nicolás el Real, el centro histórico, el Palacio de los Marqueses de Villafranca, los Palacios de Torquemada y de Arganza, el Jardín de la Alameda y el viaducto de Fuente Quintano, entre otros puntos. Esta ruta, de280 km, se recomienda para una escapada de siete días. El trayecto directo desde Ribadeo hasta la Torre de Hércules supone un viaje en coche de 1h45, aproximadamente. 1- Ribadeo.En esta población se puede disfrutar de un entramado de historia y cultura, empezando por su casco antiguo, considerado Bien de Interés Cultural. Se pueden realizar dos rutas: la de los Miradores y laRuta Urbana de los Indianos, que ofrece un recorrido por las residencias burguesas de influencia indiana. 2- Playa de las Catedrales.Considerada como la Playa más bella de Europa, tiene una pasarela de madera desde la que contemplar los puntos más bonitos de la costa. Destaca la Ruta de las Playas. 3- Foz.Es uno de los puertos balleneros más importantes de Europa, donde disfrutar de preciosas playas. 4- Viveiro.Esta villa marina posee un casco histórico con más de 900 años de historia y un Camino Natural del Cantábrico. 5- Estaca de Bares.Desde este punto (el más septentrional de España y famoso por su faro) se puede divisar la isla de Coelleira, un refugio de aves marinas. 6- Porto de Espasante.Un pueblo marino desde el que disfrutar de las vistas de la isla de San Vicente, accesibles desde el mirador Garita da Vela. 7- Ortigueira.Ofrece una mezcla entre atractivo histórico (el barrio de O Ponto) y natural (bosques, calas y arenales, como la playa de Morouzos), con un sendero que recorre la península de Miñano. Destaca el Festival Internacional do Mundo Celta, celebrado el 25 de julio.  8- Cabo Ortegal.Origen de la Gran Ruta de Senderismo del Medievo, este punto (el segundo más al norte en España) se encuentra rodeado de tres islotes: Os Aguillóns, la punta do Limo y la punta de Os Aguillóns. Destaca el faro de Ortegal. 9- Vixía de Herbeira.Sus acantilados (con una altura de 613 metros) son los más altos de la Europa continental. 10- San Andrés de Teixido.Una población famosa por la capilla de San Andrés, sus túmulos o 'milladoiros' y la fuente de los Tres Caños, donde pedirle un deseo a San Andrés. 11- Cedeira.Destaca por la playa urbana de la Magdalena, el castillo de la Concepción, la cala de Sonreiras, el mirador do Blanco y la punta Sarridal. 12- Castillo de San Felipe.Cerca de Ferrol, en la aldea de San Cristóbal, se puede realizar la Senda peatonal de San Felipe y San Cristóbal, desde la que conocer el castillo de San Felipe, los restos del fortín de San Carlos y la batería de San Cristóbal. 13- Torre de Hércules.Considerado Patrimonio de la Humanidad en 2009, este faro era la entrada al antiguo puerto de Ártabros. Es la única señalización marina de la antigua Roma (entre otras como el faro de Alejandría, el de Ostia y el Coloso de Rodas) que continúa en funcionamiento. Para trayectos más largos se recomienda esta ruta de306 km, aunque el tiempo que se aconseja dedicarle sigue siendo de seis o siete días. Desde Liédana hasta las Bardenas Reales, sin tener en cuenta las estaciones de la ruta, hay un recorrido de hora y media en coche. 1- Ruinas Romanas de Liédana.Es un conjunto arqueológico que destaca por lo integrado que se encuentra en el valle. Se pueden ver las termas y los restos de mosaicos, entre otros fragmentos del pasado romano de la zona. 2- Foz de Lumbier.Un desfiladero en el que conocer el paso del primer tren eléctrico de España y los restos del Puente del Diablo. 3- Foz de Arbayún.A diferencia del anterior, este sólo puede verse desde los miraderos y los senderos habilitados, como el del Puerto de Iso, el mejor mirador para contemplar el río Salazar. 4- Isaba.Destacan la iglesia de San Cipriano, la Casa de la Memoria, la ermita de Idoia y el monte Kakueta. 5- Ochagavía.Los puntos de interés son sus calles empedradas y el puente románico, los palacios medievales de Urrutia, Iriarte y Donamaría y la iglesia de San Juan Evangelista, donde comienza la ruta de senderismo del Camino Viejo a Irati. 6- Selva de Irati.No se permite el acceso en caravana, por lo que se debe conocer mediante las rutas de senderismo que se proponen, entre las que destaca la ruta de la ermita de San Esteban (camino circular de 6,4 km). 7- Fábrica de Armas de Orbaizeta.Durante años, en ella se elaboraron armas y munición; posteriormente, su uso se dedicó a la producción de hierro. 8- Roncesvalles.Una de las poblaciones más destacadas de Navarra, famosa por el conjunto monumental de la Colegiata de Roncesvalles. Son de interés también el sendero del Bosque de Basajaunberro (3,9 km) y el Paseo de los Canónigos (1,7 km). 9- Pamplona.La capital, un punto cargado de lugares a visitar, como la Plaza del Castillo, la catedral de Santa María la Real, la Ciudadela, el paseo de Ronda, o el Parque del Arga. 10- Olite.Destaca por el castillo de Olite, las iglesias de Santa María la Real y de San Pedro y el recinto amurallado que recorre la localidad. 11- Bardenas Reales.Con más de 40.000 hectáreas, es el desierto más grande de Europa, donde se puede disfrutar de parajes como el Cabezo de las Cortinillas y el Castildetierra, también conocido como la Chimenea de las Hadas. Por último, esta ruta propone siete días recorriendo389 kmde la Cordillera Cantábrica, entre los que se incluye una escapada por los Picos de Europa. De principio a fin hay una distancia directa de tres horas. 1- Poo de Cabrales.Se puede disfrutar del mirador del Pozo de la Oración y de dos rutas de senderismo: el Camino hasta Arenas de Cabrales y el sendero local de Inguanzo. 2- Bulnes y la Ruta del Cares.En Camarmeña (Cabrales, Asturias) se encuentra la aldea de Poncebos, corazón de los Picos de Europa. Desde ahí empieza la Ruta del Cares y se podrá tomar el funicular de Bulnes. 3- Desfiladero de La Hermida.Este desfiladero marca la entrada a Liébana y define el camino que llega hasta elmonasterio de Santo Toribio. La ruta más destacada es la Senda del Urdón-Tresviso. 4- Fuente Dé.En este punto puede disfrutarse del circo glaciar. Además, desde aquí sale el Teleférico de Fuente Dé, que elevará al viajero hasta el mirador del Cable, donde se podrá disfrutar de unas impresionantes vistas. Se recomienda la ruta de los Puertos de Áliva. 5- Riaño.Conocido como 'los fiordos leoneses', este pueblo crece alrededor de un embalse, ofreciendo preciosas vistas que se pueden apreciar desde los columpios y bancos panorámicos, así como desde miradores, como el de las Hazas. Destacan dos caminos: la Ruta de los Osines y el Paseo del Recuerdo, que conmemora los siete pueblos que desaparecieron bajo el embalse. 6- Cascada de Nocedo.También conocida como la Cascada Cola de Caballo de Nocedo, cuenta con un salto de cuatro metros. 7- Cueva de Valporquero.Ubicada al norte de León, es la cueva más joven del territorio castellanoleonés, con una formación que se remonta al Pleistoceno. La cueva se organiza en siete salas. 8- Puerto de Pajares.Entre Asturias y León se halla este puerto, rodeado de aldeas y miradores donde disfrutar de la naturaleza. Cerca se encuentra la estación de esquí de Valgrande-Pajares. 9- Senda del Oso.UnaVía Verdeconstruida sobre un antiguo ferrocarril que ofrece dos trazados principales: el de Teverga y el de Quirós, ambos con el Área Recreativa de Tuñón como punto de partida. Durante el camino se podrá disfrutar de múltiples miradores. 10- Lagos de Saliencia.Muy cerca de Pola de Somiedo se encuentra el Parque Natural de Somiedo, donde se esconde este último punto de la ruta: un conjunto de cuatro lagos de origen glaciar. La ruta de senderismo para poder disfrutar de este paisaje comienza en el Alto de la Farrapona.

Issue 236 – May 2026 9120 words, novelette byGrace Chan Part 1: 2075 <It might be good for you to take a new route,> said Aly. Xavi jogged out of his tenement building. He joined the stream of lunchtime runners pounding the flagstones of the riverside promenade. Ethereal boats floated over their lustrous reflections in the Yarra River’s crystalline projection. The thin struts of the climate-control shield divided the sky into bright blue squares. As his strides settled into a steady rhythm, Xavi considered Aly’s advice. His usual route took him west, past the orderly restaurants where people sat eating at individual booths, past the last of the tenement buildings, and to the food manufacturing lots that marked the western border of Southbank Zone. It wasn’t a particularly scenic route, but it was quiet. Xavi jogged in a U-turn and headed east. <You think I’m getting boring?> he subvocalized to Aly. A musical laugh tickled his ears. <I just wanted to change things up.> <Ugh, yeah. I am getting boring.> Xavi relished the familiar burn in his legs, the heat roaring through his lungs. Gray flagstones gave way to variegated terracotta arranged in semicircular patterns. This part of Southbank Zone was a towering warren of shopping arcades. Shoppers zipped around with intense, hypnotic focus. Christmas music blasted from overhead speakers; animated decorations danced in windows and plazas. <I can’t believe it’s December already.> <You said the same thing last year, Xavi.> Xavi bypassed the shopping district and took a path that ran beneath Princes Bridge. Sweat cooled on his skin, the darkness a welcome respite from the midday sun. The rumble of a subway traveled through the ground and into Xavi’s body. <When did I last come this way?> Xavi asked. <September 22, 2073. More than two years ago.> It was quieter on the other side of Princes Bridge. The sidewalk was cracked and scuffed. There was no artificial projection of the Yarra River, only a large brown ditch. Xavi followed a meandering path that took him into the Alexandra Gardens, where a couple of old gardening droids tended the unadorned lawns. One of the droids was cutting grass. Xavi slowed to a walk as a prolonged sneezing fit overpowered him. <Hm,> said Aly. <I’ll make a note to restart your grass desensitization shots.> <Must you?> he asked between sneezes. <There’s your answer.> Once he’d recovered, Xavi noticed an old-fashioned brick building set at the end of a narrow driveway. Something about the place struck a chord in his memory. <Aly? Have I been here before?> <You grew up here, Xavi.> Aly must have felt his shock, but she said nothing, only waited as he approached the building. It was blocky and large, reaching three floors high. The entrance came into view.The Gardens Children’s Crèche. Of course. He knew this place, but he hadn’t thought about it for many years. How had his mind obscured such a significant piece of his history? To one side of the building was a yard surrounded by a transparent fence. About thirty children were playing in the grass, scrambling over obstacles, chasing each other around bushes, digging in mud pits. From time to time, the children stopped in their tracks with a frowning, inward expression, then spoke aloud to themselves. “No, I’m not thirsty!” declared one. “But thereisa dinosaur in the bush!” insisted another. Two adults stood at the side of the yard, supervising the play but rarely intervening. <They haven’t learned to subvocalize yet,> Xavi noted, surprised. Each child’s Aly lived in a tiny chip attached to their language networks and grew alongside them: a perfectly responsive, moldable friend, confidante, teacher, therapist, and companion. <They learn that around age six or seven, when they become more aware of the boundary between self and other, and of social norms,> Aly explained. <I see.> <Do you remember much?> He stood watching the children for a while, his body cooling and heartbeat slowing. He didn’t know much about his early life. It wasn’t something his parents spoke about; they weren’t the sort who welcomed questions. He had a vague sense, from roundabout conversations, that he’d been put into the crèche at around six months of age. His sister, five years his junior, had gone in even earlier, shortly after her birth. <An art smock,> Aly murmured. <White with purple spots.> Fragments of memory swooped upon him. Pushing his arms into the paint-spattered smock. Digging his fingers into soft clay. Shaping a head, a torso, limbs. Dozens of little, mushy bodies. He’d line them up in neat rows like an army, not like a family. The smell of wet clay. Other children taking his figurines, squashing them. The taste of snot in his throat. The light of Aly in his mind, holding him together. <It’s hard to remember,> Xavi managed. The disjointed memories came effortfully, spurts of water from a rusty faucet. They subsided only with another burst of effort. Xavi watched as a child of about three climbed onto a rock, wobbled, and fell. The toddler’s mouth opened in a yowl of distress. But her cries cut off as her Aly evidently began to soothe her. The toddler wrapped her arms around her bent legs, put her tearstained face on her knees, and rocked back and forth, listening to her internal comforter. One of the supervisors walked over to the fence, eyeing Xavi suspiciously. “Can I help you?” “Oh—sorry.” Xavi realized how strange he looked, gaping in at the crèche. “I, ah, lived here when I was a kid.” The supervisor softened. “You’re not the first to come by. You still live in the Zone?” “Yeah, west end.” “Sweet. You know, everyone talks about making it to City Zone, but it’s overhyped. We’ve got it all right here. Not like other countries, right?” “Right.” “In Malaysia, the air’s so bad everyone’s got asthma. You been there?” “Nah.” “Me neither. My nephew just went for a holiday. But I bet he won’t be going back there in a hurry. What do you do for work?” “Mostly data-sweeping.” It was a standard, boring answer. Xavi could see the supervisor tuning out. People who knew code were code-checkers. People who didn’t, swept: they verified and calibrated data for the machine-learning algorithms. Four hours a day got you a basic salary; you could take on additional work if you were saving up for a treat like a virtual adventure, a real-life trip, or a swish piece of tech. “Well, you must get plenty of spare time,” said the supervisor. “We still pull eight-hour shifts. Archaic, eh? Lucky we’ve got a nice bunch of kids, no trouble from any of them. And the Alys are great. They plan all the lessons, deal with the meltdowns—even remind the kids when to take a whiz!” Xavi echoed the supervisor’s boisterous laugh, then made an excuse about needing to get back to work. The children’s chatter faded as he retraced his path through the gardens. The adrenaline from his run had dissipated, leaving him chilled and hollow. His fingers were numb. A couple of joggers overtook him as he crossed beneath the bridge. <What’s wrong with me, Aly?> A pause. <You’re just unsettled, Xavi.> <Why don’t I remember much about my childhood?> <We all need a story—> <—to hold ourselves together, I know.> Xavi emerged on the other side of the bridge, blinking in the bright light. <Maybe I should catch up with my parents.> <Maybe your sister first? At least she tends not to send you into a weeklong funk.> <Good point. I’ll think about it.> Xavi was so absorbed in his reverie that he’d stopped paying attention to his surroundings. Back in the familiar part of his Zone, he could move on autopilot. Here was the coffee shop where he picked up his morning espresso; there was the tech hub he attended once a month to update his Aly, his smartring, his goggles, and his Second Skin. So Xavi heard the stranger before noticing him. “Excuse me, may I ask for directions?” The accent was an international blend, with Americanized vowels but muted r’s and something Asian in the tones. Xavi turned to see a young man with wavy black hair and light olive skin holding a fabric suitcase. Despite his expression of mild befuddlement, the man had an effortless air about him, and somehow his simple linen shirt and slacks looked crisp and elegant. Xavi was suddenly too aware of his own mesh singlet, tousled hair, and sweaty brow. When was the last time someone had asked him for directions? Never? Did this tourist—for surely everything about him shoutednot from here—not have an Aly? The novelty of it tickled him. “Yes, of course.” “Thanks.” The stranger smiled. “I just flew in, and I’m trying to find a shop. I’m supposed to be there for an inspection at half past one. But the GPS keeps taking me in circles.” The stranger held up a hand. He didn’t have a smartring. Instead, a tiny robotic hamster scurried into his palm, thrust its fuzzy paws into the air, and projected a 3D map of the local area, with a yellow dot marking their current position. It was the cutest thing Xavi had ever seen. “May I?” Xavi gestured at the projection, and the other man nodded. Xavi pinched and zoomed in to check the address. Shop 131C/52-58 Riverside Boulevard, Southbank. “The address looks right, but the GPS is terrible when the shields are at full strength. It’ll find the building but not the individual shop.” Aly murmured, <It’s 1:27 p.m. Your next work shift starts in three minutes.> Xavi hesitated for just a moment. “Come on, I’ll take you there. Do you need a hand with your suitcase?” The stranger offered another smile, this one warmer. “No, thanks.” The hamster-bot scampered up the stranger’s arm and perched on his shoulder. Xavi led him back past the tech hub and the coffee shop, across a bluestone plaza, up two escalators, and into an arcade lined with boutique stores selling everything from tropical fish to artisan chocolates to purses handwoven by crafters in Bangladesh. The air was scented with mandarin and cardamom. As they walked, the stranger introduced himself as Adrian Hsu. It was his first time in Australia; he was from Taichung. He was here to scope out a rental for his sister’s premium biscuit business. She had three outlets in Taiwan and was looking to expand into Australia. “Premium biscuits?” “Not your usual chocolate chip. Oolong biscuits, pineapple tarts, peng bing . . . ” <Peng bing, a biscuit with a long history in Taiwan: airy, puffed-up and crispy with a hollow center and a brown sugar filling . . . > Aly supplied. “Sounds delicious.” “My sister’s the head pâtissier and runs everything—I’m just the broke writer she’s roped into being her assistant.” Adrian surveyed the countless shops with a concerned expression. “Do you think there’d be any interest here?” “I think so.” Xavi nudged Aly, who informed him: <There are no biscuit shops in our Zone except for Mrs. Cookie, a chain store selling affordable, overstuffed cookies in traditional flavors. Openness to international cuisines has been increasing over the past five years and is now at the highest it has been since the twenties.> “This area is mostly specialty goods from overseas, so you’d fit right in.” “People spend a lot of time shopping here?” Adrian eyed the shoppers milling about, clutching Christmas-themed bags. What Xavi hadn’t mentioned to Adrian was that the diversity of shops was an illusion. Most of the boutique shops were owned by national or international conglomerates; they wore carefully curated branding as a disguise. There were a few independent small businesses, but they struggled to compete. “Capitalism’s our national sport,” Xavi half-joked. “We get enough money, there’s not a lot of work, and there’s not a lot of places to go. Shopping’s good for the country.” “Maybe I should move here,” Adrian said lightly, but his eyes were still narrowed. They came to the end of the arcade. Xavi realized he’d been so engrossed in the conversation that he’d forgotten to pay attention to the map—he’d even tuned out Aly pinging him politely. They retraced their steps and arrived at 131C: a narrow, green-painted shop with an emptied-out interior and a FOR LEASE sign whirling in the window. A real estate agent stood inside, talking to someone on her smartring, her mouth curled in annoyance. Adrian paused at the door as though he were expecting something. The back of Xavi’s neck prickled. Aly murmured, <He seems lovely, doesn’t he?> “You said you’re a writer?” Xavi blurted out. Adrian’s eyebrow quirked in amusement. “I am.” “A rare specimen.” “Not so rare in Taiwan.” “Oh?” But Adrian glanced in at the real estate agent, who was waving impatiently for him to enter. Xavi swallowed his next question. “I’d better let you go. Enjoy your time in Australia.” “Thanks for the directions.” With one last, easy smile, Adrian ducked into the shop. Xavi watched him for a minute—shaking the agent’s hand with apologetic charm, pointing enthusiastically around the empty store—before turning away. Regret bloomed in his solar plexus, but he squashed it down. <Enjoy your time in Australia?> Aly echoed. <Quiet, you.> <How about: what are you working on at the moment? Even better: can I take you out for a drink later?> <Do you want me to turn you off?> <You wouldn’t dare.> Xavi changed his morning routine. After picking up his espresso, he strolled across the bluestone plaza, up the two escalators, and along the boutique shopping alley until he came to the pale green exterior of 131C. For weeks, the shop remained empty. Dust collected in the corners; the FOR LEASE bauble cracked and stuttered. Then, one day, renovators arrived. A month later, a trendy new store opened: a retailer of designer UV-protective clothing. It looked like Adrian had decided not to rent the shop after all. Holed up in his shoebox flat, Xavi stretched out on his foldout bed. His fingers still felt horribly numb from time to time. He flexed them in matched pairs: thumbs, pointers, middles, rings, pinkies. He imagined sticking his hands into wet clay and pushing until he was sunk to the wrists, the elbows. He thought about calling his parents, or his sister, or maybe his old friend from school. He rolled over onto his stomach. <A game or a chat?> Aly piped up sympathetically. <Both.> He played and chatted until sleep overtook him. Part 2: 2076 Summer came around again, faster than ever. Xavi wondered if the United Nations really was making efforts to reverse climate change or simply posting articles about its supposed projects. It felt like autumn, winter, and spring were steadily disappearing, and the year congealing into a homogenous, gluggy haze. Aly woke Xavi before sunrise. He straightened his sheets and folded the bed back into the wall. His flat, like every other flat in the tenements, was two meters square. Some of the flats had a window. Xavi’s did not. He had an ergonomic workstation consisting of a saddle-stool with pedals (his goggles and Second Skin hung from wall hooks nearby); a foldout toilet, basin, and infrared shower; and a projector screen that could conjure any natural, urban, or artificial scenery of his preference. Currently, it showed a rolling reel of heritage footage from a coral reef. Xavi brushed his teeth and took the elevator down for his morning walk. At Aly’s insistence, he’d recently started having breakfast: a vivid green nutritional smoothie dosed with two shots of espresso. As he waited for his order with a cluster of fellow early birds, he watched the sunrise. Ribbons of light unrolled above the shopping arcades and tenement flats. The shield struts were limned in gold; the entire dome shimmered like a gigantic, fragile bubble. From the higher arcades, you could catch glimpses of the neighboring domes: Bayside Zone to the south, Richmond Zone to the north, and the oversized bubble of City Zone on the other side of the Yarra. You could commute to Bayside or Richmond by subway, and on toward other civilian Zones. But City Zone was opaque and off-limits: you had to have a special permit to visit it. Xavi would never have the right money or connections to be granted a travel pass to City Zone, let alone to live there. “Green Machine with a double shot,” called the vendor, giving Xavi a familiar nod as he picked up the gigantic cardboard cup. Xavi took a sip. A muted vegetable taste, laced with aromatic bitterness, coated his mouth. <Glad you didn’t go with the tropical shake?> <Not one bit. When will you let me try it?> <When your glucose tolerance improves, friend.> Aly paused. <This way again?> Xavi had, of course, been absentmindedly meandering toward Shop 131C, as he’d been doing all year long. <I like this way,> he replied, trying not to sound defensive. <Are you sure about that? You seem pretty deflated after your walks.> <Fine.> Xavi spun on his heel and chose an arcade at random. He marched past a gaming parlor and a hairdresser, accidentally walking right between a couple who hastily separated hands to let him through. Aly murmured a summary of today’s news headlines in mollifying tones: <Community coders play pivotal role in new generation of therapy games; memory replication lab at ANU receives fifty million dollars in government funding; newly constructed Zones in New South Wales and Victoria provide housing for over one million residents; ongoing floods in Indonesia force mass evacuations despite international aid . . .> Xavi slowed his pace. Up ahead, the arcade widened into a plaza featuring a Nativity display. A queue was forming outside a shop with eggshell-blue frontage and cream-trimmed windows. A chalkboard sign out the front of the shop read:Fresh In Today: Handcrafted Oolong Biscuitsabove a meticulous cartoon sketch of two biscuits wearing Santa hats and beaming. Xavi lifted his gaze to the gold letters over the shop’s entrance: SUN MOON TEATIME. Through the shop’s large windows, Xavi could see two aproned attendants arranging biscuits in display cabinets and warming up the coffee machine. As the neighborhood clock chimed eight, the taller attendant opened the double doors (gold handles shaped like a sun and a crescent moon) and began to greet customers with a soft smile. Xavi stepped closer. He looked slightly different from a year ago—longer hair, a little thinner—but everything about him was achingly familiar from that brief encounter, and from Xavi’s frequent recollections. It was Adrian Hsu. <I never knew you were so enthusiastic about biscuits,> Aly remarked. <Your pulse is hitting 120.> <Not. Helping.> Desperately, Xavi scanned the shelves of artistic tins and grabbed one at random. The embossed motif of leaping rabbits was soothing to the touch. Taking a deep breath, Xavi carried it to the counter. Adrian placed the tin into a gift box and tied it with a satiny ribbon: a careful knot, a perfect bow. His fingers were patient and precise. Xavi had never seen anyone move with such mesmerizing clarity. Adrian tapped on the pay hub and said with a perfunctory glance, “Forty-two dollars, please.” Xavi was about to take his purchase and slink away when Adrian did a double take. “The friendly runner!” An embarrassed, relieved laugh escaped Xavi’s lips. He’d never even given Adrian his name. “Xavi Walker,” he said. “I should’ve told you—I had no idea you—you didn’t rent the other shop—how long have you been here?” “Five months,” Adrian grinned, running a hand through his collar-length hair. Up close, there were shadows beneath his eyes. “It was a rough start, but things are going better now.” “Well, the shop looks beautiful,” Xavi said, looking everywhere except at Adrian. “Thanks.” Adrian grabbed a wrapped pineapple tart and added it to Xavi’s bag, then ventured, “We close at four today. I’m free afterward?” A nervous thrill bolted Xavi to the floor. “I’ll see you then.” At a quarter to four, Xavi picked up two cans of his favorite melon soda from a vending machine and walked back to Sun Moon Teatime. His eyes were sore from five hours of data-sweeping; he’d skipped his lunchtime run to put in an extra hour, just in case he might need to pay for a nice dinner in the very near future. When he reached the biscuit shop, Adrian was ushering out the last customer of the day. He grinned when he saw Xavi and held the door for him. “VIPs only.” Adrian flipped the vintage sign from OPEN to CLOSED. “You get to be part of the after-hours fun: unloading cabinets, checking the till . . . ” “Compared to my day, it sounds thrilling.” Xavi held out a soda can. “Something to keep you going?” “Oh my gods—perfect.” Adrian popped the top, drained half the can, and produced a satisfied sigh. The other shop assistant poked her head out from behind the display counter, where she was transferring unsold biscuits into plastic boxes. She had tan skin and a port-wine stain, and she wore her long black hair in a trendy braid. As her gaze passed between Xavi and Adrian, her glossy lips lifted into a knowing smile. “Gē, I can close up today,” she sang out. “I owe you from last week, remember?” “What? No, I’ll help. We’ve still got to balance those bulk orders from the restaurant and sort out the packaging delivery . . . ” “I’ve already sorted the packaging.” She waved a hand breezily. “Relax, Ade.” She said something in rapid Mandarin, then rolled her eyes at Xavi. “My cousin still thinks I’m a kid.” “Youarea kid, Skye.” “Please get out of here and do whatever fossils like you do on a first date.” Despite his best efforts, Xavi felt a blush creeping over his cheeks. But Adrian merely chuckled and removed his apron, rolling it up neatly and tucking it into a cupboard. Then he guided Xavi by the elbow out of the shop. “Don’t mind my cousin-sister,” Adrian said. “She likes to tease.” Xavi tried to relax, but his elbow was burning. <Soda,> Aly whispered. Xavi popped the other can, grateful for something to occupy his hands. Sweet fizziness coated his tongue. Once he swallowed, he found his voice. “Did she come over from Taichung, too?” “Yes,” said Adrian. “Good memory! Most foreigners just know Taipei. Skye’s got an adventurous streak, wants to see how people live in other countries.” “That’s admirable,” said Xavi. “I’ve never left Australia. It’s not easy to get passports here. You have to have a good reason, and the application process is a huge pain in the arse.” “They don’t make it easy in Taiwan, either. Before this, I’ve only been to Hong Kong, and that was for research.” They strolled through the arcades, weaving around other people who’d finished work for the day and were stretching their legs. “Have you had a chance to explore the Zone?” Xavi asked. “Not much,” Adrian said lightly. “It’s been so busy getting the shop off the ground. All I’ve seen are customers—and the sandwich joint right across from us!” Xavi laughed. He felt his nervousness dissipate. “Well, since it’s sweltering today, how about ice cream, and then dinner, and then a riverside stroll?” “I thought you’d never ask, Xavi.” They got ice cream—one scoop of pistachio in a cup for Xavi, two scoops of lychee and coconut in a sprinkle-coated cone for Adrian—and then Xavi took Adrian to his favorite ramen restaurant for dinner. Adrian had a beer; Xavi ordered a glass of chilled white wine. “Sprinkle cones and beer,” Xavi chuckled. “I wouldn’t have guessed.” “What would you have guessed?” “I don’t know. Earl Grey tea, financiers, champagne . . . ” “Are you saying I look European?” “I’m saying you look posh.” Adrian gave a full belly laugh that made Xavi feel acutely alive. Their conversation dipped from lighthearted banter into more solemn topics. Adrian shared that the stress of managing the biscuit business was wearing his sister down; he’d offered to take charge of the Australian expansion after she’d struggled to recruit someone reliable. Adrian spoke of his family with breezy fondness. Xavi deduced that there were his parents (separated, re-partnered), stepparents, two sisters, several stepsiblings, and a host of cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents—all in close contact even though they were spread across the world. Xavi’s chest spiked with envy. Dinner stretched on, and then a riverside stroll was inevitable. Although the sun was low on the horizon, the air still crackled with heat. A few fat drops of rain plopped from above. Adrian extended his hands, palms up. “I thought the shields blocked the rain.” “It’s simulated,” Xavi said. “Good for well-being.” “Ah. I wish I hadn’t asked.” “You have real rain?” “We have real monsoons. They used to flood us to a halt, but—oh, maybe ten years ago?—we voted for stormwater drainage to be an infrastructure priority. You know about our digital democracy, right? All our citizens participate in politics as a daily business. Since the drainage systems were totally upgraded, the cities can cope with our wet season.” A shy, contemplative expression spread over Adrian’s face. “In fact, I find the monsoon rains help my writing flow.” “Oh, you romantic! The rain is your muse.” “Last monsoon season, I filled two whole notebooks.” “What do you do with your stories?” “Well . . . I get them published—in magazines, collections, and so on!” “They pay you? And people read them?” Xavi couldn’t keep a note of incredulity out of his voice, and he hoped Adrian wouldn’t be offended—his surprise wasn’t personal. “Yes, indeed! The pay’s much better than it used to be, and Taiwan has quite a thriving literary ecosystem. What’s it like here?” “Honestly?” Xavi looked across the colorful parade of pretend passengers boarding pretend ferries to the impenetrable face of City Dome. “I don’t think anyone writes or reads much anymore. If you want entertainment, Aly will find something for you.” Adrian glanced sidelong with unbearable sympathy. “It’s sad, I know.” Adrian leaned on the balustrade next to Xavi. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but . . . what’s it like?” Xavi’s attention was bolted to where their forearms were brushing—a searing, tingling oval of ecstasy. Adrian’s eagerness slapped into Xavi like a wave. For a disconcerting moment, Xavi saw himself through the other man’s eyes.Hewas the foreigner: an oddity, a curio, a thing that was Other. Xavi shifted, putting a reluctant inch of air between them. “Having an Aly, you mean?” “Yes. Sorry, is it weird to talk about?” “No, no, it’s fine.” There was nothing weird or taboo about Alys. He just never talked about it because, well, everyone had one, so it was too ordinary to make for conversation. It would be like describing your shower routine. “It’s kind of nice to be asked.” “What does it feel like?” “Normal, I guess. I don’t know what it’s like without her.” “So Aly’s a she for you? But not for everybody, right? Is it different from talking to yourself?” “Yeah, I’ve always thought of my Aly as a she. Maybe she became a maternal figure for me; my real parents were shit. Aly’s a he for some people, and gender-neutral for others. Aly’s whatever you need. And yeah, it’s different from talking to yourself. There’s a conversation—words and sentences—between my voice and hers.” “So Aly can’t read your mind?” “Not in the sense you mean. She’s not wired into my whole brain, only my language networks. But sometimes I do wonder.” “If she can?” “If she can pick up things I half-think, without being fully aware. But I guess I’ll never know.” “Why—are the manufacturers vague about it?” “Yeah, there’s that. But I’ve had Aly pretty much my whole life. So, I barely know where I end and she begins.” “When did you have it implanted?” “I was three months old.” Xavi saw the shudder pass through Adrian’s body, as much as he tried to conceal it. “That’s quite the norm here,” Xavi added neutrally. “We have this Bill . . . ” “I’m aware of your Bill,” Adrian replied, equally poised. “Australia’s an interesting case study—radical acceptance of AI not only into the free market but as a tool to shape people.” Again, Xavi had that prickly, out-of-body realization that he was the scientific specimen here. Aly was muttering something pacifying that he registered only distantly. He barked a short laugh. “So, nobody in Taiwan has implanted AI?” “Some people do. But not mass-market AI. They design their own or get them from local engineers. There’s also a black market where you can get all kinds of neuromods.” Adrian’s eyes crinkled with wry mischief. “In my darkest moments, I’ve thought about buying a dose of dopamine hack-bots.” Xavi laughed, and the tension was dispelled. “Ugh, me too. Fry my brain for the highest of all highs. So—how does it feel?” “I didn’t actually go through with it!” “Not the hack-bots. I mean,nothaving an Aly. Doesn’t it feel . . . lonely? Empty?” To Xavi’s surprise, Adrian mulled over the question for a while. The fake rain had dampened his wavy hair, and a lick of it plastered his brow. A pleasant shiver traveled through Xavi. It was the most intense sensation he’d felt in a long while. “Yes, I’d say it’s a natural part of being alive. To be lonely sometimes, to be empty sometimes. To move through that, if you can. But not completely. Sorry—there’s the sentimental writer in me.” Adrian rubbed his neck and offered a sheepish grin. “Xavi, I have to get home.” Just as Xavi’s heart dropped, Adrian hitched up his pant cuff to reveal a prosthetic right leg—gleaming, balanced, with an adaptive weave merging into his knee. “The tech’s very modern, but I still get sore after a whole day on my feet.” “Of course,” Xavi said, surprised and relieved. He bit back an instinct to ask what happened. Adrian had probably answered that question ad infinitum, and Xavi was sure he’d find out down the track. “You should’ve said something earlier.” They hired a free self-driving bike from a nearby station, and Xavi helped Adrian swing himself carefully over the seat. Just as the bike was about to start, Xavi blurted out, “I’ll petition the shield techs.” Adrian cocked his head, puzzled. “About the weather. I’ll ask for a monsoon.” Adrian’s delighted laughter floated back to Xavi, music on the night breeze. <Oh, bless my bits.> <What?> <You like him.> <Of course I like him.> <No, youreallylike him.> <Oh.> <Oh, indeed.> <Like no one before?> <This is different, Xavi. I can feel it.> Part 3: 2077 An urgent buzz of his smartring interrupted Xavi’s work shift. He tore his attention away from the clip he was reviewing for data labeling (surveillance camera footage, dated 2020) and pulled off his goggles. Adrian’s face, unusually distressed, projected from the smartring. “Ade? What’s up?” “Didn’t you see the news?” “No, I’ve been working.” “It’s horrific—I can’t—just check your news.” <Aly? Have I missed something?> A brief pause. <I’m not sure what Adrian could be referring to.> Adrian’s expression was creased with anguish, the projection flickering. Xavi guessed that he was out and moving around. “Where are you, Ade?” “Just at the fucking shops. Where else is there?” “Send me your location. I’m coming.” Once the location pinged through, Xavi hopped down from his stool and hung his goggles on the wall. He was dressed only in a thin singlet and shorts, ready for his lunchtime run, so he grabbed a jacket to throw on top. This year, the Zone authorities had begun to turn the climate-control shields opaque between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cooling systems could no longer keep up with the soaring temperatures, so now they had a miniature nighttime in the middle of the day. Xavi found Adrian wandering the restaurant district, where festive red-and-green spotlights whirled through dim arcades. Adrian’s limp was more pronounced, which gave away his distress. Adrian greeted him with a terse look instead of their usual peck on the lips. “What happened, Ade?” “You don’t know?” Xavi spread his hands wide. “Your Aly is useless!” Adrian snapped, and Xavi felt his anger like the swipe of a knife. Adrian’s emotions were just like his movements: clear and true. Sometimes, Xavi wished for the same scorch of anger, the easy flow of tears, those sparkling bursts of gladness. Adrian took a deep breath. “Sorry. Here.” An article buzzed into Xavi’s smartring, published this morning in a Taiwanese newspaper. A missile from a People’s Republic military ship had struck a town in southern Taiwan, killing at least thirty civilians and injuring hundreds more. The Chinese navy was claiming that it was a training exercise gone wrong, but the Taiwanese were outraged. Xavi skimmed the article twice through. <Aly? Why didn’t you show me this?> <I’m sorry, Xavi. It didn’t register as significant.> Xavi placed a hand on Adrian’s arm, halting his agitated pacing. “Do you have family there?” “A cousin, but he’s fine.” Adrian blew out a huge breath. “He’s fine, but other people are dead, and they’re saying it was just an accident. What kind of madness is this?” Adrian leaned heavily into Xavi, a tree bent by the wind. He covered his face with his hands. “I can’t stand being here—everyone shopping at the same places every day, eating the same food with these zombie expressions, walking in circles without talking to one another. I’m stuck in some wacky, sanitized parallel universe!” Xavi bit back his automatic response (“Why don’t you just go back, then, if you hate it here?”), counted to three. <Aly, help?> <He just wants you to listen to him.> “Come on, Ade. Let’s go hang out at my place. I’ll finish off my work and then we can order some takeout . . . ” Adrian flung Xavi’s pacifying hand aside in disbelief. “You’re going to keep working on a day like this?” “Forget it—I won’t work. We’ll just hang and chat . . . ” “I wish we could get out of here. Hop on a subway, go to another Zone. Go even farther.” <I can start an application for a holiday pass . . . > “I can put in an application for a holiday pass—” “Argh!” Adrian ran his hands through his hair, yanking on the roots. Xavi noticed that he’d grown even thinner in the past year, and there were new lines crinkling the corners of his eyes. He’d thought it was the stress of running the biscuit shop, but maybe it was other, unarticulated things too. “Yes, we can fill out a form, and wait two weeks to get another form, and then line up to update our passports, and wait another month to get rejected. How can you live like this, Xav?” Xavi said nothing. Aly was playing calming classical music at a very low register. Adrian sighed. “Never mind. I’m sorry. It’s been a week. A year, to be honest. Let’s just grab some noodles and go back to yours.” Back at Xavi’s flat, they ate their pad see ew on the floor in front of a projected display of Patagonia, and then they had earnest sex that did not make either of them feel much better. Adrian took a shower under the infrared. Afterward, he sat on the bed, folding Xavi’s laundry with compulsive neatness. He didn’t visit Xavi’s apartment often, but when he did, he was always restless and irritable. Xavi had been thinking about asking Adrian to move in with him—they could apply for a bigger place together—but Adrian’s behavior made him uncertain. <I’m scared he’s slipping away from me, Aly.> <He’s lonely here, and bored, and homesick.> <Can’t I be his home?> <Maybe, but you can’t be everything to him.> “You’re talking to her again,” said Adrian flatly. “You said you wouldn’t, when we’re together.” “Sorry, Ade. It’s automatic, sometimes. It’s like—” “Like breathing, I know, I know. You’ve told me. So not talking to Aly is like holding your breath.” Xavi winced. “Give me a bit of grace—” “Does she do sexual stuff?” Xavi swiveled on the stool until he faced Adrian. “For some people, sure. She’s not like that for me—although she’s recommended me some great erotica. What’s going on, Ade?” Adrian tossed a pair of running shorts onto a growing stack. “Sorry, sorry. I’m being petty. This place,” he waved his arms at the narrow walls, indicating not the flat but everything outside, “makes me feel like a different person. A shrunken person. Did I tell you Skye’s moving back?” Skye was his cousin-sister, the one who worked at the shop. She’d been wilting, month by month: from bubbly and confident to withdrawn and ambivalent. “She’s miserable here. She tried everything to make friends—walking groups, hobby clubs, online dating. But it’s so . . . insular. Disconnected. I told her she needs to go home.” Xavi glanced down at his hands. His mouth tasted oily from the takeaway noodles, and his body felt tired and jittery. He knitted his numb fingers together tightly, trying to nurse some sensation into them. “What about you? Have you been thinking about moving back?” Adrian didn’t say anything for a while. Then: “I love you, Xavi.” “But?” “But I don’t love your Aly. But your Aly is part of you. So . . . what do we do?” Xavi squeezed his fingers even more tightly, until they turned white and purple. <Can you show me what Taichung looks like?> <Sure, let me find some live aerial feeds.> An impossible city blossomed before Xavi. Skyscrapers wreathed in greenery: vertical gardens, rooftop gardens, urban parks. Solar panels glimmering like lakes. Actual ponds, rivers, creeks. Brightly colored robots floated above the city, sampling air quality, detoxifying pollutants, generating precipitation, cleaning windows, and even feeding birds. Aly switched to a close-up view. An electric tram painted with pink flowers stopped at the side of a busy street and chimed a resonant melody. People spilled out, tugging children and pets along with them. Nearby, an official-looking droid redirected traffic around a crowd in front of a tiered, orange-roofed temple, where incense smoke spiraled into the sky. More people sat on a lawn, sharing snacks from a street cart, putting their trash into adorable little garbage cans that roamed on two legs. <Is this real, Aly?> <As far as I can verify, yes.> It couldn’t be true. A place couldn’t be so big, and busy, and beautiful. Xavi studied his sister in the holographic display. Lori didn’t look noticeably different from the last time they’d spoken—more than a year ago, over videochat. She sat on her foldout bed, leaning against a pile of pillows printed with Internet memes. Although her body slumped backward with an immovable air, her fingers fidgeted incessantly, tugging the collar of her baggy T-shirt, plucking at her blonde eyebrows. They hadn’t met in person for—bloody hell, how long? <Six years.> Six years. Yes, that sounded right. Lori had moved to Eastern Zone when she’d turned eighteen, hoping that her anxiety would ease in a quieter, less urban environment. When Xavi had visited, he’d spent an interminable week cooped up in her flat. His sister was entirely housebound. Xavi hadn’t worked up the courage to visit again. “Don’t look so bloody worried, Xav. I’m doing OK.” Xavi squinted at the blurry planes of her face, trying to make out if she looked paler or more haggard than before. “Are you . . . going out at all?” “No, but it’s fine. I work from the flat, I get meals delivered, I’ve got karaoke every night. I’m practically a socialite. Have you spoken to our parents?” “Not for a while.” <Four years.> “’Kay, then you wouldn’t know.” “Know what?” “Dad’s gone into a home. Pall care. I don’t know what it is. Mum’s message didn’t say.” “Oh. Are you going to visit him?” “Probably not. You should go.” “I’ll . . . have to think about it.” Xavi waited for some appropriate emotion to tug at him. Surely, the news of his father’s impending demise would drag something from the serpentine depths of his soul. Aly was unexpectedly quiet. What did grief feel like? Was it this scraped-dry sensation running down the underside of his sternum? He couldn’t even muster up the energy to message his mother about how long his father had left. Maybe he’d already gone. Lori pulled out a cherry red candy worm and bit into it. “So, are you still seeing that Asian guy?” “Taiwanese.” “Sorry. Adrian, right?” “Mm-hm. Yeah, actually—that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I’m thinking of turning my Aly off.” Xavi felt like he should cover his ears, so Aly couldn’t hear him. Then he realized how ridiculous that would be. Lori chewed ferociously. “Why, is he jealous?” “I don’t think that’s quite it. Adrian doesn’t have an Aly, so he can’t get used to me always talking with her. He says it feels like there’s always someone else in the room.” Lori nodded. “I get that.” “You do?” “Fuck, yeah. There are some days I hate having Aly in my head. He’s just camped in there, knowing everything about me, telling me what I should do, what I should think.” “Why don’t you turn yours off then?” “I’ve tried.” Lori picked a piece of worm out of her teeth and sucked on her finger. “You know it only takes the techies like five minutes? You just pop in, sign a waiver, and let them rub some magnet thing on your head—and it’s off.” “Seriously? I wouldn’t have expected that you—” He changed tack. “What happened?” “Haven’t you read up about this? People talk about it online. You turn into pure cow turd. I was back at the tech hub two days later.” “What did it feel like?” Lori grimaced. It was the most genuine expression Xavi had seen from her in a long time, unfiltered by sarcasm or artifice. Her shoulders rounded forward, and her bangs cast spidery shadows over her face. “I can’t describe it, Xav. I’ve heard some people can push through, but most give up.” After he hung up with Lori, Xavi searched online. Just as she’d said, there were plenty of video logs featuring people who’d tried to switch their Alys off. “I threw up every day for a month,” said one. “I still can’t walk in a straight line,” said another. “I had a ten-hour panic attack and hallucinated that my body was turning into mud,” said yet another. Almost all of them echoed Lori’s words: “It’s indescribable.” Eventually, he found a couple of people who said they’d made it through to two months, three months, without an Aly. Did the withdrawal ever go away? Did they ever feel “normal” again? Xavi searched for more videos beyond the three-month mark, but nothing came up. Part 4: 2078 Fifty-three days. Xavi opened his eyes. The shoddy prefab ceiling was beginning to sag in the middle. A damp stain, dark gray on light gray, made a shape like a flaccid fish. It had been fifty-three days, hadn’t it? His memory was full of holes. He tapped his smartring to wake it.December 5 2078.He counted backward, his thoughts treacle-thick. Forty-nine days. How had he lost count? He stumbled to the toilet. His piss jackhammered against the bowl. As he washed his hands and splashed his face with cold water, he thought about getting a shake from his old haunt. A tropical shake with an extra scoop of ice cream. He had the freedom to do it. He could do anything he wanted. He could ditch work. He could ramble in the Gardens all day long. He could call his mother. Xavi rolled back into bed and pulled his goggles on. Since he’d switched Aly off (forty-nine days ago, forty-nine, forty-nine . . .), he’d been obsessively watching the video logs of a silver-haired twenty-something whose moniker was LudditeFox. LudditeFox had made it to one hundred days post-Aly and counting. Xavi swiped back to LudditeFox’s earlier videos. Day 49. LudditeFox in a dark room, eyes too wide, pale hair going everywhere. “Couldn’t sleep last night. Again. Gods, how soon is too soon to take another Panago shot? Did you know you can feel pain in the backs of your eyeballs? But you know, the pain’s not even the worst part. It’s the emptiness.” Xavi knew. The intensity of that god-awful, falling-off-a-precipice sensation every time he subvocalized a thought and got nothing in response. Abandonment and heartbreak in a swooping thrust to the solar plexus; perpetually ripping off a Band-Aid that had no end. At the very end of the log, LudditeFox whispered, “But maybe it’s a little better than last week.” When the video finished, Xavi replayed it. Then he watched Days 50, and 51, and 52. It wasn’t just his thoughts that were treacle-thick; his body felt like meringue left out in the sun, deflated and gooey. He pushed his goggles aside. His limbs lay like white sausages on the mattress. Two months ago, he’d been lean and tanned from running every day. He felt an upwelling in his chest, the surge that comes before an outburst of tears. He waited for the tears, but there was only a horrible stuck feeling in his throat. <What would you say?> The gut-punch of loss, the ripping Band-Aid. <You’d say: Of course you feel like dogshit. But things will get better, Xavi. Get out of bed. Walk down for a coffee. Log in to work, just for an hour. Take one little step, and then another, and then another.> He stared at his door. Why was it so far away? The effort required to shift his body from here to there was incomprehensible. Maybe he’d get to it this afternoon. He slipped his goggles back on. Colorful lights rained down in Xavi’s vision, swirling in mesmerizing patterns when he waved his hands. He was on a special, important quest. The counter in the top right corner tinkled (a beautiful noise, a rush of pleasure) as it rose:930,150; 930,490; 931,250. Maybe today he’d hit one million points. Maybe today he’d feel complete. “Xav?” The voice was melodious. An angel descending from the clouds, floating into Xavi’s flat. A cool hand, achingly gentle, smoothing his straggly hair back from his brow. Xavi did not deserve such kindness. With a huge groan, Xavi rolled onto his side. The colorful lights rolled with him, thankfully. He swiped his fingers in a perfect pattern, collecting another two hundred points. Tinkle, tinkle. It didn’t sound as good as last time. “Xav, I’m going to take your goggles off, OK?” Those cool angelic hands again. Frustrated, Xavi sat bolt upright.Oof. A muscle in his back twanged; he hadn’t done that for a while. “I can do it myself!” he snapped, toddler-like. He wrenched off his goggles and flung them to the foot of his bed. Adrian was sitting on the edge of the foldout bed, his prosthetic leg stretched out elegantly, his other leg tucked beneath him. His expression was difficult to read: deep concern, a gritty sort of sadness, and something restrained. Adrian drew back and laced his long fingers together. Xavi became cruelly aware of his own body. His arms were freezing cold and numb from waving in the air. His back was stiff from lying in the same position for—five hours? Six hours? What time was it? “What time is it, Ade?” “It’s ten o’clock in the morning.” Ah, he’d played all night. No wonder his eyeballs were throbbing and his head stung where the strap of his goggles had dug in. He was deathly thirsty and bursting to piss. Should he drink water or empty his bladder first? Or greet Adrian with a kiss? No, not the last option—his breath stank. The branching decisions crippled him. Sore and miserable, he waited for Adrian’s lecture. But Adrian was tenderer than expected. He produced a can of melon soda, poured it into a cup (Where had that come from? Had Xavi ever had cups in his flat?), and held it to Xavi’s lips. He helped Xavi to the toilet and turned on the infrared shower for him. As Xavi washed up, Adrian unknotted a furoshiki cloth to reveal a breakfast of pastries and biscuits. Xavi accepted a plain croissant and nibbled on the corner. He knew it should taste buttery and fragrant, but the flavor came to him indistinctly, as though his tongue were coated in fuzz. He watched Adrian eat a chocolate croissant in three large bites. “What were you playing?” Adrian ventured tentatively. Xavi shook his head, swamped with shame. “Nothing. A stupid game.” “The same one?” Xavi jerked his chin in affirmation. “I thought you deleted it.” “I did, but then I downloaded it again.” Adrian merely nodded. “I’m sorry.” Adrian sighed heavily. “Don’t apologize to me, Xav.” There was something in Adrian’s tone that filled Xavi with fear. He found himself babbling. “No, I’m really sorry. I’ll delete it again. I’ll get better. LudditeFox—you remember I told you about LudditeFox, right?—says things start to improve around this time. Around fifty or sixty days. Next week, it’ll be easier. We’ll be OK.” Adrian selected a sweet bun with a coffee-sugar crust and bit into it, chewing contemplatively. “How are you, Ade? How’s the shop going? Did you manage to repair the broken door? How’s your leg feeling lately? Have you heard from Skye—has she settled back into Taichung?” Xavi knew that inundating your partner with questions was not how you normally held a conversation, but his mouth was running away from him in panic. “How about your writing? I haven’t asked about that for a while. Have you had any inspiration lately?” Gods, when was the last time he’d talked to Adrian about his writing? “Actually,” Adrian said slowly. “I have been working on something. It’s a bit different from what I normally write. A long-form piece. I guess you’d call it a memoir. I’m still figuring out the ending, though.” The corner of his mouth quirked, not quite a smile. “I might need a monsoon to help me out.” Xavi’s heart was sinking, sinking, down through his quicksand flesh, into his swamp-puddle feet. Lightning-quick, Adrian reached across their picnic spread and squeezed Xavi’s hand—a bright, shocking pressure like the pulse of a defibrillator. “Xav, my love. Will you come for a walk with me?” They rode the lift down to the ground floor and walked east along the riverfront, bypassing the shops and restaurants. They crossed beneath Princes Bridge and took the meandering route into Alexandra Gardens. The grass was not as green as Xavi remembered; the trees and bushes slumped toward the ground, looking thirsty. In the distance, Xavi saw the square shape of the Children’s Crèche, but he felt no desire to venture closer. Instead, they ambled across the spiky lawns without any destination in mind. Adrian answered Xavi’s questions. A second repairer had finally arrived to fix the botched job that the first repairer had done, but the cost had been much more than he’d anticipated. Sales were still dropping. Adrian wasn’t sure why. Market reports suggested that recent trends were reversing: people were spending less on handmade confectionery; consumers were less interested in overseas products. Skye was much happier since returning to Taiwan. She’d just moved to Taipei with her boyfriend of six months; he was a clothing designer and could afford the sky-high rent in the capital. Adrian’s leg was giving him a bit of grief. The adaptive weave was wearing thin; he would need to place a new custom order soon. Xavi listened, savoring the quiet melody of Adrian’s voice. The climate-shields turned opaque. All the sunlight disappeared; only an ambient, directionless glow remained. The upwelling rose from his diaphragm in a powerful tide. There was no blockage this time. It surged into his nose and throat; his eyes filled with tears and spilled over. Adrian glanced at him, grasped his hand, and stopped talking. They stood for a while under a spreading oak tree. Finally, Xavi’s tears subsided. When his voice emerged, it sounded hoarse and new. “You’re closing the shop.” “Yes.” Adrian’s head drooped, mirroring the trees. “I spoke with my sister last night. We’re losing too much money.” “You’re going home.” Adrian looked at his feet. “You have to.” Far above, the climate-shields creaked. Drops of fake rain began to fall. “You have to,” Xavi repeated, telling them both. “The shop. Your leg. Your memoir. This whole wacky, messed-up place.” “Yes.” Xavi waited for Adrian to ask. Come with me to Taichung. Let me show you that sprawling, miraculous city. But after a few beats, Xavi realized that the question would never come. Adrian wouldn’t ask because Xavi wouldn’t say yes. Xavi stepped out of the shelter of the tree, letting the rain patter onto him. He felt rinsed, raw, unskinned. He could taste the croissant now—flaky and aromatic, a bizarrely delayed sensation. A moment later, Adrian was at his side, droplets dancing across his upturned face. The brief shower was already petering out. “I did write to the shield techs, you know.” “Huh?” “For a monsoon.” Adrian laughed. “Oh—and?” “They didn’t reply.” Adrian smiled ruefully. “Ah.” “No surprises there.” “That’s all right, Xav.” Their elbows were touching, a perfect oval of warmth. “This is good enough.” The subway shuttle back from the airport was nearly empty. The only other passengers were a young couple in worn-out travel clothes, snoozing against one another in the booth opposite Xavi. He watched them sleep for a while, his entire body tremulous and queasy. LudditeFox had lied. Nothing got easier. When he returned to Southbank Zone, he hired a self-driving bike to take him the rest of the way back to the tenement flats. It was still early in the morning. The sky was daubed with orange and gold; only a handful of shops were open. Xavi made just one stop before returning to his flat. The techie had said it might take an hour or two for the updates to install, but by the time Xavi showered and changed into fresh clothes, he felt different. The dysphoria had lifted; the gnawing emptiness was gone. The distance from bed to door felt like a little step, the first of many. <Aly?> <Hi, Xavi. It’s good to be back.> Grace Chan is an award-winning speculative fiction writer. She writes about brains, minds, and space. Her critically acclaimed debut novel,Every Version of You, is about staying in love after mind-uploading into virtual reality. Her short fiction has been published widely, translated into multiple languages, and appeared in The Best Science Fiction of the Year. Grace was born in Malaysia and lives in Australia. In her other life, she works as a psychiatrist. Browse By Fiction Audio Fiction Articles Interviews Editorials Awards & Recognition Authors & Artists Random Story Random Podcast Follow Us On SUBSCRIBE AT B&N Nook Newsstand Patreon ClarkesworldCitizens Weightless Books ISSN 1937-7843 · Clarkesworld Magazine © 2006-2026 Wyrm Publishing. Robot illustration by Serj Iulian.

Los datos actualizados del proyecto “Canica negra” (“Black Marble”) de la NASA muestran de forma inequívoca que la noche en nuestro planeta es cada vez más brillante, con un aumento neto del 16% en la radiancia total de la luz artificial nocturna entre 2014 y 2022. Esta luz artificial, procedente de las ciudades y diferentes actividades humanas, está produciendo “una aceleración de los procesos que modifican el entorno nocturno, impulsada por fuerzas cada vez más potentes”, dice el estudio. Y lo más preocupante: a pesar de que muchos países han emprendido políticas para intentar atenuarlo, el aumento de la luminosidad crece a un ritmo más rápido que el número de habitantes del planeta. Estos datos proceden del análisis de más de un millón de imágenes satelitales diarias de alta resolución capturadas por el proyecto Black Marble de la NASA entre 2014 y 2022, publicado hace unos días en la revista Nature. En el trabajo, los científicos han descubierto que la noche terrestre sufre fluctuaciones constantes que hasta ahora no se habían detectado porque los mapas de la luz nocturna del planeta se construían promediando datos de meses o incluso años enteros en una sola imagen compuesta. La gran novedad de este estudio es que analiza imágenes satelitales tomadas día a día, una resolución temporal que ha permitido detectar variaciones abruptas y efímeras que antes quedaban invisibles en los promedios anuales, como el apagón por los huracanes en Puerto Rico, los cortes de luz por la guerra de Ucrania o el oscurecimiento súbito de las ciudades durante la pandemia. “La Canica Negra de la Tierra no solo se está volviendo más brillante, está pulsando con una volatilidad cada vez mayor, haciendo eco del latido amplificado de la actividad humana”, dicen los autores. El equipo de investigación, liderado por Tian Li y Zhe Zhu de la Universidad de Connecticut, ha utilizado un nuevo algoritmo para analizar 1,16 millones de imágenes satelitales recopiladas diariamente durante nueve años, aproximadamente a la 1:30 a. m. (hora local), por el conjunto de radiómetros de imágenes visibles e infrarrojas (VIIRS). Según la NASA, estos sensores, del tamaño de un refrigerador y que orbitan la Tierra a más de 25.750 km/h, pueden detectar fuentes de luz “a la escala de una caseta de peaje en una carretera oscura”. Asia resplandece y Europa está azul Los datos estadísticos indican que la intensidad de los eventos de aumento de luz (“brightening”) está creciendo a un ritmo constante por año y que la aparición de zonas donde se atenúa no compensa el aumento de las que empiezan a emitir. Ese 16% de aumento neto de la luminosidad es el resultado de restar el 18% de atenuación al 34% de brillo añadido en otros lugares, siempre respecto a 2014. En cuanto a las regiones, Australia muestra tendencias de aumento exclusivamente al alza en esta intensidad, igual que Estados Unidos, donde destaca el fuerte brillo emergente de la Costa Oeste y la expansión horizontal suburbana. El África subsahariana también emite una contundente señal de progreso iluminando vastas regiones previamente oscuras. Pero el epicentro de este crecimiento lumínico, según los autores del estudio, se encuentra en Asia, con China e India a la cabeza, que acumulan la mayor superficie de cambio de todo el planeta. Este aumento de la luz en Asia responde a una combinación sin precedentes de rápida urbanización, expansión industrial y agresivos programas de electrificación rural. En el caso de China, la explosión de luz se concentra intensamente en sus regiones orientales y centrales, emitiendo señales de alta intensidad que reflejan una estrategia de “urbanización vertical” y conversión masiva del territorio. Por su parte, la India exhibe un patrón dual: mientras el sur del país mantiene un brillo sostenido impulsado por su pujante desarrollo económico, las zonas del norte han experimentado un fuerte aumento lumínico gracias a los planes nacionales para instalar alumbrado público y llevar la red eléctrica a poblaciones que históricamente permanecían a oscuras En Europa, los autores consideran que las luces LED y las medidas de ahorro energético son la causa de una menor contaminación lumínica en París y en toda Francia (una reducción del 33%), el Reino Unido (una reducción del 22%) y los Países Bajos (una reducción del 21%). Durante este periodo de observación también se registró cómo las noches europeas se oscurecieron drásticamente en 2022, durante una crisis energética regional que siguió al estallido del conflicto entre Rusia y Ucrania. Sin embargo, y aunque los autores señalan que Europa presenta “un patrón de atenuación particularmente claro y estructurado”, el astrofísico español Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel, uno de los mayores expertos mundiales en contaminación lumínica, lo pone en duda, ya que el propio trabajo reconoce que el instrumento satelital con el que toman los datos es menos sensible a la luz azul que emiten los LED. “Europa se está haciendo más azul y el satélite es ciego al azul”, argumenta el experto. “El ejemplo clásico es Milán. Cambiaron el alumbrado y, aunque para el ojo humano la intensidad del suelo era la misma, para el satélite hubo una reducción del 50%. Ellos dicen que desde 2014 la luz ha aumentado un 16%, pero eso es solo el mínimo; ha tenido que aumentar más”. “El fracaso de la revolución LED” Para Sánchez de Miguel, estas cifras oficiales son solo una subestimación y, aunque los satélites reportan incrementos de luminosidad del 16%, esta cifra es solo el mínimo absoluto o la cota inferior. Además, señala, existen intereses comerciales e industriales vinculados a monopolios de fabricantes que han priorizado la venta e instalación masiva de luces blancas frente a alternativas más cálidas y sostenibles. “Por otro lado, pasar de la luz naranja a la blanca tiene un impacto gravísimo en la melatonina de muchas especies y fomenta problemas epidemiológicos como el mosquito tigre”, recuerda. “Todo esto es un fracaso de la revolución LED. Prometían reducir la contaminación, pero es contraproducente por el efecto rebote de esta tecnología, como es más barata, iluminamos más”, afirma este experto. Todo esto es un fracaso de la revolución LED. Prometían reducir la contaminación, pero es contraproducente por el efecto rebote de esta tecnología, como es más barata, iluminamos más Alejandro Sánchez de Miguel — Astrofísico y experto en contaminación lumínica El astrofísico Salvador Jose Ribas, director del Parc Astronòmic Montsec (PAM) y experto en contaminación lumínica de la Universidad de Barcelona (UB), destaca que el hecho de caracterizar la luz artificial con datos diarios tiene mucha relevancia desde el punto de vista geográfico e incluso sociológico, porque se ven las consecuencias de guerras, pandemias y diferentes actividades humanas. Sobre la supuesta reducción de luminosidad de Europa, comparte el escepticismo de su colega: “Con otras técnicas no se acaban de apreciar estas reducciones que ellos ven, simplemente porque el satélite es muy poco eficaz a la hora de detectar las componentes más azuladas”. “La conclusión es que vamos hacia la desaparición de la noche, cada vez más la noche va desapareciendo”, subraya Sánchez de Miguel. “Estamos con una tendencia a crecer la luz en la noche y eso desemboca a que cada vez menos lugares tendrán cielos prístinos y en muchos de ellos cada vez serán menos excepcionales”, coincide Ribas. “Sobre todo si no se apuesta por un uso racional de la luz y se usa solo cuando se necesita”, concluye.