Solarpunk Collective

By the time they reached the half-moon village the sweat was pouring down Dante’s back like a river. The trees overhanging the road gave some shelter, but the beginning of summer’s deep humidity meant that even shade brought no relief. The rising and falling of cicadas was almost a roar. “Let’s see if any of those buildings have windows, we can set up an AC unit inside and cool off.” The group led the horses over the broken asphalt and in to the abandoned village. Hannah walked around the small room picking up trinkets and looking over the detritus of a life abandoned. There were no signs of what had happened to the owners. The small house was structurally sound and everything was tidy, but the dust lay thick on everything and it was clear no one had lived here for years. “What happened to everyone?” Jungwoo looked up from his minicomp, scrolling through feeds. “It says here the last person living in the village moved to an assisted living center in the city. The deeds to the ...

"Hey Karl, over here!" The big man pushed through the bustle of the early morning market towards the man shouting his name. "I've got those boots you wanted!" "Yeah? Did you get the other things I asked for too? The big man is sweating already and it's only 6:30 in the morning. Once the sun gets up, this old converted cattle shed it going to be unbearable. Better get business over and done with quick. "Some of it yeah, but it wasn't easy. You got the stuff?" The black market trader is pawing through the pile of goods on his table, sorting things and arranging items of clothing. He seems not to be paying attention. "listen. You wanted this junk and you said you could get me what I need..." "Of course, of course. I just want to be sure we both get what we want." "..cos if you haven't got it, there are a lot of other traders here." Karl sweeps his arm around to indicate the market hall. It's r...