Missing Disc

Author: Robert Silverberg [USA]
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: Dryfeds City is a futuristic city where management and daily life are planned and controlled by computer programs. Unbeknownst one day, the disc storing the city's main computer program vanishes, plunging Dryfeds City into chaos. Evidence suggests the disc has been taken to a neighboring city. However, due to long-term neglect of cooperation and communication with neighboring cities, coupled with uneven development, the relationship between cities is extremely cold. The task of retrieving the disc in the neighboring city is fraught with obstacles. Can the disc be found? Will Dryfeds City be saved once the disc is recovered?
Excerpt:
Seeking a Place to Stay Exiting the fast-food restaurant, the sky hadn't fully darkened yet, and a streak of red against the gray sky was breathtakingly beautiful. But at that moment, it felt like a blazing fire to me. I glanced around and was relieved to see no police. Four hours would pass quickly, and I had to blend into the crowd immediately and hide. Although it was still too early to sleep, I had to rush to the "safe haven" recommended by the cashier. On the way, I encountered many destitute refugees. As I walked, I realized our destination was the same. It turned out that the safe haven was a large plaza surrounded by tall and intricately carved buildings. The plaza was already crowded with people. Whether male or female, young or old, this cobblestone plaza was their campsite. They laid down mats and rags haphazardly, calling it a bed. They seemed quite friendly with each other, perhaps all old acquaintances. They laughed, shouted, played word games, whispered, argued, did business, and even conducted some religious rituals. Here, personal privacy seemed to vanish entirely, as people went about their own business without a care. They were a group of homeless beggars under the blue sky, tormented by poverty and hunger, yet still forced to live with resilience. In Dryfeds, due to government emphasis, the streets had only a few beggars at most, as they lacked residence permits and were temporarily forced to live on the streets. However, in Cowing Town, rapid population growth and government neglect had led to such severe consequences. I carefully stepped over the people lying on the ground and finally found an unoccupied patch of space in the center of the plaza. But before I could even steady myself, a short, red-faced woman with a local dialect approached—her words were almost incomprehensible to me. Her eyes shone brightly, with a hint of mischief, and her hands were like sharp claws. Soon, several more fierce-looking men appeared around her, glaring and menacing. Terrified, I retreated without a word. In the chaos, I nearly tripped over a child lying on the ground and almost knocked over a pot of soup.
"Hey, don't stop here," a voice said to me. I had no choice but to look elsewhere for shelter. I spotted a small empty patch and was about to sit down when a hand emerged from a pile of rags, tapping my calf. "This place is taken." Then, a man covered in makeup emerged from his green tent, muttering something I couldn't understand—likely asking me to leave. I continued tiptoeing around, only to be pushed away everywhere. Was I really not worthy of sleeping in this hellhole? Finally, by some miracle, I found a ragged corner.
"Can I sleep here?" the person next to me smiled broadly, agreeing. Gratefully, I sat down, placed my suitcase, and secretly rejoiced at having found a place to stay.