Free Override (Glitch) by Heather Anastasiu Page B

follow.
    “Top-of-the-line, next gen transports,” Henk explained as we walked down between rows of vehicles. “All hover-based tech.”
    “No more wheeled models?” Adrien asked.
    Henk laughed. “Who would drive on a road when you can fly?” He waved one hand smoothly through the air, like a vessel in flight, and let out a low whistle. “Antigravity tech’s gotten good enough for these nonpropulsion engines to go mainstream. I oughta know, since I helped design ’em.” He flashed a smile.
    Adrien leaned over as we walked past a row of blue transports. “Henk designs transports, but he’s also the Rez’s best weapons expert. Unfortunately, he has a habit of testing out his favorite new toys.”
    Henk overheard and smiled charmingly. “They just make such a lovely ka-boom! ” He moved his fingers outward in a wide circle to demonstrate the sight. “And it scared a stitch into the bastards craftin’ V-chip parts.”
    “The General warned you about being too reckless. Blowing up one V-chip factory isn’t going to change anything,” Jilia snapped. “We’re trying to win a war here!”
    “Aw, it all turned out okay. And look at this,” Henk lifted his arm and rotated it at the shoulder. “One factory blasted back to hell where it belongs and you got me right put together again. Not to mention I got a nifty scar out of the deal.” He pulled back his tunic around the neck to show the slight line across his shoulder.
    Jilia glared at him. “You’re hopeless.”
    He sidled closer to her. “That’s what all the ladies say. Wanna try and reform me anyway?”
    She pushed him away, but I saw the quirk of a smile play at the edge of her mouth.
    “Ah, here we are. One Grade A shipping container for my favorite fleeing misfits.” Henk pointed to a row of huge boxes with the giant Comm Corp insignia on the side. Several of the hatches were open, revealing more shining transport vehicles packed up inside. But Henk led us to one that only had a few crates stacked against the walls.
    “Sorry. This is the best I can do on short notice.”
    Xona stepped inside and looked around. “I’ve traveled in worse,” she said. She clicked open the lid of one of the crates. “Got anything good in here?” She moved on to the next container, opening it up and rifling through some of the contents.
    “Xona,” Tyryn said, a warning in his voice.
    Xona ignored him and kept lifting and examining items.
    “Right, then,” Henk said. “So I’ll close you up. This here’s the oxygen generator. You’ll have a day’s worth, though you shouldn’t need it. Transports will pick up the container and drop you at the shipping yard, and then you’ll be attached to a freight train heading south.”
    I frowned. “We’ll be part of a Comm Corp freight train? Isn’t that dangerous?”
    Henk just grinned. “Safest way to travel long distances. Right under their noses. Then someone from the Foundation will pick up the container and voilà.” He held out his hands wide. “You’re delivered to your new home.”
    I must have still looked skeptical, because Jilia put a hand on my arm. “As much as I hate to admit it, Henk’s very good at what he does.”
    “Wait, was that a compliment, Doc?” Henk put his hands dramatically to his chest. “I may faint.”
    “Now this is what I’m talking about,” Xona said, pulling out a weapon as big as her forearm from the crate in the corner.
    “Xona,” Tyryn said, marching over and yanking the weapon out of her hand. He put it back in the crate and shut the lid.
    “A girl after my own heart,” Henk said. Then he nodded at the rest of us. “Safe travels.”
    “And Doc,” Henk said. “As always, a pleasure.” He stepped in and planted a kiss right on Jilia’s mouth before she swatted him away, her face reddened. “You—”
    Henk shut the door tight before she could finish.

Chapter 8
    A JOLT WOKE ME, and I sat up. Everything around me was gray. Data sets poured down the sides