Read Time Was for Free Online

Zac. “Look, Killaine, the gear exists for any criminal who’s got half a brain to duplicate everything we did tonight. There are grounding units that can interrupt and reroute current in a section of electrified fence, there are devices that can defeat sensors, and any decent programmer could easily rascal that computer system once in close enough proximity. Just because the group managed to do all this without hauling along a ton of bulky equipment doesn’t mean that it can’t be done.”
    Killaine shrugged. “I don’t suppose I took the time to think of it quite like that.”
    â€œAlert the media,” said Itazura, retying his ponytail.
    â€œDon’t you be starting with me,” said Killaine.
    â€œListen closely,” said Itazura, “and you’ll hear my teeth chattering—no, wait; that’s the sound of the shock absorbers. When are we getting some new wheels, Boss?”
    â€œItzy,” said Zac, the warning clear.
    â€œYou can be replaced,” said Killaine.
    â€œNo, I can’t.”
    â€œNo, you can’t—but you’ve got to admit, it sounded good.”
    â€œHey, Boss? I’m being harassed back here. As the only member of a minority, I feel that my civil rights are being oppressed.”
    â€œOppress this,” said Killaine, grabbing his wrist; Itazura grabbed hers in return, and the two of them began one of their infamous arm-pressure contests.
    â€œChildren—” said Zac.
    â€œDid everything go well?” asked Stonewall.
    â€œYes, Stoner, it did.”
    In the back of the van, Psy–4 raised his head. “But it should have gone much better.”
    Zac sighed, exasperated. “You lost two seconds , Psy–4! Under the circumstances, I don’t think you need to beat yourself up over that.”
    â€œUnder other circumstances,” replied Psy–4, “two seconds might have cost one—or all —of us our lives.”
    Itazura, still locked in mortal combat with Killaine’s grip, shook his head and looked at Zac. “That’s our Psy–4, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.”
    â€œI was distracted at a crucial moment,” snapped Psy–4.
    Itazura shrugged. “I took the secret staircase, Kennedy fell in the Bay of Pigs, Cimino followed The Deer Hunter with Heaven’s Gate , somebody invented the Edsel—we all miss. Get over it.”
    â€œI’m not in the mood for your snappy patter, Itzy.”
    â€œYou know what, Psy–4? I’ll bet if you’d been born to a Native American clan, they would have named you ‘Dark Cloud.’ Give yourself a break already. Would it kill you to crack a smile every now and then, or are you afraid we’d all run and tell?”
    Psy–4 removed his wool cap and rubbed his forehead, massaging the row of input/output connectors there.
    â€˜â€œA fine setting for a fit of despair,’” said Stonewall. ‘“If only I were standing here by accident instead of design.’”
    Zac looked at him. “And that is . . .?”
    â€œFrom Kafka’s The Castle. ” He looked in the rearview mirror and saw Psy–4 staring at him. “It just came to me.”
    One corner of Psy–4’s mouth almost turned upward to form something that might have resembled the minuscule beginnings of a half-grin.
    Radiant huffed, slapping her arms down to her sides. “I give up. I really do. I can’t find the snap on the back of the damn strap. Help?”
    â€œScoot around,” said Zac.
    Radiant did so, lifting her silver hair so Zac could unhook the goggles.
    Radiant pulled them away, then turned and smiled at Zac. “Thank you.”
    Where her eyes should have been there were only two smooth craters of flesh, giving her face the appearance of a mannequin whose face had yet to be sketched on, let alone painted.
    It detracted not one whit from her beauty,