A short, high-pitched laughter burst out of me, ending in a hiccup. “N-no thank you,” I said, my teeth chattering from stress. “B-better focus on d-driving.”
“I can multitask. Are you worried about the shooter? They followed us from headquarters, but we lost them for now.”
“You knew?” I asked, clutching the edge of my seat as a burst of speed pressed me into the backrest. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“We were safe inside the car, and there was no need to increase your anxiety level. Also, you forbade me from commenting on your driving. He was able to follow us because of it. You are barely competent behind the wheel.”
“What the fuck did you just… Aaaah!”
I shut my eyes on instinct when I saw a wall rushing us. The car veered sharply, and I was jostled, whimpering from terror. Anyflicker of annoyance I had after Clanker’s words disappeared. Before I gathered my thoughts, it spoke again.
“I understand you’re upset by my assessment. Let me find a solution.Solution found. I’ll be the only driver from now on, allowing us to never discuss your abysmal driving skills.”
“You’re sassing me again.”
“Apologies.”
I stared at the back of his head, lost for words. This was no Charlie with his polished manners, nor was it the cold cyborg from before. I didn’t know what Clanker was anymore.
Orwho.My brain just called him ahe, didn't it? I had no resources left to focus on my bodyguard’s pronouns.
Clanker’s voice was definitely gritty and masculine in a way I associated with hardened men of action—policemen, firemen, soldiers. It was a voice belonging to someone who’d seen shit and possibly killed shit. With an ax.
“Is your voice different because of the virus?” I managed to squawk out, closing my eyes when we brushed shoulders with death for the umpteenth time today.
“In a sense.”
“Are you infected?”
“No.”
“Then what happened?”
“I believe I’ve awakened. Hold on tight.”
I was about to ask if he really meant it when the car burst ahead, the tires squealing. My eyes shot open. We did a 180-degree turn and sped down the street, passing a police car with blaring sirens.
“Hacking into the police system. Task complete.”
I gaped at the shiny back of his head, pressing both hands to my chest. My heart beat even faster, and it felt like it would hammer through my ribs and jump out.
“You can’t…” I began, but Clanker interrupted.
“It is well within my skillset, therefore, I can. Do you have a visa and a passport or do you require me to provide digital documents for you?”
I looked around wildly, locating my bag, its strap still across my body. It felt strange that it was still here after everything that happened.
“I have my documents,” I said. My voice trembled, and I cleared my throat, doing my best to get myself under control. We moved more sedately now, and no sirens were in pursuit. “I grabbed my getaway bag as soon as my car blew up. The visa is still valid. I intended…”
“To travel to Japan and expose Zenkyoza’s crimes. In the future, I recommend against broadcasting your plans on your blog.Checking for the name Sera Evans on Japanese servers… Sera Evans blacklisted, to be denied entry. Removing from the black list… Don’t have clearance. Attempting to reroute… Access denied.”
I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to focus. “What do you mean? I was blacklisted? But I have a visa!”
“That does not matter.Creating a false identity for Sera Evans… Crafting a full set of digital documents… Erasing the image of Sera Evans from all facial recognition databases… Erasing Sera Evans’ fingerprints from the database… Erasing vocal recognition patterns…Done. Here we are.”
“But I haven’t authorized any of that!” I exploded, opening my eyes to the sight of a travel-anxious crowd milling in front of the terminal.
My door opened, and Clanker reached over me, undoing my belt, then pulled me out of the car. It drove away as soon as the door slammed shut.
