Release 1.26

It was quiet in the parking lot. Too quiet.

I stood slumped over, trying to catch my breath after sprinting to the car. Anabella looked unruffled, pausing for only a moment to brush her long hair from her face.

You've probably seen enough action/adventure movies to know that it is always at this point, after a harrowing chase from an overpowering enemy, that the hero always gets his first kiss from the love interest. It's a staple of literature, and as inevitable as the one last gratuitous scare in every horror movie. The tension and excitement build, the nerves are put on edge as the hero and heroine are plunged into the depths of their peril. Then, as they finally get a brief respite from their ordeal, they realize how much they've grown to depend upon each other. Depend upon? No, love. They finally give in, and...

"Kubota, did you hear me? I said let's go! Open the damn door!"

I fumbled the keys out of my pocket and unlocked the car. We got in, and as soon as I could shake the image of Anabella's lips from my mind, we sped off toward the street.

As we reached the guard shack at the parking lot's exit, I was forced to make a choice. I could stop for the guard and we could try to bluff our way past if he'd already become one of "them." It be a formidable test of my quick-wittedness and ability to think under pressure, and there was always the chance that he may not have been turned, and an armed guard is always a good ally in any life-and-death situation.

I chose Plan B which, while it may not have been the approach a James Bond would have taken, seemed to me the better part of valor. I kissed my paint job goodbye, plowed through the gate, and didn't hit the brakes until we were at least a mile down the road.

I kept my eyes glued on the road before us, while Anabella kept her neck craned, watching for any sign of cybernetic pursuers. We held those positions for quite some time, until we could be sure we weren't being followed. I let my foot ease a bit off the gas pedal, and Anabella turned to face forward.

"Well, wasn't that fun?", Anabella laughed. "I guess they haven't spread out past the compound yet. So, now what?"

I was still somewhat locked into panic mode. "Now what? We get the hell out of here, as far and fast as we can. You saw how fast they took over the offices. How long could it be before they get the whole town? The state? The whole damn country, for that matter?" I'll admit I was losing it. "Where the hell can we hide? They're going to get us no matter where we go! Computers are everywhere! We're doomed, I tell you, we're doomed!"

My head snapped back as Anabella pointed out my lack of control by applying the palm of her hand to the side of my head. In other words, she bitch-slapped me.

"Get a grip, Kubota. I've had enough today without having to deal with you going mental on me."

I looked at her in shock. I was so far gone in the depths of panic it never even occured to me to be excited she'd slapped me. "Listen, you just tell me where to drop you off if you want to play savior of the world, and I'll be happy to. I'm heading for the first third-world country without electricity that I can find a plane to land on. Send me a postcard when you've made the world safe for humanity. I tell you, I'm out..."

I saw the expression on Anabella's face change from disdain to something like terror, and I realized I had been so into my breakdown I hadn't been watching the road. Too late, I saw the red light, and the pack of leather-jacketted bicyclists crossing the road right in front of us. I remember turning the wheel to avoid them, and being amazed at the way time seemed to slow down as the car spun out of control.