comStar Firewall alert - PhaseThrough
comStar Firewall alert - PhaseThrough
comStar Firewall alert - PhaseThrough
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182<br />
. . . siMsense<br />
and skillware . . .<br />
A dog was licking Juan’s face.<br />
He smelled its breath as he woke up, reaching out and pushing its muzzle away. His head felt<br />
thick and groggy. Too much drinking, he thought. Knew it was a bad idea to hit the bars with that<br />
crazy troll girl.<br />
The thought suddenly confused him. Hit the bars? What the hell am I thinking? I didn’t hit the<br />
bars? I stayed in, studied the maps, went over plans, cleaned my gu—<br />
His eyes popped open with a start, wide awake. He looked around in confusion. The dog skittered<br />
back and away, suddenly wary. I’m in an alley. Why the hell am I in a—<br />
His eyes rested on the gun in his hand. His gun.<br />
The memories suddenly came back to him, driving him to his feet. The crowds. The speaker, surrounded<br />
by bodyguards. The smarmy elf politico he had held a grudge against for months. The one he<br />
had plotted to kill. The media drones. Him, pulling his gun, shooting that liberal salad muncher right<br />
in the fuckin’ face. Running from the screams, the shouts of security as they chased him º<br />
His heart was racing. This was the alley, the alley he ran into, ducking away from the spirits<br />
and drones and armed men. Where are my pursuers?<br />
He could hear the crowd, cheering and clapping. It wasn’t the sound of a scared mob, the aftermath<br />
of an assassination. It was the sound of a lively political rally. It confused him. He cautiously<br />
moved toward the alley’s mouth, carefully holding the gun out of sight.<br />
There was the elf, still alive, leaving the stage. What the hell? I º I just killed him! But there he<br />
was, smiling and waving, moving through the crowd, clasping hands, kissing cheeks, thanking his<br />
supporters.<br />
Then a shot ran out. Screams filled the air. The crowd scattered like roaches. It was complete<br />
pandemonium.<br />
Juan could only stare as someone broke from the crowd, running fast, headed straight towards<br />
the alley. That’s me! He thought. He was too stunned, too flabbergasted to act. The man looking just<br />
like him gave Juan a grin as he sped past, down the alley, and out of sight.<br />
The sickening feeling hit Juan’s stomach a moment too late. I’m being set up. My memories º<br />
that motherfucker just framed me! He started to run, to follow the man, knowing he was already<br />
too late.<br />
“Freeze!” He knew better than to turn, gun in hand, to face the security men as they entered the<br />
alley. He knew that his only hope was to catch the man ahead of him.<br />
The shots rang out, and he never did.<br />
Unwired<br />
Simon Wentworth (order #1132857) 9
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