Make

Their walk through the side streets was otherwise uneventful. They paused to pick up the internet now and again, from leaky unguarded modems and over-efficient fridge ordering systems, but could glean no information about their pursuers. As the sun came up, there were one or two more people out and about, but no-one took any notice of the three walking quietly along, apparently on their way to work.

‘What are we going to do when we get there?’ said Brontë. ‘We have nothing in the way of bargaining power to influence anything.’

‘First, we talk to Jean-Claude,’ began Alain confidently. ‘He’ll know what to do.’

‘Easier said than done. How do we find him without revealing ourselves?’ The normally easy-going Hugo was anxious. ‘We can hardly walk back into the complex and we don’t know where else he might be, do we?’

Alain thought for a moment. ‘Jean-Claude is a man of routine. When we were tethered and still forming, he always began tending us at the same time, and left at the same time. We have only to wait outside the main entrance until he arrives or leaves, depending on what time we get there.’

‘At this rate, it will be after he finishes his work in the evening. This walking is very tiring ,’ complained Brontë. ‘I preferred the transportation in Kim’s car - much quicker and less effort. Couldn’t we find a car to use? It would make things easier - and faster.’

‘Good idea,’ said Alain and Hugo together. 

’Next time we find a hotspot, I’ll research how to get a car,’ said Alain. ‘Driving doesn’t seem so very difficult, we just need to avoid hitting any other moving vehicles as we move forward. Brontë, will you find a route?’

The three picked up their pace as they turned down the next few streets, searching for an open network on either side of the suburban road.

‘Found one.’ Hugo beckoned them over. ‘Hotspot over here.’

It didn’t take them long to gain the information they required.

‘The best advice I found was to test for unlocked car doors but not to be too obvious about doing so. It seems the general population do not appreciate having their cars used by anyone but themselves and especially if they have not given their permission,’ said Alain.

‘It would make more sense if everyone could use any form of transport. Better use of resources,’ said Brontë.

‘My knowledge of human behaviour does not demonstrate it is governed by common sense, generally,’ said Hugo. ‘There are complex layers of status, affluence, personal development and motivation involved. When I have more time, I intend to research this further. For now, we must simply accept it.’

 They continued on their way more slowly now, since they were forced to wait until there was nobody in sight, before testing the doors of every parked car door as they went.