Browser City

Chapter 3: Taekwondo

Shannon got on the rookie's bike right behind him. She was about to put her arms around his well-built body when he harshly took off the brakes.

The rash movement startled her and made her cling to him harder than intended.

Oh, my! His body is rock hard. Shannon's treacherous thoughts were dwindling in rationality, while some raw power source inside her chest ignited a fire she had never experienced before. She found it harder to breathe while her cheeks blazed like the Core's alarm signal.

"What is it they're after?" he asked her, trying to veil his foul mood at being blackmailed.

"My brother."

"Why?"

They rode down the now deserted, main avenue on his motorbike, which glowed in red and golden hues that left a trail behind like a time-lapse. Shannon was in awe at such a cool bike.

"He's the browser settings. He's got full access and control over the User's credentials. Some of those credentials are banking data, usernames, and passwords."

"So, he's also the one who ordered the Core's lockdown. Please, tell me he's smart enough to remain inside - unlike you." He rode on in the Core's direction.

"Yes, he's inside." She wanted to slap him for being such an insistent jerk.

A few nanoseconds later, they were in front of the Core. The rookie rode all around that impressive skyscraper. 

Both of them stared at that tall and magnificent building looking for any sign of forced intrusion. Each pixel was top-notch quality material, without a scratch.

He parked his bike close to the main doors. Then, he took his helmet off and turned his face to her.

"No signs of any break-in," the rookie said with relief. "The whole building looks unharmed. No passers-by. I'm glad about that. But if your brother's inside and the rogues are after him, they will eventually come here."

It's weird. I've never taken a female add-on or functionality home, the rookie realised. He only did one night stands. By morning, he let them go or called a digital taxi for them if they chose to linger in his apartment. But she's not a fling or anything to me. She doesn't count.

"So, now what? We wait?" Shannon asked.

"You're half right, babe," he replied with a sly smile. 

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I will wait. You need to go inside and seal the Core again."

"What?! What's wrong with your programming?!" she rebutted. "Why are you so rude?! You've lied to me!"

"Sorry for lying. It was necessary," he answered in a calmer tone than before, but he still sounded defiant. "You need to step aside and let the professionals handle this issue. Now, go to that lovely, small, control panel next to the main doors and request entrance."

If she requested entrance, her brother would immediately comply with the request, and gladly. But she didn't want to.

She was about to complain when an indignant voice interrupted their conversation.

"I'm telling you! It's too soon. Their guard is up," a male voice complained from afar, somewhere around the nearest corner. 

Shannon drew her gaze towards the speaker with a racing heartbeat. So did the rookie.

"Oh, shut up, you bloody idiot! We're gonna do it anyway," a female entity exclaimed back at that male. She was walking right beside him.

They stopped walking right at the corner. They were glaring at each other and unaware of Shannon and the rookie's presence.