I breathed slowly, trying to keep silent as the last Drac patrol walked past me. It was always surprising, no matter how many times I saw them, how uniform and straight Dracs walked. I knew it was just another side effect of the Pills, but it still freaked me out. Pulling my shoulder in closer to the pesticide-drenched and finely manicured tree, I twisted my neck to watch them walk away, counting to five after it had marched out of sight. I quickly padded silently to the other side of the massive 3-story rectangle, staying out of range of the lone entrance security camera. This place was so poorly equipped, I could hack it in my sleep.
I took out the battered old laptop I’d been given for this purpose, connecting it to the keypad all Dracs used for easy access before uploading the newest virus I’d been given. It’d shut down the security system in a way that was undetectable, allowing me to slip right in the front door. Once the system was in place, I hurried in the front door and down the first hallway immediately to my left, pressing my back against the white wall and peeking around the corner. Seeing no one, I ducked back out into the hallway, jogging to the end, where an elevator stood open. Jumping into it, I pressed the three button, taking it straight to the top. The schematics had said I was supposed to head to the left, taking the third hallway I came to on my right and getting to the door at the end of the room. Apparently, that room had the info I needed. I snuck into the room, which was dark besides the glow from the computer screens, in front of which a doofus in a white outfit and Drac mask sat. I walked up behind him, raygun in hand, and brought the butt of my gun down on his head. The man flopped out of his chair, unconcious, at which point I tied him up quickly and flopped down into his chair, cracking my knuckles. The watch on my wrist beeped, telling me I had 10 minutes to get out of there. Piece of cake.
I typed furiously, bypassing the code to enter the system and getting straight into their system. I connected the flashdrive into the computer, downloading the seek-and-destroy virus I’d been given, waiting for it to load. My watch beeped again. Seven minutes. A new record. I smiled to myself as I pulled my switchblade from my right high-top, quickly carving my initials into the imitation wood desk. The Drac on the floor started moaning. I cursed silently. I knew I should’ve hit him harder.
“Stay right there, pal, or you’ll end up barbecued with a side of roast mask.” I kept my raygun on him as the computer beeped, signalling my exit. I yanked the flashdrive out of its socket and waved.
“Tell your superiors Terror was here.” I grinned, opening the window to the left and tying a rope to the tree outside. “They’ll know who I am.” I slid down the rope Tarzan-style, landing on my feet on the ground. Above me, I heard yelling, meaning I’d probably made my escape not a moment too soon. Sneaking around the corner to grab my laptop, I returned to see some blockheads finding my bike, which had been carefully stashed under some bushes. I cursed under my breath and went back the way I came, looking for anything to jack without making too much of a scene. And then I spotted a beautiful black ‘69 Mustang, with the split rear window and everything. She was parked towards the back, just gathering rust. They didn’t deserve her.
I crawled underneath and quickly located the car’s tracker, disabling it quickly before climbing back out, picking the lock and hopping in the driver’s seat. I checked all over, finding no keys. I didn’t want to hotwire such a beauty, so, remembering an old movie I’d seen a long time ago, I flipped down the visor meant to keep the sun out of your eyes and there fell the keys, right in my lap. Grinning at my good luck, I started her up and pressed the gas, shooting around the corner and out into the desert. Behind me I could see the white suits against the inky blackness of the desert sky at midnight, shooting after me in a rage. I swerved some, making me impossible to hit until I got far enough away to be out of sight.
After a few minutes of driving, the adrenaline started wearing off, leaving me exhausted, but pleased. This was a great car. Maybe I’d even get to keep her! Excited at the prospect, I kept driving, eager to get home and get some sleep. My watch beeped again. I turned it off. It was 2 am, and that’s all I cared to know.
