BACKTRACKER by Milo Fowler (e book reader txt) 📕

"You are certain this is the best course to take?" themonk said.

"Got a better idea?"

"If it is your intention not to be found—"

"Thought I told you to shut up."

Yeng blinked against the rain. Already it had soaked the shouldersof his robe and was continuing its course down his front and back. "Yes,you did. But when I am nervous, I cannot stop myself." He slipped again, pitching headlong.

"Stay on your damned feet." Muldoon jerked him upright.

"If I am slowing you down, please feel free to leave mebehind."

Muldoon cursed.

"In fact, I insist," Yeng continued. "It would bemuch easier for you to disappear into that crowd ahead of us if you werealone."

He's got a point there.

If that mandroid out front of The Pearl were to catch sight of themonk and start makingnoise, it would be over. Sure, Muldoon might be ableto get off a couple shots, freeze the robot in its tracks. But the SYNs waitingoutside were the ones he had to worry about. Programmed with an innate sense of civic duty, they would pounce on him assoon as his gun came into view. Inside the nightclub, he'd surprised them, andthe lights-out had worked to his advantage. No such luck out here.

The plug behind Muldoon's ear vibrated. His pace slowed as hereached up to tap it. Instantly a Link-wide alert scrolled past his ocularimplants:

TWO CITIZENS HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS DISTURBANCE AT THEPEARL TONIGHT—A MONK OF THE WAY AND AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE—ARMED ANDDANGEROUS—CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES IF SEEN—DO NOT ENGAGE

"Bad news?" Yeng said.

Muldoon tapped his plug to clear the alert, restoring his visionof the alley. They were only a couple meters from the sidewalk now. In moments,they would be surrounded by synthetics in tuxedos and glittery dresses under longcoats and umbrellas. The upside: none of these creatures had the Linkinterface. They would have no idea that Muldoon was a wanted man.

"Not yet." He slipped his gun back into its holster."Follow my lead."

"I believe that is what I have been doing."

He released the monk's arm. "Walk in front of me. Don't tryanything. A pulse round may not be lethal, but it's far from pleasant. Iwouldn't think twice about shooting you in the back."

"A man of honor." Yeng rubbed his sore forearm.

A monk who can't keep his mouth shut.

With Muldoon prodding him along, they entered the stream of foottraffic that converged on The Pearl, reaching a standstill before they weremore than a few paces out of the alley. Confused murmurs circulated among theumbrellas who stood inline, pelted mercilessly by the rain, waiting to taketheir place beneath The Pearl's awning. The massive doors were closed up tightfor the night—something these regulars had never seen before.

Muldoon nudged the tuxedo ahead of him. "Hey, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure." The SYN half-turned with an amiablesmile, not even noticing Muldoon's failure to dress for the occasion or hislack of a proper defensive apparatus against the rain. "I've not heard ofThe Pearl closing its doors before sunrise."

Muldoon nodded, turning up his soggy collar against the cold—apointless gesture. He rubbed his hands together. "How long?"

The SYN's shoulders rose and fell. "We just arrived, but those closer to the front are saying something about a disturbance inside. We're waiting for more news to filter back thisway." The synthetic eyes blinked, rotating to focus on the plug behindMuldoon's ear. "Has there been any news on the Link?"

"Not yet."

The SYN nodded. "I am certain the matter will be resolvedquickly. Mr. Lennox has enough mandroids on hand to do the job right."

"Speak of the devil," Yeng quipped.

All too soon, Muldoon saw why. Head and shoulders above theumbrellas it shoved aside with little regard, a well-dressed sentinel camestomping through the crowd. Its eyes glowed fiercely, roving side to sidein a calculated search pattern.

"Save us a spot in line, will you?" Muldoon turned fromthe SYN and grabbed Yeng by the back of his robe, nearly hoisting him up offhis feet.

He pulled the monk out of the crowd and forged into the street.Into oncoming traffic. Headlights washed them in white as horns blaredand tires screeched. So much for keeping a low profile.

"Halt right where you are," the mandroid commanded,charging forward as synthetics cleared a path.

Muldoon whipped out his gun and fired a pair of pulse rounds thatflashed through the night, striking the robot's chest. The crowd cried out indismay, cowering, umbrellas floundering. The automaton staggered a stepbackward and jerked to a sudden halt, limbs frozen as white bolts of energycoursed through its system.

"Get out!" Muldoon aimed his weapon at the windshield ofacab he'd impeded and strode toward the driver.

"Screw you! Get outta my way!" The driver cursed andspun the steering grips, stepping on the accelerator to veer around the two menin the middle of the street.

Muldoon lowered his gun toward the vehicle's hood. One round, andit wouldn't be going anywhere. The engine system would be fried. The driver'seyes widened as he slammed on the brakes.

"You cannot take this man's vehicle," Yeng protested."It is his livelihood."

"Watch me." Muldoon stared down the driver. "Exit the vehicle!"

"This is not right."

Muldoon gave the monk a jerk, throwing him off-balance. "Whoare you to say what's right or wrong?" he grated out through his teeth.

"We did not harm the boy in any way. We are his guardians—"

"I can't let you take my cab," the driver pleaded,shouting in order to be heard, his window wide open despite the invading rain."It's all I've got! I'll take you anywhere you need to go, just don'tshoot. Please!"

Muldoon stepped forward as the rear door of the cab openedautomatically, drifting upward. He pulled Yeng along. "Get in."

"You boys in some kind of trouble, I take it?" Thedriver swiveled as if he were an overgrowth of his seat, his oily hairsprinkled with flecks of grey, his pudgy face thick with stubble. Bulging eyesregarded his two new passengers with keen interest.

Muldoon slid into the backseat after Yeng and glanced outsidethrough the oval-shaped rear window. The SYNs in front of The Pearl wereslowly converging on the taxicab, watching, waiting, seeming to know what theyhad to do without being told. All