Zoe stopped and turned her bike off in front of the dealership when she spotted the others waiting for her. She took off her helmet, set it on what used to be the gas tank on motorcycles, and smiled. “I think I’m in love.”

“There’s nothing like having something powerful between your legs,” Kris agreed.

“I’ll give you something powerful,” Tommy muttered.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I already have something powerful to go between my legs when I get off work,” the saleswoman replied pointing at a gray motorcycle with black and red accents. “That’s my Triple RS. It’s Knight’s mid spec street bike.”

“Only mid spec?” Zane asked.

“It has a 765cc triple engine which doesn’t have the torque, horsepower, or growl the GT4 does, but it’s enough for me.”

“It’s a nice-looking bike,” Jimmy said.

“Thanks,” Kris replied. She turned back to Zoe, who hadn’t gotten off the GT4 yet. “Ready to sign some paperwork?”

“Yes. Yes, I am,” Zoe enthusiastically replied getting off her new bike.

“Good. Do you want to finance or pay it all today?”

“The clothes and gear are paid for already and I have a loan so, paying it all today,” Zoe replied leaning against the Triple Black.

“That’s what I like to hear. Want to step inside and get something to drink to finish things up or just do it here so you don’t have to leave your new baby?” Kris asked Zoe.

“I don’t think she wants to leave her new toy,” Zane observed.

“I can leave it.”

“Ha. I was the same way when I got my first bike,” Zane said. “Claire was too.”

“So was I,” Kris added.

“Let’s go inside. I got so excited that I need to visit the little girls’ room,” Zoe sheepishly admitted.

*

“Jimmy, you’re taking my clothing, aren’t you?” Zoe asked her cousin.

“Yeah. I put your bags in the trunk while you were joyriding.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“You know Zoe, panniers, a tank bag, or a tail pack would give you some storage space for clothes and snacks,” Kris informed her customer with a huge grin on her face.

“Some nice synthetic leather horse saddlebags do the same thing and are cheaper,” Zane countered.

“Those aren’t as secure,” Kris countered.

“They can be taken with you though and are a lot less bulky too,” Zane replied.

“Good point. Too be fair, I use saddlebags when I go on long rides instead of panniers.”

“See!”

“Guess you had to make the sales pitch though,” Zoe said.

“Yep. Part of the job.”

“Zoe, you should get them to install the seat rest,” Zane said.

“Why? I don’t plan on riding anyone besides myself.”

“Because if you do get saddlebags or even try to hang a courier bag on the seat, it’ll make it less likely they’ll slip off while you’re riding.”

“That’s a good point,” Jimmy agreed.

“Jimmy let’s go. I’m ready to get to the restaurant. You can drop off Zoe’s clothing on the way,” Tommy said.

“Alright Tommy. Zoe, are you going to be alright?”

“Yeah. Zane’s still here and Kris seems like good people.”

“Zoe, Tony says he has your first gig lined up for tomorrow. It’s a simple data transfer. Be at Capones at 9 in the morning and not a minute late,” Tommy said.

“Alright. I’ll be there on time.”

“See ya later cousin,” Jimmy said as Tommy walked out the door. Jimmy followed him after Zoe said her goodbye.

“Your cousin cares,” Kris observed.

“Yeah, he does.”

“And Tommy is an ass,” Zane added to laughter from the women.

“Well, since you don’t want any accessories and the credit transfer has gone through, let’s setup your user profile on the Triple Black. It won’t take but a couple minutes.”

“Is there a reason to do that?” Zoe asked.

“Yes. The profile will keep the bike from being easily stolen,” Zane answered. “It’ll also allow you to remote start the bike.”

“That’s handy on those cold days,” Kris added. “The Triple Black also has a self-drive function which makes use of the profile. You can set preferences for it to drive at, below, or over the speed limit.”

“All vehicles have that, don’t they?” Zoe asked. “Or at least every vehicle I’ve ever seen has. Are motorcycles different?”

“No, motorcycles are the same as other vehicles in that regard. Where the GT4, including the Triple Black, is different is in that the self-drive feature can be used to call the bike to you if you don’t want to walk back to where you parked if you couldn’t park close to the building,” Kris explained.

“That’s neat,” Zane replied. “But I’m not sure if it’s legal.”

“Yeah, it is. Neat that is. I’m not sure about the legal stuff,” Zoe said. “I do have one more question for either of you.”

“Alright.”

“Shoot.”

“What about the helmet? How do I keep it, so it doesn’t get stolen? I wouldn’t want to carry it round all the time.”

“That’s easy,” Zane laughed. “Didn’t you notice the click when you sat it on the bike?”

“No, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“All helmets have a magnetic ring that keeps them stuck to the bike.”

“So?”

“The ring along with the antitheft system built into the bike keeps your helmet from being taken. There haven’t been gas tanks in years. So, that space now houses part of the computer system, powerful electronic magnets, the gyroscopic system, and if a person opted for it, an electrical shock system, in addition to the microreactor,” Kris explained.

“So, I have to deactivate the antitheft system in my profile before the helmet can be picked up,” Zone concluded.

“Exactly,” Zane said.

“I didn’t see the shock system when I picked out the Triple Black.”

“It’ll only take an hour to install and test,” Kris said.

“Plus run you another 2000 credits or more,” Zane added.

“2500 to be exact,” Kris clarified.

“I’ll pass,” Zoe replied.

“Alright. Let’s build this profile and get you out on the road.”

“Going to come with me to show Claire your ride?”

“Yep.”