“Hey Claire!” Zoe greeted Doc Brown.

“Hi Zoe. Is everything ok?” Claire asked.

“Yep. I was wondering if you could tell me how long it would take to install a Shielded Array, and how much you would charge to do so,” Zoe replied.

“3000 credits,” Claire replied. Zoe frowned and Doc Brown laughed. “Hey, I can’t do everything for you at cost.”

“Yeah, I suppose that’s true,” Zoe reluctantly agreed making Claire laugh harder.

“The procedure only takes two hours or less to do too,” Claire said after getting her laughter under control. “What made you decide to upgrade?”

“I talked with Terr, Newt, Kerri, and Vee yesterday. Terr told me how he got a Shielded Array after getting a virus, which I didn’t think was possible.”

“Couriers getting a virus by data transfer is rare, but does happen,” Doc Brown replied. “And yes, the Shielded Array will help keep that from happening, though nothing is 100% effective.”

“When could you schedule me?” Zoe asked.

“We could do it this afternoon if you like,” Claire replied. “ “It’s really an in and out procedure.”

“Can I make payments or pay later?” Zoe asked giving Doc Brown a hopeful smile.

“Yeah, I can do that if you’ll tell me how your new independence is working out,” Claire laughed.

“Deal! I’m on the way,” Zoe replied cutting in front of a car so she could turn towards Brooklyn. The car’s horn blared, and the driver flipped off Zoe. She laughed.

“What was that?” Claire asked.

“Just a car I cut in front of,” Zoe innocently answered.

“Allowing you to get the freedom that a courier license allows might have been a mistake,” Claire muttered.

*

Zoe checked the bid site Sunday evening and bid on several runs that ran all around New York and into New Jersey. She won a casino bank run going from Sugar Ray’s Casino in Long Island to the Big Apple Bank on E 42nd St. The casino didn’t care when their deposit was made as long as it was done before 4 PM. So, Zoe looked for other runs.

Zoe won a data run from the New Staten Island University Hospital to a port in Jersey City. She was amazed the place had kept nearly the same name over the years. Zoe next won a job for a boutique in Jersey City to deliver some data to their store in SoHo. From the SoHo boutique, Zoe would complete the Casino job since the bank on 42nd St was basically a hop, skip, and jump away.

“Tomorrow is going to be a busy day,” Zoe mused rubbing the back of her neck where one of the new antennas was located. The three runs would net her 1500 credits and be four hours of driving unless she abused her license’s privileges. “Who am I kidding? Of course, I’m going to abuse those privileges.”

Zoe closed out of the site and went to bed.

*

“Hey Chloe,” Zoe said as she walked into Cartier Transport’s office for what she hoped would be the last time.

“Hey Zoe. It looks like you’re back in ship shape,” Chloe said. “I don’t know if Henri has anything for you, but I can share a run or two with you if he doesn’t.”

“That’s alright. I’ll be fine,” Zoe replied.

“Oh? Cee asked giving Zoe a questioning look.

“Well, look what the cat dragged back,” Rita said before Zoe could reply to Chloe.

“The old saying goes, ‘look at what the cat dragged in’, not back,” Zoe corrected while squashing an intrusion attempt. “You’re old enough to know that too.”

“Whatever,” Rita hissed. “She’s been riding around the city all last week and wasn’t sick.”

“Stop trying to slice my systems,” Zoe said.

“That’s enough from both of you,” Henri said walking into the outer office. “Rita, you, and Chloe, join the others. Zoe, I don’t have anything for you today.”

“That’s ok,” Zoe replied as Rita walked back into the other room.

“Really?” Henri asked in disbelief.

“Are you sure you’re alright Zoe?” Chloe asked.

“Yes, in both cases. In fact, I’m better than alright and I quit,” Zoe replied.

“You quit?” Henri repeated. Zoe nodded her head. “Terr is quitting.”

“I know,” Zoe replied. “And I quit effectively… now.”

“You know?” Chloe asked. Zoe nodded her head. “Then why quit now?”

“I was planning on giving you Terr’s runs once his two-week notice is up,” Henri said.

“You’ve already found another job,” Chloe stated.

“You can say that” Zoe replied nodding her head. “In fact, I need to run. See you around.”

“Let’s talk about this,” Henri tried as Zoe turned to leave.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Zoe replied turning back. “You used me and then cut me off. I don’t appreciate that kind of behavior.”

“It’s just business,” Chloe said.

“No, it’s personal when your life depends on the job,” Zoe countered. “Thankfully, that is behind me now.”

“You’re this new ZCS outfit,” Henri accused as something clicked in his mind.

Zoe smiled but didn’t answer. She walked out without saying another word. Before the door shut, Zoe heard Henri shout “Fuck!”, which made her smile. Still smiling, she sat on her GT4 and put on her helmet.

Zoe glanced at Rita’s and Lionel’s rides. The smile grew wider as Zoe started slicing the motorcycles. She placed a Glue Trap under each and left a Stinker on each to trigger when Lionel and Rita mounted them. Zoe started up her motorcycle and left Cartier Transport feeling happy and free.