Pawns of Destruction by CJ Lyons & CJ Lyons

Author:CJ Lyons & CJ Lyons [Lyons, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Edgy Reads

Chapter 17

Annie’s bot body had no difficulty navigating the Salt River’s currents past Fort Knox and into the large man-made lake that served as a reservoir north of the military compound. But she grew increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of swimming—plus, it used too much of her energy since her capacitors weren’t yet fully charged.

Our one advantage, Chaz said, is that Franco won’t come to Iron Mountain with any forces. Blake is the only one he trusted with Delphi’s location. He’ll come alone. And we have a head start. By my calculations, it will take nine point eight hours for them to clear the floodwaters and access the vault Franco is trapped inside.

Then our main problem will be Marina. We’ve no idea if we can trust her. Or the Metas in her control, Annie added. We need a plan.

I am well acquainted with Iron Mountain, Chaz said as schematics flew across Annie’s vision. With your powers to control data, I believe we can defeat its security measures.

She swam to the shallower waters at the edge of the reservoir, keeping on the eastern shore, far away from the fort. Through her echolocation, she was able to locate several objects that had to be boats tied to docks, but none of them had the sleek, made-for-speed-shaped hull she wanted. Maybe in this world with its fossil fuel crisis, speedboats didn’t exist?

Then she noticed that several docks had boathouses attached to them—a sign of wealth, and with wealth came money for luxuries that might be frivolous.

Prospers, Chaz said. Always the first to flaunt the waste laws. Especially government ministers—they seem to think their cabinet positions shield them from prosecution.

No matter, Annie replied as she finally found the profile she was looking for. She pushed through the mud at the edge of the dock and climbed the pilings to emerge in a darkened boathouse.

No signs of human life nearby, so she didn’t worry about the noise as she hauled herself from the water and shook the mud and algae from her bot. The abrasions and lacerations from the tunnel were already sealing, thanks to her self-repairing nanotube flesh. She’d look human again in no time—once she found some clothing; most of that had been shredded and lost in the flood.

But first, the boat. She examined it quickly, running her palm down its sleek hull with its special paint that reduced drag. A smaller version of the racing boats she’d seen at the Pittsburgh Regatta, this one was designed for pure speed and was only large enough for two.

One more than she needed room for. She found a hoard of fuel as well as a pair of overalls that were too big but easy enough to roll up the cuffs on. A few minutes later, she eased the boat out of its shelter and paddled it as quietly as possible to the top of the lake, where the sound of the river would cover any engine noise.

She’d still be vulnerable if a drone flew

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