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Shadbolt locked the door. His wig was on its stand nearby, sharing the table with a hairbrush and an electric razor. The mirror was cracked, and one window consisted of a board, but Shadbolt wore his surroundings lightly.
Slowly, painstakingly, he eased his CICI out of its housing. Removable components were rare, and were usually only prototypes or custom builds.
Shadbolt's was both.
Model NCC-17.01. Shadbolt had built it. He laid it down on a hard copy of its own schematics. IT was the most valuable thing he owned. He reached deeper into his skull with a pair of tweezers and drew out a larger box. IT didn't have a model number. It was what had got him fired. And when Medico had tried to claim ownership under the terms of his contract, Shadbolt had committed arson to keep it, with all the consequences that had had. This all seemed rather a fuss over something that didn't work, but Shadbolt knew its potential.
To complete it he needed money, and plenty of it. The last sale had helped, but he needed even more for the components and lab time to add the finishing touches. He could get the money several times over by selling the Model 17 schematics, but he was beginning to realise that it would be no simple task. It was too hot. Even assuming he could evade the GSSA, he would be selling to major players. More importantly, greedy players. Organisations so greedy that they may tie up any loose ends and throw them in the Thames. If he tried to pass it to a legitimate source, he'd face jail. Or the chair. And the longer he kept hold of it the more dangerous the situation became.
His special project could wait. Survival was Shadbolt's primary concern.
He replaced his CICI and connected.
* Server: FreeProgrammesInternational
* User: Anonymous
* Password:
* Uploading file... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Shadbolt estimated three days before the Model 17 appeared on the streets. Three days to get the money and finish his life's work before he lost his edge over his pursuers.
He'd had deadlines before.
Ben Wright, 28/10/00
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