Shutdown (Glitch) by Heather Anastasiu Read Free Book Online Page A

Anyone who noticed him would think he was probably just going back to work. Even though techers were allowed to watch the games, they were still always on call.
    Max and I followed behind Rowun into the elevator.
    “Hold the door,” said another blue-suited techer, catching the closing elevator door with his hand and stepping in with us. Max and I flattened ourselves against the walls.
    Rowun kept trying to twitch or call out, anything to signal to the techer standing only inches away from him that something was wrong. Finally after what felt like an interminably long ride, the elevator pinged and the doors opened. We stepped off too since it was the techer level. I kept my grip around Rowun firm as I forced him out of the elevator and into the hallway.
    After heading down several long corridors that were fairly empty, Max pulled out his mini console with the city schematics.
    His head swung in both directions, as if looking to make sure we were alone, then came near and whispered in my ear. “Straight ahead. Make sure to follow me closely.”
    “I know, I memorized it last night.”
    Rowun’s eyes twitched at the sudden voices coming from thin air. I ignored him and started forward again. We were only one quick shuttle tube ride away from the central access facility where all new programming was uploaded.
    The arena and Uppers housing was located in a small node at the apex of the city, with the tube shuttle lines running outward like veins. My heartbeat raced as we walked across the shuttle platform. The sun shone brightly through windows lining the ceiling of the shuttle station. I took several deep breaths, unnerved as always by sunlight, and tightened my grip on my mast cells.
    There were only a few other people waiting with us. Two Regs stood on guard at the back of the station. I had to hand it to Henk. He was the one who suggested we make our attempt during Fight Night. The city was almost deserted since everyone was packed in back at the arena. Our two targets wouldn’t realize their pendants had been switched until they went into work the next day, and by then we’d have already crashed the Link.
    But still, if I lost control for even a second , Rowun could call out to the Regs and we’d be done. I could take out a couple Regs easily enough, but our mission would be ruined. The city would go on lockdown. Sweat beaded on my forehead.
    I felt an absurd relief when the shuttle finally arrived and we all stepped on. It wasn’t any safer in reality—maybe less so because now we were stuck in a confined space, not to mention we were still in the heart of Central City—but at least it felt better than waiting out in the open.
    The shuttle was filled with drones in the crisp white tunics of the service class. They all stood at attention, holding on to the looped handholds that hung from metal bars running along the ceiling. There were a few other unchipped workers like Rowun here and there, distinguishable by the color of their tunics, a few with the surgeon reds and repair-worker browns. Rowun was the only techer on board though, and that fact made me nervous. Would it look out of place for him to enter the programming facility during the festivities of Fight Night?
    The shuttle made several stops, and I gripped Rowun even tighter during every exchange of passengers. The shuttle dipped underground and a half a mile later finally came to a stop at the entrance to the programming access facility.
    We stepped out and were faced with an intimidating blockade door at the edge of the station platform. I forced Rowun to hold his wrist out. The ID chip implanted in his wrist registered with a beep and the door opened. Max led us deeper and deeper into the complex, Rowun’s chip opening every door. Just as we’d thought, the facility was almost empty. The few techers who were working were too busy to even look up as Rowun passed.
    We finally arrived at a small white room. The light-cells overhead all buzzed at their