She screamed and continued to throttle the now unresponsive controls.
“Call them off, Savant.” Jake smiled as the cameras got their close up.
The machines stopped their assault and began to back away, leaving Meagan alone with her new infamy.
21
By the time they reached the bottom floor, a team of SafetyMen were cutting Meagan from the cockpit while the authorities stood by waiting to take her into custody.
Robot medics tended to the trapped passengers, and city service machines began to clean up the debris and shell casings that filled the streets.
The news drones hovered around the rescue operation capturing B-roll footage while waiting for the big arrest.
It wasn’t long before the cameras began peeling off from the wreckage and headed their way.
“Ready for your close-up?” Hailey smiled and nodded toward the cameras.
“Absolutely not. I’ve had enough cameras in my face to last me quite a while.”
“Don’t worry, boss.” Savant stepped toward the oncoming drones. “I’ll talk to them.”
“No, you won’t.” Jake looked at Kat. “Would you please handle this?”
“I’m just the mechanic.”
“You’re also the only articulate one here. Just tell them what happened and don’t let Savant or Mason say anything.”
“Okay.”
“And don’t let Glitch talk about his junk.”
“Okay.”
“Or ankles. Don’t let him talk about ankles.”
“Of course not.”
“And make sure to give our phone number.”
“You sure you don’t want to handle this, Jake?” Kat asked.
“No. I’m sorry. You’ll do fine.”
The team members stepped into the light of the cameras and were soon engulfed by the drones.
“It’s one hell of a team you’ve got, Jake,” Hailey said.
“It’s a great team. You still want that job?”
“It pays shit. And I mean like nothing.”
She put her arms around him.
“And the first month’s paycheck is probably going to be late. I’m going to need it to find a place to live.”
They kissed and he didn’t think about it. It wasn’t weird anymore. It was wonderful. There were no other people or other problems to worry about. He enjoyed every moment of it until a drone buzzed past his head and broke their embrace.
Several more zipped by, speeding toward the ZUMR building as another figure emerged from the shattered lobby.
Colton had somehow escaped the onslaught of machines and stood on the plaza steps calling for the news crew.
“He’s going to stand there and just lie his ass off.”
“Maybe not. I’ve got a plan.” Jake took Hailey’s hand and together they ran up the steps toward him.
Porter was directing the drones. Telling them which side was his good side.
Hailey ran up to him. “Colton? How did you… you’re okay!”
“No thanks to you or your friends.” He said “friends” with a glare in Jake’s direction.
Jake shrugged. “I’m glad you’re okay, Porter.”
“No, you’re—“
It was the most satisfying punch Jake had ever thrown. The force was just right. The sound was perfect. He connected with every knuckle and every ounce of anger all at once and Colton Porter went down hard during a live broadcast.
“Oh, I like this plan,” Hailey said.
Porter’s lip was swollen before his ass hit the ground. He tried to swear but teeth fell out through the words. He could talk to the reporters all he wanted but they wouldn’t understand a word of it, and since the public was too lazy to read subtitles, Kat would have a chance to tell the truth before the rumors started.
Jake looked at the man on the ground. “Colton, you have my permission to post that video anywhere you like.”
He turned and offered Hailey his arm. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to escort you back to your place and your bed. Where I will instantly fall asleep and not wake up for several days.”
“How can I say no to that?”
THE END
* * * *
Jake and his team weren’t the first to face murderous machines.
In 1933 Damian Stockwell, armed only with his tremendous brilliance, furious fists and loyal valet, faced The Mechanical Menace.
Read this Bulletproof Adventure of Damian Stockwell now.
* * * *
Also, read Benjamin Wallace’s bestselling post-apocalyptic comedies, the Duck & Cover adventures.
Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors (A Duck & Cover Adventure Book 1)
Knights of the Apocalypse (A Duck & Cover Adventure Book 2)
Pursuit of the Apocalypse (A Duck & Cover Adventure Book 3)
Tales of the Apocalypse (Volume 1) - Summer 2016
* * * *
OTHER WORKS
by Benjamin Wallace
DUCK & COVER ADVENTURES
Post-Apocalyptic Nomadic Warriors (A Duck & Cover Adventure Book 1)
Knights of the Apocalypse (A Duck & Cover Adventure Book 2)
Pursuit of the Apocalypse (A Duck & Cover Adventure Book 3)
Tales of the Apocalypse (Volume 1) - Summer 2016
bulletproof adventures of damian stockwell
Horror in Honduras (The Bulletproof Adventures of Damian Stockwell)
Terrors of Tesla (The Bulletproof Adventures of Damian Stockwell)
The Mechanical Menace (The Bulletproof Adventures of Damian Stockwell)
DAD VERSUS
Dad Versus The Grocery Store
Dads Versus The World (Volume 1)
Dads Versus Zombies
other books
Tortugas Rising
uncivil
UnCivil: The Immortal Engine
UnCivil: Vanderbilt’s Behemoth
short stories
Alternate Realty
Dystopia Inc. #1: The War Room
Pilgrim (A Short Story)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Benjamin Wallace lives in Texas where he complains about the heat. A lot.
Find him online here:
BenjaminWallaceBooks.com
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You can email him at: contact@benjaminwallacebooks.com
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-ben