Read Online Data Runner by Sam A. Patel - Free Book Online Page B

inserts the empty magazine, pulls back on the slide until it locks open, inserts one bullet directly into the chamber, and eases the slide forward. “Last chance to come to your senses,” he says.
    There really isn’t a soft spot to catch my fall, but that doesn’t matter anyway. According to the instructions, I should let the bullet throw me off my feet and land on my torso. The way it’s been designed, the ultramesh is supposed to disperse the energy of the bullet throughout the armor. The harder I hit the ground, the more energy is dispersed throughout the gear. Basically, the way the instructions read, if I do have to take a bullet, I should go with its trajectory and let the body armor do its job. To that end, I rock backwards onto my heels.
    â€œDo it.”
    With his finger well off the trigger, Dexter palms his grip-hand and raises the gun to my chest. Even in his oversized hands it looks large. This is when I begin to wonder if I really am crazy.
    I flinch as Dexter pulls the trigger, but nothing happens. He tries again. Still nothing. Dexter thumbs the safety and points the gun to the side. Pulls back the slide about halfway and releases it. Returns it to my chest. Flips the safety off.
    â€œWhat hap—”
    The blinding flash strikes my chest so hard it throws me off my feet with a thunderous bang that I don’t even hear until I am already sailing backward through the air. Much further than I ever would have imagined. I land hard on my back. The next thing I see is through tears. Dexter hovering over me.
    â€œJack! Jack! Don’t move. Are you okay?”
    â€œPeachy,” I gasp.
    What does it feel like to get shot? Lying flat on my back, it feels like a 7-foot muscle man has just wielded a 10-pound sledgehammer over his head and brought it straight down onto my chest. Even though I’ve done exactly what I was supposed to do, I can feel the impact of the slug like a dent in my endoskeleton.
    Dexter hovering over me, “Jack, say something.”
    â€œYou were right, Dex. This was a stupid idea.”
    But I have to get up. Out in the field I won’t have the luxury of catching my breath. I roll to my side and push myself back onto my feet—barely. Between me wobbling back and forth and the room rocking side to side, I’m amazed I can even remain upright, but I do. My entire body is sore, even my legs, and my chest feels like it has just been punched in, and there is one rib in particular that feels cracked.
    I remove my sweater. Underneath it all, I am amazed at how small the bullet looks compared to how it feels. It’s just this tiny little thing caught in the mesh. Dexter rifles through his bag and comes out with a pair of pliers. He grabs the slug and twists it out of the mesh, leaving behind a tiny dent in the weave. I hold out my hand and Dexter drops it into my palm. Such a tiny little thing.
    â€œWhat was my down time?” I ask when I finally catch my breath.
    â€œI don’t know. Less than a minute.”
    â€œThat’s from the shock.” I unbuckle the armor and reach inside to my rib. The bruise is so big that my fingertips run into it by accident.
    â€œAre you alright?”
    â€œYeah,” I wince. “Yeah, I am. I think next time I should be able to roll out of it.”
    Dexter’s expression is something between shock and amazement.
    â€œYou’ve never been shot at while carrying a load?” I ask.
    Dexter shrugs. “My loads aren’t high value. I don’t get paid as much, but I don’t get shot at either. Anyway, I’m more concerned about that guy with the samurai sword who’s running around the sneakernet cutting off people’s arms.”
    â€œ Katana ,” I correct. Just as I regain my balance I feel a tingle in my arm. I’m not even sure what it is at first. Until I suddenly realize, the chip inside has started to vibrate.

8
    I’m not sure what to expect when I