Hackers

by Jack Dann

"Mr. Thornton," the tallest man continued valiantly.

  "Won't you come with me?" Pal asked.

  Tuthy glanced back at Lauren. She gave him a small fraction of a nod, barely understanding what she was assenting to, and he took Pal's hand. "Tell them it was all my fault," he said.

  From his feet to his head, Peter Tuthy was peeled out of this world. Air rushed in. Half of the brass lamp to one side of the door disappeared.

  The INS men returned to their car without any further questions, with damp pants and embarrassed, deeply worried expressions. They drove away, leaving Lauren to contemplate the quiet. They did not return.

  She did not sleep for three nights, and when she did sleep, Tuthy and Pal visited her, and put the question to her.

  Thank you, but I prefer it here, she replied.

  It's a lot of fun, the boy insisted. They like music.

  Lauren shook her head on the pillow and awoke. Not very far away, there was a whistling, tinny kind of sound, followed by a deep vibration.

  To her, it sounded like applause.

  She took a deep breath and got out of bed to retrieve her notebook.

  Table of Contents

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  PREFACE

  BURNING CHROME

  SPIRIT OF THE NIGHT

  BLOOD SISTERS

  ROCK ON

  THE PARDONER'S TALE

  LIVING WILL

  DOGFIGHT

  OUR NEURAL CHERNOBYL

  (LEARNING ABOUT)

  CONVERSATIONS WITH MICHAEL

  GENE WARS

  SPEW

  TANGENTS