Division Zero: Lex De Mortuis Read Online Free Page B

embellished his physique in VR.
    “You’re improving.” He helped her out of the chair. “Starting to feel more like a sparring match now instead of just me stealing your lunch money.”
    She let herself fall into him, taking in the scent of his exertion. Despite the fight happening within a dedicated cyberspace segment, the training had worked them both to the point of needing a shower.
    “Thanks for staying late; I really appreciate it.”
    He grinned, leaning back far enough to grab a towel from a nearby tray. “Your captain was concerned enough to make the request after the incident with the mercenaries.”
    Arms folded over her ribs, she shivered at the memory of clinging to an ad-bot. “I’m not sure this would have helped; that bastard had vibro claws.”
    “It’s not much different from a knife, to be honest; the major point being you can’t disarm them.”
    Kirsten took hold of his wrist, spinning in a slow-motion jiu-jitsu maneuver so her back was up against him. “So what’s the best way to defend against them?”
    “Shoot him before he gets close.”
    She poked a teasing elbow into his ribs.
    “Oof.” He wobbled with her, a playful attempt to “claw” her with his hand. As she controlled it, he grabbed her belly with his left and tickled.
    Peals of laughter came out of her as she leapt away, doubled over.
    “Most mercs who install claws do both hands. The best you can do is stay away from them or use a weapon with better reach.”
    “Like a sword?” She caught her breath.
    “Yeah, that could work, but most police don’t carry them.”
    The chair creaked as she leaned into it. “Some of ours do. They’re easier to use on astrals. Bullets don’t have much effect, not a lot of surface area to bind them. How much reach do you get with a sword?” She blushed before he caught the innuendo.
    “K, he’s married.” Dorian the Dream-Killer appeared through the wall.
    Picking at her ear with her middle finger, she sighed at her teacher.
    Gabriel Silva, martial arts instructor for Division 1 training academy. Of
course,
you’re married. You’re too damn perfect.
    “You okay? Looks as if you just got some bad news.” He patted her on the shoulder.
    His ring had been obvious the whole time.
    “Nothing I’m not used to. I guess I’m just tired.”
    “Okay. I’ll see you on Thursday, right? You’re taking to the jiu-jitsu pretty well so far; we can see how you handle some Wushu sword forms next week if you want.”
    “Sounds awesome,” she muttered, trudging for the door to the showers.
    Dorian winced. “Sorry, I know how you are about getting things out of the way sooner rather than later.”
    She slammed the locker open. “He knows I’m psionic.”
    “You’ll find someone.”
    Kirsten let her arm dangle on the tiny door. “I hope you’re feeling better. I haven’t seen you for two days… Was starting to worry.”
    He grinned, holding his arms out. “Like new. Just took a long nap.” The smile fell flat. “Thanks for… umm.”
    “I don’t think they’d listen to me about that. Did you ever consider that you’re not on their list after all?” She slipped out of the rubbery, blue training room shoes and put them in the locker.
    Dorian gave her his usual big-brother smile. “I find it more comforting to think they listened to you.”
    Kirsten pinched the nanomesh clasp at the top of the neck, looking over her shoulder at him as she peeled it open from throat to hip. “Gonna watch me shower, too?”
    He held his hands up, shook his head, and wandered off through the wall.
    Damn.
She let the wet garment hit the ground and stepped out of it.
Lonely
and
a bitch today.



rimaldi’s was the kind of place most people went to in order to make a good impression on whomever they took with them. Armando, or whatever his real name was, suggested the place after a brief chat in a virtual nightclub.
    He doesn’t look like an Armando.
    Kirsten was not sure what to feel more foolish