Grounding Gracus (First Wave Book 6) Read Online Free

put it back in reverse and tried again. This time he ignored the sensors and warnings and continued to back up out of the garage.
    Seconds later the vehicle jerked and a metallic scraping sound echoed loudly around the garage. Gracus slammed on the brakes and cursed as he opened the door and walked around to the side of the vehicle.
    His mouth dropped open at the large scratches that ran from the back bumper to the middle of the front passenger side door. How the hell did he hit the wall? He wondered as he ran his hands through his hair and growled in aggravation.
    Gracus stomped over to the door and got back inside. Well fuck it , he thought. It was already scratched. Once inside, the EAT system came back on.
    “Please specify desired location,” the annoying male computer voice said.
    “Food! Some damn breakfast! A fucking greasy spoon, can you understand that? Smart ass, damn machine,” Gracus muttered the last and was shocked when the vehicle began to correct itself and finish backing out of the garage.
    Gracus assumed that it would stop at some point so he could drive and when it began down the road, he tried to grab the wheel to control the vehicle.
    “Please do not touch the steering wheel. AutoDrive is now engaged,” the voice said to Gracus’s irritation.
    Gracus smacked the steering wheel with his palms. “Disengage AutoDrive!”
    Gracus considered ripping the steering wheel off when he heard the computer’s response. “I apologize for the inconvenience, due to the circumstances of your recent accident, it has been determined that you are too incapacitated to be in control of the vehicle. AutoDrive will ensure your safe arrival to your requested location. Estimated time of arrival is fifty five minutes.”
    “What?” Gracus erupted. “Incapacitated? It’s my first time driving this damn thing! Give me the damn wheel back!”
    The now seriously irritating voice came back. “I apologize for the inconvenience, due to the circumstances of your recent accident, it has been determined that you are too incapacitated to be in control of the vehicle. AutoDrive will ensure your safe arrival to your requested location. Estimated time of arrival is now fifty four minutes.”
    Gracus tried to regain control of the vehicle for another fifteen minutes before he finally gave up in a huff and leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest as he pouted. Obviously, the EAT technology needed a lot more damn work , he thought, already formulating a scathing complaint to Grai in his mind.
    When he finally relaxed and began looking around at the view, he was actually grateful that he didn’t have to pay attention to driving. Although, he would never admit that. It was breathtaking and he found himself swinging his head and body from one side of the vehicle to another as he tried to take in the different views that were spread out around him.
    He was surprised when the time flew by and he found himself being driven into the heart of a small town, the vehicle slowing and pulling in at a small place with a sign that read, Blanche’s Diner.
    The EAT voice spoke when the vehicle turned itself off. “Destination achieved. Blanche’s Diner. Please remove the keys and retain them in a safe location on your person until your return to the vehicle.”
    Gracus, whose excitement had returned while he had been looking around, hopped out of the vehicle with a renewed spring in his step and entered the clean, but weathered looking building.
    His stomach growled at the wonderful scents coming from inside the building and he stood there for a moment taking it all in. There were only four people sitting at different tables around the large room and a small, slightly round, older woman called out to him, “Sit wherever you want honey, I’ll be with you in a minute!” Before she disappeared behind a door with her arms loaded down with empty plates.
    Gracus looked around again and noticing the curious stares of the other