“Morning Zane,” Zoe said greeting the nurse.

“Good morning, Zoe. Here’s breakfast,” Zane replied sitting a tray on the bedside table. “I’m not going to comment on your network traffic last night.”

“The Eye sees all, huh?” Zoe asked. “And I thought I did a good job of covering my tracks too.”

“How do you know we have The Eye of All here?” Zane asked.

“Just a lucky guess,” Zoe replied innocently.

“Yeah, it doesn't miss much if anything. You did do a good job covering your tracks too,” Zane replied letting Zoe off the hook. “Speaking of tracks, have you decided on any wheels yet?”

“I have,” Zoe said excitedly. She flicked him a different page for the GT4 Triple Black. “There’s a button on the screen that plays a recording of the motor. I love the sound!”

Zane laughed and listened to the recording. “Yeah, that’s nice. Not as good as the cruiser I want though.”

“Yeah, yeah. Can I get some orange juice this morning?”

“Already got you covered,” Zane said pointing to a cup on the tray. “Want some more advice?”

“Sure.”

“Download some sims so you can get an idea of how to actually ride a motorcycle and a couple of riding courses too,” Zane said. “99% of motorcycles use Saito’s gyroscopic technology to make them easier to ride, but nothing beats experience.”

“That makes a lot of sense,” Zoe agreed.

“Also, shop for riding gear.”

“Like helmets?”

“Helmets, pants, and jackets at a minimum,” Zane replied. “Gloves, boots, and underlayers aren’t a bad idea either. You can never have too much protective gear on when riding unless you have a lot more implants.”

“But the bike shouldn’t fall like they would before the advent of gyroscopic technology though.”

“It’s tech. It can be sliced, and nothing is perfect,” Zane said.

“That’s true,” Zoe conceded. She then gave the nurse a bright smile. “Plus, it’s more shopping!”

“That’s true too,” Zane laughed. “Do you want someone to go with you when you go to pick out the bike?”

“Tony has insisted on Jimmy and Tommy going with me, so I don’t get taken advantage of since I’m a girl,” Zoe angerly replied.

“Don’t be angry. A lot of dealerships do take advantage of inexperienced buyers. That generally doesn’t happen as much at motorcycle shops though.”

“Why is that?”

“Motorcycles generally appeal to a… different crowd and that usually makes them more laidback. Though, there are always exceptions.”

“From what I’ve seen, so do some cars.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” Zane shrugged. “So, want a more experienced rider to go with you too?”

“You just want to see the triple black in person,” Zoe teased.

“Shhh! Don’t tell Claire.”

“Don’t tell me what?” Doc Brown asked as she entered the room. Zoe and Zane laughed.

“Would it be alright if Zane accompanies me when I go pick out my ride?” Zoe asked.

“You’re getting a motorcycle,” Claire stated. Zoe nodded. “I suppose I could spare him for a couple hours when you’re fully recovered.”

“Thanks!” Zoe replied as Zane fist pumped behind his wife. Zoe’s eyes widened slightly causing Claire to turn. Zane straightened up and smiled at Doc Brown.

“Don’t get any ideas. You just got a new bike and don’t need that other one you’ve been eyeing.”

“But honey…” Zane tried as Zoe laughed.

“Don’t but honey me. Get that nano hair regrowth injector ready. I’m tired of seeing Buzzcut Zoe,” Claire replied. Zoe’s laughter died at the nickname Claire gave her.

“Yes dear,” Zane said stifling a laugh of his own.

*

Zoe used Knight Industries site to locate the closest franchise location. It was in Manhattan. “Cool. I’ve never been there and can’t wait to see the sights.”

While at the site, Zoe noticed Knight sold a line of riding gear and other clothing. Scratching her head, she checked the jackets first. Zoe kept scratching her head.

“Who knew hair growing back so quickly could itch this much,” she muttered to herself. Her frame reported her hair had already grown an inch in the half hour since Claire gave her the nanobot injection. “I like the look of this retro riot jacket,” Zoe said clicking the link.

The jacket was black with quilted shoulder and kidney areas with an asymmetric, offset zipper on the left side. Zoe read the features: Blackstone supple top grain synthetic cowhide, climate control to keep the rider warm or cool, quilted accents, shorty snap collar, offset zipper and front zip pockets, zipper cuffs and chest pocket, aggressive riding fit with rotated, pre-curved sleeves, dropped back length, and relaxed collar opening, and finally armor ready shoulder, elbow, and back protector pockets.

“And all that just for 500 credits, though it is self-sizing,” Zoe read out loud. “Armor sold separately of course.”

Expensive, but she loved the way it looked. Zoe added it to the cart. The cart flashed up some recommended gel armor inserts that would mold to her body and only get hard on impact. Zoe checked them out and added them to her cart for another 250 credits. Zoe bit her lip as doubt crept up. She checked the net for reviews and message boards discussing the jacket and armor. Her search showed her that most people were happy with the armor and jacket, though there were a few that were not for various reasons. Still, she was satisfied and turned her attention to pants.

“I like these and those,” Zoe said clicking on two different links. The first link was for synthetic blend riding leggings that could be purchased in various colors. Features include Single layer abrasion resistant design, cut for full coverage while on the bike, functional belt loops, climate control, and pockets for knee and hip armor.

Another search showed that people were generally happy with the leggings and most women noted that the cut was tight and covered their butts while riding. Zoe was glad she read that last line as she had wondered what the listing meant by cut for full coverage. Mooning people while riding was not on her list of things she ever wanted to do.

“150 a pair and the gel armor inserts are 50 credits extra,” Zoe muttered. “That’s pricey, but I’ll get three pairs.” She added a white, dark red, and azure pair to her cart with the armor inserts for each. Zoe checked the other page. The tagline read, “Leather riding jeans. Nuff said.”

True to the tagline, the pants were synthetic leather jeans sold only in black. Features include five pockets, soft milled synthetic cowhide, low rise, full satin liner, knee, and hip armor pockets. Reviews showed that the pants sat low on the hips but covered the butt when riding.

“Including the gel armor, they’re the same price as the leggings. Oh well, it is only Nathaniel’s money,” Zoe said giggling to herself. Three pairs went into the cart along with adding her sizes. “1200 credits just for pants!”

“Zoe, are you ok?” Sonya asked from the doorway. She had the afternoon and evening shifts today.

“I’m fine. Just doing some shopping.”

“Ok. Holler if you need anything.”

“Thanks. I will,” Zoe replied to the nurse’s retreating back. “Now for gloves, a helmet, and boots.”

The helmet and gloves Zoe picked were made by Stefani Motors. Both featured climate control. The gloves offered improved tactile feedback while the helmet featured a HUD that integrated with her frame and the bike as well as featuring excellent noise cancelling. That was another 500 credits. Zoe also picked out three base layer short sleeved shirts and three long sleaved ones in various colors for 300 credits that were made to be antimicrobial and anti-odor. That just left the boots, which Zoe had saved for last since she loved shoe shopping.

Two hours later, Zoe had settled on two pairs of boots. One pair were black traditional freeway synthetic leather ankle boots with a nice one-and-a-half-inch heel. The boots also were self-sizing. Zoe loved the chrome rivets and loop on the sides. The boots were oil-resistant, anti-abrasion, non-slip, climate controlled, waterproof, and had a side zipper. Heel, toe, and shinbone protection were included for 500 credits. Zoe didn’t even argue with herself before adding them to her cart.

The second pair of boots were had the same features but were black knee high. These boots didn’t have the loop or rivets though. Instead, they had buckles at the ankle and just below the top of the boots as well as the side zipper. The boots also had a two-inch heel and were self-sizing. The price was 600 credits. Zoe added them to the cart as well and then laughed. 3850 credits just for some clothing and a helmet.

“Having fun?” Sonya asked setting down Zoe’s dinner tray on the table.

“You could say that.”

“Just finished shopping, did you? I recognize that look and have had it on my face more than once.”

“Yeah. Just added 3850 credits worth of bike riding gear to my cart,” Zoe answered.

“That’s nuts. Was it all top-of-the-line stuff?”

“Nope. Maybe slightly above mid-tier though.”

“Zane has been excited all day saying something about breaking in a newbie and getting their first bike. I guess you’re the newbie,” Sonya said.

“Yeah, that’s me. Want to see the bike?”

“Sure.”