“The ankle length white skirt with flower prints or a pair of the new Kevlar laced jeans?” Zoe asked herself. She had already decided to wear a white short sleeved shirt.

The skirt was one she had brought to New York with her, and the jeans were something she had bought the other day after finding out about them from a biker she had met while making a delivery. It had made her glad to find out that not all motorcycle riders wore nothing but leather. The jeans had been more expensive than her previous pants purchases, but since they looked and fit like normal jeans, Zoe felt the three pair she had gotten were worth the purchase.

“But they hurt my budget,” Zoe complained to herself before shrugging it off. The skirt would be a nice choice and it wasn’t something she had worn since coming to the city. The jeans would get plenty of use since she would use them for work. “Well, that makes that decision easier.”

Zoe then had to decide between wearing leggings under the skirt or shorts. There was no way that she was going to attempt riding her bike wearing just the skirt. Zoe did not want to show that much skin to anyone right now that wasn’t a doctor working on her and she really didn’t want to show that much skin to them either. Either the shorts or leggings would work since she was going to wear her ankle boots. Zoe didn’t feel confident enough to try riding wearing sneakers.

Zoe did a quick bit of research and decided on the leggings. She could just bunch up the skirt and tie loose knots in it so it wouldn’t drag or blow all around her. With her decisions made, Zoe took a shower, changed, and grabbed a bite to eat.

*

“Nice outfit Zoe,” Chloe said by way of greeting.

“Thanks. Your outfit looks good too,” Zoe replied as she waved off some ads that had slipped past her ad blocker. Zoe zapped the nuisances.

“Thanks,” Cee replied. “Ads?” Zoe nodded making Chloe grin. “The corps are constantly updating their algorithms and ad blockers. Anyway, you should see what Newt and Vee are wearing.”

Cee pointed out their friends.

“They rode their bikes?” Zoe asked.

“Oui.”

“And they’re wearing skirts?” Zoe asked wide eyed.

Chloe laughed. “Non. They’re wearing skorts. I almost did the same, but Henri dropped me off on the way to his meeting, so I wore a skirt.”

“I never even considered wearing skorts,” Zoe replied.

“You can wear them at work as long as they’re not too short. Henri does have some dress code standards,” Cee said.

“How did you know I started thinking about wearing a skort while working?”

“I can see the gears turning in your head,” Chloe answered. Her smile widened as she looped arms with Zoe. “Come, and I’ll introduce you to some of our competitors and fellow couriers so you can meet new people and try to sell them your police scanner.”

Zoe returned the smile. “You know me so well.”

*

“My feet hurt, and I’ve met about 100 people that refuse to spend over 100 credits for the scanner,” Zoe complained two hours later before sinking to the ground. The park had a severe lack of seats and those it did have had been occupied the whole time.

“At least you’re only wearing your low-heeled ankle boots,” Vee replied joining her in sitting on the ground. Newt nodded in agreement while joining them. “How do you think I feel? I’m wearing six-inch spiked heels.”

Chloe grinned at them as she leaned against Henri. “Should have brought a change of shoes or wore something more comfortable like I did.”

“Aren’t you used to being on your feet when you run?” Newt asked Zoe.

“Running is different than just standing in one spot,” Zoe replied. Newt shrugged.

“It is strange that the others are insisting on paying only 100 credits for your scanner,” Henri said. He didn’t want to hear any more complaints about feet or shoes.

“Oui. It’s almost like they’ve been told how much we’ve paid for it,” Cee replied frowning. “I know I haven’t told anyone anything except that Zoe had created a police scanner.”

“Me either,” Henri said. Vee and Newt didn’t say anything.

“What’s the hub bubs?” TK said as he joined them. He smiled. “I’ve been rather busy, so don’t look at me.”

“You’ve been out tomming?” Newt asked. She smiled at the beastkin.

“Just a little bit,” TK replied smugly.

“Right,” Vee teased. “It’s little, so…”

“Hey!” TK objected. “If you want to see, I’m willing to show you.”

“Pass. I don’t date Toms or tomcats.”

“We don’t have to date,” TK replied winking at the elf.

“Anyway, so why do you guys think the others refuse to pay more for the scanner?” Zoe asked changing the subject back to the scanner.

“I’m afraid that’s my fault,” Terr said as he led an orcish woman that was vaguely familiar to Zoe up to the group. He gestured to the woman. “I was talking to Kerri about it when others overheard us. Before I knew thought better about it, I told them how much we paid for the scanner.”

“And they must have spread the word,” Kerri added. Zoe’s eyes widened as she recognized the woman.

“Officer O’Malley?”

TK spit out the beer he just drunk. “Sorry.”

“It’s good to see you again Blanco,” Kerri replied. “I’m off duty, so call me Kerri.”

“How do you two know each other?” Henri asked. He was intrigued.

“I pulled Blanco over today,” Kerri answered.

“Ah. That explains her reaction. But it doesn’t explain TK’s,” Henri replied.

“Don’t mind me. Terr dating a cop threw me,” TK said. The others agreed.

“Please call me Zoe,” Zoe said to Kerri. “Is the scanner illegal?”

“No. Police scanners are legal if you can find one or in your case create one,” Kerri answered. “At least until the corps decide to change the laws.”

Zoe sighed.

“Sorry Zoe,” the big orc said.

“It’s ok Terr. I’ll sell the scanner for 100 credits to whoever wants it if they’re a courier. It’ll just be less money than I hoped for,” Zoe replied sending messages to those that she had met saying she would take 100 credits for the scanner. “I’ll make do.”

“Hey everyone!” a voice cut across the music and noise of the party. Everyone turned to the sound of the voice. A Japanese man was standing on a picnic table.

“What do you want Haru?” someone asked. “You’re interrupting the festivities as usual.”

Kerri sucked in a breath the others noticed. Zoe scanned the man speaking. His name was Haru Kimura, and he was a courier employed by Hayabasa Transportation.

“Is Haru wanted or something?” Chloe asked Kerri.

“Kimura is suspected of having strong ties to the Yakuza,” the cop answered.

“Haru is a blowhard that loves to race,” TK said.

“He’s not bad in the sack though,” Vee said. The others stared at her. “What? I was going through a phase.”

“Anyway,” Newt quickly cut in. “He probably wants to race someone again.”

“Be quiet and we’ll find out,” Henri said. Newt shrugged in reply.

“I want to know if anyone here owns the GT4 Triple Black in the parking garage,” Kimura said in answer to the question he had been asked. People groaned.

“Why?” TK yelled after nobody else said anything.

“I know it’s not your bike TK,” Kimura answered after jumping down from the table. “I want to race the owner for it. I think it’ll be a nice addition to my collection.”

Zoe shook her head. “I have zero interest in racing my bike.”

“That’s good,” Kerri said. “I don’t mean about having to worry about me reporting any race, though I would, I mean there has been accidents in some street races.”

“Oui,” Cee and Henri agreed.

Kimura and four other couriers walked up to their group.

“What do you want?” Henri asked.

“I’ve been told the owner of the GT4 is one of your people,” Haru said. “As I said, I want to race for the bike. I’ll put my SRM-4 up as well.”

“No one is interested in racing,” Newt said.

“Newt, we know the GT4 isn’t your bike either,” one of Kimura’s fellows replied. She pointed to Kerri and Zoe. “In fact, we know what all of you drive except her and her.”

“Oh, you don’t want to race me,” Kerri said.

“Why is that?” A different one of Kimura’s followers asked.

“I’m afraid my interceptor will outrun anything you guys have,” Kerri replied.

“You’re a cop?” the lone woman with Haru asked.

“Yup” Kerri answered. “Still want to race me?”

“No,” the woman quickly replied.

“That means the GT4 is yours,” Haru said pointing at Zoe.

“Not interested in racing at all,” Zoe said.

“We’ll each pay 250 for your scanner,” Kimura replied.

“Still not interested.”

“I think it’s best you guys take no for an answer and leave,” Kerri said. “I’d hate to have some of my colleagues break up this party.”

“Fine. We’re leaving,” Haru said signaling for his followers to follow him as he walked away.

“I think I’m going home now,” Zoe said getting to her feet. She brushed off her backside and checked her P750.

“You rode a motorcycle wearing a skirt?” Kerri asked.

“And leggings underneath it,” Zoe answered pulling the skirt up enough to show her covered calves. “I tied the skirt in knots so it wouldn’t get in the way.”

“Smart girl,” Kerri laughed. “I should be going to. I have an early shift tomorrow.”

“We’ll go with you Zoe,” Terr said. “Kerri has an apartment in Hell’s Kitchen.”

“That’s out of the way, isn’t it?” Zoe asked.

“Not really,” Kerri replied. “We don’t mind accompanying you at all.”

“Ok,” Zoe said. She didn’t think Kimura would try anything, but she wouldn’t turn down safety in numbers.