By the time Zoe, Kerri, and Terr had arrived at the boat basin, she had sold the police scanner to 50 of the couriers she had met that night netting herself 5000 credits. She had also received a half dozen messages from Haru Kimura challenging her to race. Zoe ignored the challenge and blocked him.

“I think I’m in the wrong business,” Zoe told the others.

“Why do you say that?” Kerri asked.

“This,” Zoe answered sending her and Terr a message showing how much she had made from selling 50 copies of her police scanner.

“Yeah, I think I’m in the wrong business too,” Kerri laughed.

“That’s a lot,” Terr agreed. “But would either of you really give up what you’re doing to code all day?”

“If I had the patience to sit and code, I would,” Kerri said. “Legally making over a month’s worth of salary in a single night is nothing to sneeze at. But I don’t have the patience or desire.”

“I wouldn’t,” Zoe said. “I love the freedom and riding too much.”

Terr laughed. “That’s my girls.”

“You could always just ride for fun,” Kerri retorted before throwing a glare at Kerr. “What you mean your girls?”

“Nothing,” the big orc answered. Kerri and Zoe laughed. Terr shook his head. “Kerri, Zoe is a pal, and you know I care. I mean you know how I feel about you.”

“Aww. Terr getting flustered is so sweet,” Zoe said.

“Isn’t he?” Kerri asked.

Terr frowned. “Are you two done having fun at my expense?”

“Never,” Kerri answered.

“Again!” Zoe exclaimed after checking her messages.

“What is it?” Terr asked.

“That Kimura guys keeps sending me messages challenging me to race for my bike,” Zoe replied. “Do you know why he is doing this?”

“Haru is an ass that likes racing for titles,” Terr answered. “You ride a roster and not a street bike. You might not have noticed, but this makes you rare amongst couriers. Most of us prefer street bikes. He’s probably known about your GT4 and you for a while now.”

“So, tonight was his first opportunity to say something?” Zoe asked.

“Pretty much. You don’t go out with us much, which means he hasn’t had the chance before,” Terr answered.

“Block him,” Kerri suggested.

“I have. This last one is from someone else on his behalf,” Zoe replied blocking that person too.

“Maybe you should upgrade your phone and messaging plans,” Kerri said. “There should be an option to only allow calls and messages from approved contacts, government services, and certain corporate entities.”

“That’s a good idea,” Terr added. Kerri smugly grinned.

“That’s why I suggested it,” the female orc said winking at Zoe.

“That’s an expensive option,” Zoe said after checking into it. “It would double what I pay now.”

“Yup. That’s corporate profiteering at its finest,” Terr replied.

“Shit!” Zoe cursed as two more messages came in.

“Another message?” Kerri asked looking concerned.

“Yes. Two this time,” Zoe replied approving and activating the approved contacts only option. She did not want to, but there was no way she was going to put up with harassment either.

“Before you ask, no, you can’t claim he’s harassing you so far. The courts don’t care about messages unless it leads to a more severe crime,” Kerri said. “Besides, they can always claim it’s just joking around.”

“How did you know I was going to ask?”

“You had that look on your face,” Terr answered.

“Yup,” Kerri agreed.

“Well, hopefully that will take care of that,” Zoe said. “I’m going to drive home.”

“I hate that you’re allowed to park on your porch,” Terr said. “We can’t drive down the dock when we visit.”

“I think it’s great.”

“You’re allowed to drive down the dock and park on your houseboat’s deck?” Kerri asked.

“Uh huh.”

“Sucks, doesn’t it?” Terr asked.

“Yeah. I’m jealous,” Kerri admitted.

“Goodnight you two,” Zoe said after laughing. She then yawned. “It’s time to hit the hay.”

“You are such a country bumpkin at times,” Terr jested.

“Terr, you’re lucky you have your girlfriend…” Zoe questioningly said. Kerri nodded in agreement, so Zoe continued,” with you or I would hit you with Stinker.”

“Stinker, the prank daemon?” Kerri asked.

“Yeah,” Zoe answered nodding her head.

“Zoe’s idea of offensive daemons are the prank ones,” Terr said.

“Not just the prank ones,” Zoe protested.

“Mostly the prank ones,” Terr replied.

“Terr also said you have a non-lethal gun,” Kerri said. Zoe nodded in agreement.

“I have one of Spectre Arms’ P750s,” Zoe replied.

“That’s actually not a bad choice,” Kerri said.

“See!” Zoe said to Terr making the orcs laugh.

“Why don’t you show Zoe the same shooting tips that you showed me?” Terr asked Kerri.

“I can do that,” Kerri said. “Zoe, want to meet at the range in a couple of days?”

“Sure. Let me send you my contact information,” Zoe replied sending the data. Kerri sent Zoe her data as well and Zoe added the officer and Terr to her approved contact list.

“Alright. Goodnight,” Kerri said before both started their SR-1200s. Terr bid Zoe goodnight as well and the orc couple drove away.

Zoe slowly drove through the marina and making her way to her houseboat’s dock. Activating the gate, she crept through and ensured it locked behind her before making her way down the dock at a crawl. Zoe triggered her houseboat’s gate and parked on the porch.

She locked the gate and took the stairs up to her roof deck. Zoe sat on the picnic table and gazed out at the city, enjoying the night air. She spent a few minutes going over her accounts. She was back up to 12000 credits in her accounts. Zoe looked up and could make out several stars in the night sky. She knew that was rare in the city due to the light pollution. Zoe activated her Eagle Vision’s 16x zoom and the night sky seemed to explode around her.

“I do love this view.”