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“The lines are classic and aggressive,” Joe said “Just the way I like them”

Kurt rolled his eyes and took the rae “A rental car would have been just fine It would have included a better heater”

Akiko shook her head “Rental cars are too automated Did you know the car conals from the satellite radio receivers? They don’t need LoJack or any other dedicated system to watch you Andauthority They can turn off your engine from a computer terminal whenever they like”

Kurt grinned; so about conspiracy theorists war as Rudi keeps paying the credit card bills Anye’re not trying to sneak up on anyone Our whole plan is based on speaking with Walter Han face-to-face”

“And just how do you intend to make that happen?” Joe asked

“I’ht up to him and ask him for help”

Kurt said no asaki Bay and then drove doard a sprawling facility that lay dockside The glea complex took up a hundred acres and looked more like the futuristic headquarters of an advanced civilization than a factory Geos were set up in a caarden lay between the water in narrow chutes A track for testing auto turns offset by a long straightaway that ran along the waterfront

“That’s Han’s new facility,” Kurt noted “Owned and operated by his coroup of wealthy Japanese investors It officially opens today First of two big cereasaki and severala short speech, which, if you know politicians, -drawn-out talk”

“They ca?” Joe asked

“There’s reened here tomorrow Not at the factory but at a place called the Friendship Pavilion Also built with Han’s money”

“Hoin friends and influence nations,” Joe said

“Exactly,” Kurt replied “But it gives us a chance tolike a trade show Both events are open to the public That includes us”

Kurt navigated the narrow streets, drove onto the grounds and was directed toward an underground parking garage After parking, they left the car, found an escalator and e crowd

Lights flashed all around theraphic face projected on a veil of reeted them “The future is closer than you think” its recorded voice said

Ahead of theinto a club Artificial arernails, stretched fro to shake hands