Cutter and Calendar looked forward and gasped.

Across the interstate a solid wall of Highway Patrol, police, FBI, and military vehicles completely blocked the highway. Already traffic was backed up for over a quarter-mile, blocking all lanes.

Captain Brinn chuckled. "Now you get to see a bit of what this vehicle can really do." He tripped the familiar control again. The two reporters felt the surge of weightlessness as the Captain turned the wheel hard to the left.

Outside, illuminated by the police helicopter spotlights, the Hummer appeared to do a "Dukes of Hazard" jump from the I-5.

As soon as the Hummer had cleared the intervening cars, and while it was still in mid-air, the barricade lit up as every weapon, including tracers from the heavy fifty-caliber machine-guns of the military vehicles, opened fire.

The police helicopters pulled up and out of the danger area. The news' helicopters temporarily abandoned the chase.

Inside the Hummer, Captain Brinn calmly cocked an eyebrow at the thumping the vehicle was receiving from the heavy fire. "I do say! They have taken up the gauntlet. Though they seem to be most cavalier about the threat to civilians."

In the back seat of the Hummer, against all hazard, Cutter was plastered to the window on his side, staring wide-eyed at the scene below. With a wide grin he gave an inarticulate yell. Then, he turned to Captain Brinn and said, "Please, oh please! Tell me these are stock options! I have got'ta get me one of these!"

Meanwhile Catharine was curled up in her seat, eyes closed tightly. She was clutching the seatbelt. Sweating hard, she tried to distract her terror, muttering, "This is anti-gravity! Tell me you've got anti-gravity!"

Captain Brinn calmly "flew" the vehicle across the angle to land lightly on the I-405 westbound lane.

Again, maneuvering among the slower vehicles, Captain Brinn turned to give the reporters a quick grin. "Yes, my dear Ms. Calendar, it is anti-gravity. And, no, Mr. Cutter, these are not stock options."

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