Sure enough Uncle Robbie had not let her down. It was a Select 5 Raptor. This was my first time to see one in the flesh as they were totally illegal. For a moment I froze. This model spaceship was something that I had dreamed about when I was young. It’s a sleek design, with a polished black carbonate exterior, it was just perfect. Two large thrusters waited patiently to the rear.
It was the model that had once been predicted to transform Earth’s orbit from a multitude of quasi-independent habitats to a more unified political entity. Every citizen would own one. But it was thought that such freedom would be a threat to the Emperor’s order and then through a flood of new regulations the dream was stifled and then died.
So, it was with relish that I jumped into the front passenger seat and encouraged Tabitha to climb into the rear.
Our new companion got into the driver’s seat but then looked at me, her eyes enlarged.
“Do you know how to work this thing?
I didn’t require a second invitation.
We quickly changed seats. I could hear the echo of steps coming towards us in the distance.
Fortunately, in my past life, I had watched videos about the different panel controls on various ships never thinking it would become of practical use. I took the control lever in my hand. The ship jerked forward forcing me to break causing Tabitha to bang her slightly.
Now there was gunfire.
Instinctively I drove it onto the launch runway. The hood of the ship closed and I ignited the thrusters.
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