Digital Fortress Chapter 49

Becker dragged himself off the floor of the bus and collapsed in an empty seat. squeamish move, dipshit. The kid with the three spikes sneered. Becker squinted in the stark lighting. It was the kid hed chased onto the bus. He glumly surveyed the sea of red, white, and blue coiffures.Whats with the hair? Becker moaned, motioning to the others. Its allRed, white, and blue? the kid offered.Becker nodded, onerous not to stare at the infected perforation in the kids upper lip.Judas Taboo, the kid said matter-of-factly.Becker looked bewildered.The punk spit in the aisle, obviously disgusted with Beckers ignorance. Judas Taboo? great punk since Sid Vicious? Blew his head off here a year ago today. Its his anniversary.Becker nodded vaguely, obviously missing the connection.Taboo did his hair this way the day he signed off. The kid spit again. Every fan worth his weight in piss has got red, white, and blue hair today.For a long moment, Becker said nothing. Slowly, as if he had been shot wit h a tranquilizer, he turned and faced front. Becker surveyed the group on the bus. Every last one was a punk. Most were staring at him.Every fan has red, white, and blue hair today.Becker reached up and pulled the driver-alert cord on the wall. It was time to get off. He pulled again. Nothing happened. He pulled a third time, more frantically. Nothing.They disconnect em on bus 27. The kid spat again. So we dont fuck with em.Becker turned. You mean, I cant get off?The kid laughed. Not till the end of the line. quintuplet minutes later, the bus was barreling along an unlit Spanish country road. Becker turned to the kid behind him. Is this thing ever going to stop?The kid nodded. some more miles.Where are we going?He broke into a sudden wide grin. You mean you dont know?Becker shrugged.The kid started laughing hysterically. Oh, shit. Youre gonna love it.