“All right, bring it about three yards east…that’s got it.” The crane’s magnet head inched further down until it locked into place on the roof of the sports car half-buried in the silt at the bottom of the bay. The powerful magnet wouldn’t affect the optical computer within the car—unfortunately.

“I said I was sorry,” Longjumper’s voice crackled over the radio. “It was an honest mistake.”

I sighed. “Okay, lift him out.” The immense cable reel on the barge started to retract, and with a great sucking sound, my automech—transforming robot—partner came loose and started his journey back up to the surface.

“I didn’t mean to cause all this hassle,” Longjumper continued.

“Hassle? What hassle?” I fumed. “Having to swim to the surface and get Aegis to rent a barge? Ending up the laughing-stock of the entire Montreal branch? You idiot.”

“But it was a mistake anyone could make!” Longjumper whined. “I was just doing what the sign said. I didn’t want to get a ticket!”

“Shut up. Just shut up, okay?”