18. A Remote Pacific Island …

Gideon and Cassie leave the Silent Woman and warp back to Springfield.  Testing their relationship, Cassie asks to drive Gideon’s hopper.  Gideon denies the request, despite the promise of romance.

Cassie argues for her own place among the likes of Gideon and Reis.  Relenting, Gideon permits Cassie into the driver’s seat.  He instructs Cassie on the vehicle’s operation and makes her promise not to use the onboard computer.

Returned to his rental car, Gideon steps outside to relieve Cassie of the wheel.  Cassie peels away into the night, leaving Gideon stunned.  A pair of disembodied voices help Cassie activate the car’s computer and suggest that she hop.  

 Cassie converses with the computer.  She asks about the cabin’s unseen occupants, but the computer denies hearing anyone else.

Speeding in his rented car, Gideon catches up to Cassie.  Playfully, she agrees to follow him into the city.