Chapter One: Tomorrow for One Dollar

Lu swept his gaze across the unnaturally quiet cabin, closed his laptop, and stood. “Sir,” the flight attendant said, blocking him, “the seat-belt sign is still on.” The cart’s wheels crossed a seam in the aisle with a click. Seven white paper cups stood on its top tray. Each cup bore the same batch code. NX017-C7. “I know,” Lu said, watching the cart. “But there’s something on it that belongs to me.”