July, 2034.
It’s a hazy late summer afternoon, and Agent Kramer is heading home from his office at City Protection Cyber Division. While idly waiting at the curb for the arrival of his autonomous personal transport, he spots another AI-inhabited vehicle driving erratically up the street. The autonomous car lurches back and forth, then turns directly towards him and accelerates. Just as Agent Kramer starts to back away from the curb edge, the vehicle violently jolts to a stop. Alarmed, he runs over to check on its occupant, but the door refuses to open. He stands back and holds his palm up to the vehicle door as his special-issue crypto-breaker disengages the lock.
“Are you alright?” he asks as he pulls the passenger up from the floor of the vehicle.
“I- I think so. What- what’s happening?” she says, looking around as she steps out of the car.