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replied Lon.
    “Well,” continued Eve, “how are we gonna leave the station? I need to scan my eyes”.
    “ Shit! ” exclaimed Lon, “I completely forgot about that! My palm screen doesn’t work either”.
    Thus Lon’s plan fell flat on its face; security always had a strong presence at the main station.
    “We can’t get through without checking in,” sighed Lon, “I saw someone trying to fare dodge once; he jumped the barrier and tried to run, but he got absolutely nailed by security staff”.
    Eve did not like the idea of being targeted by security. “Then maybe we should try at another station,” she suggested, “one where there are likely to be fewer people”.
    “Like where?” asked Lon, becoming annoyed, “there aren’t any stations near here that would be empty at this time. The only stations I can think of are miles away, and it would take hours to walk back here”.
    “Oh god,” Eve was starting to get very worried, “it won’t make a difference whether we check in or not, will it?” she was trying to reassure herself as well as Lon about the situation. “Seriously, we haven’t done anything illegal, have we? Well, you kicked a guy in the head, but they won’t know it was you because you never check in anywhere as yourself. And I’ve never done anything illegal, that the government know of, so I shouldn’t have to be afraid, right?”
    Something was still nagging Lon, something still telling him to stay out of sight, however, “We have no choice either way. You might be right, but I was just trying to be careful”.
    The two walked towards the nearest exit barrier and joined the queue. They waited for their turns to check out.
    Eve was first.
    “Please select form of check out registration,” sounded the console, to which she replied “Retina scan”.
    “Acknowledged. Please step forwards and look directly at the sensor bar”.
    Eve did as was asked, trying to act as though nothing was a problem.
    The console scanned her eyes with its blue beam, “Retina scan complete. Identity acknowledged”.
    She and Lon both sighed to release some tension. Everything seemed to be fine. Perhaps they were worried for no reason.
    “Please enjoy your ride Mrs. Chen”.
    Eve’s jaw dropped, and Lon tried hard to stop his face falling into his palm.
    They had not expected the console to say that. It seemed as though the check-in console’s computer system was not programmed to check in at certain places and check out at others, but simply to check in then check out in sequence, regardless of whichever console was used on the NGT system.
    Wide eyed, Lon quickly looked over his shoulder at the people in the queue behind him to see if anyone else had heard the console, but luckily most people seemed to be engrossed in their own worlds.
    A second-long beep was emitted from the barrier and it lifted.
    Eve stepped through trying to act as naturally as possible, although she was extremely worried. She waited at the other side for Lon.
    He stepped forwards, knowing the same thing would happen. He had not checked into the NGT system for over three years using his retinas or his true identity.
    “Please select form of check out registration,” sounded the console.
    Lon gulped. “Retina scan”.
    “Acknowledged. Please step forwards and look directly at the sensor bar”.
    Lon stepped towards the console. He began to tremble. The blue laser beam appeared and scanned his eyes, but he blinked because he was not prepared.
    “Please do not blink or close your eyes during the scan,” said the console.
    Lon could feel sweat on his forehead.
    “Scan will recommence,” the blue laser appeared across his eyes again, which this time he kept open. “Retina scan complete. Identity acknowledged. Please enjoy your ride Mr. Dres”.
    Another second-long beep sounded from the barrier, which then opened.
    Lon quickly stepped through and hoped nobody had noticed the blunder. He rejoined Eve, and the two of them, very