Ralph Smith ordered an ''ad-hoc self-driving auto-pod.''


    Robotically assembled for his immediate needs, it drove itself to his residence.


    He entered it:


    "Where to Mr. Smith?" asked the vehicle''s AI.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Seattle, Washington."


    "That''ll take 3 hours by transitioning into a hyperloop based on current network congestion."


    "But I need to get there in about 60 minutes!"


    "For 1-hour priority travel, please enter a starting bid of 1,000 Unified Earth Credits and your max bid."


    "Okay done … Come on, come on, hurry people, bid!"


    "Congratulations, Mr. Smith, you''ve won! You''ll arrive at your destination in one hour for 40,000 UEC."