The Passengers

In his hijacked car, Jude Harrison watches news feeds of Shabana Khartri’s car exploding. The aftermath makes him nauseous. He recalls feeling proud watching Libby Dixon confront the Hacker earlier and remembers the connection they shared at a karaoke bar. His thoughts drift to his first love, Stephenie, who left him for his brother.

A road sign for Bistford, Britain’s first urban smart town, triggers a wave of guilt, as Jude used the town many times while testing the autonomous vehicle software now being used as a weapon. He takes two paracetamol tablets from his rucksack. Despite the chaos, Jude remains unusually calm.

Preceding the chapter content, a UK news site reports that schools are “in chaos,” as parents try to retrieve children but school officials bar their entry.

While her car speeds along the roads, Claire clutches her belly and notices a drone following her car. Overcome by a pressing need, she urinates in the passenger seat. Afterward, she watches a video of her husband, Ben, when she revealed to him that she was pregnant. Soon, a convoy of police and army vehicles begins to escort her car.

Remembering how she relied on her brother, Andy, as a child, Claire decides to take control.