The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) by Brian Terenna (best ebook reader .txt) 📗

always knew you’d stay,” says Alexander. “You’d miss me too much if you left.”

I shake my head at him. Despite his injuries, he’s still Alexander.

“I thought we lost you,” says Nav. “It would have been crushing, but you’re going to be okay now.”

 “Now we just have to make sure you’re not captured again,” says Sunny. “If someone is tricking you, don’t fall for it.”

I roll my eyes.

Alexander pats Sunny’s back. “Wise advice, Sunshine.”

☼☼☼

The evening sun clings to the sky, casting long, dreary shadows from the trees. Sunny, Nav, and I stand around a rectangle of freshly mounded dirt. Alexander sits in a camping chair. A memorial rifle sticks out of the ground at the head of the grave. After saying words for Yumi, Astrid, Silas, Asher, and all the others, it’s time for us to remember Americus.

Nav looks at me and then back to Americus’ grave with a frown. “My father was a proud man with strong principles. He was a student of history and knew more about the revolution and past government than anyone I know. He was a patriot and a leader. America will forever be in his debt…”

Her lip quivers, and tears well in her eyes. I reach up and rub her back, my hand gliding on her silky shirt.

She wipes at her face. “I haven’t been very close to him for a long time, but in my childhood, I adored him. He used to tell me about tragic government cover-ups, his ideas about freedom, and about the revolution and why we needed it. I’d sit there for hours listening to him, and it wasn’t just because I was interested. It was because he was my father. Dad, I’ll always remember you as the man who told me stories as a kid. I love you. Goodbye.”

I’m silent for a moment, then say, “Sunny, do you want to say some words?”

He steps up to the grave, his green mouth frowning. “Americus tried to kill me once.”

Well, that’s a strange opening.

He continues, “It’s because he thought that I could be a threat. He decided I’m not and welcomed me to the team. He even defended my life when it was at risk. It was good to feel like I belonged. I’ll miss you, Americus.”

I look at Sunny. Sometimes he amazes me. I programmed him to want to spend time with humans and relate, but he’s gone so far beyond what I imagined. Does he really care that Americus is dead, or is he just saying that?

Alexander holds his fist out to the grave as if he expects Americus to climb out and bump it. “Americus was a heroic leader in the mold of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-king, and Navin Briggs, the freedom-lover and liberator. He was the founder of our great Loyalist Militia. He trained us and galvanized us to fight. Navin Briggs once said, if I fall, you must pick up the torch and burn the corruption…no that’s not it. Pick up the torch and spread the fire of change because…”

Nav cocks her head to the side.

“I don’t know. Something about starting anew. Americus would have known,” says Alexander.

Sunny waves to us. “It’s, if I fall, you must pick up the torch and spread the fire of change because, through this fire, we will scorch the corruption clean and start again.”

“Yes. I knew it,” says Alexander. “Americus, we’ll rebuild, and we’ll burn the corruption.”

Ron Paul flaps his wings on Alexander’s shoulder and says, “Burn.”

Alexander pets the bird, then nods to me that he’s finished.

I wring my clammy hands while I think of what to say, then step up to the grave. “I didn’t know what to think about Americus at first, but it wasn’t long before I saw his kind side. He made sure I had food, taught me about history, and gave me a home. I really wish things could have been different. I owe a debt to you, Americus. I’ll keep Nav safe no matter what. Goodbye.”

Nav smiles at me, but it’s a sad smile. She turns to leave, her shoulders slumped. We all walk back to the camp in silence, the mood dour. Alexander sits at the base of a tree, his bandaged head lowered. Sunny wanders toward some boulders and summons Bean.

“I’m going to the tent,” says Nav.

“I’ll be there in a little while,” I say. “I want to be alone for a minute.”

She frowns and trudges toward the tent, dragging her feet.

Poor Nav. It must be horrible to lose a husband and father in the span of a few months. At least Americus said he loved her. I can’t imagine what she must be feeling. When she lost her husband, she had almost killed herself. If I didn’t call, she’d—

A worry twists my stomach, and I jog to the tent. I throw the flap open. Nav sits on her cot, her eyes wet and puffy. Her huge handgun rests on the bed next to her.

My heart drops, and I freeze, not wanting to spook her.

She glances at her gun and shrugs. “I’ve lost so much. I’ll always miss Ty, and now Yumi and Astrid are gone. And then I was finally reconnecting with my dad, but now…” She lowers her head to cover her face.

A sick feeling grips my stomach. “I miss them all too. You still have me, Sunny, Brandon, and Alexander, though.”

She rubs her temple. “I can’t talk about this now. Can we do it tomorrow?”

I look at her gun. “Yeah, but at least assure me you won’t hurt yourself.”

She closes her eyes and says nothing.

“Alexander and I couldn’t handle losing you. Promise me.”

She hands me her huge gun. “You’re right. I won’t do anything until we talk.” She turns away and begins to sob.

My heart goes out to her, but I give