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

to madness, to risk. I want freedom. I want Nav, Sunny, and I on the beach, with Alexander doting on our every need.

“I wish we didn’t have to work with Gabriel,” says Nav.

“I know, but we need him,” I say.

She nods hesitantly. “How do you think the eye of providence is related to whoever is orchestrating this?”

I involuntarily shiver at the words. “I wish I knew.”

“I wonder if this could have something to do with secret societies. Many of them use that symbol,” says Nav.

I remember what Tom had said, ‘Secret societies have been controlling the world for thousands of years.’ Could he be right?

“Gabriel called it the all-seeing eye of God,” says Sunny. “Could this really have something to do with Christianity?”

“I don’t know. I never told you guys, but my foster mother also drew an eye, but it was the Eye of Ra.”

Nav shakes her head with a huff. “What’s going on? I can’t even think about this right now. It’s too strange.”

I’m not sure what scares me most, a secret society controlling us, the Devil eating our souls, or the Eye of Ra, a violent force that subdues Ra’s enemies. I pull at my shirt and exhale slowly, trying to relax. “We have the NIA’s internal data. We’ll crack it eventually and get answers.”

“How did the director die, though,” asks Nav. “He didn’t have the Evo.”

“I have no idea,” I say, “but it’s terrifying to think it could happen to us.”

Alexander walks in, his head high and a big smile on his stubbly face. Ron Paul sits on his shoulder, glancing around the room excitedly.

I sit up straight and smile back, my fears suddenly vanishing.

Alexander winks at me, his smile growing broader. “There’s the miracle worker.”

He sits down next to me, and the skin of his arm brushes against mine. My arm tingles where he touches it. I savor his nearness and the feel of his soft skin.

His masculine smell mixed with gun oil drifts around me. The combination is alluring, and I feel myself blush as another thought appears in my mind.

“How come you got so happy when Alexander entered the room?” asks Sunny.

Diablo, Sunny. I have to teach this nut some tact. I glance at Alexander with his wide grin. “No, I didn’t,” I say as calmly as I can manage.

“There was a clearly defined difference in your body language,” says Sunny. “Additionally, your heart rate and pupil diameter both—”

I give him a hard look, my finger to my lips.

Sunny nods to me, making it super obvious. “I meant to say…there was no change.”

I roll my eyes. Great.

Alexander bursts out laughing, rocking against me. Ron Paul leaps off his shoulder onto the cot with a caw.

Alexander’s mirth boosts my spirits, and despite my embarrassment, I laugh along. Nav giggles next to me, and suddenly, the pervading mood is positive.

Alexander looks my way again, and his gaze lingers, a sly smile on his face. I squint and smirk at him, unsure of what I’m seeing. Could he actually like me?

“Fae, what did the director mean when he said there are ancient powers at work?” asks Sunny. “That sounds distressing.”

The mood crashes, and a cold chill passes through my body.

Nav and Alexander look at me as if expecting some grand answer.

How the hell should I know?

When I say nothing, Alexander answers, “It doesn’t matter. We’ll just get more people, more weapons, and more training. My legend will expand ten-fold. And the Olympics are still a year away, so I have time.”

I grin and shake my head. He’s the Alexander that I know and love. He’s the Alexander we’ll need if we’re going to win. And he’s right.

I’ve dominated powerful cybersecurity and cracked the Evo itself. I’ve escaped two heavily armed prisons and destroyed a powerful intelligence agency that was infected by some evil. It’s not over, but I’ll never stop fighting, and I’ll never break again.

I stand and face them, my shoulders back, and meet their eyes. I’ve wanted friends my entire life even though I was afraid of the consequences. As long as I have them, I can do anything. I remember my last speech in Silent City, standing in front of perfect avatars, inspiring them to fight. This is no different.

“Alexander, Navin Briggs reborn,” I say, with a hand out to him.

He pounds his chest, then bumps my fist.

I motion to Nav. “Blaze, cyborg hacker and half of StarBlaze.”

She shakes her head with a chuckle.

“Sunny, bodyguard, best friend, and genius,” I say.

His green smile grows, and he pumps his fist like Alexander does.

I look at them all again, taking the time to connect. “No matter who our new enemy is, we will find them and thrash them. In our weakest state, we obliterated the entire NIA establishment. Think of what we can do when we grow, as Alexander suggests. From this day on, we gain power. FreedomFire forever.”

Nav nods, sitting up straighter. Alexander makes a fist, his eyes fiery.

I continue, “You’ve all seen what I can do, and I’ve seen what amazing things each of you can do. Together, we’re unstoppable. The director said we have no idea who we’re dealing with. But the truth is, they have no idea who they’re dealing with. We will win.”

“Commander Luna, Commander Luna,” chants Alexander.

Nav and Sunny chant with him.

My face heats. “Come on, guys. Enough.” I wave at them to stop, but really…I love it. “We have challenges ahead of us, but tonight, we’re heroes. Let’s celebrate.”

Alexander beams. “Let the fun begin.”

Brandon pops his head in. “Partying without me? You’ll regret it.” He shakes a bottle of Gabriel’s scotch.

Nav grabs his hand and pulls him into a hug, then snatches the bottle and swigs it. “Here’s to all