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

we’re supposed to have certain rights. When I tried to tell them that, they punched me for a second time. After that, I zipped my mouth shut.

We pause, and it sounds like a large metal door grinds open in front of us. The prison, I suppose.

The cyborgs pull me inside. I stumble, but their brutal grips keep me upright. The large door clangs shut behind us.

It’s cold inside, and the place smells new in that toxic chemical way that people like. Someone tears the hood from my face, revealing two cybernetic officers standing before me. Their faces are what you’d expect from any other hard-nosed cop, except for their eyes. The three pupils of their multi-spectrum enhancements make them look more alien than human. Two other men, who appear to be security guards, stand at each corner of the hallway, holding rifles.

The cybernetic officers nod to another man in a suit, whose round gut protrudes like a pregnant belly. He grabs me with a hand coated in thick hair, then shoves me into a conference room.

The room is stark except for a table in the center. Another guard stands near the corner, still enough that I almost believe she doesn’t know I’m here.

Where am I? Certainly not with the police anymore. Based on their uniforms, I’d say a private contractor.

“You’re going to be strip-searched now,” says the woman.

I blink at her. The room is lined with cameras, making me even more uncomfortable. “I’m only seventeen, you know.”

She lowers her rifle at me. “Strip.”

“Can’t you just scan me or something?”

“Our optical scanner isn’t installed yet. We have to do it the old-fashioned way.”

I want to argue, but she looks like she might shoot me if I do. What else can I do? I could launch myself at her.

No. I’d never make it. At least it’s not a man about to see me naked.

I tug off my dress shoes, then remove my jacket, button-down shirt, and slacks. A shiver runs through me as I stand in only my underwear, humiliated. For what? I’ve done nothing wrong. Well, at least not what I’m accused of.

“All of it.”

Oh hell, really? A challenge is on the tip of my tongue, but I’d rather not be punched again. I unclip my bra and pull off my underwear with a sigh. I do my best to shield my most private areas with my hands. One last line of defense for my dignity.

She walks over to me. “Lower your hands and spin.”

Of course.

“You’re clear. I’m going to scan you now for any electronic devices.” She turns around to grab her scanner.

I touch my thumb to my pointer finger’s nail in a predetermined command.

She runs her scanner over my body.

“You’re good,” she says. “Follow me.”

I touch my thumb and finger again, then grab my suit.

She shakes her head. “There’s a uniform over there.”

I grumble and put on a blue short-sleeved jumpsuit.

“If you think wearing the uniform is bad, just wait until the questioning starts. Now come.”

My stomach twists at the words. If this were Silent City, I’d whip around, grab that gun, and put two in her head. Then I’d sprint from this room and end all of those guards.

Could I really do that? The memory of my shoplifting attempt and subsequent fall makes me doubt it.

She shoves me back into the dimly lit entryway, past the guards, and down a hall. We pass several more guards on the way. They leer at me but say nothing. She shoves me one last time into a cell with one tiny window at the top of the door. She slams the door shut, and I’m thrown into darkness.

☼☼☼

I sit on the concrete floor and wrap my arms around my knees. A shiver passes through me, but I don’t know if it’s from the air-conditioning or from the uncertainty. This whole process feels off.

And what about how Anna had a schizophrenic break right after trying to block Candor News’ buyout? Even though we’re still not a hundred percent sure it was the Evo, the evidence points to it. Especially because the Cardinal Post became Evo compliant only one month ago, which forced Anna to get the Evo before the second vote. What would the odds be of her getting schizophrenia right when it would make such a significant change? And what about the investigative reporter? They didn’t want to talk about her. It sure feels like someone is hacking Evos for some purpose. I’ll have to think more about this, but none of it matters until I figure out my current situation.

So, what do I do? I feel momentarily powerless, just like the last time I was in jail. Images of inmate demons tormenting me invade my mind. My isolation from inmates is complete here, but who knows what those guards could do?

Do I trust the legal system? Maybe everything will work out in court. I am innocent, after all. Somehow, though, I know I’ll never see a courtroom. And what about the questioning that she mentioned? It sounded like they were going to torture me.

Can I trust the people Nav called to rescue us? No. Who knows if they’ll even find us? I can only trust myself. The original plan then. If captured, escape. I rub my left wrist, goosebumps on my flesh. The missing q-link makes me feel naked despite the jumpsuit.

I pat my ankle and smile as I feel the small flesh-colored q-link I snuck in. The cloaking illusion I devised hid it from her vision, and my quick finger motion to disable its power hid it from the sensors. People always underestimate me. Maybe it’s because I’m petite. Or maybe it’s because I’m young, but it’s a mistake. I put the q-link on my wrist and feel whole again.

It’s funny that